Page 16 of The Wallflower's Choice
“Prudence, do you wish to do such a thing?”
The warning in her mother’s voice was clear, but Prudence glanced around the park, seeing that there appeared to be very few others present.
“For a short while, Mama,” she suggested, as Lady Lymington’s lips pressed tightly together. “We are to return home before the fashionable hour anyway, are we not? I will not walk for too long a time.”
Lady Lymington sniffed but nodded, leaving Prudence to accept Lord Childers arm and then, to fall into step with him. No doubt her mother was still thinking about what they had discussed between them previously. Lord Childers might well be a means of pushing her back into society and, even though Lady Lymington was clearly disconcerted at the idea of having her daughter walk with a rogue, she did not object.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, though the nearness of him made Prudence’s heart squeeze with the memory of being in his arms. They had not spoken a single word to each other all through the waltz, but Lord Childers had never once taken his eyes from hers and she had struggled to look anywhere but up at him. It had been as though the rest of the ballroom had fallen away, that it had only been the two of them upon the floor, and when it had come to an end, there had been so much regret in her heart, it had been like a very sharp, sudden pain piercing right through her.
“A very fine day.”
Prudence started, having been lost in her thoughts.
“Indeed.”
“And with excellent company.”
She pressed her lips together, seeing how his gaze was roving around the grounds surrounding them, rather than looking at her. Did he truly feel genuine happiness in being in such pleasant surroundings? Or was he only saying such things in the hope of garnering her interest in him.
“You have not told me why Lord Kingshill wishes to marry so quickly,” she said, before their conversation could drift into all manner of things. “You said you would answer any questions I have and, therefore, I should like to ask you why Lord Kingshill has not married as yet. He is a highly titled gentleman and yet he has not found himself a bride. What reason for that is there?”
Finally, Lord Childers looked back at her, surprise lingering in his eyes.
“You mean to ask me about Lord Kingshill’s standing?”
Prudence nodded; she felt a tightness in her chest which made it difficult to breathe deeply.
“You asked me about my reasons for being a wallflower,” she explained. “I should like to ask why a gentleman with such a high title has not yet considered matrimony. It is clear that this has come to him as a sudden demand, an unexpected desire and I must wonder why he turns to a wallflower rather than to any other young lady of theton.I am looking for the truth as to why such a thing must be.”
“I can understand that.”
Lord Childers did not give her any further explanation though a frown began to pull at his forehead, making Prudence’s heart twist with concern.
“As a wallflower, I confess that I am not entirely aware of all that is going on in society,” Prudence continued when he said nothing. “I do hope that you do not think I am prying.”
“Of course not.” Lord Childers looked at her for a long moment, his eyes steady, but that frown still flickering there. “I confess that I was wondering when this conversation would come about, Lady Prudence. I was hoping that you would not ask, truth be told, but I suppose that I should tell you regardless.”
Prudence’s heart flipped over in her chest, a sudden tightness – a sudden fear – lurching through her. What was it that he hadbeen hiding from her? What was it that he had wanted to keep hidden? Surely Lord Kingshill did not have some sort of dreadful circumstance clinging to him?
“He is as much a scoundrel as I am, Lady Prudence.” With a heavy sigh, Lord Childers looked away. “I am sorry to say it, but that is the truth.”
If she had not had her hand on his arm, Prudence was quite sure she would have come to a complete stop. Shock ran through her, her fingers tightening on him as she fought her way through a sudden, blind panic.
I am going to marry a rogue!
“He has hidden a good deal from society, Lady Prudence, but they know him to be something of a rogue, at least,” Lord Childers continued, not seeming to understand the pain that suddenly tore through her at his words. “I do not think that you need to fear such a thing, however. After all, you are a wallflower, rejected by society and he is a rogue, also rejected by society.”
“They are two entirely different things!”
Prudence could not seem to catch her breath, her heart pounding as cold sweat broke out across her forehead. Lord Childers was saying something to her, but she did not hear him, did not seem to notice his words. Instead, there was nothing but a gentle buzzing in her ears, and she was both hearing and feeling every beat of her heart. Her vision blurred, panic gripping her until, all of a sudden, she could not seem to even take another step.
“Lady Prudence?” Lord Childers released her hand from his arm and turned so he might look down fully into her face, his hands finding both of hers and gripping them tightly. “I have shocked you, I can see. I did not mean to do such a thing. I–”
“I cannot marry a scoundrel!”
Lord Childers held her gaze steadily, saying nothing as she looked back up at him, her breath still coming fast as she battled her overwhelming emotions. Everything that had been built up within her, the faint hope that she might find herself a suitable husband and live a contented, happy life, was all torn away in a single moment.
“What if he is to reform himself?”
