Page 17 of The Wallflower's Choice
The quiet voice of Lord Childers brought her back to the present, looking up at him again as she swallowed tightly.
“I – I do not know.”
“A scoundrel still requires a wife. Besides which, the eagerness also comes from the realization that he requires an heir. To find a young lady who will be eager to accept a scoundrel as a husband might be rather difficult and, since he has such an eagerness about this matter, he decided an arrangement would be suitable,” he told her, his voice quiet and his expression soft. “And if he will be a rogue no longer, then would that not be a good thing? Yes, it does mean that society will be rather astonished at the match and will, no doubt, whisper about it for a time, but if it is to bring you eternal happiness, then there is no real seriousness to that, is there?” Prudence did not know what to say. The shock still ran through her and, even though his hands were squeezing hers, even though he stood so close to her so that she could feel his breath on her cheek, she could find nothing to say. “Will you still meet him, at the very least?”
Closing her eyes, Prudence nodded slowly.
“I suppose I should still do so, yes.”
“I thank you.” Lord Childers released her hands and then stepped back. “I can understand your hesitancy, but I can assure you that Lord Kingshillwantsto marry. I am certain that he understands all that is required of a gentleman who desires such a thing!”
“I must hope so,” Prudence murmured, glancing over her shoulder, only to see that her mother was standing with another lady, deep in conversation with her. Little wonder that she had voiced no concern in seeing Prudence and Lord Childers so close together. “I am aware that, as a wallflower, I ought not to care too deeply about who I marry, but all the same, Lord Childers, the thought of being married to a rogue who will care nothing for me and use me only as decoration in front of society’s eyes, is not something that I can bear! I believe that, even though I stand to the side, even though thetondoes not really consider me, I am still worthy of being treated with consideration and respect.”
Lord Childers looked at her for a long moment, saying nothing. Then, with a heavy breath, he inclined his head, nodded, and then took her hand again for a brief moment.
“I quite understand, and I agree entirely.”
Her eyebrows lifted just a little.
“You do?”
“I do, and I promise you that I shall make that expectation very clear to Lord Kingshill.”
A little light relief filled her though, as they stood there, hand in hand, that relief grew into something more. There was a gentle heat that was not unwelcome, curling through her stomach and leaving her sighing with something akin to contentment – though that faded rapidly when Lord Childers took his hand away.
“I must beg to take my leave of you now,” he said, softly. “Do excuse me, Lady Prudence. Thank you for walking with me for a time. Mayhap we shall be able to walk together again on another fine day such as this.”
“I should like to, yes.”
The words came out of her mouth and shocked Prudence utterly. She stared back at Lord Childers as he took his leave and then walked away from her, leaving her staring after him inutter astonishment. What had possessed her to speak in such a way to him? No doubt his suggestion was simply spoken out of propriety, given all that she had said to him before as regards his consideration of her. But now, she had spoken with a fervency as regarded her desire to walk with him again on a fine summer’s day, rather than simply remaining silent, as she ought to have done.
Why did I say it?She dropped her head.Why did I suggest that I would like to be in his company again? I am meant to be considering betrothal to his friend, to Lord Kingshill, rather than enjoying Lord Childers’ company! And besides which, he is still nothing but a rogue and I should be doing all that I can to stay far from him.
Those thoughts, those quiet whispers to herself, did nothing to persuade Prudence’s heart to change all it felt, however. Squeezing her eyes closed for a moment, she fought hard to push everything away, to remove every single ounce of feeling… but instead, she was left with nothing but confusion, upset, and to her dismay, a lingering warmth that crept into the very depths of her heart.
Prudence letout a heavy sigh and shook her head.
“I do not know what to think, Anna.”
“I would demand an introduction if I were you!” Miss Rockwell exclaimed as they took tea together in Lord Lymington’s drawing room. “It has been almost a fortnight now and all you have done is talk with Lord Childers!”
Yes, I have,Prudence thought to herself, finding a slight smile tilting her lips.And I have not found that at all disagreeable.
“Prudence?”
Prudence looked back at her friend, realizing that she had lost herself in her thoughts for a moment.
“Yes?”
“When will you demand a meeting with this gentleman? It seems rather strange to me that he has not met you as yet, especially since there is some haste in his desire to marry.”
Considering what she would tell her friend, Prudence took a breath and then spoke.
“It is a little odd, yes, but it has given me a lot of time to think about what my future would be like, should I accept him.”
“That, I suppose, is a good thing.”
“I do have some concerns,” Prudence continued, recalling that she had not yet told Miss Rockwell what she had learned of Lord Kingswell’s reputation.
