Page 20 of The Wallflower's Choice
“It seems as though you will have your desire answered this very afternoon!”
It is not as though I could never introduce them,he told himself, as Lord Kingshill rubbed his hands together in evident anticipation.That would be foolishness.
“Oh?” Lord Kingshill looked first to James and then out to where he was gazing. “You mean to say thatsheis Lady Prudence? The one standing with only another young lady beside her?”
“Yes, that is she. With the brown hair.”
“My word.”
With a frown, hearing the shock in Lord Kingshill’s voice, James looked at his friend sharply.
“You do not mean to suggest that there is something wrong with her countenance, do you?”
“No, of course not! I confess that I did not expect her to be so fair!”
James said nothing, walking forward alongside his friend, finding that he was frowning without any real understanding as to why. With a clearing of his throat, he made certain that his countenance was calm, just as Lady Prudence glanced towards them – and then looked at them for a second time, her eyes widening just a little.
“Good afternoon, Lady Prudence.” James inclined his head, looking then at Miss Rockwell who seemed to be ever present with Lady Prudence herself. “And to you also, Miss Rockwell.”
“Good afternoon.”
Bobbing a curtsey, Lady Prudence exchanged a glance with her friend and then turned to look at James, her gaze drifting towards Lord Kingshill. James, turning slightly, gestured to his friend, battling against the restraint within him. It was as if he quietly wanted to keep them separated from each other, though he had no real reason as to why that might be.
Foolishness,James reminded himself before, forcing a smile, he gave the introductions. Watching Lady Prudence as she looked again to Lord Kingshill, taking him in with those soft, green eyes of hers, James felt his eyebrows drop low over his brows again.
“Good afternoon, Miss Rockwell, Lady Prudence.” Lord Kingshill bowed low. “It is a great honor to meet you.”
“As it is to be introduced to you,” came the quiet reply, though Miss Rockwell, James noticed, was frowning heavily. “Thank you, Lord Childers, for doing so.”
James said nothing, giving her only a small nod as he then pulled his gaze away. There was much to be said between Lord Kingshill and Lady Prudence and he did not need to stand here and be a part of it. He had done as he had been asked. He had introduced Lord Kingshill to Lady Prudence and now, he need not spend even a moment longer in her company. Without so much as a word to either Lord Kingshill or to the two young ladies, James turned and began to walk away, his frown returning for what was the third time in only a few minutes.
I am free now,he told himself, firmly.Free to do as I please, knowing that soon, Lord Kingshill will be able to join me.Letting his gaze rove around the park, he took a deep breath and set his shoulders.Now all I need to do is find something… or someone to entertain me.
Chapter Nine
Watching as Lord Childers walked away, Prudence looked back at Lord Kingshill’s face, seeing the broad grin that spread across it and finding herself inwardly recoiling.
Lord Kingshill did not have a kind expression, nor was there any softness about his eyes. Instead, there was a hardness there, a glitter in the depths of his dark brown eyes which Prudence did not like in the least.
“Excellent, excellent indeed!” His eyes roved over her, and Prudence shivered lightly, appreciating Miss Rockwell’s presence and support. “Now, Lady Prudence, since we have met, it may well be time for us to discuss what it is to take place between us!”
Prudence swallowed once, twice, and then a third time in an attempt to remove the ache from her throat.
“Indeed.” Her chin lifted just a little as she fought to find more strength. “I hear that you are something of a rake, Lord Kingshill. I am sure that you are aware that such a reputation carries a great many shadows with it? Shadows which will cling to me, the moment that we announce our connection.” To her very great surprise, Lord Kingshill only shrugged. Miss Rockwellcaught her breath in obvious astonishment and then looked to Prudence who, in return, could only give her a small shake of her head. “You do know that your roguish reputation must begin to fade away, I am sure,” Prudence continued when Lord Kingshill said nothing. “I have been assured by Lord Childers that–”
“You need not be concerned, Lady Prudence. I will do what I must to reform myself, I promise you.” Waving one hand as if to dismiss her, Lord Kingshill took a small step closer. “So, we are to become betrothed, yes?”
Prudence blinked.
“I – I suppose that–”
“I think it would be best to have a courtship, albeit a very short one.” Miss Rockwell glanced at Prudence, her eyes flashing a warning. “You do not want thetonto wonder why there is so sudden a betrothal between you. That might add all the more to the rumors which already pursue you, Lord Kingshill.”
The gentleman frowned.
“Such rumors do not weigh heavily on me, I confess. I do not think that there is any need to delay.”
“Ah, but they might cling to your heir,” Miss Rockwell responded, quickly. “And I am certain that you do not want that to occur.”
