Page 25 of The Wallflower's Choice
Prudence sat quietly on the bench and looked out across the grounds. Lord Kingshill sat beside her, but though they had sat together for some minutes – and with her mother a short distance away – not a single word had been spoken between them.
“I – I know that this is all a little unusual,” Prudence said, her stomach twisting as Lord Kingshill let out a long sigh. “We have not yet begun a proper courtship but–”
“You did speak to your father, did you not?” Lord Kingshill looked at her sharply, his eyes a little narrowed. “I do hope there is to be no difficulty there.”
Prudence blinked, her fingers twisting together as she looked at Lord Kingshill, seeing how his jaw had tightened.
“There is no difficulty there, no, I assure you. My father is not particularly pleased, given your reputation, but the courtship can begin whenever you wish it.”
She had spoken with her father and mother the previous evening, only a short time after she had witnessed Lord Childers attempting to pull a young lady into his arms. The pain that had shot through her upon witnessing such a thing had been so great that she had not been able to breathe for some moments. He hadtwisted about and walked away without a word, and she had also hurried across the room and as far from Lord Childers as she could, all the while berating herself for her foolish emotions.
Her decision had been made for her, she realized. Any sort of feelings she had for Lord Childers were worth nothing, for he did not care for her in the least. Charming and considerate he had appeared to be, but Prudence had let herself be captured by him, albeit just a little. Thus, in her embarrassment and shame, she had spoken to her parents and made it plain that yes, she did want to accept Lord Kingshill’s offer of courtship. There had been much discussion but, in the end, Prudence had been given permission by her father to do as she had asked. He had expressed his discontent that Lord Kingshill had not come to speak to him personally, and Prudence had acknowledged that it had not been done properly.
That was all she had been able to say.
“I will tell thetonthat we are courting this evening, I think.” Lord Kingshill sniffed and then threw a glance at her. “There is no requirement for us to be seen together, however, not at balls and soirees or any other evening activity. I will call on you at times, however, to take tea and the like. And mayhap we should go out in the carriage so we can be seen, or a walk in the park as we have done today. But aside from that, I do not see any reason for us to be often in company.”
Prudence’s mouth went dry, and her heart began to pound. The gentleman had not asked her what she thought about such a thing but had, instead, simply told her that this was what was required and what she was expected to agree to.
“You do not want to spend time with me?” she asked, her voice a little hoarse. “I thought that, since we are looking to betrothal and marriage, you might be eager to do so.”
Lord Kingshill chuckled, though the sound was not a pleasant one, making Prudence wince.
“My dear Lady Prudence, I do not think that there is any real reason for us to be very well acquainted, do you?”
“We… we are to be husband and wife,” Prudence stammered, rather stunned by his response. “Do you not think that a good reason?”
With a shrug, Lord Kingshill let out a huff of breath.
“I do not think that is reason enough, no. From my point of view, a husband and his wife need not often be in company together and, besides which, you will soon have a son or daughter to care for.” He looked at her properly then, a small smile on his face as though this was just what she ought to have expected from him. “I am sure that you are looking forward to being mistress of Kingshill Manor? You will have the entire house to manage, as well as your own quarters.”
“My own quarters,” Prudence repeated, a little breathlessly.
This, she realized, was Lord Kingshill’s hope and expectation: that she would live with him but not be at all present beside him. Instead, they would live two very separate lives while sharing the same house and gardens. It was not at all the sort of life she expected and, were she to be honest with him, she would say that she was both disappointed and horrified to hear it.
“Well, I think I shall take my leave. Good afternoon, Lady Prudence.”
Prudence’s mouth fell open, her shock so great that she could not even find the words to respond. She stared at the retreating figure of Lord Kingshill, finding her heart aching terribly. The gentleman had not even the smallest consideration for her! He had not asked her if she had anything to speak of, had not asked her for her opinion on anything that he had said, and had made it quite clear that he had no interest in her company – and would not have any interest in the future either! Was that the life that she wanted? Was that the future she was destined for? Tomarry a gentleman who would not evenlookat her? Whose only interactions with her would be to visit her bedchamber in the hope of producing an heir?
“Goodness, did something happen?”
Prudence looked up as her mother approached, a little embarrassed at how swiftly Lord Kingshill had taken his leave.
“No, Mama.”
“Then why did Lord Kingshill walk away so quickly?”
Not certain what to say – for she did not want to tell her mother the truth, given the shame that would then soon burn through her, Prudence offered a small smile.
“He had some business matters to attend to which were very urgent. This evening, he intends to announce to thetonthat we have begun a courtship.”
“I see.” Lady Lymington did not appear to believe this excuse, given the way her eyebrows dropped and her lips flattened. “And what say you, my dear? Are you going to be content with that? Are you going to be glad when he begins to tell the gentlemen and ladies of thetonthat you are now courting?”
Prudence tried to say yes, tried to tell her mother that this was what she wanted, but the ache in her throat grew and knotted until all she could do was force a smile. It was not one that her mother believed, however, for she sat down and immediately put one arm around Prudence’s shoulders.
“My dear girl, you do not have to do this.”
Closing her eyes, Prudence fought tears.
