Page 32 of The Wallflower's Choice
A long sigh came from Miss Rockwell.
“Well, when you speak in such terms as that, I can understand why you are so concerned. But does it have to be Lord Kingshill?”
A small, sad smile touched Prudence’s lips.
“I do not know who else it would be, Anna. It is not as though any gentlemen have come in search of me, is it? And no oneknows that I am betrothed as yet, so I cannot use that as an excuse.”
Miss Rockwell’s lips tugged to one side, only for her eyes to flare and her spoon to drop to the table. She did not even glance at it, did not stop to pick it up but instead reached out to touch Prudence’s hand with her own.
“What about Lord Childers?”
“What do you mean?” Prudence could not deny that her heart quickened a little at that name, but she steeled herself inwardly. “What about him?”
“Could you not betrothe yourself to Lord Childers?” Miss Rockwell’s eyes widened all the more. “He has said that he will devote himself to you, has he not?”
“Yes, but to ensure the betrothal that follows is a happy one.”
“Which speaks of his interest in you, does it not?”
Prudence blinked and then shook her head, her lips pursed for a moment.
“I do not think that it means that he has any sort of genuine interest, not in that regard. He says that he feels it only because of his hand in the arrangement, not for any other reason.”
“But regardless of that, he is proving himself to be a little more reformed than Lord Kingshill, is he not? And your father seemed pleased with him.”
“Yes,” Prudence said slowly, wishing that her heart was not so eager to cling to this particular idea, given the way it jumped around. “But I could not dare to suggest such a thing to him! He does not want to marry, while his friend does. What if–”
“What if you miss this opportunity and instead, find yourself tied to Lord Kingshill for the rest of your days, wondering what would have happened, had you been bold enough to speak with Lord Childers?”
Prudence swallowed thickly, her stomach lurching. Was this what would happen to her if she didnotdo as Miss Rockwellsuggested? She could not help but admit to herself that the thought of marrying Lord Childers was a good deal more appealing than the idea of attaching herself to Lord Kingshill, though she did her best to hide that from her friend.
“I will think about it, Anna. That is all I can say.”
Miss Rockwell nodded.
“Then think on it quickly, my friend. It will not be long before Lord Kingshill makes his announcement about your courtship, and then what will thetondo if they see you connected to Lord Childers instead?” Picking up her spoon, she dug it into her ice again. “I think that Lord Childers might be the better prospect, even though he is just as much of a rogue as Lord Kingshill!”
“Perhaps,” Prudence mused, seeing her friend nod fervently. “I do not know how I would even approach such a subject, however!”
“It will come to you, I am sure,” Miss Rockwell said, firmly. “I amveryglad that I thought of such a thing.” Reaching out, she pressed Prudence’s hand, her eyes steady. “I want you to be happy, my dear friend. I cannot bear the thought of you being wed to thatfooland left unhappy for the rest of your days.”
A sense of sadness twisted Prudence’s heart and then spread out across her chest.
“I do not want to be sorrowful either,” she answered, as Miss Rockwell took her hand back. “Iwillthink about it, I assure you. I will think about speaking to Lord Childers about changing my betrothal from Lord Kingshill to him.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Ishall make the announcement this evening, I think.”
James looked at his friend, frowning.
“You mean to speak to everyone at this soiree?” He looked around the room as his friend nodded. “But Lady Prudence is not here this evening.”
“Does she have to be?” Lord Kingshill snorted and shook his head. “Come now, do not be so foolish as to tell me that the lady herself must be in the same room when I make the announcement!”
“I think it would be wise to make certain that the lady is present before you make such a big announcement,” James answered, quickly. “Thetonwill expect to see you together and–”
“I do not care what thetonthink, or what their expectations are.” Lord Kingshill interrupted, rolling his eyes. “And there was a time when you did not either.” Tilting his head, he narrowed his eyes and looked long at James. “There is something different about you of late, I must say. I do not know exactly what it is, but there is certainly something strange. You are not the friend that I once knew, I think.”
