Page 77 of Indecent
“That could very well be. Honestly, I don’t know my uncle very well. I only saw him a few times a year, and even then it was for short periods—he never liked children. My father can’t stand him. More than once, he’s said he wished his sister had married someone else.”
Prudence vaguely recalled the duke mentioning something like that. “Do you think that’s why he was so keen to have her be your sponsor? He wanted to give her something to focus on away from Peterborough?”
“That’s possible. It would certainly explain why he forgave her lack of attention as my sponsor.”
Whereas Prudence had once found Lady Peterborough frustrating with regard to her blasé treatment of Cassandra, she now felt bad for the woman. Probably because she now knew the countess was her mother, but also because her life seemed quite sad. Suddenly, she wished theycouldhave a deeper relationship.
Prudence returned her thoughts to the matter at hand—it was time for the final piece. “You see, the other reason I had to see her was to ask for money—and she wasn’t able to help me because she couldn’t risk her husband finding out.”
“Why do you need money? I can help you, certainly.”
“Specifically, I need a dowry—to marry Bennet.”
“Oh! Of course. As you said, his financial situation has not changed.” She frowned slightly. “Did you find a dowry? That’s more than I can afford, unfortunately.”
“Not as yet, but Lucien is apparently working on that. Lady Peterborough sent him to see my half brother and demand he settle a dowry on me.”
“Oh, do stop calling her Lady Peterborough, please. Call her Christina or your mother—at least with me.” She narrowed one eye. “If you’re comfortable with that.”
“Lady Peterborough is a mouthful,” Prudence admitted with a smile. “I confess I was surprised that she offered to help me. I hated asking her for money.”
“But it was necessary since you and Glastonbury had fallen in love and wished to marry.” She made it sound like a fairy tale when it was anything but.
Prudence fidgeted with her dress. “Ah, that’s not… That’s not exactly right. Our time together at Riverview resulted in an unplanned situation. I believe I’m carrying his child. Marriage became a necessity. Except he needs money, and I have none to give him.”
Again, Cassandra’s expression registered shock. Recovering, she took Prudence’s hands and squeezed them gently. “Oh, my dear. How wonderful for you, but how terrifying too.”
“I was foolish to put myself in this position,” Prudence said.
“Don’t say that. We’ve all been swept away by passion or longing or whatever it was that prompted you to be intimate with him. I’m certainly not blameless.”
“He took precautions, but nothing is guaranteed, so here we are.”
“So you aren’t in love?” Cassandra looked crestfallen.
“I don’t think so.” Prudence hadn’t indulged such thoughts because they involved emotion. Particularly emotions she preferred to leave locked away. But that was before, when she’d never imagined a husband or children. Shouldn’t she at least consider opening herself up to that now? “I was attracted to him during the time we spent together. I saw an opportunity for a night of…passion, and I took it. I never planned to marryorhave children. I was content in my life as companion. I adored working for Fiona and for you and now for Kat.” She hesitated, her voice lowering. “I admit I was glad to be on the periphery of Society. Ever since I learned that my father was a viscount, I wanted to see what it would have been like to live that life. I didn’t want it—I wasn’t born to it. But I was curious if it was truly in my blood.”
Cassandra’s gaze was so warm and sympathetic. “I think I can understand that curiosity or at least that question of belonging. Family—or the lack thereof—makes us feel different things. Growing up without my mother, I was always so obsessed with my friends’ mothers, with their relationships.”
Prudence was grateful for Cassandra’s understanding. “I’m not even sure I can manage being a viscountess. I feel as though I’ve entrapped Bennet in this. He needs money, yet he’s agreed to marry me without knowing if Warfield will provide a dowry.”
“Then perhaps he does love you,” Cassandra said with a smile.
“Oh, do stop with your romantic notions,” Prudence scoffed, thinking Cassandra and Ada would get on quite well together. “He’s doing what he must because he’s a good man.”
“Who kidnaps people,” Cassandra muttered.
“Who’ssorryabout kidnapping people,” Prudence amended.
They laughed, and Cassandra let go of Prudence’s hands.
Prudence quickly sobered. “We haven’t heard from Lucien, so I’m worried it isn’t going well with Warfield. Which was to be expected since he’s a horrible, selfish person.”
“You know him?”
“I met him once when I went to ask him for a job. My mother had told me that when I was given to them, two things were conveyed. One was the ring that belonged to Christina. The second was the identity of my real father and the message that if I ever found myself in dire circumstances, I should ask him for help. Unfortunately, he had died, so I saw his son instead.”
“And he turned you out, his own half sister? I knew he was disagreeable, but this makes him an utter blackguard.”
