Page 79 of Indecent
His brow furrowed. He looked toward Prudence. “There’s still no word, then?”
She shook her head, feeling his anxiety as strongly as she felt her own.
“So we’re settled that you’ll have the ceremony and breakfast here tomorrow?” Cassandra said.
“Thank you,” Prudence said, a surprising but welcome love surging for this woman who was now her family. She was getting married, and herfamilywould be there.
“My family will also be coming,” Bennet said. “My aunt and great-aunt are visiting from Bath.”
Prudence was surprised to hear that. “You didn’t mention that.”
“There’s been a great deal happening at once,” he said with a faint smile.
“Indeed,” she agreed.
Cassandra beamed at them. “Excellent, we’ll have plenty of room. I must get moving on these plans, so please excuse me!” She hastened from the room, closing the door behind her.
“That was thoughtful of her,” Bennet murmured. He walked quickly to Prudence and pulled her into his arms.
She went willingly, glad for his touch and his embrace. He kissed her softly, and she thought in that moment that everything would be all right.
Laying her head on his shoulder, she asked, “How did things go with ending your arrangement?”
“It’s done, and that’s all that matters.”
Prudence pulled back and looked up at him. “That doesn’t sound as if it went well.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He gave her an encouraging smile, then kissed her again, his hands moving over her back as he held her close.
After several minutes, they parted, panting slightly. “This is strange, but nice. I suppose we can do this whenever we want after tomorrow.”
“Yes, this and many other things.” He stroked her jaw and gazed into her eyes. “I look forward to reclaiming your body, Pru.”
She shivered with anticipation even as her anxiety persisted. She couldn’t forget the circumstances of their unwanted union or the uncertainty they faced. “You can still change your mind if there’s no dowry. I’ll understand.”
“Not a chance.” He kissed her again, and she surrendered to a moment of joy.
Chapter17
Bennet arrived early at the Wexfords’ house and sent his secondhand coach back to pick up his aunts. They’d been shocked to hear he was getting married, but delighted. Probably because they assumed that meant he would be getting a settlement upon the marriage. He hadn’t told them otherwise.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to. He hoped Lucien was already here with news that the dowry had been obtained.
His mind returned to his aunts and what Prudence would think of them. He’d instructed both Aunt Judith and Great-Aunt Esther that they weren’t to discuss anything regarding their family with his bride. They’d asked if he planned to hide the affliction and how he could possibly do that while taking her to Aberforth Place.
He couldn’t, of course, and he was only delaying the inevitable. However, there was so much happening right now, and with the weight of the unknown dowry hanging over them, he thought it best to put off telling her about their family’s illness. That he dreaded doing so only made the decision easier.
Then Aunt Judith asked if he planned to tell her about Agatha. Was there really a need?
Before he could think too deeply about that, the butler showed Bennet to Wexford’s study, where the Irishman was waiting. “Morning, Glastonbury. Seems like we just had a wedding by special license.” He chuckled.
“Yours, you mean,” Bennet said. “I wasn’t invited.” He’d been stranded at Riverview with Prudence anyway. He wouldn’t trade that for anything.
“An oversight, I’m sure.” Wexford’s gaze simmered with humor. Apparently, he truly had forgiven Bennet for his behavior at the fight. He wouldn’t do the same if he knew Bennet had tried to kidnap his wife. He was glad he’d only had to suffer an excellent uppercut from Cassandra.
“Anything from Lucien?” Bennet asked, hating that he sounded as tense as he felt—as though he were strung out on a rack.
“Nothing. Cass did invite him to the wedding this morning.”
