Page 103 of Indecent
Gathering her courage, Prudence went to buss his cheek. “Thank you, Uncle,” she whispered.
He grunted in response before taking his leave.
Prudence turned to her husband. “That went well, I take it?”
“Very well.” Bennet swept her into his arms and twirled her about the entry hall.
Laughing, she begged him to put her down. “Don’t make me ill again.” That morning, Prudence had suffered her first sickness from the babe. There was no denying it now—not that anyone had been doing that.
Bennet set her down and kissed her soundly. “I can’t remember the last time I felt like this. Probably never.”
She grinned up at him, basking in his elation. “How’s that?”
“I’m not sure I can describe it. I actually feel like I can breathe, that I don’t have to worry whether I’ll be able to keep Aunt Agatha in the only home she remembers or if I’ll have to force Aunt Judith and Great-Aunt Esther to move to Aberforth Place. No one wants that,” he added drily.
Prudence giggled. “I’m so glad the duke agreed to give you a loan.”
“Not only that, but the terms were quite favorable.”
“What did he mean about a report?” she asked.
“I’m to send quarterly reports detailing my progress. It’s to be expected, and honestly, I’m glad to have his input. My father was woefully inept at running the estate, and I was too young to learn much before my grandfather died.”
The door opened suddenly, and in walked Flora and Minerva, trailed by Mrs. Hennings. Minerva’s squirrels peered from her apron, and Flora carried a basket of flowers. They both looked delighted. Mrs. Hennings appeared slightly beleaguered.
“I see you found plenty of flowers in Russell Square.” Bennet kept his arm around Prudence as he spoke to his great-aunts.
Flora nodded vigorously. “Oh yes, it was worth the extra walk. It’s much larger than Bloomsbury. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must begin preserving these beauties.” She ambled to the staircase hall and would continue up to the drawing room, half of which she’d commandeered for her flower pressing.
Minerva patted George. “Mr. George seems to have found a friend today. We will need to return tomorrow so they can see each other.”
“Mrs. Hennings can’t accompany you about town every day,” Bennet said evenly.
Blinking, Minerva looked from him to Prudence and back again. “Then you or Prudence shall have to do it.” With a happy smile, she sailed from the hall.
“Thank you, my lord,” Mrs. Hennings said. “I should attend to some chores.”
Prudence stopped her. “Just a moment, Mrs. Hennings. I wanted to let you know that I met with Jane today. She is handing in her notice to Lady Basildon.” The day after the spectacle at the Tilden ball, Bennet had suggested they hire the housekeeper’s daughter. Frankly, the household needed another maid, and Jane could also serve as Prudence’s lady’s maid. While Prudence had resisted at first, she liked Mrs. Hennings so much that she’d agreed to meet with Jane. Now, having met the pleasant and enthusiastic young lady, Prudence was eager to have her here. Furthermore, poor Jane was anxious to be away from her gossipmongering current employer.
Mrs. Henning’s eyes lit, and she clapped her hands together. “I’m so pleased—and grateful—your ladyship. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you’ll be together—and to have more help. You work too hard.” She cast a sideways glance at Bennet. He knew Mrs. Henning was overworked. That had been part of his argument to Prudence regarding the hiring of Jane.
“I do what’s necessary,” Mrs. Hennings demurred. “It’s my pleasure and honor to serve his lordship—and now you. I’d best get on.” She walked toward the back of the house, where the back stairs would take her to the kitchen below.
“I really ought to hire a footman too,” Bennet mused. “But I confess that I’m reluctant. It still feels as if I can’t afford it.”
“Then maybe we can’t. I don’t need a footman. I don’t really need any of this,” Prudence said. “We can always claim the life we enjoyed at Riverview.”
“That we can.” Bennet lowered his head to kiss her again. Some moments later, they parted, breathless. “Might I suggest we go upstairs to prepare for dinner at the Wexfords’?”
“That’s hours away,” Prudence said with a laugh.
“Without a valet or a lady’s maid, you must recognize that it takes longer for us to complete our toilets.” He gave her an innocent look while steering her toward the staircase hall.
Prudence suppressed a smile. “I’m quite looking forward to tonight.”
All their friends and family would be there—except for the Bath relatives and, of course, Aunt Agatha. Bennet had promised to take Prudence to meet her in August when he made his annual visit.
