Page 52 of Indecent
“In the meantime, I’ll look for an appropriate investment scheme,” Lucien said. “I hope you won’t be foolish. Furthermore, that ring belongs with my family. I’m not going to let it go without a fight.” His tone didn’t carry a threat or any malice at all, just a statement of fact.
Bennet nodded, feeling unsettled about having to lie while also knowing it was necessary. “I understand, and I respect that. I’ll let you know soon.”
He turned and left the room, his mind churning with unanswered questions and a swirl of unease in his chest. Did Prudence know the truth about this ring?
He wasn’t sure what he hoped to find out.
“This is lovely, isn’t it?” Cassandra asked with a bright smile as she and Prudence strolled along Bond Street. “Just like before I wed Ruark and before you were companion to Kat.”
“When I was companion to you,” Prudence said.
“I’m so glad we’re still in the same household.”
Prudence was too. After being uncertain of things while she’d been with Bennet, she was incredibly relieved not only to have a position, but to have one with people she liked and cared about. And who liked and cared about her.
For now. If her time at Riverview had taught her anything, it was that everything truly was temporary. Only one thing was certain: change.
Perhaps that clear realization was why she felt different since returning to London. Or it could be something else entirely. Or someoneelse.
Bennet.
She shoved him away from her thoughts. There was no point in thinking of him.
Forward, not back.
“Let’s go in here,” Cassandra said, steering Prudence into a milliner’s shop. “Those gloves in the window are the perfect shade of ivory.” There was no one in London more adept at shopping than Cassandra. Except, perhaps, Evie Renshaw. Prudence had been shopping with her and Ada on a few occasions, and Evie’s eye for fashion was nearly unparalleled.
As soon as they stepped into the shop, Cassandra stopped. Prudence nearly walked into her back.
“Good afternoon, Aunt Christina,” Cassandra said with a slight edge to her tone.
So slight that probably only Prudence caught it. The Countess of Peterborough, was Cassandra’s father’s sister, and she’d been Cassandra’s sponsor—though a very poor one. While she’d accompanied Cassandra to Society events, she’d often abandoned her upon arrival. On at least one occasion, she hadn’t even come to the duke’s house in Grosvenor Square to escort Cassandra. That had annoyed the duke no end.
Nevertheless, he’d allowed his younger sister to play sponsor instead of the more earnest and far more committed Lady Aldington, Cassandra’s sister-in-law, who’d briefly held the position before the duke had deemed her too timid.
He failed to see that timid was preferable to absent. Or uncaring.
“Cassandra, my dearest!” Lady Peterborough bussed her niece’s cheek. They looked a bit alike, with dark hair, though Lady Peterborough’s was streaked with hints of gray. Their eyes were quite similar, tawny and warm. “How lovely you look. Marriage certainly agrees with you.”
“Thank you, Aunt. I’m fortunate to have Prudence with me today. I don’t know if you heard, but she is now companion to Ruark’s sister, Miss Shaughnessy.”
Lady Peterborough’s gaze passed briefly over Prudence. “I hadn’t heard, but how nice for all of you. I know how hard it can be to find good help.”
Prudence rolled her eyes internally. She’d always found Lady Peterborough to be self-involved, particularly when it came to her niece. One would expect her to make more of an effort since Cassandra’s mother had died when she was young. Prudence knew how deeply the loss had affected Cassandra. Missing their mothers was something they’d shared.
“What are you shopping for today?” Lady Peterborough asked.
Cassandra glanced toward the front of the shop. “I wanted to look at the gloves in the window.”
“The ivory pair?” At Cassandra’s nod, the countess smiled in approval. “They are quite cunning. Come, let’s have a look, and if you like them, I’ll purchase them for you.”
That was one thing Lady Peterborough did—she bought things for Cassandra and took her on thrilling shopping excursions to Cheapside. Prudence supposed that was something. She tried to imagine doing that with her mother, but of course, they’d never had money for that. They’d been comfortable enough when her father was alive, but after he’d died, they’d both had to work at the school. There wasn’t much left for extravagance. And a fashionable pair of gloves from Bond Street was beyond extravagant for someone like Prudence.
Prudence waited near the corner while Cassandra tried on the gloves. She and her aunt admired them, and the purchase was made.
“Well, that was diverting,” Lady Peterborough said with a light laugh. “I’m so pleased I ran into you, my dear.” She gave Cassandra a brief hug, then glanced toward Prudence. “Good afternoon, Miss Lancaster.”
Prudence inclined her head and watched the countess leave. Cassandra clasped her new package and turned toward the door. “Ready?”
