Page 81 of Indecent
Prudence’s mother stood at her side. “Your cousins have something lovely to share. I wish I could claim to be a part of it, but I cannot.”
Lucien looked toward his brother before addressing Prudence and Bennet. “Constantine and I would like to offer you a wedding gift of a thousand pounds. It’s not a dowry, exactly, but we hope you’ll accept it with love.” His gaze settled on Prudence.
The floor seemed to tilt beneath Prudence’s feet. She looked from Lucien to Bennet and back again. “Is there no dowry?”
A look of surprise quickly followed by regret passed over Lucien’s features. “Of course Glastonbury hasn’t been able to tell you yet since I just informed him before the ceremony.” He looked to Bennet. “My apologies.”
“Warfield declined to provide a dowry,” Bennet said quietly from beside her.
She turned her head toward his. “You knew this and married me anyway.” He’d said he would, but she supposed she hadn’t quite believed it. She knew how badly he needed the money.
He clasped her hand and squeezed. In that moment, she knew she loved him. Her mother hadn’t been exactly right. Emotions weren’t always untidy or unnecessary. The love she felt for Bennet was crisp and clear. It made her feel strong and happy. And it was very, very necessary. She honestly didn’t know what she would do without it or what her life had felt like before he was in it.
“I’m moved by your generosity,” Bennet said to her cousins.
“Thank you.” It was all Prudence could manage to say past the stone in her throat. Today was a dream come true, except these were dreams she’d never nurtured. A family. A husband. A child. Love.
“I want to thank you too,” Christina said to her nephews. “I’m so glad my family has embraced my daughter.” She looked to Prudence. “I wish it could have come from me.”
“I know.” Prudence deeply appreciated all of them, but it was going to take time to feel as if she was really part of their world.
“We’ve discussed telling our father the truth about you,” Cassandra said, glancing at her brothers. “Constantine is going to do it with Aunt Christina. Con is his favorite, and his presence makes everything more palatable.”
Aldington grunted and rolled his eyes. “It’s unfortunately true.”
Prudence was nervous about how the duke might react. He was a very rigid person with high expectations. She recalled what Christina had said about not wanting to tell him about her illegitimate child. “Does he really need to know?” Prudence looked at her mother.
“I think it’s time. While we won’t tell the world, I want your cousins to be able to include you as a member of the family.”
“We want that too,” Lucien said.
“Families have such complicated dynamics,” Prudence observed, swallowing her anxiety. “I’ll have to learn to navigate yours—ours. As well as Bennet’s.” She glanced up at him, then sought out his aunts across the room where they sat together.
“Will you be going to Aberforth Place?” Cassandra asked.
“Not until after the Season,” Bennet said. While they hadn’t discussed their plans for anything following the wedding, Prudence was a bit disappointed. She’d been hoping to meet the rest of his family and see his home.
They chatted for a few more minutes before it was time to have breakfast. It was a warm, lovely affair, with an abundance of food, wine, and good cheer. Prudence’s face hurt from smiling.
Afterward, she made a point of speaking with Judith and Esther. “I’m so glad you were able to come today,” she told them.
“We are too,” Esther said with great enthusiasm. “What a lucky happenstance that we came to town when we did, for we never come to London. I only wish we could stay longer. Alas, we must return to Bath tomorrow.”
“Can you remind me of whom I’ll meet at Aberforth Place?” Prudence asked. “Great-Aunt Minerva and Great-Aunt Flora?”
“Yes, and Cousin Frances,” Esther said.
“Oh yes, I think Bennet mentioned her,” Prudence said.
Judith’s blond brows arched in surprise. “Did he?”
“Yes.” Prudence wanted to ask why that was surprising, but his aunt was already speaking.
“You’ll find Great-Aunt Minerva and Great-Aunt Flora quite charming.” Aunt Judith said quickly.
Esther’s white brows gathered together. “I’m not sure charming is the right word. Did you know Minerva has a pet squirrel? Or perhaps there are two.”
“Please excuse us, Prudence,” Judith said, taking her aunt’s arm. “We must thank our hostess before we go.” She quickly ushered Esther away, who seemed slightly bemused by her niece’s reaction.
