by Joyce Alec
This seemed to soften Lord Brunswick somewhat, for he smiled at her and nodded. “Indeed, you have described her very well,” he said, his eyes then drifting to someone approaching from behind Prudence. “I should excuse myself now. There are others who seek your attention now, I think.”
Prudence smiled and bid him farewell, thanking him for the dances and then, finally, turning to see none other than Lord Stoneleigh approaching. For whatever reason, her heart leapt furiously in her chest at the sight of him and her face warmed. Hoping desperately that he would put her appearance down to the heat of the ballroom, Prudence dropped into a quick curtsy and smiled at him as she rose.
“Good evening, Lord Stoneleigh.”
“You were speaking to Lord Brunswick, I see,” he said, without even greeting her. “He was being cordial to you, I hope?”
“He sought to dance with me,” Prudence answered, surprised by the abruptness of his question. “I did speak to him about his betrothed, but he did not appear particularly eager to talk about her. Not until the end of the conversation, where I spoke well of her, did he finally relent from his less than favorable attitude toward me.”
Lord Stoneleigh frowned. “That is very odd,” he remarked quietly. “I wonder why a gentleman such as he would behave in such a fashion.”
Prudence hesitated before giving voice to her thoughts. “I wonder if it has something to do with a sense of embarrassment due to her lack of willingness to attend the London Season—or perhaps she is being prevented from doing so by her father. I mentioned that I was a little surprised to hear that she was not present and he, thereafter, became a little defensive about why she ought to remain at home.”
This did not seem to satisfy Lord Stoneleigh for his frown only deepened and his jaw tightened in evident frustration.
“The diamonds and the key are, I think, connected to him,” he told her, and Prudence’s heart turned over in surprise. “I have made quite certain of it. The crest is that of Lord Brunswick’s. There can be no doubt.”
She caught her breath, one hand pressed against her heart. “Are you certain?”
His smile was bright, and she dropped her hand, finding herself smiling back at him.
“I am,” he said, taking a small step closer. “I have spoken to not only one but three separate gentlemen—very carefully, of course—and they have all said the same thing.” His smile spread. “They each described it exactly as we saw it and as I myself remember. I am quite certain that the key belongs to something owned by Lord Brunswick.”
Her breath rattled out of her slowly as Prudence took in what this meant. Lord Stoneleigh moved closer to her and, to her surprise, reached out to briefly touch her hand.
“I think that whatever Lord Yardley had the item for, this key will open something in Lord Brunswick’s home,” he said quietly. “I am not suggesting that we search his home or any such thing, for I do not think we would achieve much and certainly would cause a great scandal, but we must consider what we are to do next.”
“Could we not just ask him?” Prudence suggested, passing one hand over her eyes at the realization that she was in the dark when it came to what she was to do next, given the mystery and confusion that surrounded her on every side. “Surely that would be the easiest solution.”
Lord Stoneleigh shook his head, his eyes holding what Prudence supposed was compassion.
“I can understand why you would think such a thing, Lady Prudence, but what if Lord Brunswick is involved in what occurred with Lord Yardley?” he asked gently. “I am not suggesting for one moment that I believe such a thing, but we must surely consider the possibility.” He held Prudence’s gaze as she found herself struggling with the idea, remembering with fresh horror what had happened to Lord Yardley. “This is precisely the reason that I sought to aid you in this, Lady Prudence. I want to do all I can to protect you, so that what happened to Lord Yardley does not even come close to you.”
Closing her eyes, Prudence swallowed hard, realizing precisely what Lord Stoneleigh meant. She had been rather foolish in suggesting such a thing but had only done so because she could not think of anything else.
“Shall we dance mayhap, Lady Prudence?”
Lord Stoneleigh touched her hand and, in a moment, Prudence found herself in the middle of the ballroom with Lord Stoneleigh standing directly in front of her. It was not until the music began that she realized it was the waltz, which, thankfully, had not been promised to another. Lord Stoneleigh touched her hand, holding it in his own before his other hand settled on her waist.
A slight tremble caught her frame as she waited for the music to begin. It had all happened so quickly, before she had even realized what was occurring, and yet there was something within her heart that was glad to be dancing with Lord Stoneleigh.
“You looked rather shocked and I did not want you to remain so,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured as the music began and they started to waltz. “Besides which, I am afraid that your mother was watching us both and certainly would have expected this, given that we had been speaking for such a great length of time.”
“There is no need to explain, Lord Stoneleigh, I am very well contented,” she replied as they danced effortlessly together. “In truth, my mind is filled with questions that I fear do not, at present, have any sort of answer.” Her breathing quickening, she looked up at him. “It was foolish to suggest speaking to Lord Brunswick. Thank you for your advice, Lord Stoneleigh.”
The gentleman smiled at her and she was captured for a moment by the warmth that was swirling in his eyes. Evidently, he did not think her foolish in any way.
“You are still recovering from the shock, Lady Prudence, and will be for some time,” he said as they continued to spin around the room. “I am very glad indeed to be of assistance. Although I will confess that I am a little uncertain myself as to what we should do next.”
Prudence tried to smile. “Perhaps it will become clear in the next few days,” she suggested. “But for the moment, at least, we must continue on as we are. Considering, pondering, and studying what choices lie before us.”
“You must be careful,” he said, his fingers clasping hers a little more tightly. “I cannot imagine what—”
“I am sure nothing untoward will occur,” Prudence interrupted. “Nothing has happened thus far, and I am sure that no one is even aware that Lord Yardley gave me the box.”
This did not seem to convince Lord Stoneleigh, for his slight frown and searching gaze spoke of ongoing concern. However, there was no further opportunity for talking, for the dance came to an end and they were forced to separate.
“I think I shall take my leave, Lady Prudence—at least, for the time being,” Lord Stoneleigh said as he bowed. “I shall look forward to being in your company once more very soon.” His lips quirked. “Especially given that I have now an invitation to join you all for dinner in two days’ time.”
Prudence laughed, glad that, for the moment, the tension between them was gone. “I will be glad to see you again,” she said truthfully. “And perhaps, by then, we might have come up with an idea for what to do next.”
Lord Stoneleigh gave her a somewhat rueful smile. “Let us hope so, Lady Prudence,” he answered quietly. “But for the moment, good evening.”
She smiled. “Good evening, Lord Stoneleigh.”
“Did I see you dancing with Lord Stoneleigh, Lady Prudence?”
Prudence looked up in surprise at Lord Brunswick. “Indeed I was,” she answered, a little taken aback that he had asked her such a thing. “But then again, I have also danced with four other gentlemen since, including yourself.” She laughed teasingly. “Should you like me to name the other gentlemen also?”
Thankfully, Lord Brunswick laughed. “Indeed not. The reason I mention Lord Stoneleigh is because I had heard he was leaving London.” He arched one eyebrow at Prudence. “It seems now that he has decided to stay, although why he might make such a decision, I cannot say. Perhaps it was because he has found
some excellent company—company that might walk with him in the park?”
The lift of his brow and the knowing look in his eye told Prudence that Lord Brunswick knew precisely what he was inferring. She did not want to deny it, for to do so might make Lord Brunswick suspicious as to why she and Lord Stoneleigh had been seen so often together. Heat climbed up her spine as she looked at Lord Brunswick, seeing the curiosity on his face. It was clear that news of her walk with Lord Stoneleigh had made its way around society already.
“Lord Stoneleigh accompanied me for a short walk in the park, Lord Brunswick, that is all,” she said, as primly as she could. “Although I do not understand why it is of such an interest to so many.”
A chuckle from Lord Brunswick caught her attention. “That is because, my dear Lady Prudence, Lord Stoneleigh has never once shown any interest in any lady within society before. In fact, he is known to be very choosy indeed.” A smile played about his mouth. “It seems you have caught a gentleman whom no one else could.”
“I would not go so far as that,” Prudence replied with a laugh. “Although I will confess to being a little flattered.”
“It certainly seems to have removed you from your sorrows,” Lord Brunswick replied, his eyes searching hers again as his smile disappeared. “You were greatly upset by the death of Lord Yardley, from what I recall.”
The name of Lord Yardley on Lord Brunswick’s lips sent a shudder through Prudence’s heart. “Yes, that is so,” she answered truthfully, surprised that he had changed the conversation toward Lord Yardley in such a fashion. “I am recovering, certainly, but the shock will take a little more time to dissipate.”
“You were present at the time, were you not?” Lord Brunswick asked, reaching out to take a glass of champagne from a footman and handing the glass to Prudence. “I know that you were well acquainted through the marriage of your cousin. Was Lord Yardley accompanying you somewhere at the time?”
“No, not at all,” Prudence answered honestly, although her heart was beginning to quicken with fright as she wondered why Lord Brunswick was asking her such questions. “I was about to take the carriage with my mother when I saw Lord Yardley cross from one side of the street to the other.” Her throat constricted as the scene unfolded in her mind all over again. “It was truly terrible.”
Lord Brunswick nodded and reached out to press Prudence’s arm gently. “To have not only seen what occurred, but to also recognized the gentleman in question must have been very difficult indeed.”
She nodded. “It has been a very trying few days, Lord Brunswick. My mother has been encouraging me back into society, however, and that has helped somewhat.”
“A terrible accident,” Lord Brunswick murmured, shaking his head. “And he was merely making his way from one side of the street to the other.”
“I only wish I had been given the opportunity to speak to him beforehand, to call out to warn him,” Prudence lied, knowing full well that she had spoken at length with Lord Yardley but wanting to ensure that Lord Brunswick did not think such a thing had occurred. There was something about his questions that was making her uncomfortable and she felt herself growing rather tense in his presence. “I thought very highly of Lord Yardley, you understand. I did not know him particularly well, but what I did know of him spoke of his excellent character.”
Lord Brunswick shook his head again as a heavy sigh was pulled from him. It was in stark contrast to the joviality and laughter that echoed all around them at present and Prudence had to confess that she could not be certain that Lord Brunswick’s evident sorrow was truly genuine.
“I must hope that you will recover entirely very soon,” Lord Brunswick said kindly. “Good evening, Lady Prudence. I look forward to our second dance later this evening.”
“As do I,” Prudence lied, smiling at him as he took his leave. The moment he stepped away, Prudence felt herself relax, realizing that her hands were curled tightly into fists and that her breathing was rather rapid. Her eyes followed Lord Brunswick as he made his way across the room, only for her stomach to tighten with anxiety again as she saw him incline his head to none other than her own father. What was it that he wanted to speak to her father about? Was it that he merely wanted to confirm what she herself had told him about Lord Yardley?”
“Lord Brunswick is a very good sort of gentleman, I think.”
Prudence closed her eyes momentarily and then turned her head to look at her mother.
“I did not want to interrupt your conversation, although, of course, I stood nearby,” Lady Devonshire continued with a small sigh. “What a shame it is that he is already engaged.”
“Even if he were not, I should not have any interest in him, Mama,” Prudence replied firmly. “You must not allow yourself to think on things that can never be.” Forcing a smile to her lips, she turned a little further toward her mother. “I am very contented as I am.”
Lady Devonshire drew in a long breath and then smiled, nodding her head gently. “But how could you not be when you have the interest of Lord Stoneleigh?” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I am very eager to speak to him during our dinner party. I think he is wonderful, Prudence.”
Prudence pressed her lips together for a moment, wishing she could find something to say that would deny what her mother had just stated, but finding that she could not. To say that she did not think Lord Stoneleigh to be an excellent sort of gentleman would be nothing short of a lie, and yet to tell the truth would only make her mother’s hope grow all the more.
“Prudence?”
She let out a slow breath. “Yes, Mama,” she admitted, albeit reluctantly. “I believe that Lord Stoneleigh is just as you describe.” Her eyes met those of Lady Devonshire’s and she could not help but smile softly. “Wonderful in every way.”
6
Felix laughed heartily as Lord Marchington finished the end of his story which involved a very foolish endeavor by his brother and what Lord Marchington himself had been required to do in order to pull his brother from it.
The dinner party had been going very well indeed. As he had arrived at the house, he had feared that he would be the only guest that evening. Thankfully, however, as he had walked into the drawing room, he had been very glad to find that he was not the only guest and that there were, in fact, eight other guests, which brought the total to twelve. He had not, however, managed to speak at length to Lady Prudence as yet, which was a little frustrating, for he had been eager to do so. Lady Prudence had been in a good many conversations with other guests and although seated not too far from him, was still too distant from him to lean across and speak to in private.
“That does mean that you had to be very generous, does it not?” a gentleman asked, addressing Lord Marchington. “I do not think that I would have so easily given so much coin to someone so foolish—even if it were my brother.”
Felix frowned, looking a little further down the table to see who was speaking, only to realize that it was none other than Lord Brunswick. He had been somewhat displeased to see the gentleman at first, wondering why he had been invited, but had then come to the conclusion that it might suit them very well to have him present, for mayhap either himself or Lady Prudence would be able to discover something more about the gentleman that could give them a clue as to the diamonds and the key. It was a faint hope, however, but one that brought a little levity to Felix’s attitude toward Lord Brunswick’s presence.
“I cannot help my generous heart,” Lord Marchington said with one hand against his heart. “It is my greatest foible.”
“And not a foible at that,” Lady Devonshire answered, making the other guests smile. “Now, ladies, shall we adjourn to the drawing room and leave the gentlemen to their port?” She rose and the other ladies followed immediately, gathering their skirts gently and moving back behind the gentlemen before turning to quit the room. Felix could not help but attempt to catch Lady Prudence’s eye, but unfortunately, her gaze was fixed to the lady in front of her and she did n
ot even glance in his direction.
A trifle disappointed, Felix cleared his throat and shifted a little in his chair, praying that none of the other gentlemen had noticed his actions. There was, he had to confess, an eagerness to be in Lady Prudence’s presence again. It seemed to gnaw gently at him, an ache deep within himself that would only disappear when he finally had an opportunity to speak to her.
Resisting the urge to shake his head to himself in order to dislodge such thoughts, Felix picked up his glass of port and took a large sip, thinking that the liquor might remove such feelings from within him. He was eager to help Lady Prudence and nothing more. This was, he reminded himself, nothing more than a practical acquaintance, one that was solely for this particularly difficult matter. There was no need to have any particular affection for her within his heart and Felix silently determined not to allow such things to grow for surely that might, in fact, cloud his judgment as he fought to solve this mystery.
“And when are you to be wed, Lord Brunswick?”
Felix lifted his head and looked at Lord Brunswick, wondering what his response would be to such a question. Everyone in society seemed to know that Lord Brunswick was betrothed but there was no particular knowledge about when the wedding would take place.
“Oh, not for some time,” Lord Brunswick replied, waving one hand as he slumped back in his chair. “My betrothed is very particular and must have enough time to make all the arrangements.”
“What is her name, might I ask?” Lord Devonshire asked, sounding mildly interested. “I confess I am entirely unaware of such things.”
Lord Brunswick took on a bored expression. “She is the daughter of Lord and Lady Haydock,” he said, without giving the lady’s name directly. “She was present last Season, Lord Devonshire. Your daughter is acquainted with her, I believe.”