All this time, a quest that had felt like a lonely endeavor could have been shared. They could have sneaked into each other’s bedchambers in the dead of night and talked and laughed and giggled over possible scenes and adventures and outcomes.
Yes, secrets did erect walls. Perhaps in some instances those walls were good, even necessary, but when it came to her and Sophia, they’d been nothing more than a barrier. How much Prudence had missed over the years. How much they both had.
“I would love your help, Soph.”
Sophia grinned and crossed her legs, pulling a pillow onto her lap. She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the pillow and her chin in her palms. “Since we are revealing our secrets this morning, I suppose there is something I should tell you.”
Prudence’s eyes widened in a look of feigned shock. “You have a secret? No, I don’t believe it. You’re far too proper, poised, and above reproach for that.”
“Do you wish to know it or not?” Sophia teased.
“Yes, please.” Prudence scooted to the head of the bed and wrapped her arms around her knees, watching her sister expectantly. “I’m listening.”
“Well, since you are so fond of stories, you are sure to like this secret, although it is a mite tragic,” said her sister. “It’s a tale about a younger version of me, a young solicitor’s son, and a friendship that was doomed from the beginning.”
PRUDENCE STROLLED DOWN the stairs just as her parents emerged from the back hallway. She inhaled deeply and squared her shoulders, preparing to face somber countenances. Last evening, she had promised she would do something to correct all the commotion she had caused, and after a great deal of reflection, she had formed a plan. It wasn’t foolproof by any means, or necessarily a great one, but it was a plan.
The only plan.
She would explain that they needn’t worry about their daughters. Sophia would still have her season in London, and even without a dowry, she would catch the eye of someone worthy of her. Prudence was sure of it. If it took two or even three seasons, so be it. Prudence would discover some way to pay for them—perhaps out of the proceeds of her first published book. Was that too hopeful to contemplate? Probably, but it felt better to hope than to doubt.
In the meantime, Prudence would remain unattached at Talford Hall, at least until Sophia married. Then, and only then, would she allow herself to consider a future with Brand, assuming he was still amenable to the idea.
It could work. No, it would work.
Prudence reached the bottom of the stairs and faced her parents. “Mother, Father, I wish to speak with you.” Much to her confusion, they appeared calm, content, even hopeful. It caught Prudence off guard, and she found herself scrambling to remember what it was she wanted to tell them.
“Good morning, Prudence,” said her mother good naturedly, nodding as though nothing was amiss.
“Er… good morning.” Prudence looked from one to the other in confusion. “Is everything all right?”
“Quite,” said her mother. “In fact, your timing couldn’t be more fortuitous. We were about to send for you.”
“Indeed?” There were moments when Prudence believed she had sorted through every possible outcome, leaving no room for surprises, only to find herself very surprised. This was one of those moments. Had her parents formed a plan of their own? Did it include washing their hands of their younger daughter?
Prudence wouldn’t blame them if it did.
“You look frightened, my dear,” said her father with a humorous glint in his eye. “Rest assured, we don’t intend to send you to the gallows just yet. We only wanted you to know that you have a visitor waiting to speak with you in the study.”
“A visitor? At this hour? In the study?” Prudence blinked, trying to wrap her head around everything. She had never received anyone in the study. That had only ever been her father’s domain, especially at this time of the morning. What on earth was going on? Were her parents tipsy? Had it come to that?
No, they appeared too alert for that.
Could it be Brand in the study? Had he followed through on his promise to call on them? Surely not. A visit from him would not please her parents in the least. Only last night her mother had told him not to come. She wouldn’t be the least bit happy if he defied her wishes.
But what other explanation was there? Perhaps Mr. Winston had come to offer sound farming advice in exchange for their younger daughter’s hand in marriage.
Her father seemed to find her bewilderment humorous. His eyes twinkled merrily. “Off you go now, child. Do not keep him waiting.”
Prudence cast a wary glance at her parents as she walked past them, but they didn’t move to follow. Instead, her mother took her father’s arm, and they began strolling up the stairs in perfect harmony with each other, as though it was an everyday occurrence to allow one’s daughter to meet a man alone in the study.
Prudence paused in front of the partially closed door and peered inside the darkened room. Although the window coverings had been pushed aside, the cloud-coated skies dimmed the sunlight, giving the room an eerie feel.
She pushed open the door quietly and stepped inside, her breath catching when she spied Brand standing before the far window, looking out at the dreary morning. Her heart lurched, and she took a moment to admire his broad shoulders, straight back, and confident stance. He looked splendid in his buff-colored buckskins and blue jacket. She wanted to rush to him, wrap her arms around his waist, and feel his warmth and strength. She wanted him to hold her close, tell her everything would be all right, and curl her toes with another kiss.
Prudence forced her feet to remain still as she tried to keep her turbulent emotions from her voice. “It’s rather early for a morning call, my lord. I haven’t even breakfasted properly.”
He turned and smiled, his eyes soaking her in. “How is it you are already dressed and looking as lovely as always. I had expected to wait at least an hour.”
“An hour?” she said in mock astonishment. “Do you think me so in need of primping as that?”
“No. But when an unexpected caller arrives at an unseemly hour, well, not even a man could ready himself as quickly as you did.”
Prudence clasped her hands and shrugged. “I am quite talented.”
“Agreed.” He chuckled, moving in her direction.
Prudence sidestepped behind the sofa, placing her hands on the spine as she watched him approach. “Speaking of talents, I must know how you managed to turn my parents up sweet. Last night they were curmudgeons, and this morning they appear to be happier than I have seen them in years. I cannot understand the transformation. What magical gift do you possess, sir?”
“Only the gift of reason.” Brand began to walk around the sofa, but when Prudence moved in the opposite direction, keeping the furniture between them, he stopped and folded his arms, watching her with a devilish gleam in his eyes.
“I was thinking a Christmas wedding would be just the thing.”
She tried to show no reaction to this, though her heart raced madly. “For whom?”
“Us, of course.”
“Then it sounds… cold,” said Prudence, thinking more about the effect it would have on her sister than the actual temperature.
Brand laughed. “If I promise to see to it that you stay toasty warm, will that sway you?”
“That is not what I was referring to, my lord,” she said. “I could never marry before my sister. It would be cold-hearted of me. Surely my parents did not agree to such a thing.”
“Actually, they were very amenable to the idea.”
Prudence’s mouth dropped open. She did not believe it, not after everything they had told her last night. Brand began walking towards her once more, and Prudence again moved away.
“Will you please stop doing that?” he asked.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if I allow you any closer, I will feel more addled than I already do, and I must make sense of everythin
g first. Did you cast some sort of spell on my parents? And what of Sophia? Do you not care at all for her well-being?”
“I am not a wizard, and I care a great deal for Sophia’s well-being.”
“Then how can you even contemplate a wedding so soon?”
“Because I believe it will be in your sister’s best interests. And mine.” He grinned.
Prudence blinked at him, attempting to understand how that could possibly be true. It couldn’t, could it? She frowned. “For pity’s sake, my lord, will you please cease this silly game and speak plainly? I did not sleep a wink last night and don’t have the patience for this.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Are you always this cantankerous in the morning?”
“Sir.”
He laughed. “Very well, I shall tell you. But only if you cease moving away from me and let me hold your hands.”
It seemed a fair agreement, so Prudence nodded, allowing him to approach and take her hands in his. He had discarded his gloves at some point, and his hands felt warm and smooth and wonderful. He threaded his fingers through hers and ran his thumb across her palm. Delightful shivers shot up her arm.
“That wasn’t so difficult, was it?”
She swallowed, thinking herself a ninny for letting him touch her.
“If we marry in December,” he began, “Sophia will be the subject of talk and speculation. Some gossips might even put her on the shelf, even though she is not yet twenty. There will be no avoiding that. But I do not believe such talk will last for long, not when she will make her bows as the sister of The Viscountess Knave.
“We will all go to London together—my parents, your parents, Sophia, and the two of us. We will reside in our townhouse on Grosvenor Street and attend only the most esteemed social events. I will be sure to put it about that it was your sister who put an end to our understanding. Those conditions, combined with her handsome dowry, will hopefully make her one of the more sought-after debutantes.”
Prudence took a moment to consider his words, thinking it all sounded quite perfect with the exception of one thing. “Didn’t my parents tell you? Sophia has no dowry. We are destitute, my lord. This estate is all we have. From what I understand, Sophia’s inheritance isn’t much of an inheritance any longer.”
He brought her hands to his chest and pulled her close enough to smell the sandalwood and citrus scents that always lingered about him. “You did not let me finish,” he murmured.
She looked up at his handsome face and waited as patiently as she could for him to continue.
“Years ago, my father offered a large sum to purchase the northwesternmost thirty acres of Talford Hall’s property. Your father refused but suggested they encourage a match between the heir of Radbourne and heiress of Talford instead. Father agreed, and everything seemed to be going according to plan until I had the indecency to fall in love with the younger Gifford daughter. As you have already pointed out, my actions, coupled with your father’s debts, placed your family in a difficult position.”
“Yes,” said Prudence. “Will you please tell me something I do not already know?”
“My, you are impatient,” he teased, kissing her fingers.
“Something else I already know,” she pointed out, making him chuckle once more.
“When I realized the full extent of your family’s difficulties, along with my contribution to them, I made an offer to your father. In exchange for your hand in marriage and the same thirty acres my father has desired for so long, our family will pay off your father’s debts and provide him with enough capital to begin anew and provide his eldest daughter with a sizable dowry. Yes, it will mean a loss for Talford Hall, but it should not affect the value too greatly. It is only unused land my family desires, not the tenant farms.”
At last, Prudence began to understand. Her parents’ about-face, a December wedding, Sophia’s brightened prospects. She shook her head, not yet daring to hope. Could it be that simple? She looked into the eyes of the man who had come into her life so unexpectedly, turned it upside down, and now offered to right it beautifully.
Yes, it could be that simple.
Prudence couldn’t resist the temptation any longer. She threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, burrowing as closely as she could. “Your father has agreed to all of this?”
“Not yet, but he will.”
She pulled back enough to peer up at him. “How can you be certain? The land couldn’t possibly be worth as much as you have offered for it.”
“The land is worth a fair amount to my father, but you are correct in thinking he will balk at the price. My mother, on the other hand, will not, and she will convince him I am right. I’m not sure how she will do it, but she will. As I mentioned in one of my notes, she’s rather adept at managing my father.”
Prudence smiled, feeling light and giddy and so very happy. “That sounds like a useful skill. Do you think she would be willing to instruct me on how she goes about it?”
He framed her face with his hands. “You already know how it’s done, my love. Simply ask me anything, and I will do it.”
Prudence’s heart warmed, crackling and popping like a cheery fire in the grate. She dimpled. “Will you continue to answer any and all questions I have regarding my stories?”
“Yes.”
“Will you introduce me to Mrs. Harper so that I might ask her some questions?”
“Yes.”
“Will you kiss me anytime I wish?”
“Most definitely.”
She combed her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and eyed him coyly. “Must I tell you when I wish it, or will you just… know?”
He chuckled and pulled her tightly against him, murmuring, “I’ll know,” before kissing her with a passion she couldn’t have imagined on her own. Her world became alight with color and magic, whirling her about in a beautiful waltz. Brand could deny being a wizard all he wanted, but Prudence knew better. He had waved his wand, placated her parents, formed an ingenious plan, and offered her a life she had only been able to dream about before.
He had made the impossible possible.
When at last he drew back, he cradled her face in his hands. “Do you intend to write our story someday?”
She shook her head, still reeling from the kiss. “I don’t think so. I want it to be ours and ours alone.”
He smiled, searching her face. “Have I told you how much I adore you?”
“Only adore?” she teased. “How can that be when I am madly in love with you?”
“Are you mad enough to marry me in the chilly month of December?”
“You did promise to keep me warm.”
“And so I shall, my love, so I shall.” He proceeded to give her a small taste of that warmth.
THE CHURCH BELLS rang loudly as Prudence floated from the church on the arm of her husband. Despite the bite in the air and the dreary skies, she felt wonderful. Under her white, fur-lined pelisse, she lifted her lace skirts to descend the steps and smiled at all those lining the path, waiting to wish them well.
She kissed her mother and father on their cheeks, clasped hands with Lord and Lady Bradden, and hugged her sister and Abby tightly. Several smiles and well-wishes later, the couple climbed into the coach and waved from the window until it lurched forward into a slow and steady pace that would eventually deposit them at Radbourne Abbey for their wedding breakfast.
Prudence turned from the window and tilted her head up, wrapping her fingers around Brand’s neck. “Hello, my husband,” she said as she pulled his mouth to hers. He kissed her quite thoroughly, wrinkling her gown and loosening several strands of her hair, before wrapping an arm around her and tucking her against his side.
“Are you warm enough?” he murmured, placing another kiss on her temple.
“I should hope so,” she said, rearranging the lace around her knees. “Several bricks have been placed at our feet, there are more on the seat across from us, and another at my side.”
“I did promise to keep you warm.”
She laughed and rested her head blissfully against his shoulder. “I should have known you would exceed all my expectations. You always do.”
“And I plan to continue to do it for at least a lifetime.”
She sighed happily, wondering again how she had been fortunate enough to earn the love of such a man. Not so long ago, her dream to fall deeply in love had felt so elusive and out of reach, like trying to catch a hummingbird within the palm of her hand. But somehow, she had captured that dream and watched it unfold into a beautiful reality.
Her mother had once warned Prudence not to expect a dashing man to spirit her away, but that was precisely what Brand had done. Perhaps not in the way she’d always envisioned, falling madly in love with her on first glance and romancing her until she agreed to marry him, but he had done it. He’d swept her into an adventure unlike any other, filled with joys and sorrows, thrills and disappointments, hopes and doubts—an adventure Prudence had no control over, much as she’d wanted it at times. But that was the beauty of a real story versus an imagined one. Prudence had learned that it was the uncertainties in life that gave it color, complexity, and depth.
She wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Is something amiss?” Brand asked, running his fingers along her cheek. “You seem pensive all of a sudden.”
“I’m grateful.” She placed a kiss on his hand and relaxed against him. “And perhaps a bit tired as well.”
His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Do not say you were up scribbling away and burning the midnight oil on the eve of our wedding.”
“I had to,” she explained. “I promised Sophia I would finish the story before we left on our wedding trip, and I had but one scene left to write. She has been dying to read it in its entirety, and I felt the pressure to comply.”
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