Chapter Thirteen
“Oh, my lady,” Prudence’s maid, Harriet, gushed after helping Prudence into her ball gown and fastening the row of tiny silk buttons down the back, “that gown makes you look like a princess, it does.”
Prudence smiled. “You have been saying things like that with every new gown I put on, Harriet.”
“Mayhap that’s because it’s true,” her maid responded smartly. “The dresses you wear now are so fetching. The color of this one makes you positively glow.”
The gown was made of a dusty rose, lightweight silk, elaborately embroidered in a shimmering thread of the same color. The look was finished off with matching elbow length gloves. It was one of the seemingly endless streams of clothing that arrived daily over the past week, a week filled with a whirlwind of fittings and planning for this evening’s ball held in honor of Prudence and Kolton’s engagement.
True to her word, Amanda insisted Prudence be completely involved in the planning. Prudence didn’t know where her cousin found the energy to prepare such an extravagant event on such short notice, but Amanda appeared to love the challenge.
“It seems just a bit too revealing, don’t you think?” Prudence tugged at the bodice and pulled the puffed sleeves up onto her shoulders.
“Now stop that nonsense,” Harriet tisked, brushing Prudence’s hands away and tugging the full, gigot sleeves back into place, baring Prudence’s shoulders as the style intended. “You look perfectly respectable,” Harriet added adjusting the full skirts so they lay perfectly. “I’m not having people think I don’t know how to dress the future countess properly.”
Prudence was instantly contrite. Harriet was excited by Prudence’s new look and took great pains to make sure everything—from the style of Prudence’s hair which was pulled up in the back and allowed an artful array of curls to tumble down past her shoulders, to the slippers on her feet—were perfect. “You have done a marvelous job, Harriet.”
“Thank you, my lady. Oh my, I almost forgot—where is my brain tonight—his lordship requested to see you in the drawing room before the four of you left for the ball.”
Victoria and Victor would be accompanying them tonight. Whatever could Kolton wish to discuss that he needed to meet with her privately? Did he have another ‘little box’ to give her? They hadn’t yet had the opportunity to use the contents of the last one.
Prudence looked herself over one final time. She wore her pearl and garnet earbobs along with the matching necklace. She was still uncomfortable with the amount of cleavage on display, but resisted the urge to tug at the neckline again. She had to admit, though, the color and cut of the tight-waisted gown with its voluminous skirts was quite flattering, or rather it showed off her curves, which would undoubtedly please Kolton.
Prudence sighed. “Well, since I am ready a few minutes early, I believe now would be a good time to see what it is Lord Ravensbrook wishes to discuss.”
***
Kolton paced the drawing room floor. He hoped he didn’t muddle this up. If she arrived within the next few minutes, there would be plenty of time before they left so he wouldn’t have to rush.
Prudence appeared moments later. Kolton ceased his pacing and stared at the stunning picture she presented. The color of her gown was perfect. It was a deep enough shade to complement her dark tresses, yet light enough to enhance the creamy perfection of her skin. And, on that topic, there was more of it showing than usual. Kolton didn’t know whether to be pleased or dismayed at the number of men who would, no doubt, be ogling her bosom. Perhaps he should ask if she had a shawl, which would complement the dress. . .
“You wished to speak with me?”
Kolton jerked his attention back to the matter at hand. “Yes.” He led her over to the settee. “Please, sit.” When she did, he reached into his pocket and knelt in front of her.
***
Another little box
, Prudence thought with an inward smile.
What scandalous item could this one contain?
When she’d asked him about the first one before he left her that night, he had opened it to reveal another, smaller box. Inside the smaller box—to her confusion at the time—contained a small sponge and a vile of vinegar. Kolton explained soaking the sponge with the vinegar and inserting it just so inside her would prevent conception. Prudence wasn’t sure how this would work effectively, but Kolton seemed convinced of its reliability, so she took his word for it and put it away in her nightstand for future use.
Kolton cleared his throat. “I have yet to do this properly,” he began, opening the box to reveal a beautiful betrothal ring. It was a large pearl – her favorite gem – flanked by diamonds and smaller, seed pearls, set in gold. It was the most beautiful thing Prudence had ever seen.
“I know when we entered into our engagement, you were less than happy at the idea of becoming my wife, and I hope the idea now holds more appeal. Nevertheless, I want to make you a promise now,” he said, his expression serious. “I will do all I can to make you happy. I understand your reluctance to take such a serious step, but once I recognized circumstances called for us to become man and wife, I realized we didn’t really know each other. And the more I took the time to know the real Prudence, the more I came to discover how well we complement each other.”
“Pru,” he said removing the ring from its blue velvet box and taking her hand in his. “Will you do me the honor of sharing your life with me, of becoming my wife and being my closest friend and companion? Will you marry me?” He didn’t put the ring on her finger as if awaiting her response.
Prudence was overcome with emotion. She hadn’t given a betrothal ring a thought, but obviously Kolton had. Whether he had gone to the trouble of finding out that she loved pearls or not, the fact he’d bought her this exquisite ring and had obviously taken the time and consideration into how he would ask her, she was deeply touched by his thoughtfulness. He’d gone out of his way to make their engagement official with the most romantic of proposals. If she didn’t know he was attempting to make this moment special for her, she would think his sweet words were a declaration of love. But this was not the case, she reminded herself with a twinge of regret.
Realizing that he was waiting expectantly for her reply, she nodded her head and gave him a trembling smile. “Yes, Kolton, I will marry you. Of course, I have already agreed, but I doubt any woman could refuse such a romantic proposal in any case,” she jested.
Her reply earned her a smile from her betrothed. He slipped the ring onto her finger and stood. Sweeping her into his arms, he kissed her soundly. As it did each time their lips met, passion ignited and their embrace grew heated.
“Please tell me I will be able to visit your room tonight and spend my time performing each and every fantasy I have entertained this past week,” he murmured against her lips.
Prudence smiled. How he could be so completely adorable while suggesting such things she hadn’t a clue, but it was one of the things she was coming to love about him. “My goodness,” she said, pulling back in his arms and fixing a look of feigned shock on her face. “Each
and
every
fantasy? You make it sound as if all the time you spend out of bed is spent thinking about what to do in mine.”
Kolton’s eyes twinkled dangerously, a grin spreading across his face. “Sweetheart, I not only spend a large part of my time
out
of bed thinking of you, naked, in every position a body can assume while coupling, but the entirety of the time
in
bed as well.”
“But surely you must take time to sleep?”
“Yes. And
dream
as well.”
Prudence choked back a laugh. “Oh.”
“Oh, indeed.”
***
Most of the guests had arrived by the time their carriage pulled in front of Broadshire House. Kolton thought his stepmother’s demand they wait in order to make a grand entrance instead of joining the receiving line a bit overly dramatic, but suspected his sister was well aware of Victoria’s plan and, in fact, it may indeed have been Amanda who originated the idea. It would be just like her to suggest this type of theatrics.
“It looks like quite a crush. There are still carriages dropping off guests,” Victor commented from his seat across from Kolton, as he peeked out the window.
The countess leaned forward in the seat next to her youngest stepson and looked over his shoulder. “Oh, dear. I did so want to be the last to arrive.”
“Now, Mother,” Kolton admonished with a smile, “you know as well as I everyone wishes to hold that honor. Be glad we’re still early enough; most of the guests are most likely only slightly in their cups.”
“Well, I for one am not looking forward to avoiding the inescapable Miss Abernathy,” Victor grumbled.
“Victor, do be nice,” Victoria chastened. “Lenora Abernathy is a perfectly…er…lovely young lady.”
“Yes, she is lovely,” Kolton’s brother agreed, “but why she has decided to set her sights on me is beyond my comprehension. I have never given the overbearing little chit—pardon, I have never given the
lovely young lady
,” he corrected himself after noting the disapproving look shot his way by Victoria, “any encouragement. I have been only passing polite and bordering on rude in my attempts to avoid her.”
“Oh, Victor, the girl is young . . .”
Kolton turned his attention to his fiancée seated next to him. She had not uttered one word the entire ride. He moved a little closer to her. “How are you doing, my dear? Not nervous, I hope. You look ravishing. I fear I shall have to attend you quite closely tonight, else men both attached and single will attempt to win you away from me,” he murmured in her ear.
Pru gave a start and looked at him with wide, anxious eyes. “You jest,” she whispered back. “It is more likely that every man will be wondering what has gotten into you, asking a dowdy spinster to marry you.”
Kolton bit back a bark of hardy laughter.
Dowdy
? She may indeed, at the age of six-and-twenty, be considered on the shelf, but unattractive? Not after tonight. “My dear, I believe you are fishing for compliments, so I will happily indulge you. You, my sweet Prudence, will outshine every woman in the room. Your figure will make men drool and ladies green with envy. You are a rarity with your dark hair and flawless creamy complexion, and I do not understand why you continue to view yourself as anything less than attractive.”
“Perhaps it is you who needs spectacles. But I will not argue with you tonight. I am anxious to get this over with and return home. I dislike crowds. I am only attending because Amanda insisted on throwing this ball for us.”
“Hmm. Or,
perhaps
,” he purred, “your desire to return home has more to do with a different form of...entertainment?”
Pru gave a soft gasp. “You are incorrigible!” she hissed, but Kolton was heartened to see he had succeeded in coaxing a small smile out of her.
Their coach pulled up and stopped at the front entrance. The four alighted and made their way into the house
Chapter Fourteen
The ball was a veritable crush. It looked as if every person on the guest list, and perhaps some who weren’t, decided to show up. That in its self was unusual, due to the fact the Season had ended weeks ago and the majority of the people in attendance had left town for their country estates. Amanda must be ecstatic over her success tonight. It was rare for a ball held off Season to draw so many people.
A hush fell over the room as she and Kolton descended the stairs. Prudence tensed. She hated being the center of attention. She could well imagine what everyone was thinking; ‘Why would the Earl choose to marry
that
woman? A
spinster
of all things! He could do a thousand times better.’ They would disparage her dress, her hair, her rank.
On and on it would go all evening while they greeted her and congratulated her with their false smiles. She’d seen the same thing over and over in society when sought after bachelors were taken off the market. Prudence didn’t want to face the other women’s scrutinizing assessment, their desire to find and point out to anyone who would care to hear, each fault she possessed; whether it be large, small, or even imagined. They envied her position, and it made them vicious.
Kolton must have sensed her distress, for he placed his hand over hers and gave it an encouraging squeeze. She tore her gaze away from the still silent room and turned to her fiancé. The brilliant, besotted smile he sent her way made her pulse flutter. Kolton planned to present their betrothal as a love match, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit of a fraud. But that didn’t mean she was immune to his charm when he turned on her in full force. She gave him a dazzling smile in return.
***
The room erupted in conversation, many of the women’s heads together, gossiping no doubt, behind their fans, Kolton observed with amusement. The men, however, were the ones he eyed with interest. Some openly gaped, while others donned their social masks of polite disinterest. But Kolton wasn’t fooled. While their expressions were cordial, their eyes, traveling greedily over his fiancée’s ripe figure, gave silent testament to their less than ‘polite’ thoughts.
“Lady Prudence, Lord Ravensbrook, I am so glad you are here,” Lady Broadshire exclaimed, rushing to greet them.
“Really, Amanda, everyone knows you are my sister,” Kolton remarked. “There is no reason to be so formal.”
Amanda ignored him and took Pru’s hands in hers. “Oh, Pru, you look wonderful! That dress, your hair – what is this?” She held up Pru’s hand and studied the ring adorning Pru’s third finger.
“It is a betrothal ring as I am sure you well know,” Kolton answered with a wry smile. Leave it to Amanda to be sure everyone took note of
that
particular piece of Pru’s jewelry.