Page 52 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“Why is it men think the only achievement women wish to ever make is marriage?” she said, her tone deliberately light.

He eyed her. “Well…” He lifted both hands. “Do they not?”

Prudence cocked her head. “I am eight and twenty, Seth. Practically a spinster. Even if someone was willing to ‘take me on’, do you really think I would settle for such a thing at this stage in my life?”

A quizzical brow rose, but he said nothing, his gaze sketching over her features as if analyzing some great puzzle. But, then, she supposed she was a puzzle. A woman who would rather study than flirt with men and find her next husband.

“Shall we get on with our research? If the young Mr. Russell is as bad as you say, I think we should make haste, do you not?” She indicated to the tome in front of her.

“Indeed.” His fingers brushed hers when they both reached for the first page.

She withdrew her hand hastily and blew out a thick breath. The sooner they found an answer for his problem, the better. Then she would cease having such odd thoughts and strange sensations.

Chapter Six

“You really need not escort me home. I am quite capable, and we are hardly a long distance away from my parents’ house.”

Seth sent Pru a sideways look. “Anyone would think you were ashamed of me. A whole two weeks of working together and I have yet to meet any of your family.”

“Well, I’ve yet to meet yours too.”

He chuckled. “There is good reason behind that and you know that. But I promise once this whole inheritance nonsense is over, I shall introduce you to my family.”

“You haven’t said much about your grandfather,” she commented as they strolled onto the road on which she lived. “I am assuming he cared for you all or else he would not set these tasks.”

Seth sighed. “No doubt he thought he was doing the best for us, and, if I am honest, I understand why he has chosen such tasks for my siblings. Angel’s task, for example, is to work as a lady’s companion for the two months.”

“And how is that meant to help Angel?”

“If you met my sister, you would understand. I love her dearly, and we have always been close, but she could do with a little seriousness in her life.”

“And you do not think you need such a thing?” she pressed.

He curved his lips. “I am well known for taking much pleasure in life to be sure, but I know the value of hard work. It’s what got me through Oxford.”

“But once you were done in Oxford, life became all about fun?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Why not?”

“You know, it really would be easier if you just found yourself a wife.”

“Are you telling me the great Prudence Hastings will not find me an answer?”

She pursed her lips. “No one has ever called me such a thing so I do not know why you keep calling me that and I cannot make promises, but you know I shall try my best.”

“Perhaps I justknowyou’re the greatest.”

Pru rolled her eyes, but he caught a glimmer of a smile on her lips. She really was fabulously easy to tease, but he quite enjoyed how she took him to task when needs be. With her help, they’d done an enormous amount of research already. Little had been found but there was still a month and a half to go. Surely that was plenty of time to find a way out of this mess? Even if Grandfather did think he had the best intentions in mind. The man had been a wily but kindly man who doted on them all as young children.

But just because Seth was fond of him, it did not mean he had to go along with this madness.

“Here we are.” Pru came to a stop in front of a town house in the middle of a long row of identical houses. Cream and three stories tall, large sash windows looked out onto the streets. A railing and stairs led down to what must be the kitchen in the basement. It was not dissimilar to Seth’s own townhouse across the other side of London.

She hesitated when he made no show of leaving. “I am home safe now. You may go. I shall see you tomorrow.”

“Dismissed already.” Seth hung his head. “I see when I’m not wanted.”

“That is not what I…it’s just…well, my family is…”

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