Page 55 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“Believe it or not, I can survive embarrassment with ease. And I highly doubt you could embarrass me, Pru.” He fought the urge to reach over and grab her hand, as odd as the urge was.

She glanced around her family and her shoulders dropped. “Very well, I shall go to this party, but do not expect me to enjoy it.”

Chapter Seven

Prudence wrung her hands together and leaned in to peer into the mirror in the hallway of her parent’s house. Was that an extra wrinkle? She relaxed her face. No, but if she kept frowning she’d have permanent creases between her brows.

Oh, what did she care if she had wrinkles? It had never bothered her before. In fact, the plainer she looked, the better. It was much easier to be a woman of sense if people did not see her. The more invisible she was, the better life was, and the more seriously men took her research.

She touched a finger to one rouged cheek and glanced down at the gown her mother had insisted she wear. She grimaced. Why had she agreed to this? And why had she let her mother get excited about her attending a fairly prestigious dance? She should have put her foot down and refused to go.

Hands to her ribcage, she drew in a breath then another. Her heart would not cease racing. She tried again, but the violent flutter underneath her breast would not slow no matter how many deep breaths she took.

“I cannot do this,” she muttered to herself and spun on her heel toward the stairs.

“Pru!”

She stilled and twisted back around to face her brother, a faux smile etched in place. “Yes, Freddy?”

“Where are you going?” Her brother lifted both brows and folded his arms across his chest. Dressed beautifully, it was hardto tell it was her brother with his dark, glossy hair carefully styled and his handsome jaw clean shaven. Most would never think them related even when he was not dressed for the evening but tonight…

“You look very handsome, Freddy,” she said hastily. “But I forgot…” She motioned upstairs.

“Forgot to run away?”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “I do not run away.”

“I am only going to this thing because we all know Lord Seth has a reputation.” He gestured down himself. “Do not let all this effort go to waste.”

“Well I am only going because you invited Seth to supper and everyone bullied me into it and Mama got so excited.”

He smirked. “And I imagine she was behind this…” He motioned to her face then down her body.

“The makeup and the gown? Yes, indeed.” She folded her arms. “This is all your fault.”

“Well, if it is any consolation, you look quite lovely.”

Prudence blinked at her brother. Did she look lovely? She glanced sideways toward the long mirror. She supposed she did look…pleasant enough. Her hair had curls in it for the first time in a long time and the gown cinched in, perfectly emphasizing a slender waist that she had forgotten existed.

What would Seth think of it though?

She shook her head to herself. What did she care what he thought? Besides, there would be many beauties attending tonight. Compared to them, she would disappear into the background.

Which was perfectly fine for her…was it not?

“I do not know why I agreed to this or let Mama and Papa and you bully me into it.” She closed the distance between them and jabbed a finger into Freddy’s chest. “I blame you for this.”

Freddy chuckled. “I am only guilty of recognizing that you really did want to go.” He pursed his lips. “Though, I would prefer it if you were not invited by Lord Seth Templeton.”

Prudence waved a hand. “He is harmless. At least with regards to me. I am a useful legal mind to him, that is all.”

He cocked his head. “Yes, you never did explain exactly what it was you were researching for him.”

“It is a, um, delicate matter.”

“And you tell me I need not have any concerns?”

“If you are so worried about my reputation, then you should demand I not go!”

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