Page 56 of Lords, Ladies and Love

Her brother shook his head with a grin. “You are not getting out of this that easily. I shall go and ensure your reputation is safe while you enjoy yourself for the first time in far too long.”

“I do not think I shall enjoy myself one jot,” she grumbled.

It did not matter that her favorite singer would be there or that she relished Seth’s company more than she should. She did not belong at parties anymore, and her stomach was tying itself into knots to remind her of that.

“You shall enjoy yourself more than I.” Freddy tweaked his cravat. “Lady Marlborough’s parties are notoriously filled with her friends who are in want of a dance partner. Being alone, I shall no doubt be called upon to fill those dance cards.”

“You need not come, you know. Return home to Lily and enjoy a night with your wife. I am allowed out on my own, after all.”

“When I told Lily of your invite, she practically demanded I go. Only to ensure that you do, though,” he said wryly. “She told me to stay in the background at all times.”

Prudence grimaced. As much as she adored her sister-in-law, excitable Lily always had romance on her mind. It would be hard to convince her that a man and a woman might spend timetogether without there being romance involved. Which there most certainly was not.

Of course, there would be others who would conclude that any woman accompanying Seth would be there for romance…or at least a dalliance. But surely anyone who took one look at her would realize she was not Seth’s type at all? She hoped so because she was not certain she was ready to be center of attention. It had been so long since she’d had any attention at all. How did one handle such gossip?

The sound of a carriage door shutting had her heart in her throat. She listened out for footsteps, but the dogs decided to take exception to the noise and all began barking. “Shush,” she scolded them but all ignored her.

Two of the servants tried to wrangle the others away from the door while their poor butler attempted to work his way through the chaos to reach the doorway.

By the time Seth pulled the bell, the hallway was a riot of dogs and people. Prudence pinched the bridge of her nose and straightened her shoulders. As soon as the butler tugged open the door, the dogs that were not held back crowded around Seth, pawing at his exquisite clothing.

Prudence grimaced and made her way through the crowd toward him. “Shall we leave with haste? They shall not leave you be until you have fussed every single one of them.”

Seth grinned, a flash of teeth that made her racing heart nearly come to a stop. Good Lord, the man was handsome.

And handsome in a non-analytical way. She could no longer register coldly that his jaw was perfectly cut like that of a statue. Nor could she consider that his eyes were like gemstones. She could not think about how his lips were likely adored by many women.

No. All she could think on was how her heart played some silly tune of attraction at the mere sight of him. She inhaled slowly. There was something very, very wrong with her.

“As much as I would like to fuss each and every one of them, I fear we would be late indeed.” He offered his arm to her, and she paused before looping her hand around it, too aware of the servants watching.

“Are you coming, Freddy?” she demanded of her brother.

Lord, she prayed no one reported back to her mother and gave her any fanciful ideas. Her parents had never pressured her to do anything since the death of her husband. As far as Prudence was concerned, she had done her duty, been an innocent debutante and attended all the balls she needed to secure a husband. Fate had decided not to give her the future that they had all planned for, but she was quite content focusing on her studies.

It seemed Seth could change that, though. For the first time in years, her mama was looking at her like a young girl about to be swept off her feet by an eligible gentleman. Perhaps a quiet word would be needed to ensure those ideas did not go any further.

Seth aided her into the carriage, his gloved fingers brushing her own. She bit down on her bottom lip and willed her stomach to unbunch and her heart to still as she sat. Freddy seated himself next to her while Seth was opposite. She felt his gaze on her but focused her attention on the window. There might have been much to see outside on the well-lit street but she didn’t notice any of it.

“Sorry about the animals, Seth,” Freddy said. “They’re all over-indulged and Mother has far too many.”

“Just because you prefer cats,” Prudence mumbled.

Seth waved a hand. “It’s well enough. Reminds me of my childhood home.”

“You mentioned there were a few dogs at the country estates but not that you grew up with them,” she commented.

He nodded. “We had several throughout the years. The oldest surviving hound still lives at Brampton House. He’s enjoying a comfy retirement there, but I do not visit much.”

“I suppose there is not enough Society in the countryside for you.”

A quizzical brow rose. Seth had picked up on her pointed tone. A tone that was entirely unnecessary. After all, it was not his fault she could not stop thinking about how the tiniest touches between them felt or that she was unable to keep her gaze from straying to his lips.

“That is…” She forced a smile. “There is not so nearly as much to do in the countryside.”

Seth’s lips quirked. “Not so many libraries, to be sure.”

She ignored his teasing and focused on straightening the seams of her already straight gloves as though it was the most important task in the world. Her brother and Seth engaged in natural conversation that at least gave her a little while to gather herself. She had to cease being silly and forget any idea of attraction to Seth. She still wished to aid him with his legal problem, and if she was to do so, this sort of distraction would be no help at all.

---