Page 59 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“I had rather hoped you might find it fun.”

She offered a small smile. “I am sorry, Seth, but this is not me. Not anymore.”

“Anymore? So you used to like dancing and parties?”

Pru lifted a shoulder. “I suppose. Though I am not certain how much of it was because I was a young girl andmeantto like parties and dancing.” She fixed him with a look. “Different stages in our lives are meant for different things. I do not regret my time as a debutante but I would rather spend my days doing something worthwhile.”

Seth shook his head. “Do you ever take time for yourself, Pru? I mean, do you ever have fun?”

Her lips tightened. “I know how to have fun. It’s just different to your fun.”

A man knocked into her and jostled her toward the dance floor. Seth put a protective arm around her and eyed the crowds that seemed to be converging on their space. “Come, let us get some air. I cannot hear you properly in here anyway.”

She nodded and let him lead her outside onto the veranda. Golden light spilled onto the stone, highlighting the pots of flowers placed just so while the strains of the music grew slightly muffled. Seth drew in a breath of fresh, flower-scented air.

“You should go dance, Seth.” Pru patted his arm. “I do not mean to ruin your enjoyment. This”—she motioned to the ballroom—“is not for me anymore. I was not certain that it wasn’t but now I know for certain.” Peering up at the sky, she folded her arms and took a step toward the balustrade that looked out over the gardens.

“I’d rather be here with you.”

The words escaped him before he had considered them—and the truth behind them. But it was no lie. He did not care for the dancing or the gossip or the ribaldry or even the potential for a liaison. Even if they were standing in silence, he’d rather be with Pru.

What the hell was happening to him?

“So what do you consider fun?” he asked. Anything to cover the strange silence hovering between them since his declaration.

“Well, you know I enjoy my studies.” Her eyes creased in the corners. “But I also like to hunt. And the dogs keep me happy, of course. Believe it or not, I sing on occasion too.”

“I’d like to hear you sing sometime.”

She shook her head vigorously and grimaced, pressing a hand to her head. “These pins are so painful.” She plucked one of the offending pins out. “Reminds me why I never wear my hair like this.”

A loose curl spilled over her eye, ruining the perfectly coiffed look. He liked it far too much. Reaching up, he found another pin and pulled it out for her. Then another and another until all her hair spilled free. Pru laughed and shook her hair so that it was a wild jungle of curls about her face.

“Oh goodness, you have no idea how good that feels.”

“It looks good.”

She lifted a brow. “I very much doubt that.”

“No…it does.” It looked so bloody good that his throat was tight and his body had heated with need. Yes, she looked wildand messy and not at all like a proper lady, but with laughter in her eyes and on her lips, she was irresistible.

Seth pushed the tangle of curls back from her face and froze when his fingers touched skin. Her eyes darkened and her lips parted—an invitation. His pulse raced through his fingertips to where he touched her, heating his skin along the way, making his breaths short and painful. He knew without hesitation that the only thing that would end his agony would be to kiss her.

He leaned in, her lids fluttered closed. She lifted her face to his. Seth cast his gaze over her, his heart in his throat, savoring the moment that the indomitable Pru Hastings offered herself to him.

The gentle strain of soprano notes flitted through the air. Pru opened her eyes. “Oh, it’s Mrs. Simmons!” She raced over to the windows and pressed her palms against them.

Seth remained where he was for a moment, slightly bent, ready to kiss her. He smirked to himself and straightened. Well, at least the opera singer had saved him from making a complete idiot of himself. He looked over to Pru, whose eyes were wide with wonder, and her nose was practically pressed against the glass like a child outside a toy shop.

He came to her side. “Shall we go in so you can see her better?”

She shook her head vigorously. “I like it here. It’s like we are having a private audience.”

He couldn’t help but smile at the wild-haired female. What a woman she was. He would not have minded kissing her, not one jot, but Pru Hastings was something different—someonedifferent. She deserved much more than a man like him.

From now on, he’d have to keep his lips to himself. No matter how crazy she drove him.

Chapter Ten

---