Page 60 of Lords, Ladies and Love

Prudence successfully hustled the dogs into the drawing room and shut the door behind them. A riot of barking and scratching at the door increased when the butler let Seth into the hallway.

She peered at him and took in his appearance with a frown. “I thought we were to meet at the library?”

“I decided we could do with a break.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Put on a thick coat. And you may wish to change your shoes. I’m taking you to Hanbury Hall.”

The name of the house was familiar. It took her a moment to realize it was one of his family’s many estates. She supposed that explained his country attire. “But—”

“For once in your life, Pru, do not argue with me.”

Though arguments burned on her tongue, she held them back. She was not certain why but she did not have it in her to fight with the man. Not after weeks of researching and being in close quarters and learning more about him than she had ever known about someone who was not family. It was hard, exhausting, and frustrating, especially after that near kiss.

It was also the most fun she’d ever had. Her friendship with Seth—at least she hoped it could be called that—was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. He made every day different.

“Oh…” She sighed. “Very well then.” She wagged a finger at him. “But do not blame me when we run out of time to fix your situation.”

“One day will not hurt—not at the rate you read through books.”

She didn’t argue with him about that either, mostly because she did not wish to let him know quite how hopeless she was feeling at this point. So far, they had come across little that would help him, and he only had another three weeks to find an answer or else he would have to get engaged.

Pressing a fist against the pain in her stomach that conjured itself every time she considered him marrying some beautiful Society lady, she turned and headed upstairs to change. She mimicked his clothing and donned a thick riding habit and boots. Who knew what they would do there, but she imagined there would be horses. Really she should have demanded more knowledge but she trusted Seth.

She clapped hands to either side of her face. Lord, she really did trust the man. More than almost anyone. It was entirely illogical to trust such a man but she could not help feel she knew him—better than the women who flirted with him or made eyes at him over their fans. Better than the male acquaintances who approached him as though he were a god amongst men. There was no need for pretenses between them. After all, he was not trying to seduce her and she had volunteered her help.

Despite that near kiss. Whatever that was, she could not say. A mistake from him, most likely. Maybe he forgot who he was. Or perhaps he was frustrated because he had spent so little time with the opposite sex of late.

She knew well enough that he would not consider her the opposite sex. Who would when compared to the beautiful women of theton?

Pru gave her reflection a quick stern look just to remind herself to stop being silly. She did not need a man’s attention to be fulfilled, and she never would. For now, she would enjoy his company and all that she was learning in their research.

Yes, excellent. She nodded to herself and straightened her shoulders. No silliness, and no being illogical, that was all she needed to do.

She met Seth downstairs, and she lifted her arms. “Will I do?”

He nodded with a grin. “You will indeed.”

He led her out to the carriage that gleamed under the late morning sun and offered a hand. She made a show of glancing around and pretending not to see it then climbing in unaided. She avoided his gaze until he sat opposite her so she had little idea if he’d noticed her deliberate dismissal.

Prudence narrowed her gaze at his wide smile as he tapped the roof of the carriage and they set off. “You are awfully relaxed for someone who might be forced into marriage within three weeks.”

“Perhaps I just have faith in you.”

She arched a brow. “We have found nothing of substance yet. If I were you, I would be preparing an alternate plan.”

His lips tilted. “Are you giving up on me, Pru?”

“Never.” She twined her gloved hands together and eyed them. “I just cannot understand how you can be so calm.”

He leaned back against the carriage seat, drawing her attention to the length of his body. A little quiver signaled in her stomach and she pressed her joined hands to it in a bid to quell said quiver.

“There is little point in me panicking yet. We have three weeks, and we only need to find that one thing to challenge the will.” He looped his fingers together and put them behind hishead. “And I have the greatest legal mind in the country on my side.”

She pinched her lips at this description. She was notthegreatest legal mind. And at the rate they were going, she would not be able to help him, and she was not certain he would think so highly of her if she could not. This day away from the library was reckless and she shouldn’t have agreed to it.

“We should be studying,” she muttered.

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