Chapter 20 #3
“He was livid, but thankfully, my brother arrived just as he was telling me I would be going to live in a convent in Ireland. Evesham whisked me away and took me to his house. I should have told him about you sooner, but even he acknowledges that he likely would have told me to find an adoptive family for you.”
Prudence tensed. “Is he upset that I’m here now?”
“No, he’s far more upset at Pete’s reaction. He understands we must make the best of this situation.” Christina flinched, then smiled apologetically. “Not that having you here in our lives is something we need to make the best of. It’s just a change.”
That the duke seemed to accept Prudence was surprising.
Christina continued, “I’ll be staying with my brother while I determine what to do next.
In the meantime, Evesham is trying to persuade Pete that anything he does will only compound the scandal.
If he shrugs and does nothing, acts as if it’s old news that he cares nothing about, the sting will be gone.
” She took Prudence’s arm and guided her to the settee.
“People only like gossip if it humiliates someone.”
They sat down together, and Prudence found she could breathe easier.
“I’m glad your brother is advocating on your behalf.”
“It’s a little shocking, I must confess; however, he possesses a softer side than anyone would realize.” Christina put her finger to her lips and smiled. “Don’t tell.”
Prudence mimicked the action.
“More surprising than him helping me is the fact that he wishes to lend his support to you, his niece.”
“Me?” Accepting her was one thing, but helping her? “How?”
“Publicly. There’s a ball tonight, and he will stand at your side.”
It had been hard enough to accept that the truth of her parentage had somehow become known, but now she was to believe the mighty—and austere—Duke of Evesham was going to be her champion. She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“My dear, you must. And not just because you risk offending the duke. The fastest way to kill gossip is to give them something else to talk about.”
“The duke standing with me at a ball is going to put an end to the gossip about me?” She laughed without an ounce of humor. This was too absurd.
The countess exhaled. “Perhaps not, but it will help matters. There will be many who will see the duke’s approval and won’t dare to say anything against you. The gossip will die down abruptly.”
“You put an awful lot of faith in the power of your brother.”
“Of course I do. He’s the Duke of Evesham.” She gave Prudence a sly smile. “You should too. Now, what will you wear? It must be your finest gown.”
As a companion, Prudence had gowns that she wore to balls. However, they weren’t ball gowns, not like those Cassandra or Fiona wore. “I was a companion until very recently, and my wardrobe reflects that. Even if I’d had time to order new gowns, my husband can’t afford them.”
“Of course, I should have realized. I’m sure we can come up with something. I’ll send for my maid. She can work wonders.”
It seemed Prudence was going to a ball that night. She would rather have crawled under a rock.
The countess cocked her head to the side. “I only wish Glastonbury was here. Having him at your side would also quash the rumors. Why did you return to London without him?”
Prudence was grateful that his family’s illness hadn’t been part of the gossip. That would have been too much. She wouldn’t even share it with Ada or Cassandra or her mother. “The gossip isn’t completely wrong,” she said quietly. “We only married for the babe.”
“Oh.” A deep frown twisted Christina’s features. “I had the impression you cared for each other, that you were perhaps in love.”
“You did?” Prudence hadn’t thought her feelings were obvious. Perhaps she really was rubbish at hiding them. She’d definitely become incapable of tucking them away as her mother—the woman who’d raised and shaped her—had wanted. Her feelings aside, she didn’t think Bennet was in love with her.
The countess shrugged. “It seemed you shared at least some affinity for one another. Is there no hope that love will come?”
“I don’t think so.” Prudence heard her own lack of conviction. If her mother had seen something, was it possible she and Bennet just needed to bare themselves completely?
A prickle of unease settled between her shoulder blades.
She’d been angry and frustrated with him for not being honest with her, but she hadn’t told him the biggest, most important secret of all—that she loved him.
That she wanted this baby—his baby—more than anything and would fight for their happiness. If he would let her.
“You don’t sound as if you believe that,” Christina said. “What will you do?”
“I’m not certain yet. But tonight, I must go to a ball, apparently.”
The countess grinned. “Yes. We will make a magnificent entrance with Cassandra and Wexford, Aldington and Sabrina, Lucien, and the duke. No one will dare say a word against you. I daresay you will be quite popular.”
Prudence doubted that, nor did she care. This was a favor she was doing for her mother. Because if it was up to Prudence, she’d be on her way back to Aberforth Place as quickly as possible.