Chapter Ten #2
“Should we worry about them?” Reid asked his friend the question as they walked to their cloaks and the door. “The snow and all that?”
“I’m trying not to. They’re both used to this kind of weather, and Emmeline knows the area like the back of her hand. Pru isn’t as familiar with it, but she’s no fool, Reid. She wouldn’t take chances.”
“Odd that they’re both absent at the same time though, isn’t it?” Reid paused at the door and looked up at the sky. “At least we’ll see a little sun today. Still cold though.”
“Good luck. We’ll meet later, I’m sure. Do let me know if you see any nekkid fairies.” Brent clapped him on the shoulder with a laugh, and departed, heading down the main street toward the village centre.
Naked fairies, indeed. Reid grinned and turned the other way to find his horse. He was trying not to worry too much, but every now and again a chill of apprehension touched his spine.
Where the hell was Prudence?
“This is most strange.”
Emmeline addressed her teacup as she sat across the table from Prudence and the two women watched more plates appear along with a teapot.
“What is?” Their hostess asked the question casually as she offered scones.
Pru chuckled. “I know what Emmeline means. The fact that the two of us are here, sharing tea with a lady we don’t know, after both going the wrong way because we were thinking of other things. Talk about coincidences.”
The woman smiled. “My dears, sometimes you just have to believe that Fate has plans. I think this morning proves that.”
Emmeline nodded. “Indeed, you are quite correct, Ma’am. But now that we are settled, will you not tell us your name? I would like to know how to address you…”
“Of course. You were both so cold and damp, I quite forgot the niceties in my attempts to warm you up.”
“You succeeded admirably,” said Prudence, with gratitude. “My feet are already more comfortable. But I too would love to know your name.”
“I’m Hecate Ridlington.”
Prudence thought for a few moments, knowing she’d heard the name before.
“What a beautiful name,” enthused Emmeline. “It sounds familiar.”
Hecate shrugged and poured tea. “I believe the original Hecate was a goddess, but I can assure you I’m far from that.”
Prudence looked at her, noting the elegant fingers and the long delicate neck. She was pretty certain she’d noticed a slight limp – and the pieces fell into place.
“I think we met once.”
Hecate glanced up, a look of surprise on her face. “Really? Forgive me, I usually have a good memory for faces, and I can’t say as I recall.”
“It was several years ago,” Prudence was a little hazy on the details herself. “In London, a musicale, I believe. I was there with my late husband, Lord Eldridge.”
“Ahhh, now I remember.” Hecate smiled. “Although I have to say there was a good reason I didn’t recognise you. You have changed a lot in the intervening years.”
“Yes, that’s bound to be true.” Prudence nodded. “Although losing one’s husband is hard, the period of mourning does teach one a measure of independence.”
“I didn’t know,” said Emmeline, eyes wide as she absorbed the conversation.
“No reason that you should,” answered Pru.
“We barely spoke at the Fête, and this morning we were both cold and wet.” She turned to Hecate.
“And we found your home. Which seems a little strange, since no one has mentioned it and Little Chillendale is nothing if not intimate when it comes to its residents.”
Hecate sipped her tea. “I haven’t been here very long. And I prefer not to mingle much. At the moment I am enjoying the solitude.”
Prudence glanced around her as she buttered a warm scone and then took a sip of the unusual herbal tea.
There was a comfortable blaze in the fireplace, several pieces of fine porcelain on the mantel, a lovely carpet and all the trappings of a lady’s residence.
A lady that had resided there for more than a month or two. Odd.
“But if you’ll forgive me my curiosity, I would love to know why you two lovely girls were wandering through snowy lanes unaccompanied early in the morning? Not that I’m complaining because I delight in your presence here, but you have to admit it is a little out of the ordinary.”
Emmeline put down her scone and sighed. A huge sigh for such an ethereal blonde. “Men.”
“Ah, well then. That explains everything.” Hecate almost hid her grin.
Pru grinned as well. “As a matter of fact, yes it does. A man is the reason I was out at a very early hour and I’d already walked a mile or so before I met you, Emmeline.”
“Good lord, girls. This won’t do.” Hecate leaned back in her chair. “Neither of you should be allowing a mere man to drive you out into the snow.”
“Well, to be fair, I left of my own accord. Mine was still asleep.”
“Prudence.” Emmeline’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes, dear. Really. I’m older than you and a widow. It’s quite acceptable.” She made the statement with as much authority as she could muster, hoping that Emmeline would believe her, since it wasn’t acceptable at all.
“Oh. I see.” Emmeline relaxed. “I didn’t leave Brent. I left my parents. They were on at me over breakfast, you see.”
“About what?” asked Hecate.
“About Brent. He’s a Viscount. Mama wants me to marry well, and I was supposed to be Reid Chillendale’s Mistletoe Marchioness, but I wasn’t terribly excited about it and then I met Brent who is wonderful and who likes me and we talked for hours last night and…
” she ran out of breath, filled her lungs and continued, “and I want to marry Brent. But he’ll think that Mama is the one behind it and won’t believe that a silly girl like me could have fallen in love with him in five minutes.
” Her lower lip trembled and those huge blue eyes glistened over with unshed tears.
“Hmm.” Hecate gazed at Emmeline. “I must give that one a bit of thought.” She switched her gaze to Prudence. “And your man is…”
“Her sort-of-ex, Reid Chillendale,” sighed Prudence. “I suppose it was Fate up to her tricks again. Reid and I…well, it works. That’s all I can say really. All that needs to be said. But it does relieve Emmeline of the necessity of becoming his Mistletoe bride.”
“I see. But what I don’t see is why you had to leave his side before dawn.”
Prudence swallowed. “Forgive me, but I’m going to ask both of you to promise me that our conversation will go no further.”
“Of course,” replied Hecate. “That goes without saying, but yes, I promise.”
“I promise as well, Prudence. What we say here remains with us forever. Cross my heart.” She solemnly licked her forefinger and crossed her heart with it.
Prudence was touched. “Thank you both.” She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “Even though I was married to a Lord, I am not what you would call suitable bride material for one such as Reid.”
“I don’t understand,” puzzled Emmeline. “You’re a Lady.”
“By marriage only, Emmeline. My husband was decades older than me and only desired an heir, not a real wife. He failed, and his health also failed, leaving me to carry on alone. But I also carry a secret. I do not know who my father was. Or my mother, as a matter of fact.”
There. It was out.
But there were no shrieks of horror, just two concerned faces looking at her. For a moment unusual tears stung the backs of her eyes, but then she blinked and forced them away.
“To clarify, my mother died during my birth. It turned out that my father was not the man she was married to at the time. He arranged for me to be fostered out to a woman I called aunt, who raised me as her own. She loved me every bit as much as a mother could have, so I have been lucky, make no mistake. I had an excellent education and although my marriage brought me little pleasure, it did result in a handsome widow’s jointure.
I have all that I need, now and in the future.
But I don’t believe I can bring such a poor pedigree into the Chillendale family. It wouldn’t be fair to them.”
As soon as she spoke the words, two things occurred to her. It was the first time she had told a soul about her origins and she had no idea at all why it had come out of her mouth at this particular time.
She blinked, wondering also why she now had the oddest urge to giggle.
“Oh pshaw.” Emmeline made a rude noise, caught herself up, and then giggled as well. “Goodness, that sounded funny.”
Hecate smiled at both of them. “Girls, you have been quite clear about your situations, and first let me thank you for honouring me with your confidences. Sometimes you have to say words aloud to fully understand them.”
She turned to Emmeline. “You have fallen in love with Brent Rowdean, and you would happily be his wife. But you are concerned that he’ll believe it’s all a sham orchestrated by your mother. Am I correct?”
Emmeline nodded. “Exactly so.”
“And you, Prudence, you and Reid Chillendale are in the middle of a passionate affair and you know, although you don’t like to admit it, that you and he have passed beyond desire and into love. Also correct?”
Caught off-guard, Prudence nodded as well. “Oh God. Yes.”
“Well, dear girls, there is a simple answer to both your problems.”
“There is?” Emmeline tilted her head to one side. “You’re so pretty, by the way.”
“Thank you.” Hecate grinned
“So will you answer us the tell?” Prudence frowned. “Wait. That’s wrong. Will you tell us the question? Answer? Damnation, something’s wrong with my tongue.”
“There’s nothing wrong with either of you. Nothing a short relaxing nap won’t cure, and you are about to have one thanks to my special blend of tea. But before I make sure you’re comfortable, I want you to listen to me.”
She picked up one of her teacups and gently tapped her spoon on it, making it ring. The sound was sweet and fragile and captured Prudence’s attention completely.
“The human voice was made for communicating, one to another. Emmeline, you must talk to Brent.” Ding.
“Really talk to him and tell him how you feel.” Ding.
“And as for you, Prudence, you must talk to Reid. Not lie with him, and not while you’re both naked.
” Ding. “You must talk to him about your feelings as well.” Ding.
Prudence’s eyelids grew heavy. “The tea,” she murmured.
“Quite. Nothing harmful, just a concoction of my own. Some sage and a few other herbs.” She took Prudence’s hand and led her to one of the couches in the room, then returned for Emmeline, leading her to the other.
“Rest, my dears. There is time for everything when you awaken. For now, let the troubles go and think of nothing but joy.”
“Thank you, Hecate…”
Prudence curled up amongst the cushions, watching the firelight dance on the beautiful ceiling…and tried to think clearly. But for some reason all she could see in her mind was Reid. And he made her smile…