Chapter Twelve #2
He swept her a bow. “I shall see you at the Mistletoe Ball, Lady Prudence. Remember. Green is the order of the day.”
“I won’t forget.”
It turned out to be the longest few days of Reid’s life. His thoughts were filled with Prudence from the moment his eyes opened in the morning, to the last moment of consciousness at night.
He continued to do his duties and his chores, working in the brewery on the latest batch of ale, and performing a variety of requests for his mother, who was now hip-deep in preparations for the Mistletoe Ball.
Since both parents were busy, he had plenty of time to think his own private thoughts and spent the first couple of days in personal reflection, preferring to wait to share anything with his parents until he knew that his mind and his heart had reached the same decision.
Which sounded very calm and collected, but of course it really only took three minutes for him to realise that Prudence was it. The One. The Only.
He told himself he wouldn’t have cared if she were a dairymaid or a duchess.
He had fallen head over heels in love with Prudence, the woman.
The circumstances of her life had made her who she was.
Would she have been different if she had known her father?
If there wasn’t a taint of illegitimacy in her bloodline?
He didn’t know. Perhaps she would have been other than who she was now. In which case he might not have loved her the way he did.
The more he turned the matter over in his mind, the more certain he became. There were no doubts, no concerns, no hesitations. He’d waited a long time to feel this way and there was no possibility that his emotions would change.
So at the end of two days, he asked his parents to both join him in the small salon after dinner, because he needed to talk to them about something important.
His mother eyed him askance as she settled herself in front of the fireplace. “What’s this about, Reid?”
“It’s about the woman I’m going to marry.”
“Lady Prudence?” Lady Jocelyn nearly fell off her chair. “She said yes?”
Reid raised his hand. “Wait. There is more. I have indeed asked for her hand. The problem is that I’m not sure I can convince her to give it to me.”
“Why the devil not, son?” His father raised his eyebrows. “I should have thought you have a lot to offer the right woman.”
“And I do sir, thanks to you and Mama.” He gave them both a respectful little bow. “But the thing is, she doesn’t think she’s suitable. And that’s the hitch. Nothing to do with my side of the matter. I know she’s right for me and that’s all there is to it.”
His mother frowned. “I don’t understand. Certainly, she’s a widow. That isn’t perhaps the most desirable situation, but not her fault…” She looked at Reid. “What is it?”
“The circumstances of her birth, Mama. That’s the problem.”
There was a brief silence.
“In what way?” Sir Rodney posed the question.
“I’ll tell you what she has told me.” He leaned against the mantelpiece. “Her mother died during childbirth. Around that time, her father learned that he was not Prudence’s father, and sent her away to be fostered. She grew up with a woman she knew as her aunt.”
“Oh dear.” Lady Jocelyn’s hand rose to her bosom. “The poor thing.”
“Luckily, it was a good and loving home, and she grew up not knowing anything about this situation until her aunt’s health declined.
There were few options and the marriage to Eldridge was arranged.
It seems no one else was interested in a woman with little dowry and a questionable heritage. To say the least.”
His father looked somber. “She is illegitimate, I suppose. Unless her mother’s husband acknowledges her.” He shook his head. “Sad state of affairs, lad. Does she know who her real father is? Has she ever mentioned her mother’s name?”
“I don’t think so. I’m not even sure if she knows much about her mother.
And she’s never given me any reason to suppose she has any idea who her father was.
And to be honest, I’m not sure she cares particularly.
If he gave her away as a baby, why would he acknowledge her now?
” Reid stared into the flames. “If that’s her way of thinking. I can’t disagree with it.”
“She must be quite distressed over this,” remarked Lady Jocelyn. “That is, if she reciprocates your feelings?”
Reid looked at his mother. “I know she does, Mama. And yes, she is finding this whole situation difficult.” He straightened.
“And she shouldn’t be. We’re perfect for each other, and we both know it.
But she cannot bring herself to say yes because of something that happened before she was born.
I can’t even begin to imagine how that feels.
To have to deny yourself the thing you want most for the most impossible of reasons. ”
“We understand that, Reid.” His father shook his head. “’Tis unfair and not her fault. But I can see her point.”
“Papa.” Reid rounded on him. “How can you?”
“Hush now. I said I can see her point, not that I agree with it.”
“Reid,” his mother intervened. “Both of us love you and wish you happiness. If Lady Prudence is the one to give you that happiness, then we will love her as well.”
Reid gulped. “You will?”
“Of course we will. We’re not monsters or stupid enough to hold her birth against her.” Lady Jocelyn frowned at him. “I’m distressed you’d think otherwise.”
“Well, I…” Reid began to apologise.
“Look, son. Bear in mind that just because we have no objections, doesn’t mean that others won’t either. You and I both know what kind of a world this is and how too many of the wrong things matter too much.”
“So what do I do?” Reid sat down on the corner of the couch and put his head in his hands.
“I have no idea how to handle this. I want Pru. I want to marry her. But I don’t want my desires to bring trouble to this house.
” He lifted his head. “I suppose I could marry her, and we could move to the Colonies. I’m told such things don’t matter across the Atlantic. ”
“Don’t be daft.” His mother snorted. “We need to ask a few questions. Seek some advice from those we trust. It’s time to find out just how much power the Chillendale name carries with it.” She glanced at her husband. “What do you say, dear?”
He nodded. “Yes. Yes, you’re right.” He turned to Reid.
“I’m going to the Loughbridges tomorrow for the annual county meeting.
There are one or two men there I trust, buyers who have been our customers for generations.
Since I think we all realise that the only jeopardy might be to the Chillendale ale, I think it right to ask a few discreet questions there.
If they don’t give a damn, then why should we? ”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Reid glanced at the older man.
“No, lad. I think this is better done without your presence. Besides, I believe your mother will need you. I’ll only be gone a night, but ‘tis best you stay here with her and continue the preparations for the ball.”
Reid nodded. “Very well, father. And thank you.” He stood. “But know this. I am going to wed Prudence. Over her objections if necessary. It’s her or no one. I will do my best, however, not to bring a shadow to Chillendale, even if it means leaving. My joy shouldn’t be a burden to the rest of you.”
He crossed the room, dropped a kiss on his mother’s forehead and hugged his father.
Then he left, with a heart full of gratitude for the amazing parents he’d been blessed with and a sense of pain for his beloved – a woman who had never known that kind of blessing at all.