Chapter Nineteen
Almost two weeks had passed since Jack had been to see them in Richmond.
Prue couldn’t settle to anything but sifting through the post and waiting for the sound of his curricle on the drive.
When she ventured out for a walk, the industrious Mr. Warren followed discreetly behind, which, although it made her feel safe, spoiled any pleasure in the gardens. She soon gave up and remained inside.
She welcomed the chance to go shopping with Gramma in George Street and take tea again at the teashop near the river. It was Gramma’s treat, she’d said, to make Prue feel better.
As the pair sat together having tea, the sun broke through the clouds and sent dancing lights over the water. “You look tired, Prudence.” Gramma moved a plate of cress sandwiches toward her. “Aren’t you sleeping, my dear?”
“Not very well, Gramma.”
“We are both on edge, Prudence, which is perfectly understandable.”
Despite Mr. Warren’s reassuring presence at the house, when the wind rose and rattled the shutters, Prue found herself listening to every creak and groan.
She couldn’t forget about the man who had entered her room in the middle of the night searching for her.
And how other ruffians had whisked her away and locked her up in that frightening place.
“This dreadful business has taken its toll on you, dearest,” Gramma said. “I pray Lord Hereford comes soon with answers so that we may take up our lives again.”
“I do too, Gramma,” Prue said disconsolately. But she failed to see anything changing while Roland was at large and remained a threat.
On Monday afternoon, when she feared another day had passed without Jack arriving, she heard what she had been listening for and ran down the stairs.
With a smile, Barnes opened the front door for her, and she sailed through as Jack leaped down from his curricle.
Prue, without a thought, ran straight into his arms.
He hugged her and whispered, his mouth close to her ear, “I badly want to kiss you, sweetheart, but we must be patient.”
She leaned back to search his face. Although he appeared weary, the dark shadows seemed to have vanished, his gray eyes light and warm. “I have a lot to tell you. Shall we ask Lady Aldridge to join us?”
Jack greeted the butler, then took her arm, and they climbed the stairs to the drawing room.
William served glasses of claret, while Prue and Gramma sat quietly listening to Jack as the heartbreaking history of his childhood unfolded. Her heart gave a throb as different emotions assailed her: shock, sadness, and quiet fury at the culpability of the Stanton family.
“Mr. Everton has concluded that my mother, who was a close friend of George Stanton’s first wife, Elizabeth, came to her aid when a son, born to George’s mistress, was established as his heir.
It appears she must have met George Stanton in the grounds and tried to reason with him, and he struck her down.
” Jack paused and took a deep breath. “Mrs. Stanton might also have feared for her life; she certainly died not long after my mother. I found her physician still living in the village. He told me Mrs. Stanton couldn’t have children. ”
“I am so very sorry, Jack,” Prue said with a sigh. How devastated he must have been growing up with his mother missing and never knowing what had happened to her.
Gramma gazed at Jack, compassion in her eyes. “How dreadful it must have been for you as a young lad, Lord Hereford.”
“I’ve had years to come to terms with it,” he said, staring down at his hands. “Once I claim my mother’s body, she’ll be laid to rest beside my father.”
They fell silent, the only sounds being the ticking of the mantel clock and the snuffling sound the otter made in his sleep. Even Horace had nothing to say.
Prue wished she could go to Jack and comfort him.
“As soon as possible, I shall advise my solicitor,” she finally said.
“The earldom will pass down to another cousin of my father’s, Richard Stanton, who is next in line.
” She paused. “And I shall gift Richard with a good portion of my inheritance. I know Papa would approve.”
“That’s very generous, Prudence,” Gramma said. “Lord Hereford, do you know where Roland Stanton is now?”
“No. I have hired Everton to find him. Should he do so, his instructions are to follow him and advise me of his whereabouts.”
Prue frowned. “You will be careful, won’t you, Jack? If Roland is cornered, he will be dangerous.”
He put down his glass of wine and stood. “I must go. There is more work to be done before our case against Stanton for murder, falsifying evidence, and abduction can be proven. And when it is, the law will serve him just punishment.”
Prue rose from her chair. “I’ll come downstairs with you.”
Jack greeted Mr. Warren in the corridor. “I’d like you to remain here for the present, Fred. Stanton has not yet been found. Keep an eye out.”
“Certainly, my lord.” He grinned. “Lady Aldridge has a very fine cook.”
Before Jack stepped down from the porch, Prue, unwilling to see him leave so quickly put her hand on his broad chest. “You’ll take care? When will we see you again?”
He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss onto her knuckles. “With all haste, sweetheart.”
“I hope it’s soon. I’m tired of waiting. I was never very good at it and have done little else of late.”
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “When I return, I have a particular question to ask you.”
“Can’t you ask me now?” she implored him, her voice a bare whisper filled with longing.
Jack glanced at the door. The butler had discreetly made himself scarce. He drew her down off the porch and deeper into the gardens. “I adore you,” he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. “Life without you would be deplorable. Who else would keep me on my toes? Will you be my wife, Prudence?”
Prue was unaware of anything around her. Nothing mattered but Jack as she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, darling. I love you. You must know that.”
Jack eased her hands away with another glance toward the house. “Etiquette requires me to speak first to Lady Aldridge.”
Prue shook her head. “None of that etiquette nonsense. Gramma won’t care, and neither do I.”
With a sigh, he stroked a finger over her cheek. “I must leave, darling. I can hardly race up to the drawing room and consult her now. It would be the height of rudeness.”
“No, you must go, Jack. But Gramma will want to know about this. Surely, you can’t expect me to keep it to myself?”
His lips quirked up in a brief smile, amusement in his eyes. “Didn’t you tell me you never wished to marry?” he teased her. “I seem to recall you saying something about managing your own estate.”
Her fingers threaded through his dark hair. “That was before I met you, Jack. And now I want to be married to the man I love. The only man I shall ever want. And hope you will help me to fulfill my dreams.”
“Of course.” He chuckled. “Should they be within reason?”
Gazing at her mouth, he reached out and bracketed her waist, his thumbs rubbing the arc of her hips.
“Lord, how I want you, Prudence.” His hands on her back pulled her close and his lips skimmed along her cheek.
He brought his mouth to hers in a deep, passionate kiss.
Prue leaned into his body, the hard planes of his muscles enfolding her as his soft lips teased hers to open, and she did, eagerly.
The kiss, something she’d never before experienced, made her breath catch and her knees weaken.
“It’s a torment being this close,” he whispered.
His hands slipped down to her bottom, pulling her even closer. Prue felt the evidence of his desire pushing against her stomach. Heat flowed through her to her core. She wanted him desperately, had always known it.
“Shall we have a short engagement?” His eyes were dark with desire. “You are still in mourning; is it best we wait?” He sounded so reluctant that she smiled.
“No. Papa would not have wanted me to wait; I shan’t let some silly societal rules govern our happiness.”
He sighed. “You are without shame, Lady Prudence, and I love you so much, I’m prepared to weather any scandal, but are you sure you can?”
“Oh, Jack, of course I can. I want to be with you so much,” she said, emotion causing her voice to catch. “Being together is all that matters.”
Although she longed to ask him if that meant he’d give up his dangerous work, she wouldn’t spoil this special moment between them. Whatever he decided would make no difference. And she would never expect it from him. With him by her side, she’d deal with whatever life threw at them.
A horse’s nickering broke into their absorption with one another. They reluctantly left their private spot among the trees, crossing the drive to where Joseph, doing a splendid job of ignoring them, stood at the horses’ heads.
Jack’s lips brushed her ear. “I love you. Much as I wish to stay and hold you in my arms, I must go to London, my love.”
He climbed into the curricle and took the reins. In a few moments, he had gone. With a soft moan, Prue wrapped her arms around herself as yearning tightened her stomach. Then she turned to hurry inside to tell Gramma the news.
Barnes beamed at her. He must have heard every word.
“You can be the first to congratulate me, Barnes,” she said with a grin.
“Indeed, I do, Lady Prudence. A very happy occasion.”
It was surprising how happiness could arise even out of tragedy, but she knew she and Jack would be happy together as soon as Roland was put behind bars. While he was free, his menace still affected her and caused gooseflesh on her arms as she made her way upstairs.