Entangled

Chapter 21

Bennet took the stairs at the Phoenix Club two at a time.

He went directly to Lucien’s office, but found it empty.

Next, he went to the less populated library.

He wasn’t there either. Frustration growing, Bennet stalked into the more crowded members’ den, where he noticed several stares directed toward him.

Still no Lucien. Where the hell was he?

Turning on his heel, he strode back toward the stairs, intent on searching the gaming room on the ground floor. But Lucien was coming up the stairs.

When he reached the top, he advanced on Bennet until they were nearly nose to nose. “I ought to hit you for allowing my cousin to return to London alone, but you’d probably trounce me.”

“I won’t.” Bennet took a step back. “Take your shot. I deserve it.”

Scowling, Lucien let out a low growl before turning toward his office. Bennet followed him.

“Who started this officious rumor?” Bennet asked as soon as they were inside.

Lucien closed the door with force. It wasn’t quite a slam, but it was in the vicinity. “You mean the true story of my poor cousin? It may be a rumor, but it’s not wrong.” His dark eyes simmered with anger.

Bennet had been trying very hard to keep his own ire in check. He was reminded of how difficult it was because he suddenly wanted to toss something across the room.

“It isn’t correct either,” Bennet bit out. “You didn’t pay me to marry her.”

“Didn’t we? Just answer me one question. Is there a babe?”

Fury seethed in Bennet’s gut. He clenched his fists at his sides. “That’s none of your concern. It’s none of anyone’s concern.”

“That’s an answer.”

“I’m going to try to forget you even asked me. It shouldn’t matter.”

“It does matter. I believed you’d fallen in love. However, it now seems that you wed because of a child.”

While that wasn’t wrong, it also wasn’t completely right.

Bennet had fallen in love. But he likely would not have married her if not for the child.

Christ, he hated how all this had happened.

Why couldn’t he have fallen in love with Prudence and simply married her?

Because his family was broken, he was destitute, and he’d been scared of what he might become.

He couldn’t keep torturing himself with all that had gone wrong or all that might go wrong. All that mattered was that he loved Prudence and he loved their child, whatever the future held. He was still scared to death, but he wasn’t alone.

He wasn’t alone.

Bennet met Lucien’s gaze and spoke clearly so there would be no misunderstanding.

“The reasons for our marriage are complicated. And private. However, I have a plan that involves a rather public spectacle. I need to ask you for one last favor.” Lucien frowned, and Bennet nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all.

“I need you to make sure Prudence is at the Tilden ball tonight.”

“That’s rather late notice. Why?”

“I don’t have time to explain. Just promise me you’ll get her there.”

“I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll try.” He narrowed his eyes at Bennet. “I’m trusting you one last time, Glastonbury. You botch this, and I won’t just expel you from the Phoenix Club.”

“If I fail, you won’t have to.” Bennet didn’t know how he would recover from it. “Do you have any idea where this information originated? Only a few people knew the truth.”

Lucien looked pained. “I’ve been over it a hundred times with Con, with Wex. It could be someone in Wex’s household, but so far, he doesn’t have any leads. His butler is on the case.”

“If you find out, I want to know who it is.” Bennet waited for Lucien to nod his assent before continuing, “I’ve been worried about Prudence’s mother. Is Lady Peterborough all right?”

Surprise flickered in Lucien’s gaze. “That’s kind of you to ask. My father has intervened. She’s staying with him for the time being.”

Bennet was glad to hear it. “Good.” He turned to go, but Lucien stopped him.

“If you don’t make things right with Prudence, Con and I will make sure that you do.”

Looking back over his shoulder, Bennet held the other man’s stare. “If I don’t make things right with my wife, there’s nothing that you or Aldington or anyone could do that would be worse than how I’ll have to live the rest of my life.”

Evie Renshaw had come through again. She’d saved the day for so many people in so many ways, and tonight was no different.

When the need for a brilliant ball gown that would dazzle the entire ton became dire, Evie had calmly delivered.

Tonight, she had proven that she was unparalleled when it came to fashion and connections.

It was entirely because of her that Prudence looked as though she not only belonged in Society but that she reigned supreme.

The red gown had been only partially constructed when Evie had gone to see one of her favorite modistes. She’d brought the woman to the Wexfords’ where the modiste had measured Prudence then finished the gown with the help of Christina’s maid.

Christina and Cassandra had gone shopping for shoes and gloves, and they’d somehow procured a pair of ruby combs for Prudence’s hair, which Christina’s maid had dressed in the most elegant style Prudence had ever worn.

There was also a ruby necklace and matching earrings.

The jewelry felt heavy on her, and Prudence found herself longing for an apron and Mrs. Logan’s kitchen.

When she walked into the Tildens’ house flanked by her mother and her uncle, Prudence held her head high and prayed she looked like a viscountess.

Lord and Lady Tilden had greeted them quite pleasantly, but instead of a genuine warmth, there was surprise.

Whether it was due to Prudence having the nerve to come or the fact that she was accompanied by the Duke of Evesham would remain a mystery.

In the ballroom, they took up a position somewhat near the dancing. Cassandra moved to Prudence’s side and leaned close. “You are absolutely stunning. People are seeing you looking splendid in that gown and those jewels.”

Prudence touched the ruby necklace at her throat.

“They’re gaping at me wondering why I am here.

If they’re noticing my attire or accessories, it’s to question how I managed to swindle all of you into outfitting me like this.

” Prudence had never felt more exposed or vulnerable.

She was desperate to leave. “How long must we stay?”

They’d kept their conversation very quiet so that only the two of them could hear. That didn’t mean Christina hadn’t noticed. She moved closer. “Don’t look so stricken, Prudence. Hold your head high and behave as if there is nowhere else you should be.”

The duke approached her. “We should dance, Lady Glastonbury.”

It wasn’t an invitation. Not that she would have refused him.

She put her hand on his arm, and he escorted her to the dance floor as the next set was about to begin.

“I don’t dance often anymore,” he said brusquely. “But this is important for my sister, so I will do my best.”

“I have rarely danced, Your Grace.” She prayed she wouldn’t embarrass him.

“Don’t ‘Your Grace’ me. We are social equals now, so you would call me Duke. However, you are my niece, so you will call me Uncle Evesham.”

They took their position in the square, and it was all Prudence could do not to panic. The music started, and she managed to get on well enough, recalling the steps, mostly from watching Fiona’s lessons when she’d first come to town and then helping her practice on occasion.

When she and the duke were near each other, he said, “As I said, I don’t do this often. Lucien will come and replace me soon, and I will circuit the ballroom extolling your grace and virtue.”

Virtue. Prudence nearly tripped.

“Thank you…Uncle Evesham.” Her uncle was a bleeding duke.

For whatever reason, this new situation, new life began to finally take hold of her. Even if she hadn’t been the daughter of a viscount and a countess and the granddaughter of a duke, she was a viscountess. She was Lady Glastonbury, and she absolutely belonged here, whether she wanted it or not.

The dance ended, and Lucien came to take his father’s place. Before departing the dance floor, the duke leaned close and bussed her cheek. “You are my sister’s daughter. You carry our blood. That’s all that matters.”

He didn’t look at her as he turned and strode away. She watched him go with overwhelming gratitude and affection.

Lucien took her hand as the music began. “You look as if you’re slightly more cheerful,” he observed with a smile.

“Surprisingly so.” She never would have imagined it.

“Then I can’t wait to see what happens as the evening progresses.” He swept her into a turn, and they parted so she couldn’t ask what he meant.

The rest of the set passed in a breathless whirl. She made only a few missteps, and Lucien was adept enough to cover them for her so that she didn’t make a fool of herself.

She thanked him as they left the dance floor. “Please tell me I don’t have to dance anymore. That was utterly exhausting.”

As she turned her head to find Cassandra or Christina, she froze, her body stopped as if she’d walked into a stone wall. Standing with her relatives were her other relatives: Flora and Minerva.

Their gowns were dreadfully out of style, but their smiles were wide, and Prudence was so pleased to see them. Shocked, but pleased.

Regaining her composure, she hurried toward them. “Flora, Minerva, how is it that you’re here?”

A hush seemed to fall over the ballroom. The buzz of conversation halted, and the air thinned.

“I brought them.”

The two women parted to reveal Bennet. Dressed in black superfine with his usual simply knotted cravat, he was everything she’d ever wanted. Before she’d known she wanted it.

A smattering of murmurs broke the quiet. But only briefly before silence—and expectation—reigned once more.

“Bennet,” she breathed, scarcely believing that she was really seeing him, that he wasn’t a dream.

He took a deep breath and spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Good evening, my lady wife. I’m so pleased to join you this evening as we planned.” Since the room had gone still, everyone could hear what he said.

Minerva tipped her head as she stepped toward Prudence. “Yes, thank you for allowing our dear boy to delay his trip to London so that Flora could recover from her cold.”

What cold?

“So thoughtful of you to spare him,” Flora said. “But now we’re all here together, as intended.”

They were publicly explaining why Prudence had returned to London without her husband. Her breath caught, and her pulse began to race.

“Yes, as intended,” Prudence repeated.

Bennet walked toward her, his gaze fixed on her and only her.

He took her hand and pressed his lips to the inside of her wrist. “How I’ve missed you,” he murmured just for them.

Then he raised his voice once more. “I feel as if I must declare for everyone to hear that I love you beyond measure. I would marry you over and over again, a thousand times, if I could. You are the woman of my dreams and the lady of my heart. And those are the reasons I married you.”

His blue-green eyes were so brilliant. Were there tears fighting to spill? If so, he didn’t let them.

She worried she wouldn’t have the same control. Emotion welled, her throat tightened, and her face flushed.

“Huzzah!” Lucien called out. “To Lord and Lady Glastonbury!”

Several people nearby answered with “Huzzah.” Prudence couldn’t take her eyes from Bennet.

He offered her his arm. “Shall we promenade?”

She immediately took it, glad for his stability. “Directly outside, please,” she whispered.

“Of course.” He led her toward the doors, smiling and inclining his head at people as they walked past.

Prudence focused straight ahead, still not wanting to see anyone or the way they looked at her. When they were outside, she exhaled at last, her body wilting.

Bennet clasped her waist and drew her close as he maneuvered her away from the house. “All right?”

“I will be. That was… I don’t know what to say.” She turned to face him. “You made an absolute spectacle.”

“I did. On purpose. It’s our spectacle—we own it.

No more secrets. I want everyone to know how I feel about you.

” He frowned. “Perhaps we shouldn’t have fibbed about Great-Aunt Flora having a cold.

I should have confessed to everyone that I was a fool for not being honest with you and for not accompanying you back to London. ”

“I’m glad you did not do that. I am struggling with a great deal, primarily my emotions and the overwhelming plethora of them of late. I don’t think I could have managed all of Society knowing that much. The rumors are bad enough.” She winced.

“I’m so sorry, Pru. I should have told you the truth so long ago. The silly part is that I think I always knew you would understand. You are the first and only woman I’ve ever met whom I actually envisioned in my life, at Aberforth Place, with my family.”

His words made her want to fly into the air, carried by unstoppable joy. This was a surplus of emotion she enjoyed. “I shouldn’t have left like I did. I just couldn’t take one more thing. After so many years of burying my feelings, I was overwrought with them.”

“I understand. You needed to get away—from me.” He gave her a tentative smile. “If you still need to be apart from me, I’ll understand.”

She didn’t. In fact, if she couldn’t be with him now and forever, she didn’t know what she would do. “Did you mean what you said? You love me?”

His eyes glowed with emotion. “More than anything.”

“That was quite a performance!” The shrill voice broke them apart.

Prudence stared at the woman who’d come upon them.

She was tall and rather harsh looking. “But if you think that will repair the damage, you’re fooling yourselves.

When that whelp arrives in due time, everyone will know the truth—that you married her because she’s a whore, and she was fortunate enough to have relatives who could buy you. ”

Bennet took two steps until he was close to the woman. “You did this?”

“Did you think I was going to let you break our agreement without suffering any consequences?”

Prudence watched Bennet’s hands curl into fists, his neck and face redden, and his jaw clench. She’d seen him look this angry once before—at the fight in Croydon on the night he’d hired men to kidnap her.

This was what he was afraid of. Losing control. She wasn’t going to let him.

“How did you find out about my wife?” Bennet growled, moving even closer to the woman, who Prudence had to assume was his briefly betrothed, Mrs. Merryfield.

“You confirmed that she was carrying when I guessed,” the woman said haughtily.

“I never answered you!” A vein in his neck stood out, and Prudence knew he was about to step over the line.

The people who were in the garden began to turn and watch what was happening.

Bennet leaned forward, his lip curling. “You bitch.”