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Seth nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “It’s been here since the twelfth century, we believe. It was pulled down by Cromwell during the civil war.”

“That awful man,” she muttered. “He has a lot to answer for. I would wager it was quite the fortress before that.”

Seth nodded and offered his hand again. “Shall we take a closer look?”

“Certainly.”

She let him lead her down the slope to the ditch surrounding the castle then up again. He released her hand so she could place a palm against the huge stones.

“Does it not fascinate you that they could create such buildings back then?” She motioned. “Just look at the thickness of the walls.”

“It always did. Believe it or not, I spent quite some time looking into the history of this castle when I was a boy.”

Prudence tilted her head and eyed him. The Prudence who knew of him might not have done but the Prudence who knew him now was not at all surprised. Seth was no fool. He might not have her brain for numbers or facts but there were many hidden depths to him, and she was grateful to have come to know him properly.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” she murmured. She felt her cheeks beginning to heat and glanced away.

It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her. Few shared her interest in medieval history, and even fewer wished to indulge it. The mere fact a man like Seth had taken note of her interest meant more than she could say.

“Come, let me show you the well. It’s nearly fifty-feet deep, and apparently a man fell to his death there in the thirteenth century.”

She laughed. “You tell me the nicest stories.”

He took her hand and they walked around the perimeter then stepped over the stones toward the remnants of the well. “Careful.” He looped an arm around her waist. “There, now look over.”

Prudence peered down into the dark depths, finally spotting the bottom. She narrowed her gaze. “Is that a ball down there?”

He chuckled. “That may have been mine and Theo’s. We were not meant to play here, but how many young boys could resist playing in such a place?”

“I certainly would not have been able to.” She twisted in his arms to look at him and stilled. His body was firm against hers, his arm solid about her waist. The air left her lungs. Suddenly, her surroundings vanished—a blur of background against which stood this man. This amazing, remarkable man who was so much more than a mere rake. A man who was too kind for his own good. At this rate, she was going to fall for him, and what a foolish thing that would be.

She swallowed hard and dropped her gaze to her feet. “You…you can release me now.”

“What…” His voice was gritty. “What if I do not wish to?”

She lifted her gaze to his. She hardly counted herself as an expert on men, but she could swear that was desire there. It did not make sense. Why would he desire her? She did all she could to be undesirable to men—to pass their notice. Yet, somehow, this man had noticed her.

“I—”

“Pru, I’m going to kiss you.” He lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. “Do you mind if I do?”

Oh Lord. Yes, yes, yes, she wanted to scream, but her voice failed her. Instead, she nodded.

He lowered his mouth to hers with unbearable slowness. His gaze dug into hers before he closed his eyes. Prudence shut hers too and waited for the warmth of his lips. He caressed her mouth softly, the touch of his mouth sending a swirl of pleasure right through the center of her.

“Pru,” he murmured before pressing the kiss deeper, urging her mouth open and touching her tongue with his.

Heat rolled through her. She clung onto him, digging her fingers into his shoulders then pressed them up until they twined in his silky hair. She urged him closer and he gave her all he could, kissing her until her legs trembled and her breaths came in ragged gasps.

When he finally drew away and sucked in a breath of his own, he grinned down at her, keeping her close.

“If we stay here, I fear I may not remain a gentleman.” He indicated back toward the house. “Perhaps we should go for some tea where there are servants to keep me in check.”

Prudence nodded, but there was a part of her—a large part of her—that wanted to stay. For the first time in many, many years, she desired a man. So much of her wanted to see where it would lead. But could she really risk opening herself up to him? What if she fell too deep? He could hurt her easily. All she needed to do was look at his history. It wasn’t logical to desire Seth Templeton.

He took her hand, smiled at her, and led her back down the hill. How she remained standing on such weak knees she did not know. Unfortunately, her body wasn’t listening to logic.

Chapter Eleven