Page 5 of The Wallflower’s Choice (Waltzing with Wallflowers #6)

Chapter Four

“ Y ou did what? ”

James spread out his hands as he and Lord Kingshill sat together in James’ drawing room.

“I did what I thought was best. I could not let such a young lady escape, could I?”

Lord Kingshill shook his head and groaned aloud.

“When you said that you would be of aid to me in this situation, I did not think that it meant you would go out to find a young lady on my behalf.”

“I did not find her,” James clarified, finding himself a little frustrated that his friend was not reacting with any sort of delight, or even interest, to what James had discovered. “She walked past me, and I overheard her saying something about being glad for any match she might be given and, on hearing that, I pursued her to discover whether or not that statement was true, and not made flippantly.” Lord Kingshill picked up his glass of brandy from the table and took a long draught, saying nothing though, James noted, he still did not look in the least bit pleased. “She is eager for a match,” he continued, wondering why Lord Kingshill was frowning. “It was something of a strange conversation, of course, for she did not know who I was or why I was asking such a thing, but I was glad to speak with her about your circumstances all the same.”

Lord Kingshill blinked.

“You told her of what I said?”

“I told her only that you were also seeking a match – and perhaps, even a hasty one – though I reassured her that there was no dark or dangerous reason for that.” Chuckling, though the tension still raked over him, James shrugged his shoulders. “I did not think that there was anything wrong in what I said. I do hope that you are not troubled in some way.”

“Not troubled, no,” came the slow reply, as Lord Kingshill looked at him thoughtfully. “Though I confess that I am rather surprised that you would think to speak to this young lady in such a way, without my agreement.”

“Oh.” James hesitated, his eyebrows drawing together. “My dear friend, I did not think that there was any such thing required from you. You had already accepted my offer of help and–”

“Yes, but that did not mean that I had granted you permission to tell any young lady you pleased about my decision and my requirements!” Lord Kingshill exclaimed, his face coloring just a little. “No doubt she is now going about London, telling all and sundry about this strange gentleman who has come up to her and, on his friend’s behalf, practically offering her a betrothal!”

James shook his head.

“I did no such thing, and it is not as severe as you might think,” he said, firmly. “First of all, I did not tell the young lady your name, nor did I ever once suggest that you and she might become betrothed. All I said was that I had a friend who was looking for a suitable match and might very well be interested in courting her.”

His shoulders lifted, though his spirits dropped, having expected his friend to be delighted with all that James had done.

Lord Kingshill threw back the rest of his brandy and then shook his head.

“It is all a little unexpected.” He shot James a sidelong glance. “Though I must say, now that I consider it, I suppose that I should feel some gratitude.”

A little relieved, James managed to smile.

“It would be appreciated, yes. I–”

“I should ask,” Lord Kingshill interrupted, before James had even finished speaking, “is there some reason that this young lady has not found a suitable match as yet?” His eyes suddenly flared wide. “Is it because she is ugly? Is she dreadfully plain?”

Considering for a moment, James was quick to reassure his friend.

“No, indeed not. I think, if I am to be honest, that she is very lovely indeed.”

“Oh?”

James nodded, bringing the young Lady Prudence to mind. “She is lovely, with a gentle figure, a softness about her lips, vivid green eyes that remind me of the great oak’s leaves on a fine summer’s day, and brown hair which – "

“Which reminds you of the trunk of said oak tree?” Lord Kingshill interrupted though, this time, much to James’ relief, there was a quirk to his lips. “You do not have to paint a very fine picture of this lady, my friend. I believe you. If you say that she is not plain, then she is not plain. She will be pretty enough for me.” He reached for his brandy glass, only to seem to recall that it was empty, and set it down on the table beside them with a scowl darkening his features. “I shall ask again, however, what it is that has prevented her from making a match thus far?” As he spoke, his expression grew serious all over again. “There must be some reason that a young lady of the ton has not made a betrothal as yet, especially if this is not her first Season.”

He looked at James with a slightly lifted eyebrow and James nodded.

“I presume it is not. She certainly does not seem a green girl.”

“A spinster then?”

James shook his head.

“No, not yet, though mayhap that will come soon should she not find a suitable match.”

“Which is why she is now willing to marry anyone she can,” Lord Kingshill finished for James, who smiled his relief at his friend’s understanding.

“Yes, precisely.” James tilted his head. “ And she is the daughter of an Earl. So it is no great step down for you either!”

Slowly, Lord Kingshill began to nod, and James’ hopes began to rise.

“So she is not plain, there is nothing untoward about her, and she has no dreadful rumors pinned to her name.”

Inwardly, James hesitated though, outwardly, he shook his head.

“No, of course not.”

That was one thing he had not thought about, he realized. He had not wondered if there was a reason why this particular lady was a spinster. She was pretty enough and, as he had just said to Lord Kingshill, the daughter of an Earl. So why was she a spinster?

I shall resolve to find out, James decided, as his friend began to consider aloud as to whether it would be wise to pursue this particular lady. Though, even if there are rumors or gossip or the like, it is not as though Lord Kingshill has a perfect reputation!

“Will you introduce me to her, then?”

James looked back to his friend, nodding fervently.

“Yes, of course. This evening? I am sure that she will be at Lord Frederickson’s ball.”

For the first time since the beginning of their conversation, Lord Kingshill smiled broadly, then slapped his knee with the palm of his hand.

“Excellent! Do you know, I am suddenly looking forward to this evening!”

Chuckling, James got up and went to refill Lord Kingshill’s brandy glass, as well as his own.

“Excellent. The sooner you are betrothed, the sooner we can return to enjoying this London Season… and all the other ones that will follow!”

“Lady Prudence, there you are.” Ignoring the startled look which spread across the young lady’s face, James cleared his throat and then bowed his head briefly, by way of greeting. “We must speak.”

Lady Prudence blinked.

“I – good evening, Lord Childers.” She bobbed a quick curtsey. “As you can see, you have caught me a little by surprise. I am soon expecting Miss Rockwell and–”

“That is not important. What I must ask you is–”

“Lord Childers!”

James came to a stop, looking back into Lady Prudence’s eyes and finding himself rather astonished at the fierce expression that had crossed her face. Not only had she interrupted him, but she was now narrowing her eyes at him, as though he were somehow in the wrong. Her cheeks were a little flushed and, as he looked at her, she folded her arms across her chest and then set her jaw.

“Have I done something to offend you?” he asked, speaking a good deal more slowly now, trying to understand the reason for her upset.

“Yes, you have.” Lady Prudence lifted her chin a notch and kept her narrowed gaze fixed to his. “You may well think that I, being a wallflower, will be more than contented to have you come to speak to me in such a forward manner, when I have no other company with me and am entirely alone, but I assure you, I am not. In case you have forgotten about the required propriety in this sort of situation, might I remind you that no gentleman should be found speaking to a lady when she is unchaperoned. I would appreciate it if you would show me a little more consideration.”

Still somewhat astonished by the audacity with which she spoke, it took James some moments to respond. He had not thought for a moment about propriety. Why should he? He had never had cause to do so, and certainly did not think to do so now. But if he refused, he considered, then Lady Prudence would not be at all willing to listen to him, and the potential arrangement between herself and Lord Kingshill might fail entirely.

James swallowed his pride and inclined his head.

“Of course. Forgive me.” His hands clenched hard as he bit back the question ringing around in his head - namely, why someone who was nothing more than a wallflower should have any concern over propriety! It was not as though society paid her the least bit of attention. “I shall wait until Miss Rockwell has joined you,” he added, taking a step back and then watching as she turned herself a little away from him, making it quite clear that they were no longer in conversation.

As he waited, James found himself considering the lady, watching her carefully, taking in her profile. She was, he considered, a little more than pretty , even though that was what he had said to Lord Kingshill. There was the gentle slope of her neck, the softness about her expression, her high cheeks, rosebud lips, and long, copper tresses that had been pulled to the top of her head and fell all the way to her shoulders. Absently, James found himself wondering just how long the lady’s hair might be once all the pins had been removed and just how soft it might feel, should he run his hands through it.

That thought stopped him short and he froze in place, his eyes still fixed to the lady. Whatever was he doing? He could not let himself think such things or even have any sort of interest in Lady Prudence, not if he was to place her beside Lord Kingshill! That would be disastrous for, as much as both he and Lord Kingshill were rogues, James knew for certain that Lord Kingshill would never even consider a lady whom James had previously held in his arms. Finding himself lost in his thoughts, James ran one hand over his chin, trying to remind himself to think practically about it all, only to sense a pair of eyes resting on him.

He frowned, straightened, and then saw Miss Rockwell and Lady Prudence standing together and looking at him, though there was still a sharpness in Lady Prudence’s gaze, and a heavy frown pulling at Miss Rockwell’s expression. Clearly, neither lady thought well of him.

“Good evening.” Recalling that Lady Prudence expected propriety, James bowed his head, first to Lady Prudence and then to Miss Rockwell. “I wonder, Lady Prudence, if I might speak with you for a moment?”

Lady Prudence’s expression did not change.

“You wish to introduce me to your friend, yes?”

“Yes, I do. You have not refused to consider the idea and so I thought that this evening, I might make the introductions. He is eager to meet you.”

The two ladies shared a glance, though James could not see into it to understand what it meant. Lady Prudence bit her lip and then, after a moment, sighed and shook her head.

“I do not know whether this is a wise thought, Lord Childers. You have not yet told me the name of this gentleman friend of yours, nor why he is so urgent in his desire to marry.”

James opened his mouth to explain, only to then frown and look away. There would be no purpose in revealing all of this to her if there was some dark reason behind her situation on why she was ,a wallflower. “Might I ask, Lady Prudence, if–”

“Good evening.”

Before James could finish his sentence, an older lady – whom he presumed was mother to one of the ladies – came to stand between them. She shot a look towards James and then turned to Lady Prudence.

“Mama, are you acquainted with Lord Childers?”

The moment Lady Prudence said his name, James saw the recognition ripple across her mother’s face. There was a pause and then, after a moment, the lady turned to look at James, a coolness in her expression.

“I am not acquainted with him, but I know of him, yes,” came the reply, though Lady Prudence did not appear to notice this coldness, quickly making the introductions. James bowed and then straightened, a hint of panic beginning to course through him. If Lady Lymington refused to let her daughter speak further with him, then the plan in its entirety would fall to the ground and shatter into a thousand pieces.

I cannot let that happen.

“Might I ask what a gentleman such as yourself is doing speaking with my daughter?” Lady Lymington asked, ice now shining in her eyes. “And at the back of the ballroom too?”

James put out his hands, attempting to demonstrate that he had no ill intent. “I came only to speak with both Lady Prudence and Miss Rockwell,” he said, aware that Lady Lymington might consider him something of a threat to her daughter’s reputation. “And now, in fact, I came to see if either of them wished to stand up to dance.”

In a moment, everything changed. Lady Lymington blinked, her eyes then flared and she turned to her daughter, who was staring at James in sheer astonishment. With a quiet cough, James dropped his hands before looking to Miss Rockwell and then back to Lady Prudence.

“Well?” he asked, forcing a smile onto his face which he did not truly feel. “Shall I have the pleasure of standing up with either of you this evening? I should be truly honored to do so.”