A Countess of Convenience (16 page)

But they couldn't remain at the hunting lodge; people would certainly think that odd, and his mother undoubtedly had plans to fill Malvern Manor with guests. Now that Parliament had adjourned and the season was over, he could probably find more privacy in London than anywhere else. But what excuse could he use for taking Prudence there this time of year?

Redoing his house! His own mother had suggested it. That would be a perfect excuse. He could make it clear to Prudence that it was a temporary arrangement, so there would be no danger of her thinking their relationship had changed in any way. When he grew tired of her company, he could easily send her back to Malvern Manor.

Prudence reached the brook and paused to allow her horse to drink. Malvern stopped beside her and let Thor drop his head. “We'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

She smiled wistfully and nodded.

He cleared his throat. “I've been thinking that you might come back to London with me for a month or so."

Her eyes opened widely. “To London?"

"My town house needs redecorating. Nothing's been done to the place in years. Mother recently pointed out how drab it looks and suggested you might take on the chore of sprucing it up."

Prudence sighed. “I know very little about fashionable furnishings."

"Oh, there are tradespeople to advise you about that sort of thing. They know what's fashionable, but someone has to spend a good deal of time dealing with them and making final choices. I really don't have the patience."

She looked perplexed. “But I thought you were going hunting?"

He shrugged. “I do that every year. But now is an excellent time for redecorating. People are in the country, so guests aren't likely to pop in, and I can't very well send you there alone."

A smile spread across her face and she nodded. “I'll be happy to do it, if you're brave enough to trust my judgment."

Realizing he was opening a Pandora's box of disruption to his orderly life, he felt a twinge of doubt. “Well, I don't want the place changed too drastically. My man of affairs can advise you as to the best shops and, of course, he'll put a rein on the expenses."

She tilted her head and pulled her mouth into a pout. “Oh, and I was looking forward to dashing about London and spending your money with wild abandon."

He thought she was teasing, but just to be on the safe side, he said, “Even earls must live within their means."

With a twinkle in her eye, she reached over and patted his leather-covered hand. “Such a hardship."

Now he knew she was teasing. He yanked on Thor's reins, yelled, “Race you to the lodge,” and spurred the horse into a run.

Prudence was so addled by Malvern's changed plans that it took her a moment to realize he'd started a race. Knowing poor Madge had little chance of catching Thor even with a fair start, she pulled the horse's head up from the stream and gently nudged Madge into a relaxed trot. As Prudence ducked her head away from a low branch, she wondered when Malvern had decided to redo his house and why he'd never mentioned it before. Could it be that he felt some of the same reluctance she did about their time together ending?

She came around a bend in the trail and saw Malvern not too far ahead and looking over his shoulder. Obviously he'd reined Thor back to give Prudence a chance to catch up. He wanted her near him! She snapped the reins and her heels as she leaned near Madge's ear and crooned encouragement. The dear horse responded with a burst of speed that brought them even closer to Malvern.

He grinned like a schoolboy and turned to urge on Thor, but he didn't push the horse to its full capacity and Prudence kept Madge right on its tail. Malvern kept looking back at her as though he feared she might overtake him, but she knew that wasn't the real reason. Her sophisticated earl wasn't as cold and unfeeling as he portrayed himself. He had been affected by this wonderful week too.

Her love for him, the love she'd been trying so hard to ignore, tickled her heart as champagne bubbles had once tickled her nose. A giddy joy drove her to urge Madge to greater efforts and, amazingly, the old horse pulled even with the younger steed. Prudence laughed delightedly, knowing Malvern was allowing this to happen. But he wouldn't let her pull ahead, just even, and her gallant mare tired quickly, so Prudence soon sat back and allowed Madge a slower pace.

Malvern did the same, and the two horses moved side by side while the two riders looked across at each other and smiled. Prudence couldn't think of anything to say and knew it was just as well. Her feelings for him were too new, too nebulous, to be put into words, and she felt sure if asked, he would deny having feelings for her. But she knew that deep within him a small seed had sprouted, and she was determined to do everything within her power to nurture its growth.

Back at the stable, Malvern glanced over the stall wall at Prudence energetically currying Madge and crooning words of praise for the horse's efforts in the race. She spoke as if she really believed the horse understood what she said, and judging from contented look in the animal's large brown eyes, Malvern thought it must.

No wonder Madge had run harder today than she had in years. In just a week's time, the old horse had become totally devoted to her new mistress. Could the same thing happen to him?

Of course not. He had far more intelligence than a horse.

Prudence looked up and met his gaze. “If we return to Malvern Hall in the morning, when do we leave for London?"

"I suppose you'll need time for packing. Could you be ready by Tuesday morning?"

"I don't see why not. With all the servants there, I could probably be ready by mid-morning on Monday."

"No need of that. Besides, we can't dash off without explaining things to Mother."

She stopped stroking the horse and looked at him with an inquisitive frown. “What is there to explain?"

"That you're coming with me, of course."

"I thought she suggested it."

"She did, but I didn't agree to the notion at the time, so she's still expecting you to stay with her at Malvern Hall."

"I hope she won't be upset by the change of plans."

"She's so eager for the arrival of the Malvern heir that she'll undoubtedly be delighted."

"Oh!” She ducked behind Madge and resumed currying.

Prudence watched Lady Caroline carefully as Malvern explained his decision to take Prudence back to London with him. The dowager countess did seem delighted by the news and launched into a discussion of all the things that needed to be done to his town house.

When she reached for pen and ink to make a list of the best drapers and upholsterers, Malvern excused himself to look over his correspondence. After he left, Lady Carolina smiled at Prudence. “The week at the lodge seems to have been quite a success."

"Yes, and thank you for the special arrangements. For a hunting lodge, it was quite comfortable."

"I'm glad my efforts made a contribution, but you, apparently, played your part well."

Prudence grew wary. While she knew Lady Caroline wished her well in her relationship with Malvern, she dared not share her hopeful feelings while they were still so fragile. “My part? I only tried to be pleasant."

Lady Carolina gave her a knowing look. “You must have been very pleasant. A week ago Malvern had every intention of leaving you here."

"But he changed his mind about redecorating his home,” Prudence explained.

The dowager countess chuckled. “He's been content with that dreary place for years. I suspect he's using refurbishing as an excuse to keep you by his side. His resistance towards love and marriage is beginning to melt, just as I hoped it would. You continue to be
pleasant
, my dear, and this arrangement will blossom into a love-match."

Prudence made no attempt to answer Lady Caroline. But she couldn't stop herself from grinning like a halfwit, although she could take no credit for doing anything to win Malvern's affections. In truth, she hadn't known what to do.

Love was a mysterious phenomenon. From the start Malvern had acted like an uncaring manipulator, and she had tried to protect her heart from his manipulations, but once they were intimately entwined all her intentions went for naught. Did Malvern feel the same? Prudence didn't know. She could only make every effort to be
pleasant
to her husband and hope for the best.

As the coach reached the outskirts of the city, Prudence felt a vague uneasiness. London still felt like an alien world to her, but she knew Malvern spent most of his time here. She could only hope the bustling city and the demands of society would not drive a wedge between them.

His home was on Belgrave Square, a good address to be sure, but not as elegant as his mother's on Park Lane. As the coach pulled up in front of the Georgian style house, she asked, “When did you get this house?” thinking he'd probably wanted to escape his mother's supervision as soon as he reached his majority.

With a little hitch of his shoulders, he replied, “It was my father's."

She busied herself gathering her shawl and other personal belongings. Of course, his philandering father would have wanted a residence separate from his wife's. Would Malvern be different?

A somber, gray-haired man, apparently the butler, opened the door. Prudence was relieved to see no liveried footmen. This house wasn't as formal as the dowager countess's.

"Lindley, this is Lady Malvern, my new countess. I trust her room has been prepared."

Lindley nodded sternly. “Yes, my lord. Mrs. Harvey has seen to it."

A stout woman wearing a gray dress stepped forward and dipped a short curtsy to Prudence. “Welcome, my lady. Please let me know if you need anything."

The offer of assistance seemed a bit grudging to Prudence, but she smiled at the woman as she introduced Janie, and inquired about quarters for her. Mrs. Harvey assured her all was in readiness.

The footmen from the coach had brought the luggage in and were waiting for instructions. Malvern suggested Mrs. Harvey show Prudence to her room while he saw to his messages. A parade of people and trunks followed her up the stairs. Her new bedroom pleasantly surprised her. Unlike what she'd seen of the rest of the house, it was bright, cheerful, and immaculately clean.

Prudence suspected the staff had been taking advantage of the fact this house had no mistress to supervise their efforts. A thorough cleaning would probably remove a good deal of its gloom. Redecorating would not be her only problem here.

When Mrs. Harvey and the footmen left, Prudence and Janie darted about the room, opening trunks, and searching out the best storage locations for the packed items. After laying out some of her personal effects, Prudence wandered over and opened a connecting door.

Malvern's valet, Victor, was in the process of unfolding a shirt from Malvern's trunk. He set the garment aside and came toward her. “May I help you, my lady?"

A quick glance at the very masculine bedroom told her she had invaded Malvern's territory. “No, thank you. I was just—ah—looking for my dressing room."

"Your dressing room is on the other side of your bedroom."

"Thank you, Victor."

The door opened and Malvern hurried into the room. Seeing Prudence, he nodded curtly. “Are you finding everything all right?"

She smiled. “Until I opened the wrong door."

"It's good you're here; I need to talk with you for a moment."

He shrugged out of the worn hunting jacket he'd worn for comfort during the coach ride. “I need a fresh shirt, Victor,” he said.

Then he approached Prudence, took her hand, and looked into her eyes. “My man of business has sent several messages trying to locate me. I dislike leaving you so soon after our arrival, but Walton isn't a man to start at shadows, so I must call on him."

Touched by his concern for her, she smiled back at him. “Don't worry about me. I have to get unpacked, and I'm eager to see the rest of the house. See what needs to be done."

"Ah, yes,” he leaned forward and kissed her cheek, “more of your wifely duties.” The touch of his warm tongue, just in front of her ear, reminded her of other wifely duties.

Aware of the nearby servants, Prudence pulled back. She tried to give him a censoring look, but couldn't stop her lips from twitching upward. “Go. Take care of your business. I'll be fine."

As soon as Malvern sat down, Walton said, “I need to know what to do about these bills. Should I pay them?"

Malvern frowned across the desk. “What bills?"

"The ones for your brother-in-law."

"Weathersby? I don't recall owing him anything."

Walton shook his head. “They're his personal bills. He's told his creditors to send them to you."

Malvern's mouth dropped open. He finally overcame his shock enough to speak. “The devil you say!"

Walton, who was usually the epitome of calmness, rattled some of the papers in front of him. “Yes. Apparently his creditors are ready to take legal action if payment is not forthcoming. The debts are sizable and some have been outstanding for a long time."

Slumping back in his chair, Malvern got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Weathersby had obviously had reasons for his trickery beyond securing his sister's future. “How much?"

"So far, over four thousand pounds, but bills are still coming in."

Grinding his teeth to smother his curses, Malvern quelled his impulse to tell Walton to throw the bills in the fire. What would Prudence think if he let her brother go to debtors’ prison?

Prudence! Did she know the extent of her brother's debts? Rather than Weathersby trying to save her, had she been part of a conspiracy to save him?

No. He couldn't believe that. Prudence would be as shocked by this dishonesty as he. Nevertheless, like it or not, he now had a family connection to Weathersby. What should he do about the man?

Walton cleared his throat nervously. “My lord?"

"Have you spoken to Weathersby?"

"He's moved from his lodgings. I'm making inquiries but haven't located him yet."

Propping his elbows on the arms of his chair, Malvern interlocked his fingers as he pondered the situation. Finally, he straightened and looked across at the nervous accountant. “I must speak with him before I make a decision."