Taming The Bride (Brides of Mayfair 2) (29 page)

* * *

Prudence tied the robe about her waist and ran a comb through her damp hair. It felt so good to be clean again…

Dolly had scooped her away as soon as they’d returned to Alfred’s townhouse and ran a soothing bath for her. Prudence had argued, of course, wanting instead to go to Lady Weston’s side. But Dolly would have none of it, saying Prudence was in no state to tend to the sick at such a time.

Lady Harrington was at the aged lady’s side, and would keep vigil during the night. Everyone agreed that the best thing for Prudence after such an ordeal, was rest.

But she didn’t want to rest. There were too many thoughts in her head, too many feelings in her heart, and too many things she needed to say before this night was through.

So, in Prudence-like fashion, she did what she wanted, anyway.

Hastily twisting her hair into a plait, Prudence carried a candle into the hallway. She crept down the hall toward one room in particular, and knocked lightly on the door.

Slowly, the door creaked open.

The sight of Alfred holding a flickering candelabra and standing shirtless in the doorway almost took her breath away.

God, he was beautiful…as beautiful as a man could be.

Strong…dangerous…a seasoned warrior.

Her
warrior.

“I thought Dolly told you to get some sleep,” he said curtly.

He was angry with her…like a parent angry with an unruly child who had wandered into danger.

She might feel the same about their child if it was as headstrong as she was…

Suddenly, Prudence wanted to laugh. It would be a fair fate for her to have a child as willful as she, and as stubborn as Alfred. For she wanted that child more than anything, now. And she wanted Alfred by her side as they watched it grow.

“I cannot sleep,” Prudence said. “May I come in?”

He leaned against the door frame. The sight of his muscular body moving languidly in the candle light nearly did her in.

“Do you think that’s wise, considering my state of undress?” he asked.

She tried not to smile, for he was playing with her. “I assure you, Lord Weston, you are perfectly safe with me.”

“You’re certain?” He stepped aside so she could enter. “I’ve seen you handle a pistol, madam, and it was quite impressive.”

“Thank you for that, my lord,” she said, “but I am not here to discuss my weaponry skills, which, as you say, are quite impressive.”

Alfred sighed. “Can this not wait until morning? I’m tired. I’ve spent most of the evening rescuing you. I want to go to bed.”

“I want to go to bed, too,” Prudence answered. “With you.”

“With—
what
?” he said.

“I want to go bed with you, Alfred,” she said calmly. “I want to go to bed with you every night, and wake up every morning beside you…
as your wife
.”

Alfred stood as if stunned for a moment, shaking his head as if to clear it. “Well, this is certainly a change of tune. You wish to accept my proposal?”

“No,” she replied. “Actually, I do not.”

He tapped his chin. “You wish to go to bed with me every night as my legally wedded wife, yet you do not accept my proposal of marriage?”

Prudence nodded happily. “That is exactly right.”

“I do not understand you,” he said, frowning.

“Yes you do,” she countered. “That is why I love you, Alfred. You
do
understand me—and all my foibles, my headstrong nature, and my need for independence. That is why I cannot accept your proposal of marriage… I must make one of my own.”

He stared down at her, his sensuous mouth curving with just the hint of a smile. “Continue,” he said.

“But before I get to that,” she said, “let me go back to some of the earlier events of the evening. I feared for my life, tonight. Your father, though he himself did not harm me, was perfectly willing to sell me to the highest bidder. I have no doubt that if that transaction had occurred, I may have suffered serious harm, indeed, perhaps never to be heard from again. It was a sobering thought as I sat there, bound to the foot of that bed, unable to help myself. I thought of you, of Dolly and Mungo, of my students, and of course, Lady Weston—all people who are so dear to me. I wanted only to see you all again…to see my
family
again. For that is who you are. It took me awhile to fully appreciate that fact.”

Prudence reached out to place his strong hand on her flat belly, reveling in the primal sensation of it.

“I may be carrying your child, Alfred,” she said. “As I sat there, bound and helpless, I thought of the new life that might be growing inside me. The thought that the two of us might die frightened me more than I’d ever been before. Suddenly, everything became clear. I want to bear your child, I want us to be a family together, and I don’t care what anyone thinks. All I care about is you.”

“Finally, you are seeing reason,” Alfred said, then made a big show of checking her forehead for fever. “Gadzooks, are you alright, Prudence? You’re actually making sense, for once. You must be ill.”

She shooed his hands away. “Perhaps I was before, but I am better now. I know what I want in life, and I am no longer afraid to reach out and take it. I want you, Alfred. I want you and our children, and all the joys and sorrows that marriage brings. And in that regard, I have a question for you.”

He looked down at her with a devilish grin, and said, “My heart is all a-flutter, Miss Atwater. Whatever would you want to ask me?”

She ignored him and took a deep breath. “Lord Alfred Weston, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?”

“This is so sudden, Miss Atwater,” he said. “A proposal of marriage has never been put to me before, and that is the truth. But I am so young, so inexperienced, so unprepared. I will have to say…that I will consider it.”

Prudence frowned at him. “I beg your pardon?”

Then he pulled her into his arms and replied, “I’d have to consider myself insane if I didn’t say ‘yes,’ though others might consider me so if I did. But, as you pointed out, none of that matters—only our love, and our life together as husband and wife. Truly, Prudence, you certainly took your time. I thought you’d never ask.”

“So did I, my lord,” she replied, tipping her chin up for a kiss. “So did I.”

Chapter 27

Prudence snuggled against the warm, masculine body beside her in bed, and knew she was in heaven. Alfred had loved her long into the night, but this time had been different between them. Their passion had kindled slowly together, unhurried and beautifully sweet. It was more than a meeting of physical bodies, but a meeting of hearts, minds and souls.

She had never felt more content or safe than she did at that moment.

This was to be her life with him, and she welcomed it.

As sunlight began to creep through the side of the heavy curtains, Prudence knew they couldn’t linger much longer. There were the students to attend to, and she wanted to see Lady Weston, if permitted.

Throwing back the covers, she stood and donned her nightgown and robe. Alfred’s valet would be coming to wake him soon. She would have to sneak back to her room quickly to avoid being seen.

Prudence exited Alfred’s bedchamber and walked quickly down the hall to the room she shared with Dolly. As she slipped inside, Dolly lifted her head from the pillow and raised sleepy eyes toward Prudence.

“Not again, Miss!” Dolly said.

“Yes again, Dolly,” Prudence replied, unable to hide a grin.

“Well, I s’pose I shouldn’t talk, what with my ’istory,” her friend said. “I didn’t even hear ye sneak away. After such a night, I thought ye’d sleep soundly.”

“That’s just it,” Prudence explained. “I couldn’t sleep at all. My mind was full of thoughts and questions. One in particular for Lord Weston.”

“What was it?” Dolly asked, sitting up.

“You’ll find out in due course,” she answered. “Now, we must start the day. The girls will up before long, with hungry bodies and hungry minds which we must fill. But before I begin classes, I should like to visit Lady Weston, if her condition allows. Alfred told me she took a turn for the worse yesterday.”

Dolly rose and tied her hair into a knot. “That she did, Miss. I know the doctor was ’ere. Not much ’e can do, I’m afraid.”

“We must hope for a miracle, then,” Prudence said, thinking that stranger things had happened of late.

Later, when Dolly was downstairs overseeing the students’ breakfast, Prudence went to Lady Weston’s bed chamber.

She knocked lightly on the door, but heard no response.

Dear God, had Lady Weston passed away during the night?

Prudence opened the door, and what she saw inside the room nearly knocked her over.

Lady Weston sat up in the bed, looking quite perturbed, indeed.

“Ah, finally…someone has come,” she said. Her voice was weak and raspy still, but the color of her skin had improved. “I cannot reach the bell pull.”

Prudence closed the door behind her, crossing the room and going to the aged lady’s bedside. “Lady Weston. How are you feeling?”

“Hungry!” she replied. “I daresay, I am famished. Why has my breakfast tray not been brought up yet? Has the cook left our employ?”

“No, not in the least,” Prudence replied, amazed at the improvement in Lady Weston’s health. “But where is Lady Harrington?”

“Alicia?” she asked. “I’m sure I do not know. Is she not in her rooms?”

“Lady Harrington has been at your bedside all night, keeping vigil,” Prudence said, adding, “Perhaps she had to attend to something.”

“Vigil?” Lady Weston demanded. “Whatever for…was I dying?”

“Dr. Trask seemed to think your condition was quite serious,” Prudence answered.

Lady Weston huffed. “That quack—what does he know? I am old, that is all. I am bound to have spells from time to time, in fact, I’m entitled to them! Now, if someone doesn’t bring me a proper breakfast soon, I shall most certainly die of hunger.”

“Of course, Lady Weston,” Prudence said, moving to tug on the velvet bell pull.

Soon, the door opened and a maid entered, looking surprised to see her mistress sitting up in bed.

“Lady Weston would like a breakfast tray, Hester,” Prudence said. “Something light—tea, toast and marmalade.”

“I told you I am
hungry
, Miss Atwater,” Lady Weston asserted. “Hester, tell Cook I shall want eggs, ham and bacon along with it.”

Hester looked from Prudence to Lady Weston for direction.

Prudence shook her head and said, “Just the tea and toast, Hester. That will be all.”

“No—I want eggs and ham, as well!” Lady Weston called out but the maid had already gone. Then she looked at Prudence with obvious shock. “Miss Atwater, I am fond of you, as you know. But who do you think you are to contradict my express orders to my staff?”

“Forgive me, Lady Weston,” Prudence said. “I mean no disrespect, but I must do what is best for you. I owe it to Alfred and Lady Harrington. And to answer your question, I am soon to be your great-niece-in-law.”

Lady Weston stared at Prudence for a moment, then said, “You have accepted Alfred’s proposal?”

“No,” she replied. “He has accepted mine. I have asked Alfred to be my husband.”

The aged lady smiled. “Brava, my dear. In that case, you may indeed contradict my orders from time to time. As the new Lady Weston, this shall be your house, and it shall be your right.”

Prudence clasped Lady Weston’s hand gently. “I would only do so out of care for you, my lady.”

The door opened and Lady Harrington came in, stopping suddenly when she saw Lady Weston. She rushed forward. “Auntie! What are you doing sitting up? Are you alright?”

Lady Weston smiled and replied, “I am better than ever, Alicia, my dear. Miss Atwater has just shared some wonderful news with me, which affects you, as well. Would you like to tell her, or may I?”

Prudence gave a nod. “You certainly may, my lady.”

“Miss Atwater has asked our dear Alfred to marry her,” Lady Weston said, beaming.

Lady Harrington, still in shock over her aunt’s dramatic improvement, said, “She asked
him
to marry her?”

“And he accepted,” Lady Weston explained.

“I am not sure,” Lady Harrington said, “but I think the world may have just turned upside down. Auntie was gravely ill but is on the mend, and now women are proposing marriage.” Then, she laughed and pulled Prudence close for a hug. “But all I care about is happiness—yours, Alfred’s and Aunt Withypoll’s.”

“Thank you, Lady Harrington,” Prudence said. “Lady Weston understands, and so does Alfred, but I had to do it my way.”

The door opened again and Hester walked in carrying a tray. She was followed by Alfred, looking dashing as always, who said, “I just heard the news. Auntie is sitting up and wants something to eat.”

The maid placed the tray in front of Lady Weston and exited the room.

Alfred perused the tray, and said with a smile, “Tea, toast and marmalade…exactly what you used to order for me when I was convalescing as a boy, Auntie. You’ll soon be right as rain.”