Prudence was taken aback. She’d never thought to have family again. Before she could respond, her eye caught Ada’s just outside the ballroom.
Cassandra saw the direction of Prudence’s gaze and pivoted as Ada moved toward them. “Miss Treadway! Do you know my sister-in-law, Miss Shaughnessy?” Introductions were conducted before they entered the ballroom together.
“I’m so glad to see you here tonight,” Ada whispered to Prudence. “These are far less dull when you’re present.”
“We’re only staying until midnight. That’s all Kat would agree to.” Prudence had told her friend all about Kathleen Shaughnessy when they met on Saturday mornings.
“Good evening, Lady Wexford, Lord Wexford.”
That voice… Prudence pivoted from Ada and nearly pitched forward.
Standing before her, resplendent in a suit of black superfine, stood the man she’d tried so hard to forget. And failed spectacularly.
“Miss Lancaster, isn’t it?” Bennet asked with a bit of a sly edge. At least it seemed that way to Prudence.
“Yes.” She curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, my lord.”
His lip curled just slightly, and she knew he didn’t like hearing her call him that. Not when she’d cried out his name as she writhed beneath him.
Don’t think about that!
She prayed her cheeks weren’t aflame.
“The pleasure is entirely mine.” His gaze held hers, and Prudence feared she might melt into the floor.
“Glastonbury, I can’t recall if you’ve been introduced to my sister, Miss Shaughnessy,” Wexford said.
“We met at the park, Ruark,” Kat said with a hint of exasperation. “Good evening, Lord Glastonbury.”
Bennet gave her a courtly bow, provoking a searing jealousy in Prudence. Then he took her hand, and Prudence actually considered jerking the younger woman’s arm away from him.
What on earth was wrong with her?
“I hope you’ll save me a dance later, Miss Shaughnessy.”
Again, Prudence wanted to demonstrate her irritation, but she only gritted her teeth. Bennet and Kat shared the same position in Society. He would bow to her, take her hand, dance with her. Hell, he could even marry her.
A horrible feeling pitched Prudence’s stomach to the floor. Kat might not be the wealthiest young lady in the ballroom that night, but she was in possession of a good-sized dowry. And she was here avoiding a scandal in Gloucestershire in which she’d been seen kissing someone else’s betrothed. She’d explained that it was for the sake of science and research, but Society wouldn’t care. They’d stamp her as ruined goods. For that reason, Mrs. Shaughnessy had ushered her to London with haste and sought to marry her off as quickly as possible. But Kat had resisted. In the end, Mrs. Shaughnessy had agreed to let her stay with her brother in the hope that the scandal would die down back home—and hopefully never find its way to London. She would make a perfect wife for Bennet.
“I will,” Kat said to Bennet without much enthusiasm. She didn’t care for dancing.
“There’s Fiona,” Cassandra said. The group broke up as she headed for her friend.
Bennet moved quickly to Prudence’s side. “I need to see you. Where can we meet?”
“The top floor. Two hours.” Prudence gave the instructions without thinking. Her heart beat like a downpour.
She turned to find Ada, who was still close by. Hurrying to her, Prudence said, “I need to borrow your room in two hours. Please don’t ask why.”
Ada’s dark brows arched so high they practically disappeared into her hairline. “I won’t. Tonight anyway. Tomorrow, I shall ask all the questions and then some.”
“Fair enough.”
Prudence had no idea what she would tell her. It was one thing to have told her about Bennet kidnapping her and quite another to reveal the depth of their…connection. But she wouldn’t think about that now.
Now she would suffer through the most interminable two hours of her life.
Chapter 10
Bennet paced on the uppermost floor of the Phoenix Club, his body thrumming with anticipation. He’d come up the back stairs, which he supposed was the only way to reach this floor and wondered if he and Prudence were just going to meet in the dimly lit corridor. Presumably, the rooms belonged to people, and they couldn’t just barge in.
To do what? Drink tea? Play backgammon? Have sex?
Desire pulsed within him. No, he only wanted to see her, to make sure all was well, that he hadn’t thoroughly cocked up her life.
The door from the stairs finally opened. He stopped abruptly and held his breath.
Prudence stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind her. Garbed in an understated but stunning light-blue gown, she looked so very different from when they’d been together at Riverview. Her hair was styled smartly, with a pearl comb nestled in the blonde curls. She looked like the ethereal fairy going to a ball. And he supposed she was.
“Bennet.”
The sound of his name on her lips was a balm he didn’t know he needed. In two steps, he swept her against him and kissed her.
She twined her arms around his neck and stood on her toes, pressing into him. Her animated and thorough response thrilled him to his very bones. Her tongue slid along his as her hands tugged at his hair.
Groaning, he tore his mouth from hers and kissed along her jaw to her ear, using his teeth to tug her earlobe before licking the flesh.
She gasped, her fingers digging into his scalp. Then she pulled away to grasp his hand.
Bennet shook his head with bewilderment as she led him to one of the doors along the corridor. Opening it, she drew him inside to a small sitting room.
“Should we be in here?” he asked softly.
She closed the door. “It’s my friend’s room. It’s fine.” She put her hands on his face and kissed him again, taking complete control and driving him mad with want.
Lost in her embrace, Bennet clutched at her waist. It was as if he hadn’t been breathing the past three and a half weeks. And now, he was alive like never before.
Moving her hands to his shoulders, she pulled him back through a doorway into a small bedroom. He ought to stop her, to stop himself. Instead, he deepened their kiss and guided her to the bed.
He did pause then. The bed was low, and her gown would crease beyond acceptability. He pivoted them and pushed her to the wall. Grasping the hem, he tugged the gown up and pinned it between them where their bodies were pressed together.
“What about the bed?” she asked as he kissed her neck, desperate in his need to taste her.
“I don’t want to ruin your gown.” He looked into her desire-clouded eyes. “Trust me.”
She clasped his head and kissed him, her teeth catching his lip as she pulled back. He wasn’t sure if she’d meant to do that, but then she smiled. A seductive, cock-hardening smirk that left no doubt as to her intent.
Then she surprised him further when her hand massaged the front of his fall, her hand moving along the ridge of his cock. Even more shockingly, she flicked the buttons open and slipped her hand inside his clothing, her fingers finding his rigid flesh.
“Pru,” he moaned, his eyes briefly fluttering shut as he gave himself over to the wonder of her touch.