“Why do you need money? I can help you, certainly.”
“Specifically, I need a dowry—to marry Bennet.”
“Oh! Of course. As you said, his financial situation has not changed.” She frowned slightly. “Did you find a dowry? That’s more than I can afford, unfortunately.”
“Not as yet, but Lucien is apparently working on that. Lady Peterborough sent him to see my half brother and demand he settle a dowry on me.”
“Oh, do stop calling her Lady Peterborough, please. Call her Christina or your mother—at least with me.” She narrowed one eye. “If you’re comfortable with that.”
“Lady Peterborough is a mouthful,” Prudence admitted with a smile. “I confess I was surprised that she offered to help me. I hated asking her for money.”
“But it was necessary since you and Glastonbury had fallen in love and wished to marry.” She made it sound like a fairy tale when it was anything but.
Prudence fidgeted with her dress. “Ah, that’s not… That’s not exactly right. Our time together at Riverview resulted in an unplanned situation. I believe I’m carrying his child. Marriage became a necessity. Except he needs money, and I have none to give him.”
Again, Cassandra’s expression registered shock. Recovering, she took Prudence’s hands and squeezed them gently. “Oh, my dear. How wonderful for you, but how terrifying too.”
“I was foolish to put myself in this position,” Prudence said.
“Don’t say that. We’ve all been swept away by passion or longing or whatever it was that prompted you to be intimate with him. I’m certainly not blameless.”
“He took precautions, but nothing is guaranteed, so here we are.”
“So you aren’t in love?” Cassandra looked crestfallen.
“I don’t think so.” Prudence hadn’t indulged such thoughts because they involved emotion. Particularly emotions she preferred to leave locked away. But that was before, when she’d never imagined a husband or children. Shouldn’t she at least consider opening herself up to that now? “I was attracted to him during the time we spent together. I saw an opportunity for a night of…passion, and I took it. I never planned to marry or have children. I was content in my life as companion. I adored working for Fiona and for you and now for Kat.” She hesitated, her voice lowering. “I admit I was glad to be on the periphery of Society. Ever since I learned that my father was a viscount, I wanted to see what it would have been like to live that life. I didn’t want it—I wasn’t born to it. But I was curious if it was truly in my blood.”
Cassandra’s gaze was so warm and sympathetic. “I think I can understand that curiosity or at least that question of belonging. Family—or the lack thereof—makes us feel different things. Growing up without my mother, I was always so obsessed with my friends’ mothers, with their relationships.”
Prudence was grateful for Cassandra’s understanding. “I’m not even sure I can manage being a viscountess. I feel as though I’ve entrapped Bennet in this. He needs money, yet he’s agreed to marry me without knowing if Warfield will provide a dowry.”
“Then perhaps he does love you,” Cassandra said with a smile.
“Oh, do stop with your romantic notions,” Prudence scoffed, thinking Cassandra and Ada would get on quite well together. “He’s doing what he must because he’s a good man.”
“Who kidnaps people,” Cassandra muttered.
“Who’s sorry about kidnapping people,” Prudence amended.
They laughed, and Cassandra let go of Prudence’s hands.
Prudence quickly sobered. “We haven’t heard from Lucien, so I’m worried it isn’t going well with Warfield. Which was to be expected since he’s a horrible, selfish person.”
“You know him?”
“I met him once when I went to ask him for a job. My mother had told me that when I was given to them, two things were conveyed. One was the ring that belonged to Christina. The second was the identity of my real father and the message that if I ever found myself in dire circumstances, I should ask him for help. Unfortunately, he had died, so I saw his son instead.”
“And he turned you out, his own half sister? I knew he was disagreeable, but this makes him an utter blackguard.”
“I didn’t get the chance to tell him who I was. He threw me out, called me a pathetic beggar. Fortunately, I encountered Lucien on my way out—he’d gone to visit Warfield.”
“They are friends. Or were, anyway,” Cassandra clarified. “They fought together in Portugal, but it seems Warfield was quite damaged. Inside and out.”
Prudence recalled the scarred left side of his face, the cruel set of his lips, the coldness in his hazel eyes. His inside had matched his outside, beauty ruined so that he’d become a beast.
“I have to think Lucien will return empty-handed.” Prudence fidgeted with her dress again, unable to make herself stop. “If that happens, I don’t know how I can go through with marrying Bennet. As I said, I feel like a swindler for trapping him like this.”
“You’ve done no such thing! He was an equal partner in making this baby, and he has a responsibility. I won’t let him shirk it.” Her sherry-colored eyes narrowed with determination.
The butler coughed, startling them both. Prudence suffered a moment’s panic, wondering how long he’d been there.
“Lord Glastonbury is here to see Miss Lancaster,” he said. “He is waiting in the drawing room.”
“Thank you, Bart,” Cassandra said. As he departed, she stood and looked down at Prudence. “Do you need help getting up?”
“Not yet,” Prudence replied drily. “I’m not even completely sure I’m with child, but all signs seem to point in that direction. I will feel terrible if I’m not. Bennet actually had an arrangement with a wealthy widow that he is breaking in order to marry me.”
“You must cease thinking you aren’t good enough for him. Or for any of us. You’re my cousin. I was already willing to defend you and advocate for you on any matter, but now it is imperative. We are family, Pru.” She squared her shoulders. “Now, let us go and meet your betrothed.”
Prudence stood and followed Cassandra from the sitting room. However, she nearly ran into her as Cassandra suddenly spun about. “We shall need a story to explain your sudden marriage to Glastonbury. We can’t tell everyone the truth of it, but my goodness, it makes a riveting tale.” Cassandra grinned. “So romantic.”
It wasn’t either. But she didn’t correct Cassandra. “I don’t have any brilliant ideas.”
“Let me think on it,” Cassandra said confidently. “I’ll come up with something.” She linked her arm with Prudence’s, and they walked downstairs to the drawing room on the first floor.
Bennet stood with his back to them, his hands clasped behind him. His wide shoulders perfectly fit his dark blue coat, and his buff breeches hugged the contours of his muscular legs. Prudence couldn’t deny the thrill that raced through her when she thought of the nights they would spend together.
Forever.
He turned, and the view was even better. His bright blond hair was styled carefully, an artful curl grazing his forehead, his square jaw twitching slightly as his lips spread into a slow, appreciative smile the moment his blue-green gaze settled on Prudence.