“Of course, I should have realized. I’m sure we can come up with something. I’ll send for my maid. She can work wonders.”
It seemed Prudence was going to a ball that night. She would rather have crawled under a rock.
The countess cocked her head to the side. “I only wish Glastonbury was here. Having him at your side would also quash the rumors. Why did you return to London without him?”
Prudence was grateful that his family’s illness hadn’t been part of the gossip. That would have been too much. She wouldn’t even share it with Ada or Cassandra or her mother. “The gossip isn’t completely wrong,” she said quietly. “We only married for the babe.”
“Oh.” A deep frown twisted Christina’s features. “I had the impression you cared for each other, that you were perhaps in love.”
“You did?” Prudence hadn’t thought her feelings were obvious. Perhaps she really was rubbish at hiding them. She’d definitely become incapable of tucking them away as her mother—the woman who’d raised and shaped her—had wanted. Her feelings aside, she didn’t think Bennet was in love with her.
The countess shrugged. “It seemed you shared at least some affinity for one another. Is there no hope that love will come?”
“I don’t think so.” Prudence heard her own lack of conviction. If her mother had seen something, was it possible she and Bennet just needed to bare themselves completely?
A prickle of unease settled between her shoulder blades. She’d been angry and frustrated with him for not being honest with her, but she hadn’t told him the biggest, most important secret of all—that she loved him. That she wanted this baby—his baby—more than anything and would fight for their happiness. If he would let her.
“You don’t sound as if you believe that,” Christina said. “What will you do?”
“I’m not certain yet. But tonight, I must go to a ball, apparently.”
The countess grinned. “Yes. We will make a magnificent entrance with Cassandra and Wexford, Aldington and Sabrina, Lucien, and the duke. No one will dare say a word against you. I daresay you will be quite popular.”
Prudence doubted that, nor did she care. This was a favor she was doing for her mother. Because if it was up to Prudence, she’d be on her way back to Aberforth Place as quickly as possible.
Chapter 21
Bennet took the stairs at the Phoenix Club two at a time. He went directly to Lucien’s office, but found it empty. Next, he went to the less populated library. He wasn’t there either. Frustration growing, Bennet stalked into the more crowded members’ den, where he noticed several stares directed toward him.
Still no Lucien. Where the hell was he?
Turning on his heel, he strode back toward the stairs, intent on searching the gaming room on the ground floor. But Lucien was coming up the stairs.
When he reached the top, he advanced on Bennet until they were nearly nose to nose. “I ought to hit you for allowing my cousin to return to London alone, but you’d probably trounce me.”
“I won’t.” Bennet took a step back. “Take your shot. I deserve it.”
Scowling, Lucien let out a low growl before turning toward his office. Bennet followed him.
“Who started this officious rumor?” Bennet asked as soon as they were inside.
Lucien closed the door with force. It wasn’t quite a slam, but it was in the vicinity. “You mean the true story of my poor cousin? It may be a rumor, but it’s not wrong.” His dark eyes simmered with anger.
Bennet had been trying very hard to keep his own ire in check. He was reminded of how difficult it was because he suddenly wanted to toss something across the room.
“It isn’t correct either,” Bennet bit out. “You didn’t pay me to marry her.”
“Didn’t we? Just answer me one question. Is there a babe?”
Fury seethed in Bennet’s gut. He clenched his fists at his sides. “That’s none of your concern. It’s none of anyone’s concern.”
“That’s an answer.”
“I’m going to try to forget you even asked me. It shouldn’t matter.”
“It does matter. I believed you’d fallen in love. However, it now seems that you wed because of a child.”
While that wasn’t wrong, it also wasn’t completely right. Bennet had fallen in love. But he likely would not have married her if not for the child. Christ, he hated how all this had happened. Why couldn’t he have fallen in love with Prudence and simply married her? Because his family was broken, he was destitute, and he’d been scared of what he might become.
He couldn’t keep torturing himself with all that had gone wrong or all that might go wrong. All that mattered was that he loved Prudence and he loved their child, whatever the future held. He was still scared to death, but he wasn’t alone.
He wasn’t alone.
Bennet met Lucien’s gaze and spoke clearly so there would be no misunderstanding. “The reasons for our marriage are complicated. And private. However, I have a plan that involves a rather public spectacle. I need to ask you for one last favor.” Lucien frowned, and Bennet nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all. “I need you to make sure Prudence is at the Tilden ball tonight.”
“That’s rather late notice. Why?”
“I don’t have time to explain. Just promise me you’ll get her there.”
“I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll try.” He narrowed his eyes at Bennet. “I’m trusting you one last time, Glastonbury. You botch this, and I won’t just expel you from the Phoenix Club.”
“If I fail, you won’t have to.” Bennet didn’t know how he would recover from it. “Do you have any idea where this information originated? Only a few people knew the truth.”
Lucien looked pained. “I’ve been over it a hundred times with Con, with Wex. It could be someone in Wex’s household, but so far, he doesn’t have any leads. His butler is on the case.”
“If you find out, I want to know who it is.” Bennet waited for Lucien to nod his assent before continuing, “I’ve been worried about Prudence’s mother. Is Lady Peterborough all right?”
Surprise flickered in Lucien’s gaze. “That’s kind of you to ask. My father has intervened. She’s staying with him for the time being.”
Bennet was glad to hear it. “Good.” He turned to go, but Lucien stopped him.
“If you don’t make things right with Prudence, Con and I will make sure that you do.”
Looking back over his shoulder, Bennet held the other man’s stare. “If I don’t make things right with my wife, there’s nothing that you or Aldington or anyone could do that would be worse than how I’ll have to live the rest of my life.”
Evie Renshaw had come through again. She’d saved the day for so many people in so many ways, and tonight was no different. When the need for a brilliant ball gown that would dazzle the entire ton became dire, Evie had calmly delivered. Tonight, she had proven that she was unparalleled when it came to fashion and connections. It was entirely because of her that Prudence looked as though she not only belonged in Society but that she reigned supreme.