But it did of course. If she didn’t come up with something, and quickly, she would be married to his brother. How could she not care for his opinion of her under those conditions?
The Duke and Peter took their leave. For a moment, the tension they had brought into the room with them remained. Nobody spoke.
It was Lord Highgate who broke the silence. “Well, that’s a blessing,” he said. “Now we don’t have to worry about who will marry her. I think we should take steps to ensure that the wedding can be held as soon as possible.
That spurred Prudence into action. She turned and strode from the room.
“Prudence, come back here at once!” her mother called after her. “We have things we must discuss!”
But Prudence ignored her mother’s call and hurried up the stairs in the direction of her bedroom—in the direction of the secret folded garments in her chest of drawers that represented freedom.
She knew that those garments might represent the only chance she had to resolve this situation.
CHAPTER 3
“Prudence, there really is no need to be nervous,” Caroline soothed. “I know that today is your wedding day, but take heart. Things will not be as bad as you seem to fear they will.”
“It’s understandable that she should be nervous,” Arabella countered. The two sisters were seated on either side of Prudence, and she had the distinct feeling that each of them wanted to take her hand. They knew her well enough to know better. Prudence was not someone who responded well to feeling restrained in any way.
Of course, there would be a rush to restrain her if she dared to do what shereallywanted which was to jump up and flee this room without looking back. There was no part of her that wanted to be here.
She couldn’t believe how quickly the day had arrived. How easily permission had been obtained. And now, she found herself about to walk down the aisle.
She took a deep breath and released it slowly, trying to take heart—to hold on to hope. All was not yet lost. There was still reason to hope that things might be all right.
But at the moment, that hope seemed tenuous indeed.
Prudence’s mother stared at the front door of the church. “Where is that man?” she murmured under her breath. “He should have been here by now?”
“I’m sure Lord Hall will arrive very soon, Mother,” Arabella said soothingly. But Prudence knew her sister well enough to read the worry on her face. Arabella might be staying calm for the sake of the family, but she was nowhere near as composed as she seemed. She was worried.
Prudence glanced at the Duke, who had been at the church already when her family had arrived. He was up in front of the altar, pacing back and forth with his hands clenched behind his back. He looked deeply angry, and if Prudence hadn’t known better, she might have guessed that he knew something the rest of them did not.
Remain calm, Prudence. This will all be over soon.
Her father pulled out his pocket watch, took a look at the time, and scowled. Prudence couldn’t help feeling a surge of satisfaction. She liked that he was frustrated, that things were not going the way he had hoped they would. He’d pushed her into this position against her will, and Prudence saw no reason she would want things to be easy for him.
He strode over to the Duke. “Where is your brother?” he demanded. “He is overdue.”
The Duke raised an eyebrow. “Baron Highgate,” he said, stressing the first word, “I remind you that my brother and I are doing your family a favor. I will thank you not to speak to me like an errant schoolboy. Remember your place.”
Her father flushed at the reprimand. “I only meant…I worry for his safety. In case something might have… happened. To delay him.”
“Ah,” the Duke said dubiously. “How kind.”
Prudence’s father hesitated, lost for words, and then retreated.
In spite of the understanding she must have had that it would be undesired, Caroline did now reach out and take Prudence’s hand in hers. Prudence stiffened and forced herself not to pull free. Caroline was only trying to be comforting, she reminded herself. And besides, it was possible that her sister wanted to take a bit of comfort too.
At that moment, the door to the church flew open.
Prudence’s heart leapt into her throat. For a moment she was sure that Peter had arrived and that the wedding was about to commence.
But then she registered the man who had come in. He was dressed like a servant, and he was much too short to be confused with Peter. Prudence’s fear had gotten the better of her.
The servant rushed down the aisle, directly to the Duke, who bent his head to hear the message. The two conferred in hushed tones for several minutes, and the whole time, Prudence could see the Duke’s expression growing darker and angrier. She swallowed hard and took her hand back from her sister, anxiety mounting and making her heart race. What was happening?
The servant broke away from the conversation, and the Duke turned toward Prudence’s father and began to make his way over slowly.
