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As she walked barefoot through the townhouse in search of her bed, Prue couldn’t help smiling. Perhaps she just might be able to win it all.
Chapter Five
Several days danced by lazily, with Prue anticipating Oscar taking her to the pleasure gardens. In that time, she studied erotic literature, inuring herself against her own blushes at seeing the bawdy and provocative images. Prue also extended her reading to a few other books that were more sensual than explicit, trying to understand the lure of being bedded. She had also met with Lucinda alone a few times, who had willingly told Prue about what matters can be like between a man and a woman.
“It can be a very pleasant experience. As you seduce your husband, you will also find your senses enticed. A double-edged sword…seduction. But that is what we want in your arrangement.”
“The art of kissing can be as carnal as the coupling act.”
“Take the time and build a rapport with your husband. If he is reluctant, lead the conversation. Flatter his vanity if needs be. The gentlemanly honor inside him will compel him to respond.”
Those had been samples of the advice from her widowed friend. Prue had tried to put it into practice but received little opportunity to set anything into motion. Oscar appeared exceedingly busy with his political dinners and meetings at his club. The last time they had dinner together was over a week ago, where their conversation had been pleasant but hardly rousing. Once again, they played chess, and she had won after an intense match to Prue's delight. They had parted ways again with the same courtesies, and she had retired to her chamber, staring at the connecting door for endless minutes before clambering onto her bed.
Prue had been making the rounds on the social scene with her friends from the club at the new Earl of Sherburn’s introductory ball. Theo had returned to town with an announcement that had set 48 Berkeley Square all atwitter. She had wed the Duke of Hartford by special license. The news that there was finally a Duchess of Hartford had swept through thetonlike a wildfire causing rife speculation in the scandal sheets. Everyone wanted to know how and why the duke had not married Lady Edith, who society had picked to be his duchess.
Prue scoffed at their pretensions. Thankfully society did not know the nature of Theo and the duke’s meeting or how they had come to fall in love. Or surely, a scandal would have lingered for days…months. Lady Perdie had also returned, appropriately apologetic to her family and friends for having run away. The ladies at the club were simply glad that society seemed unaware of it, thus avoiding a scandal, and Perdie was none the worse after her reckless adventure.
Thankfully their wonderful presence helped with the aching loneliness that seemed to have grown despite Prue’s plans. It felt exceptionally difficult to get her husband alone. Had he forgotten his promise to visit the pleasure gardens with her?
A pale lilac dress swished into her viewpoint, and Prue smiled to see the owner of that sensual walk was Miss Frederica Williams, one of their most recent members at 48 Berkeley Square. Her guardian was the devilishly handsome Percy Deveraux, Marquess of Wolverton, with a reputation for breaking ladies' hearts by refusing to marry despite being so eligible. Predictably the man was in attendance and scowling down into a glass.
“What have you done to your poor guardian?” Prue said with a laugh as Frederica came up beside her.
“He forbade me from cutting my hair again,” she said with a grin that deepened the dimples in her cheeks. Her blue eyes glittering with too much ire, Frederica continued, “I removed a few more inches. I need to find another way to vex him, or I’ll soon go bald.”
It was then Prue noted the short pixie cut that normally framed Frederica’s face was shorter and curlier. Prue chuckled. “He might ship you off to the country soon if you continue vexing him.”
“Better than marrying as he is telling me Imustdo. The odious man!” She cast her guardian a glare which he saw, for he returned a black scowl. The girl then winked, and he narrowed his gaze lifting his glass to her.
Now, what did that mean? Prue suspected some gauntlet had been thrown down.
“Is that the new Earl of Sherburn?” Frederica asked with a soft gasp, ignoring her guardian. “Dear me, the man is staring at Perdie in the most scandalous fashion!”
With a frown, Prue followed Frederica’s gaze and stilled. She was right. The earl looked at Perdie with naked longing. Prue took a sip from her champagne glass, arching a brow at the verycaughtlook on Perdie’s face.
“They know each other,” Prue murmured. How curious, only yesterday at the club, they had spoken of the new earl and even set a wager around his name. Perdie had not seemed like she knew the man. When had they met? The earl was very new in town. Unless Perdie had met the man in the time she ran away?
“Oh my, I think Perdie might win the wager without trying,” Frederica said.
Before Prue could answer, her husband snagged her attention. Her heart clamoring, she stood still as he approached, his steps languid and graceful. How handsome he appeared in his black trousers and jacket, accented by a dark silver waistcoat. His jacket fitted his broad shoulders so perfectly, and not for the first time she wondered what activity her husband did to keep so fit.
“My lord,” Prue said, smiling up at him. Her fingers twitched with the urge to brush back the lock of hair curling on his forehead. “I was not aware you were in attendance.”
“I had it on good authority you would be here.”
So I am here, lingered but remained unsaid.
“Will you honor me with this dance, countess?” he asked just as the waltz was announced.
Her heart shook.Our second dance. She allowed her husband to sweep her onto the dancefloor, seeing that the Earl of Sherburn also led Perdie to the floor. Their shared expression spoke volumes.Oh, dear. They did indeed know each other, and it seemed to be an intimate acquaintance.
“You are ravishing tonight, countess.”
Prue smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
“I have been busy of late,” he said, fitting their bodies too close as he spun her in the elegant dance. “I am working on a motion with a small group of lords, and it is taking more time than anticipated.”
Prue made no reply, but inside she smiled. He had never offered an explanation for his absence in her life before. This spoke of an awareness to his duty to her as his countess.
