“Yes,” Pru replied. “Sometimes there is a Maypole and dancers, but I think father decided to replace it with a more codified dance inside the town hall.”
“There’s a dance?” Cecilia asked. “I was not aware of that.”
“Yes, there is,” Pru said, her eyes dropping. “And it will happen after the auction. Alas, ‘tis another dance I will be sitting out as I know I will be ignored, again.”
Cecilia furrowed her brows. “Whyever would you be ignored?”
“That is because I am one of the wallflowers that other wallflowers do not pay any attention to. Truly, I get overlooked as if I had merged with the wallpaper behind me,” Pru explained, then gave a hollow laugh. “It's fine. I’m used to it.”
Suspecting that her new friend was not telling her the full truth, Cecilia hazarded a guess. “Is it because any prospective suitors gravitate to your sister instead?”
When the girl’s face fell, Cecilia could not help but commiserate. “Don’t worry, Pru. A good man will come along at the best time.”
“You think so?” Pru asked hopefully.
A loud, familiar laugh had her head turning to the left, where Cassian was standing, and she could not hold back the smile. Despite all the tension between them, itdidfeel good to see him smile sometimes.
When she looked over to Pru, who was looking in the same direction, the girl looked moonstruck. She could understand why the girl felt that way—yes, Cassian was handsome, but some of his other attributes were left to be desired.
Clearing her throat pointedly, Cecilia watched as Pru went red.
“I think you and I need to talk about your taste in gentlemen,” Cecilia whispered wryly.
Confusion crossed Pru’s face before the penny dropped, and the poor girl’s face was on fire. “Do you mean your—oh lord, no, Your Grace. I would never disrespect you that way. I was not staring at your husband, I swear it.
“I was looking at Lord Rothbury, a friend of His Grace,” Pru hastily clarified. “I’ve wanted to win his affections for years, but he is another one who would not notice me if I reenacted Lady Godiva’s ride through the streets of Coventry.”
Shocked that Pru had admitted so many close secrets after knowing Cecilia for all of ten minutes, Cecilia decided to help the girl.
She reallydoesmirror Emma, doesn’t she? Down to the wide-eyed fantasy of seeing a knight-in-shining-armor from afar.
A ripple came through the crowd that it was time to return to the town hall. As she stood, Cassian and this Lord Rothbury set off to join them. At first glance, Cecilia could see why Pru fancied the man; his rusted auburn hair was unusual in their circles, and his sharp blue eyes told her he did not miss a thing that passed by him.
He has the bearing of a military man. I should ask Cassian about him when we return home.
“Tell me, Pru, what are you after in a suitor and a possible marriage?”
“I am a hopeless romantic, so handsome, honest, and kind,” Pru listed with her fingers, then blinked, “oh, and brave, certainly brave and strong. As for marriage, I want to be in deep, true love.”
Well. That is what we all want, isn’t it?
“You are a lady after my own heart, Pru, and I should like to help you,” Cecilia laughed softly. She was sure that in the remaining days, she could find a way to get the girl and the lord together. It would help pass the time as well.
“Have you ever had a formal introduction to the lord, or have you only admired him from afar?”
“The… latter,” Pru admitted bashfully.
“Shall I acquaint the two of you then?” Cecilia offered as her husband and the lord came nearer.
“Pardon? N-no!” Pru took a deep breath, then calmed herself before smoothing down her feathery skirts. “I-I mean, yes, Your Grace. I… I would be most grateful for introductions.”
Reaching for Pru, Cecilia silently promised her help, an action that drew Cassian’s shrewd gaze. His gaze flickered between Cecilia and Pru, then narrowed. “What conspiracy are you cooking up between you two?”
Smiling innocently, Cecilia replied, “We are simply discussing a new book that has come out.”
Cassian still looked suspicious. “I’d like to introduce you to David Rothbury, Lieut—”
“Lieutenant-Colonel,” Pru blurted.
