Oh, she hated remembering. It was Miss Ramsey’s fault that she did. What kind of spell had that ragamuffin put on her brother? And how could Prudence break it? She had to, for Lady Alexandra Augustus, the king’s own niece, was in love with her brother. Benjamin was too rich, too handsome and powerful to be with just any woman. He could propel the West name to the highest heights if he married right. Prudence worked diligently for years building up the duke in the eyes of the most elite nobles. But truly, all Ben needed to do was show up to melt the powder off ladies' faces. He was unquestionably the most handsome man in the kingdom, after him, of course was Lord Sudbury. Ben had money and it showed mostly in how he dressed. He wore the finest silk and silk velvets, imported cotton, and handmade lace. Other men could wear the same thing, but her brother wore it well. He was tall and elegant with an untouchable air about him. But to his sister, he would always be a young boy crying his heart out for his mother or training alone every day and night for three years, cutting the air with thefierce fury of his sword. Revenge was the source that drove him. His one and only desire was to kill Jacobites and once Prudence had a home with Lord Cambridge, her brother left her to kill for Queen Anne and then for King George. She hardly saw him for nine years, save for when he returned to Colchester House to slaughter everyone in it and then sat in his rightful place, in his father’s chair. Once he had established that everything was his, he brought Prudence back to her home, and then he left again to go fight alongside the Duke of Marlborough. He created a name for himself with his heroic deeds at a battle in southern Germany and then again when he saved the king’s life multiple times.
He could marry any woman he desired. How could he–after everything–give up his social status for a destitute beggar?
“Lady Prudence.”
She stopped and tilted her head up. “Simon, what are you doing in the hall at this late hour?”
“I was hoping to have a word with you. I was on my way to your rooms.”
His velvety voice seeped through her, warming her blood. He was Benjamin’s childhood friend and fought at her brother’s side in every battle he’d been in, including taking back Colchester House. As far back as Prudence could remember, she’d always loved Simon Hamilton. “A word?” Her heart thumped hard, making her feel a little ill. “What about?”
“Come back to Sudbury with me,” he blurted.
“What?” A wave of lightheadedness washed over her and she held her hand to her forehead. She laughed a little but he looked to be quite serious.Not now. Not now.
“Let’s leave in the morning, Pru. After our marriage–”
“Simon,” She took a step back, shaking her head. “What is this about? Did Benjamin put you up to this? He wants me to leave. Do you think I would wed you because my brother is forcing you to do so?”
He smiled, but Prudence knew him well enough to recognize that he was anything but happy.
“Forcing me?” he asked. “How long have I been asking, Prudence? You always have a reason to postpone it. I don’t want to wait anymore for Ben to take a wife.”
“But he needs–”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s a grown man who can make decisions on his own. He doesn’t need you meddling in his affairs.”
“Simon.” She pulled on his sleeve and opened the door to his rooms, then pulled him inside. “I saw him take Miss Ramsey to the guest room over an hour ago, and he still remains.
“So?” he argued. “He’s fought on battlefields! He’s not a child.”
“But she has nothing! She’s a street urchin!”
His strained smile faded. “Instead of worrying over her social status, be glad your brother is finally taking an interest in something other than killing.”
She wanted to say more, but he did have a point. But oh, why did the first woman to bend Benjamin’s iron resolve have to be someone like Miss Ramsey? It was clear that Simon didn’t understand.
“My dear,” her beloved softened his tone and pulled her gently into his arms. “I want you to be mine completely. Marry me and come live with me in Sudbury.” He lowered his head and kissed her, muddling her thoughts.
No, just this one thing. Let her help her brother find a wife worthy of him and the name West. Oh, for her father’s sake, let her help bring pride to their name.
“Simon,” she said, pressing her palms to his chest to push him away, “Don’t you remember how my father’s name was dragged through the dirt as being a debtor and causing his children to be cast out into the street? Well, just as my brotherwanted to clear our father’s name, I want to elevate it. I want everyone to know the name West and to respect it.”
He was quiet and kept his head down.
“Well? Do you have nothing to say? I’m telling you my brother won’t be respected if he falls in love with a girl from the street.”
He finally looked at her. “Things could turn around for her, as they did for you.”
If he were anyone else, she would have slapped his face for making such a comparison, but she loved him too much to put her hand to hurt him. “It’s not the same thing, Simon. My prestige was taken from me. All we know of Miss Ramsey is that she came here from Ipswich with nothing. She’ll bring everything down.”
“Pru, you don’t know her. She’s doing him good.”
What? What was this she was hearing? “Are you defending her?” But it wasn’t the first time, was it? He liked the urchin. She fell back into a chair and fanned herself.
“My love,” he said as he knelt before her and took her hand, “in your zeal to elevate your father’s name, you have become someone I no longer understand.”
She pulled her hand away from his and bolted to her feet. She pushed past him and went to the door.
