“You’ll be glad of it once you come to your senses.” He crossed his legs and tapped an impatient hand on the knee of his immaculate white pantaloons. “You are naturally badly shocked by your father’s death and are making poor decisions.”
“But they are my decisions, Roland. I’m perfectly able to decide what is best for me.”
“You left before your father is even in the ground,” he said accusingly. “That was hardly a sensible decision.”
“Women don’t usually attend funerals, as you well know. I shall be there for the memorial and the reading of the will. Gramma will accompany me.” She went to the bell pull and rang for the footman. “Would you care for coffee or wine, Roland?”
“A glass of Madeira,” Roland said, addressing the footman who’d stepped into the room.
“Does this mean the magistrate has completed his findings?” Prue asked. “And has found out who is responsible for Papa’s death?”
“Not to my knowledge. A possible unpaid bet to a bookmaker,perhaps.”
She gripped the arms of the chair. “Nonsense. Papa wasn’t a gambler.”
“Perhaps he kept that side of himself from you.”
“Even at card parties, he displayed little interest in gambling!”
“What would you know about his time spent in London?” He scoffed and shook his head. “Most women have little idea of the world.”
“If that is so, it’s because men treat us like ornaments to decorate their houses and keep important matters from us,” she snapped, aware of the futility of the argument.
“I hardly think living at Hollyvale House is such a dreadful fate. How many women would grasp at the opportunity to live as comfortably as you do at your station in life?”
Her shoulders tightened. He made her sound spoiled and ungrateful when all she wanted was to decide her future. “I have no intention of marrying you.” Prue crossed her arms. “I intend to live here with Gramma.”
“You are in mourning. It would not be fitting.”
“What wouldn’t?” Gramma entered the room and crossed the rug with a brisk step.
Irritation flashed in Roland’s eyes. He rose and went to kiss her hand. “Lady Aldridge, how well you look. It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Gramma’s lips gave a wry twist. “Mr. Stanton. I’m surprised to see you here so soon after your uncle’s death.”
His face reddened, but he rapidly recovered, adopting a concerned look. “I feared for Lady Prudence’s safety. Lord Sedgwick’s death has caused her to act irrationally. I’m sure it was his wish that I am best suited to take care of her.”
“Oh. Why do you believe this?”
“Doubtless, Lord Sedgwick has stated it in his will. We have onlyto be patient until it is read.”
“In the meantime, I shall take care of my great-granddaughter.”
“How taxing that will be for one of your years, my lady. It would be best for me to step in and take the responsibility off your shoulders,” Roland said smoothly, returning to his seat.
“I might be in my dotage, but I don’t yet have a foot in my grave,” Gramma said, observing him. “I am more than capable of chaperoning Prudence when the time is right. And I quite fancy the idea of taking her about in London.”
He pushed back his hair with a hand, frustration writ large on his face. “Surely, you must feel as I do that should my cousin appear in London during her mourning period, it would be considered most improper.”
Prue bit down on a smile. It was heartwarming to see Roland outdone.
“Naturally, she will not attend public balls until the Season begins next April. A few select affairs will be acceptable. One has only one life to live, Mr. Stanton,” Gramma said smoothly. “I have never sought to ruin it by concerning myself about what other people might think. You must stay for dinner before you return to Sedgwick Hall, where Prudence tells me you have established yourself, although the title and estate is not yet legally yours.”
Roland rose quickly to his feet. “I won’t break bread with you, thank you, my lady.” He raised his eyebrows questioningly at Prudence. “Will you return to your home with me now, Prudence?”
She bit her lip to hide her smile. “No, Roland. I wish you a pleasant journey.”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Very well. Once your father’s will is read and his wishes are made known, I have every expectation that the decision about your future will fall to me. I only hope you will not have made yourself the talk of thetonin the meantime.” Roland bowed stiffly. “My lady. Lady Prudence.” He strode from the room.
