“I hope it’s soon. I’m tired of waiting. I was never very good at it and have done little else of late.”
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “When I return, I have a particular question to ask you.”
“Can’t you ask me now?” she implored him, her voice a bare whisper filled with longing.
Jack glanced at the door. The butler had discreetly made himself scarce. He drew her down off the porch and deeper into the gardens. “I adore you,” he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. “Life without you would be deplorable. Who else would keep me on my toes? Will you be my wife, Prudence?”
Prue was unaware of anything around her. Nothing mattered but Jack as she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, darling. I love you. You must know that.”
Jack eased her hands away with another glance toward the house. “Etiquette requires me to speak first to Lady Aldridge.”
Prue shook her head. “None of that etiquette nonsense. Gramma won’t care, and neither do I.”
With a sigh, he stroked a finger over her cheek. “I must leave, darling. I can hardly race up to the drawing room and consult her now. It would be the height of rudeness.”
“No, you must go, Jack. But Gramma will want to know about this. Surely, you can’t expect me to keep it to myself?”
His lips quirked up in a brief smile, amusement in his eyes. “Didn’t you tell me you never wished to marry?” he teased her. “I seem to recall you saying something about managing your own estate.”
Her fingers threaded through his dark hair. “That was before I met you, Jack. And now I want to be married to the man I love. The only man I shall ever want. And hope you will help me to fulfill my dreams.”
“Of course.” He chuckled. “Should they be within reason?”
Gazing at her mouth, he reached out and bracketed her waist, his thumbs rubbing the arc of her hips. “Lord, how I want you, Prudence.” His hands on her back pulled her close and his lips skimmed along her cheek. He brought his mouth to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. Prue leaned into his body, the hard planes of his muscles enfolding her as his soft lips teased hers to open, and she did, eagerly. The kiss, something she’d never before experienced, made her breath catch and her knees weaken. “It’s a torment being this close,” he whispered.
His hands slipped down to her bottom, pulling her even closer. Prue felt the evidence of his desire pushing against her stomach. Heat flowed through her to her core. She wanted him desperately, had always known it.
“Shall we have a short engagement?” His eyes were dark with desire. “You are still in mourning; is it best we wait?” He sounded so reluctant that she smiled.
“No. Papa would not have wanted me to wait; I shan’t let some silly societal rules govern our happiness.”
He sighed. “You are without shame, Lady Prudence, and I love you so much, I’m prepared to weather any scandal, but are you sure you can?”
“Oh, Jack, of course I can. I want to be with you so much,” she said, emotion causing her voice to catch. “Being together is all that matters.”
Although she longed to ask him if that meant he’d give up his dangerous work, she wouldn’t spoil this special moment between them. Whatever he decided would make no difference. And she would never expect it from him. With him by her side, she’d deal with whatever life threw at them.
A horse’s nickering broke into their absorption with one another. They reluctantly left their private spot among the trees, crossing the drive to where Joseph, doing a splendid job of ignoring them, stood atthe horses’ heads.
Jack’s lips brushed her ear. “I love you. Much as I wish to stay and hold you in my arms, I must go to London, my love.”
He climbed into the curricle and took the reins. In a few moments, he had gone. With a soft moan, Prue wrapped her arms around herself as yearning tightened her stomach. Then she turned to hurry inside to tell Gramma the news.
Barnes beamed at her. He must have heard every word.
“You can be the first to congratulate me, Barnes,” she said with a grin.
“Indeed, I do, Lady Prudence. A very happy occasion.”
It was surprising how happiness could arise even out of tragedy, but she knew she and Jack would be happy together as soon as Roland was put behind bars. While he was free, his menace still affected her and caused gooseflesh on her arms as she made her way upstairs.
Would Gramma be pleased with her news? She had warned Prue that rakes ravished women and then left them to seek other prey. But that was not the man she knew, although she couldn’t deny Jack’s rakish behavior when they’d first met, and he’d kissed her. Might it have been his sadness and disillusionment that held him back from close ties? The man she’d grown to love was decent and caring. He’d proven it again and again by his gallant actions. She sighed. Despite the trauma of discovering the truth behind his mother’s disappearance, it seemed to ease the torment in his soul.
Prue hurried into the drawing room.
Gramma surveyed her. “I’m glad that hollow-eyed look has vanished. You are positively radiant! Dare I ask what has occurred to bring about such a change?”
Prue joined her on the sofa and took Gramma’s frail hand in hers. “Jack has asked me to marry him.” She searched Gramma’s blue eyes for a sign of dismay but didn’t find it. “And I have saidyes.”
