Next to her, Eleanor nodded effusively. “I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize this expedition, you all must know that.”
Ophelia looked relieved. Whether from their agreement or for not having to say the word “pregnant” anymore, Prudence didn’t know.
The group chattered on about the impending masked ball. Who they would dress as, the possibilities of auctioning items, any honored guests they might convince to come. Prudence was taken from her reverie as Ophelia pointedly asked, “Are you not going to write this down?”
She put down her very full plate and teacup to dig out her pen and notepad. She was suddenly not hungry.
*
“I’LL BE GONEa fortnight. I hope you can survive.” His mother sat in her bedroom as Daisy packed her trunks.
“I think I’ll manage,” Leo said. This was the first time his mother had gone to a country retreat in years. “Where will you be again?”
“With my dear friend, the Countess Gelfirdon. We’ve known each other for a very long time.”
“A very, very long time?” Leo asked. Was this one of her networks of friends from when his mother had been a housekeeper, or was that later?
“From when we first came to London, you fool. What would a countess be doing in Thornridge?” his mother snapped.
Leo didn’t like her tone. “Exactly. Are you not going to Thornridge now?”
“We are going to the country! Not that part,” his mother said through gritted teeth.
He’d got her going now. She would be prickly to everyone for at least the rest of the day. He silently apologized to Daisy. He kissed his mother on the top of her head. “I’m glad you will be going to be with your friends.”
“You’re insufferable. I’m glad to be away. Dour one moment, patronizing the next!” His mother screeched at him as he walked away, whistling. “And now you dare to whistle in my presence?!”
He gently laughed and closed her door behind him. He suddenly had much to do.
Two days later, he presented his plans to Prudence. He’d made his excuses the previous night, knowing that he would be unable to keep his surprise to himself, and not wanting to spoil it without incomplete details.
They were attempting a night without immediately falling into bed. Leo had taken the opportunity for his cook to pack a cold dinner for two and bring it to Prudence’s hotel, not wanting to order a hot meal for two and alert any suspicions belowstairs.
But he had to be honest. The bellman recognized him now and subtly looked away after Leo had slipped him a pound or two over the course of the last few months. They both pretended not to be there as Leo left early in the morning. So wouldordering a dinner for two really be endangering Prudence’s reputation that much?
Perhaps they were being ridiculous. Even so. Prudence picked at the cold mince pie and mostly drank the champagne he’d brought. Should he ask her what was wrong, or should he barrel on with his plan as he’d intended?
Paralyzed with this internal debate, Prudence solved it for him.
“I need to tell you something.” Prudence couldn’t look him in the eye.
His breath stopped. Fear that he’d never known took over his mind and body.
“If I become.” She cleared her throat. “If I become with child, I cannot climb the Matterhorn.”
Leo nodded. That was a given. Why was she only now thinking of this? He’d been worried about it for weeks.
“The other night we—” Here she finally looked at him, finally giving him what he’d hoped to see. She wasn’t calling their affair off, she was merely instating boundaries that he would have agreed to instantly. “We were careless, not using the French letter. We need to be vigilant.”
“Of course.”
Relief flooded her expression. “Really?”
“I always was a proponent of it. You know that. If neither of us want to marry, then it goes without saying that neither of us want children.”
She frowned. “I think I do. Someday? Maybe. I’m not sure.”
His stomach twisted. Perhaps the pie was not as well cooked as he’d thought. “Well, it does nothing to talk about it now, does it?”
