else who would probably dismiss her without a glance because of her mother. ‘A high stickler?’
Aunt Gussie chuckled. ‘No, just a tyrant. She caused her share of on dits in her day! A Beauty who had half the men of the ton dangling after her before she settled on Dudley.’
Prudence cut a covert glance towards the woman, noting the high cheekbones and tall, elegant figure that testified to how lovely Lady Isabelle must have been in her prime. She looked exactly as Aunt Gussie had described her: rich, handsome—and reigning regally over her family.
‘Reformed sinners are usually more disapproving than most of those they consider to have fallen off the straight and narrow,’ Pru observed.
‘Perhaps. But it’s also said her primary qualification when evaluating possible wives for “her boys” is fortune,’ Aunt Gussie said. ‘Shall we go greet them, my dear? If Lady Isabelle is determined to blight your chances with the most attractive marriage prospect currently in Bath, better to discover that early rather than late, so we may shift our focus elsewhere.’
The image of a certain tawny-haired lieutenant flashed into her head before she dismissed it. Even with Lord Halden eliminated from consideration, the globe-trekking Johnnie Trethwell wouldn’t make her list of desirable prospects. Better to concentrate her efforts on the sort of respectable country gentlemen she sought.
‘True enough.’ Bracing herself for what might be a humiliating set-down, Pru laid her hand on her aunt’s arm, summoned a smile, and prepared to brave the lion.
‘Lady Isabelle, Lord Halden, good morning,’ Aunt Gussie said as they caught up to the couple. After exchanging bows and curtsies, Aunt Gussie continued, ‘Lady Isabelle, may I present to you my niece, Miss Prudence Lattimar?’
After her scanning her so thoroughly, Pru felt like a prize cow whose worth was being assessed by an auctioneer, the older woman gave her a nod. ‘Miss Lattimar. My young cousin, Lord Halden, was just telling me how he’d met you in the Pump Room yesterday, and been charmed. Now I see why.’
Pru exhaled a shaky breath. Though Lady Isabelle most assuredly knew her history, evidently she’d passed muster anyway. Even better, Lord Halden’s relation would have fully acquainted him with her circumstances. If he knew them, and still found her ‘charming’, the biggest obstacle to developing a relationship with him had just been hurdled.
For perhaps the first time in her life, she silently thanked her father for being such a careful curator of his vast wealth.
‘You’ve just come from London, haven’t you?’ Lady Isabelle said. ‘Walk with me, Lady Stoneway. You can acquaint me with all the latest happenings while these young people become better acquainted.’
That was so bald, Prudence had a hard time not blushing. The auctioneer, turning the prime merchandise over to the potential buyer. Dutifully taking the arm Lord Halden offered, she tried to settle her nerves.
Once they were a short distance down the pathway, she said, ‘I hope you don’t feel coerced into escorting me.’
The Duke’s son laughed. ‘My cousin isn’t very subtle, is she? Completely accustomed to getting her own way, too, so there’s little use trying to resist her. However, I don’t need any coercion to walk with the most beautiful lady in Bath.’
Gratified, she smiled. ‘You are very kind. I understand Lady Isabelle has a house here. Are you staying with her?’
‘No. Not that she wouldn’t have me,’ he added. After that curious statement, he continued, ‘It would be rather...restricting to live under the roof of someone bound to observe every detail of your comings and goings. A man needs a little freedom, after all.’
Prudence suppressed another pang of envy. If he considered living in his cousin’s house chafing, he should try being an unmarried young woman of suspect character, whose every word and movement were scrutinised. Trying to summon up some sympathy, she said, ‘Yes, a young man should be able to stay out late playing a hand of cards or finishing a fine ale, without having someone waiting on him, watching a clock.’
‘Exactly!’ he exclaimed, looking on her with approval. ‘I’m so glad you’re not one of those missish girls, who thinks I should stay at home with my cousin, holding her yarn while she knits, or something equally rubbishy.’
He stiffened when Pru, after trying to suppress a giggle, finally laughed. ‘Sorry, I simply can’t envision you dutifully hefting a skein of yarn! Does she knit?’
Relaxing, Lord Halden grinned. ‘Heavens, I don’t know. If she does, the stitches had better do what she tells them.’
Prudence shook her head. ‘Alas, mine never do.’
‘Not a needlewoman?’
A potential clergyman’s wife would be expected to knit and sew for the unfortunate, she realised in a flash. ‘I confess I’m not the most talented, but I am committed to doing better.’ She bit her tongue to avoid adding, Despite the fact that I detest needlework and would much prefer to be outside, riding or mucking about in the garden.
‘What amusements do you favour?’ she asked instead, preferring to bring the focus back to him and avoid any potentially damaging questions about her other interests—or her too interesting, scandalous family.
‘Besides drinking and cards?’ he riposted, still smiling. ‘I’m quite enthusiastic about horseflesh. There’s nothing finer than a prime beast in full gallop, outstripping all the others on some track! Or on the hunting field. I generally spend the entire hunting season following one or another of the best hunts. Lady Isabelle rents a box at Melton Mowbray, and we get to the Belvoir as well.’
‘You must be a capital rider, then.’
‘Oh, yes. Sat my first pony when I was only three. Evaluate and purchase all my own mounts, too. Wouldn’t leave so important a task to some groom!’
‘Have you acquired any new horses lately?’
That simple question was enough to set him off on an enthusiastic recital of the merits and fine points of the perfectly matched pair of blacks he’d just purchased for his new high-perch phaeton, several hunters he was currently training for the upcoming season, and the flashy, high-stepping chestnut he kept for riding in Hyde Park.
Her contributions to the conversation limited to an occasional ‘Oh, my!’ or ‘How excellent!’ they’d made almost a complete circuit of the main pathway before he paused for breath.
‘I dare say, it’s capital to discover a young lady who appreciates horseflesh,’ he said at last, giving her hand a hearty squeeze.
Before she could think of an appropriate response that wouldn’t set him off again, the group of soldiers they’d seen in the Pump Room the day she met him rounded a corner.
‘Lord Halden, well met!’ Lieutenant Lord Chalmondy cried. ‘And Miss Lattimar. How lovely you look.’
After giving Pru an inspection that lingered on her bosom so long she felt her face colouring, he murmured to his companions, ‘What a hot little charmer she is, eh, boys?’
A flash of anger deepened the heat. Evidently Lord Chalmondy thought that, in the open air of the park, surrounded by his companions, he could
