She mentally shrugged it off, and smiled and laughed as she tried to recall the names of some of the glorious flowers and finally gave up and snipped a few blooms for the most persistent, recommending they ask their own gardeners what they were.
She couldn’t help but note the glow surrounding her aunt and uncle.
They seldom strayed far from each other, and he never missed an opportunity to touch her; a hand on her shoulder, her arm through his, and once tucking a stray ribbon back in place amidst her curls.
It was lovely to see them enveloped in what seemed like a private glow of happiness, and Prudence spent a few moments counting her blessings.
“A pensive look, Miss Prudence. Is your fountain not to your liking then?” Sir Ronan strolled in, blinked at all the guests and quietly led her to one side. “And why is my garden filled with women dressed up to compete with the flowers and chattering like a flock of pigeons?”
Prudence couldn’t help a chuckle. “Because I invited them, Sir Ronan. ’Tis my birthday tomorrow and this is my gift…the garden, the fountain…all of it, from my uncle and aunt. So I wanted to share the loveliness. How could I keep something this beautiful to myself?”
“And you’re recommending my lads, of course?” He grinned cheekily.
“Oh, should I have done so?” She widened her eyes and stared at him.
“Little devil,” he chuckled.
She smiled smugly. “Of course I’ve had chance to mention the brilliant minds behind the flowerbeds.” She turned a little. “And I mentioned you too, of course.”
He sighed. “There’s nothing for it, lass. It’s inevitable.”
“What is?” She sucked in a surprised breath as he took her arm and whisked her around a corner. “This.” His mouth came down on hers, and she squeaked in shock, then—as the wondrous sensation of a man’s lips on hers made her tingle—discovered her arms snaking up around his neck. A delicious heat bloomed deep within her and when his tongue ran along the edge of her mouth, she opened and let him inside.
A loud burst of laughter made them both jump and they separated, she to put her hand to her face, he to straighten his cravat.
“You’re a handful, Miss Prudence, I’ll say that.”
She tried to be outraged, but failed dismally, and ended up clearing her throat and attempting to achieve some sort of mature dignity. The fact that her knees were trembling beneath her gown was entirely irrelevant. “Well, for a first kiss, I will admit that was quite impressive, Sir Ronan. Thank you. Now when I’m kissed in future, I shall at least have something to measure it by.” She met his gaze, hoping he wouldn’t know the effort it took.
“We could go for two, just to make sure you have your measurements clear,” he suggested.
“Ah, thank you, but I think not. My aunt is headed this way.” She moved away from him, a little more quickly than she’d intended, but she didn’t miss his whispered words as she left.
“Little coward.”
Yes. That pretty much summed up her state of mind. When it came to Sir Ronan O’Malley, she was a complete and utter coward.
Lydia Davenport had caught the look on Sir Ronan’s face as he spoke with Prudence, and she’d wondered at it. Then sighed.
Her dearest friends, Judith, Rose and now Ivy…all wed, happily, to wonderful men they clearly adored. It wasn’t so much that she’d lost them to marriage, because she hadn’t. They all gathered together regularly, attended the Wednesday Club dances, enjoyed themselves enormously when they met and stood at each other’s backs if the need arose.
It was just…just something. Something that, for a few moments on a sunny afternoon, made Lydia feel like an outsider.
When is it going to be my turn?
“Well, Lydia, darling. When is it going to be your turn?” Lady Celchester was smiling archly at her. “You’re a beauty, as you know, so I would guess the gentlemen are buzzing like bees eager for your honeyed smile…”
“Oh Lady Celchester. What a way with words you have.” Lydia managed to smile through clenched teeth. “I’m sure the right gentleman will be along at some point. But I’m in no hurry…”
“Wise girl,” said the older woman, shocking Lydia. “Take your time. One should never end up with the wrong one because one lacked patience. Lacking money, or lacking looks…that’s different. But you’ve got both, so make sure you’ve got the patience.” She patted Lydia’s arm and walked away.
“Goodness.”
Rose strolled over. “Are you all right? You look a bit stunned.”
“I just got some rather good advice from an unlikely source,” she answered. “One never knows about people, does one?”
“That’s profound,” Rose gave her an inquiring look. “Anything you’d care to share?”
“Not really,” replied Lydia. “But…” she turned to face her friend. “I’ve been thinking lately about a lot of things, marriage included.”
“And…?”
“All this tying the knot business is working out nicely for you and the others. But I’m not convinced it’s right for me. So I think I might take a lover.”
“A lover?” Rose raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. It’s an idea, I suppose, and if anyone can, you can. But it’ll cause a dreadful scandal, you know.”
Lydia grinned, pleased that her friend wasn’t fainting from shock. “Yes. I know. And won’t it be just delicious?”
Next up:
Lydia gets herself into all kinds of trouble
– watch for Lydia’s adventures coming soon.
If this is your first adventure with the Wednesday Club folks,
