Dangerous (15 page)

Prudence swallowed a sharp retort and managed a smile. The subject of Mrs. Leacock’s ghost had been on everyone’s lips that evening. Prudence had been hailed as a clever, extremely brave heroine by a very grateful Mrs. Leacock. Fortunately, as Sebastian had predicted, the ghost, who had indeed been one of Mrs. Leacock’s nephews, had recalled nothing of how he had been rendered unconscious. As far as he was concerned, his downfall had been an unseen bump in the carpet that had caused him to trip.

“Good evening, madam,” Prudence said politely. “I collect you are Mrs. Fleetwood?”

“Of course I am. And you are the Original who is engaged to Angelstone.”

“Yes, madam, I have that honor.”

“I suppose I should not be surprised that he has chosen such an odd creature to be his countess. The man has absolutely no respect for the noble title that has come his way by sheerest accident.”

“I was under the impression the title came to him in the usual manner, madam. He was next in line for it.”

“Bah.” Frustrated rage burned in Drucilla’s fine brown eyes. “He got it because of the most flukish of circumstances. In actual fact, it should never have gone to him at all.”

“It is not fair to say that,” Prudence said gently.

“It was bad enough that his irresponsible father ran off with that actress. Jonathan Fleetwood had no business marrying
that little lightskirt. If he had not been so stupid, your future husband would have been born the bastard he has taken such pains to become.”

Prudence was rapidly losing her patience. “I cannot allow you to insult my future husband’s family, madam.”

“I am part of his family, you silly chit. If I wish to insult his side of it, I shall do so.”

“An interesting point of logic,” Prudence acknowledged. “Nevertheless, I believe Angelstone’s side of the family has borne enough insults, don’t you?”

Drucilla’s gaze was scathing. “It should be obvious that nothing I say could be as insulting to the family name as what he has done.”

“What is that supposed to mean, madam?”

“Merely that it is entirely in keeping with Angelstone’s character for him to have selected a completely unsuitable female as his countess. The thought of a little countrified nobody like you becoming the next Countess of Angelstone is insupportable.”

There were several gasps and murmurs of excited dismay from those hovering around the pair. Prudence overheard them and realized that the scene with Drucilla was threatening to turn into a delicious morsel for the
ton
to chew on tomorrow morning over breakfast. Sebastian did not need the added notoriety.

Prudence determinedly brightened her smile as if Drucilla had just paid her a great compliment. “How kind of you to take the trouble to introduce yourself to me, madam. I have been rather curious about the rest of Angelstone’s family.”

“Have you, indeed?” Drucilla drew herself up and looked down her elegant nose. “The first thing you should know is that the title which Angelstone takes such delight in dragging through the mud at every opportunity should have been my son’s. If there is any justice in this world, it will someday come to Jeremy.”

“I was under the impression that the question of my husband’s right to the title had been settled long ago.”

“Rubbish.” Drucilla’s face turned a dull red. “I wish you joy in your marriage, Miss Merryweather. Perhaps you can produce a ghost or two on your wedding night with which to amuse your husband. You will certainly need to do something unusual to retain his interest for longer than a fortnight. Angelstone is very easily bored.”

Drucilla had gone too far and the shocked reactions of those standing nearby indicated that everyone realized it. Prudence knew that when Sebastian heard of this exchange, he would be coldly furious. He was highly unlikely to allow the insult to his fiancée to go unpunished.

She looked into Drucilla’s tormented eyes and suddenly felt very sorry for her. The poor woman was only too well aware that she had overstepped the line.

“I appreciate your concern about the family name,” Prudence said quietly. “It is obvious you have worked hard to keep it as untarnished as possible under extremely difficult circumstances.”

Drucilla stared at her. For a moment she appeared completely taken aback. “I have done my best,” she said finally.

“I realize it has not been an easy task,” Prudence said. “Please rest assured that I am very concerned about Angelstone’s name and reputation, too. For the sake of the family, I shall exert every effort to see that scandal is avoided.”

Drucilla’s gaze flickered in outraged bewilderment. “What sort of game are you playing, Miss Merryweather?”

“I am not playing any games.”

“Then we must wait to see what devilish game Angelstone is playing.” Drucilla turned on her heel and walked off through the crowd.

A strong sense of misgiving went through Prudence as she watched her adversary’s rigid back disappear into the throng.

“Well, now. I expect Angelstone will have something to say about this,” a voice murmured behind Prudence.

She turned to see Garrick Sutton standing behind her. Sebastian had introduced her to him at the Bowdreys’ soiree. He had made it clear he considered Garrick a friend. Prudence noticed that Garrick was one of the few people in the room this evening who was not holding a glass of champagne. She gave him a worried smile.

“I would rather Angelstone did not hear of this little scene,” she said.

Garrick’s mouth curved wryly. “Not much chance of preventing him from learning about it, I’m afraid. Too many witnesses.”

Prudence glanced uneasily around. “I suppose you’re right. Well, I shall just have to speak to Angelstone before he does anything rash.”

“What’s this? You think you can talk him out of exacting a bit of revenge on the Fleetwood clan?”

“There is no need for him to avenge me,” Prudence said. “That poor woman has obviously suffered a great deal over the years.”

“That poor woman,” Garrick said coolly, “was almost single-handedly responsible for seeing to it that the Fleetwoods never accepted Angelstone’s mother.”

“Nevertheless, Angelstone is the head of the family now. He can afford to be charitable toward the other members of the clan.”

“Charitable?” Garrick grinned. “Are we talking about the same Lord Angelstone?”

“This is not a humorous situation, Mr. Sutton.”

“No, it’s not. But it should prove interesting. Take my advice and stay out of the matter, Miss Merryweather. Angelstone is well able to handle the Fleetwoods. He’s been doing it for some time now.”

“What do you think he will do about tonight’s unfortunate scene?” Prudence asked.

Garrick gave an unconcerned shrug. “Who knows? Angelstone controls much of the family’s income. Perhaps he will cut off some of the Fleetwood portion.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Then again, he may simply content himself with getting Drucilla and her son barred from the best guest lists this Season. Or he might arrange to have his dear cousin kicked out of some of his clubs. No doubt Angelstone will think of some suitable vengeance. He is rather creative.”

“He may think of some method of revenge, but I do not believe he will go through with it,” Prudence said forcefully.

Garrick cocked an inquiring brow. “Who will stop him?”

“I shall see to it that he behaves sensibly and in a manner befitting the head of the family.”

Garrick glanced at a point just beyond Prudence’s shoulder. His smile was suddenly one of keen anticipation. “I cannot wait to see how you handle him, Miss Merryweather.”

“And just who is she going to handle?” Sebastian asked with bland interest.

Prudence whirled about again and found Sebastian looming over her. He looked magnificent, as usual, in his evening attire. His white cravat was folded with stark simplicity and his well-cut coat revealed the breadth of his shoulders. His golden eyes gleamed as he looked at her.

“You, of course,” Garrick said.

“I am delighted to hear it.” Sebastian smiled at Prudence. “Come with me, my dear. We shall find ourselves something to eat at the buffet.”

“I already had something to eat,” Prudence said.

Sebastian took her arm. “Did you? Well, then, you may come along and watch me eat lobster canapés. I want to talk to you.”

“Oh, I see.” Prudence smiled. “As it happens, I am anxious to have a chat with you, also, my lord.”

“Excellent.” Sebastian inclined his head toward Garrick. “You will excuse us?”

“Of course.” Garrick winked at Prudence. “The best of luck to you, Miss Merryweather.”

Prudence frowned at him over her shoulder as Sebastian led her through the crowd.

“What was that all about?” Sebastian asked without any sign of concern.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing at all?”

“A small, uh, domestic matter.”

“Ah.” Sebastian nodded at an acquaintance. “A family matter, then?”

“Well, yes, in a way.”

“Whose family?” Sebastian asked evenly. “Yours or mine?”

“My lord, this is hardly the time to talk about it.”

“Mine, then,” he said. “I collect it must be about the scene my aunt conducted a few minutes before I arrived.”

Prudence glowered at him as he drew her to a halt near a table full of hors d’oeuvres. “You already know about it?”

“My dear, you must understand that there will never be any lack of people anxious to keep me informed about such matters.”

“No, I suppose not.” Prudence slanted him a speculative glance. “You aren’t going to do anything overly dramatic, are you? It was all extremely unimportant.”

Sebastian surveyed the canapés. He finally selected one that was topped with an oyster. “You need not concern yourself, my dear. I will handle things.”

Prudence did not, trust the coldness in his eyes. “Sir, I must insist that you do not attempt to punish or humiliate your aunt in any way because of the conversation she and I had. She was very overset at the time.”

“No doubt.” Sebastian bit into the oyster.

“She has only recently learned of our engagement,” Prudence
explained. “The news has taken her somewhat by surprise.”

“You mean it has alarmed her greatly.” Sebastian picked up another canapé. “She is afraid I might actually produce an heir which would make it even more unlikely that her son will ever assume the title.”

“I believe,” Prudence said meaningfully, “that Mrs. Fleetwood is genuinely concerned about the good name of the family and the reputation attached to the title.”

“She is certainly concerned about it, I’ll grant you that.”

“Not without some reason, perhaps,” Prudence said grimly.

Sebastian stopped munching and swallowed. “What are you implying, Prue?”

“Merely that you have not gone out of your way to reassure her that the title is in safe hands.”

“I would not go out of my way to assist my aunt across the street, let alone reassure her that I’ll keep the title unblemished.” Sebastian took Prudence’s arm again and steered her toward the open French doors. “Enough of this nonsense, Prue. I have more important things to discuss.”

Prudence looked up at him as he guided her out into the gardens. “My lord, I am not going to allow you to finish with this topic until I have your word that you will not retaliate against your aunt for what she said this evening.”

“I have grown quite bored with that subject.”

“That is too bad, sir, because I have not yet done with it.”

Sebastian stopped beside a fountain and turned her toward him. “Damnation, Prue, why do you care what I do to Drucilla Fleetwood? She deserves to pay for insulting you and she will do so. That is the end of it.”

“The insult was to me, not to you. I choose not to retaliate and I will not allow you to do so on my behalf. Do you comprehend me, my lord?”

“Any insult to you is an insult to me,” he said softly.

“Sebastian, I mean it, I will not have you going about getting even for the most trifling slight.” Prudence touched his face gently with her gloved fingertips. “You are the head of the family and you must act the part. If you choose to take vengeance against your poor aunt, you will only widen the rift that already exists between yourself and the rest of the Fleetwoods.”

“Bloody hell, Prue—”

“Your title obligates you to be generous toward the members of your family. You owe them protection.” Prudence smiled warmly. “But I’m certain you don’t need me to tell you that. You are perfectly well aware of your duties and responsibilities to your family and I know you will act accordingly.”

Sebastian eyed her grimly. “The last time you lectured me on my responsibilities, you made a bargain with me. When you tried to fulfill it, you wound up getting yourself engaged to me. What do I get this time if I decide to indulge myself in a fit of mature, responsible behavior?”

Prudence concentrated on adjusting her spectacles. “Really, Sebastian, there is no need to tease me about this. I am well aware that things did not turn out as planned last time.”

“I assure you, Prue, I am bloody well not teasing.”

She looked up at him warily. “You’re not? You actually expect me to reward you for behaving as befits your rank?”

“Your notion of what befits my rank,” he corrected smoothly. “And yes, I think it only fair I get something for my effort, don’t you?”

She could not tell if he was serious, but she had the unpleasant suspicion that he was. As far as Sebastian was concerned, she had once again deprived him of his rightful prey. She sighed. “What sort of reward did you have in mind, sir?”

“I’ll give the matter some thought and let you know.” Sebastian’s hand closed around her shoulders. He pulled her close, bent his head, and gave her a quick, hard, possessive
kiss. When he raised his mouth from hers, his expression was one of brooding intensity. “I imagine I’ll think of something that will compensate me.”

Prudence shivered beneath the dark sensuality in his words. Two nights ago she had learned the meaning of passion and she knew she would forever associate the lesson with Sebastian. Now he was telling her without any subtlety that there would be more lessons. She did not know whether to be alarmed or overjoyed.