Taming The Bride (Brides of Mayfair 2) by Michelle McMaster Page A

streets of London dressed as a trollop?”
    “Yes,” Prudence replied, anger swirling in her veins, “more dangerous than that. Because those men are not trying to close down my school as you are. Those men are not trying to ruin the chances of my students making a better life. They are not trying to put an end to my father’s dream of helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Those men could never hurt me the way you could.”
    “You are not only naive, but reckless, Miss Atwater,” Lord Weston said, darkly. “And far too independent for your own good.”
    “Naive? Reckless ?” Lord, but she wanted to slap him.
    “Yes, and —”
    “Far too independent for my own good?” she demanded, hotly.
    “At least we have established that your hearing is as sharp as a pin,” he muttered.
    Prudence glared at him with all the fury she could muster. “How dare you, sir! How dare you even think to assume that you know what is best for me? That I do not know what is best for myself?”
    Lord Weston folded his arms across his broad chest, saying, “Traipsing about London at night dressed as a trollop is reckless, Miss Atwater! With or without your bodyguard, you are putting yourself in grave danger. Mungo Church is a formidable opponent, I assure you, but make no mistake—he could be subdued. He is but one man. Against three or four, he might very well lose. Have you considered that possibility?”
    “I carry a dagger with me when I go out,” Prudence countered. “Mungo showed me how to use it.”
    “Well, then—I stand corrected,” he said sarcastically. “It is no guarantee of your safety.”
    “And what do you care about my safety?” she demanded. “You, who wanted to buy my favors that night in Drury Lane. You, who now hold me prisoner to your whims in this devil’s pact. You do not care about anyone but yourself, my lord.”
    “How little you know me, Miss Atwater.”
    “Pardon me if I consider it a blessing,” she replied.
    “Don’t consider it one for too long.” He took a step toward her and pulled her against his chest in a steely grip. “You will get to know me much better when you pay the debt that is owed me. You will learn much, I think…about me, as well as yourself.”
    Prudence met his stare and gave a bitter smile. “As you wish, my lord. After all, I have no choice but to obey you, do I? ”
    “No,” he answered. “And you would do well to remember that. Perhaps it is time for the teacher to learn a much-needed lesson of her own.”
    Prudence shook him off.
    Unable to bear his presence a moment longer, she turned on her heel and stalked off down the long balcony. She didn’t care if it was scandalous for her to return to the ballroom without her escort. She didn’t care about anything except getting as far away as possible from the fiend.
    Prudence heard the sound of his boots hitting the stone floor behind her, and she quickened her step. Then she heard a man say Lord Weston’s name. It was the couple who had ventured outside earlier.
    She stepped through the doorway, and looked back through the panes of the French windows. Lord Weston’s dark gaze pierced her right through the glass. But his acquaintances were talking animatedly, and it seemed he had no choice but to let her go.
    Prudence pushed through the crush, and made her way across the ballroom. She had no idea where she was going. She just knew she had get away from Lord Weston.
    As Prudence neared the far side of the ballroom, she felt someone tugging at her sleeve. She turned to see Lady Weston sitting in her chair by the wall, looking up at her with concerned eyes.
    “Is something amiss, my dear?” she asked. “Where is Alfred?”
    Prudence forced a smile and replied, “He is talking to some old acquaintances outside on the balcony, Lady Weston. I was cold, so I came inside.”
    “And he did not escort you in, my child?” Lady Weston said, frowning. “I must say, I am displeased with his lack of manners. I