and . . .” Her eyes cut back to Prudence for a moment before giving a little nod, “. . . the daffodil-yellow for day, I think. It does rather complement your hair.”
Victory !
Satisfaction swamped Prudence in a warm rush. She wanted to laugh with delight, but restrained herself to a demure smile and said, “Thank you, Mama. I think you are wise to suggest two new gowns for evening. One never knows when an invitation of importance will be issued, and I’d hate to be unprepared.”
The praise smoothed her mother’s forehead as she nodded in acceptance. “After decades of marriage, I’ve learned a thing or two about being a supportive wife. I do hope my example can help ease your transition.”
A small lump formed in Prudence’s throat, and she tried to swallow past it as she nodded. Her mother was so proud to see her marrying the squire. That was a good thing—a daughter fulfilling the ultimate duty to her parents. Yet no matter how much she told herself that she was doing the right thing, she couldn’t get over the feeling that she didn’t want to do it.
Dancing barefoot in the moonlight . She focused on that, her next item on the list, and took a few slow breaths. She would have her little rebellion, safely and quietly, where only she would know about it. The grass between her toes, the darkness enveloping her, and the simple delight of indulging in what she wanted to do. Even if the rain spoiled her plans tonight, she would try again tomorrow, and the next day, until she accomplished her goal.
“Thank you for helping to guide me, Mama,” she said, ever the dutiful daughter. Her gaze shifted to the soft yellow fabric she had insisted on for her day gown. Dutiful, but no longer mindless. Starting now, she intended to have an opinion when it came to her own life.
Her parents and even Squire Jeffries may be none too pleased with it, but she knew without a moment’s doubt that Ash would be proud of her. Somehow, that made all the difference.
Chapter Seven
W arm, surprisingly humid air caressed Prudence’s skin as she slipped out the little-used door in her father’s study and onto the terrace. The rain today had nearly ruined her plans, but it had finally stopped around dinnertime, and when the clouds parted by bedtime, she had breathed a sigh of relief.
She would dance tonight, by Jove, albeit with wet feet.
Even as her heart beat wildly with the small but still real possibility of being caught, she couldn’t contain her excitement for attempting something so daring. She’d never in her life snuck out of her own house. She’d never even had reason to leave her room past bedtime. This little outing was the very definition of breaking free of her parents’ rules.
She grinned, savoring the feeling. She rather liked the idea of being just a little bit wicked. Of course, it helped that no one was the wiser. If she thought that she was disappointing someone, it would have leached all the fun from the night.
Her bare fingers skimmed the wet iron railing as she hurried down the stairs and into the rose garden. The scent of the summer blooms enveloped her, and she couldn’t help but smile. The last time she had been in the garden, Ash had been at her side.
She pressed her lips together, allowing herself to picture him in the way she wasn’t supposed to—as an attractive, virile, more-than-appealing young man. Just for a moment. It wouldn’t do to allow her mind to wander too far down that path. As much as she liked him, as much as it made her stomach dance to speak with him, and made her heart pound to see him, he was just a friend.
Since each of them was betrothed to another, it was all he could ever be.
She followed the winding gravel path toward the gate to the lawn, her slippers barely making a whisper as she moved. The barefoot part of the evening would begin after she emerged onto the lawn, where the possibility of stepping on rocks or sticks declined significantly. She wanted to be free,
Victory !
Satisfaction swamped Prudence in a warm rush. She wanted to laugh with delight, but restrained herself to a demure smile and said, “Thank you, Mama. I think you are wise to suggest two new gowns for evening. One never knows when an invitation of importance will be issued, and I’d hate to be unprepared.”
The praise smoothed her mother’s forehead as she nodded in acceptance. “After decades of marriage, I’ve learned a thing or two about being a supportive wife. I do hope my example can help ease your transition.”
A small lump formed in Prudence’s throat, and she tried to swallow past it as she nodded. Her mother was so proud to see her marrying the squire. That was a good thing—a daughter fulfilling the ultimate duty to her parents. Yet no matter how much she told herself that she was doing the right thing, she couldn’t get over the feeling that she didn’t want to do it.
Dancing barefoot in the moonlight . She focused on that, her next item on the list, and took a few slow breaths. She would have her little rebellion, safely and quietly, where only she would know about it. The grass between her toes, the darkness enveloping her, and the simple delight of indulging in what she wanted to do. Even if the rain spoiled her plans tonight, she would try again tomorrow, and the next day, until she accomplished her goal.
“Thank you for helping to guide me, Mama,” she said, ever the dutiful daughter. Her gaze shifted to the soft yellow fabric she had insisted on for her day gown. Dutiful, but no longer mindless. Starting now, she intended to have an opinion when it came to her own life.
Her parents and even Squire Jeffries may be none too pleased with it, but she knew without a moment’s doubt that Ash would be proud of her. Somehow, that made all the difference.
Chapter Seven
W arm, surprisingly humid air caressed Prudence’s skin as she slipped out the little-used door in her father’s study and onto the terrace. The rain today had nearly ruined her plans, but it had finally stopped around dinnertime, and when the clouds parted by bedtime, she had breathed a sigh of relief.
She would dance tonight, by Jove, albeit with wet feet.
Even as her heart beat wildly with the small but still real possibility of being caught, she couldn’t contain her excitement for attempting something so daring. She’d never in her life snuck out of her own house. She’d never even had reason to leave her room past bedtime. This little outing was the very definition of breaking free of her parents’ rules.
She grinned, savoring the feeling. She rather liked the idea of being just a little bit wicked. Of course, it helped that no one was the wiser. If she thought that she was disappointing someone, it would have leached all the fun from the night.
Her bare fingers skimmed the wet iron railing as she hurried down the stairs and into the rose garden. The scent of the summer blooms enveloped her, and she couldn’t help but smile. The last time she had been in the garden, Ash had been at her side.
She pressed her lips together, allowing herself to picture him in the way she wasn’t supposed to—as an attractive, virile, more-than-appealing young man. Just for a moment. It wouldn’t do to allow her mind to wander too far down that path. As much as she liked him, as much as it made her stomach dance to speak with him, and made her heart pound to see him, he was just a friend.
Since each of them was betrothed to another, it was all he could ever be.
She followed the winding gravel path toward the gate to the lawn, her slippers barely making a whisper as she moved. The barefoot part of the evening would begin after she emerged onto the lawn, where the possibility of stepping on rocks or sticks declined significantly. She wanted to be free,
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