Page 77 of To Dare a Duke

I’m so sorry for my disappearance, and for worrying you all so. Please, be assured that I am well, and very, very happy. To that end, I would like to invite you all to Beverwyck, tomorrow at 2pm.

We are to be married!

―Excerpt of a letter to The Peculiar Ladies, care of Miss Ruth Stone, from Miss Prunella Chuffington-Smythe.

***

Midnight. 12thJune. Beverwyck. London. 1814

Prue sat at the elegant dressing table in the most beautiful bedroom she’d ever seen. The walls were covered in patterned silk damask, in shades of blue and green. Birds and butterflies flitted through flowers and curling vines and gave the sensation of wandering in a sunny garden. A large four-poster bed dominated the room, hung with more luxurious swathes of silky green, and the polished wood floor was thick with heavy rugs. Prue had never seen such extravagance.

Happily, the room had belonged to Robert’s mother. His last wife and the previous Duchess of Bedwin had preferred a room that overlooked the front of the house, which was a relief to Prue. That the title was soon to apply to her seemed at once ludicrous and magical. She’d never desired such a thing, never even daydreamed of it, and was ridiculously unprepared. She had no intention of giving up her writing, and she knew Robert would never ask it of her, but still, she would have a deal of responsibilities she’d never bargained for or wanted.

Yet the title came with Robert, and she’d dreamed of and wanted him with all her heart. So, the rest would follow. He would help her, and she would help him, and together they would muddle through to find their places in this new and unexpected life.

She caught Sally’s eye in the looking glass as the maid stood behind her, brushing out her hair. The woman was humming softly to herself and smiling.

Prue grasped her hand, holding it against her cheek.

“Dearest Sally. Thank you for everything. You’ve been such a friend. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Sally blinked hard and shook her head. “Now, stop that, miss, or you’ll have us both watery-headed. I couldn’t be happier, that’s the truth.” She hesitated, brush in hand as a doubtful look crept into her eyes.

“What is it?” Prue demanded, alarmed.

“Nothing, miss,” Sally said at once. “Only, you’ll be needing a proper lady’s maid now, and a fancy dresser too, I don’t doubt. I’m just a maid of all work as you well know, though I have a fair hand for dressing hair and I’m not too bad with a needle, but—”

“Oh, Sally!” Prue exclaimed, wide eyed with dismay. “You cannot believe I would cast you aside?”

“Oh, no,” Sally said at once, clearly appalled at the idea. “That’s just it, miss. You never would. You’re too tender-hearted and I didn’t want to give you any difficulties, now you will be a duchess, it’s only right that—”

“Not another word, Sally,” Prue said, raising a hand to deflect any further objections. “We both have a deal to learn about my new position, but we are both intelligent woman, and neither of us are hen hearted enough to run from a challenge. Are we?”

“No, miss,” Sally replied stoutly, looking a little indignant.

“Well then,” Prue said with a sniff worthy of a future duchess. “I’ll hear no more about it.”

Impulsively, Sally leaned down and gave Prue a fierce hug. “Thank you, miss,” she whispered, before letting go and bidding her mistress a fond goodnight.

Prue sat at the dressing table for a long time after, daydreaming and watching the candlelight flicker against the silken walls, the shadows fluttering as though the painted birds had come to life. She jumped at the sound of a soft knock, and felt her heart beat harder still as she realised it had come from the door that linked the duchess’ room to that of the duke.

She padded across the plush rugs and stood on the polished wood floor before the connecting door. With a breath to steady the pounding in her chest, she opened the door to find Robert awaiting her. Her breath caught as she looked at him, dressed only in a loose shirt and trousers, his feet bare. She’d never seen him this way before and it seemed intimate and wonderful, and just a little wicked. Especially when she caught the rather mischievous look in his eyes.

“I know I ought not, but… I couldn’t sleep without a goodnight kiss, at least,” he said, sounding adorably sheepish.

Prue grinned at him and opened the door wide. “Come in,” she said, wondering if she ought to feel more bashful at facing him in only her night-rail, but finding she’d didn’t feel the least bit shy, only happy, almost giddy with it.

Robert hesitated. “I don’t know it that’s a good idea,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I honestly did only mean a kiss, but… but if I come in….”

Prue moved towards him and slid her arms about his neck. “We’re to be married tomorrow.”

He nodded, solemn now. “I know, but I want to do the thing right, Prue. I want it to be perfect this time, for… for both of us.”

She smiled and gave a dramatic sigh, laying her head on his shoulder and looking up at him. “Why on earth did I have to fall for such an honourable fellow? I ought to have chosen someone wicked and villainous.”

“Oh, ho!” he said, chuckling. “That’s how it is, is it?” He swung her up into his arms, eliciting a squeal of protest as he carried her to the bed. “And what kind of depravity would this despicable fellow have in mind?”

Prue pursed her lips and gave a shrug. “How should I know? I am nought but an innocent maid,” she said dramatically in breathless tones. “More than a goodnight kiss, though,” she added, much more herself as she folded her arms and pouted.