The Inheritance Clause, page 17
She nodded and let him lead her outside onto the veranda. Golden light spilled onto the stone, highlighting the pots of flowers placed just so while the strains of the music grew slightly muffled. Seth drew in a breath of fresh, flower-scented air.
“You should go dance, Seth.” Pru patted his arm. “I do not mean to ruin your enjoyment. This”—she motioned to the ballroom—“is not for me anymore. I was not certain that it wasn’t but now I know for certain.” Peering up at the sky, she folded her arms and took a step toward the balustrade that looked out over the gardens.
“I’d rather be here with you.”
The words escaped him before he had considered them—and the truth behind them. But it was no lie. He did not care for the dancing or the gossip or the ribaldry or even the potential for a liaison. Even if they were standing in silence, he’d rather be with Pru.
What the hell was happening to him?
“So what do you consider fun?” he asked. Anything to cover the strange silence hovering between them since his declaration.
“Well, you know I enjoy my studies.” Her eyes creased in the corners. “But I also like to hunt. And the dogs keep me happy, of course. Believe it or not, I sing on occasion too.”
“I’d like to hear you sing sometime.”
She shook her head vigorously and grimaced, pressing a hand to her head. “These pins are so painful.” She plucked one of the offending pins out. “Reminds me why I never wear my hair like this.”
A loose curl spilled over her eye, ruining the perfectly coiffed look. He liked it far too much. Reaching up, he found another pin and pulled it out for her. Then another and another until all her hair spilled free. Pru laughed and shook her hair so that it was a wild jungle of curls about her face.
“Oh goodness, you have no idea how good that feels.”
“It looks good.”
She lifted a brow. “I very much doubt that.”
“No...it does.” It looked so bloody good that his throat was tight and his body had heated with need. Yes, she looked wild and messy and not at all like a proper lady, but with laughter in her eyes and on her lips, she was irresistible.
Seth pushed the tangle of curls back from her face and froze when his fingers touched skin. Her eyes darkened and her lips parted—an invitation. His pulse raced through his fingertips to where he touched her, heating his skin along the way, making his breaths short and painful. He knew without hesitation that the only thing that would end his agony would be to kiss her.
He leaned in, her lids fluttered closed. She lifted her face to his. Seth cast his gaze over her, his heart in his throat, savoring the moment that the indomitable Pru Hastings offered herself to him.
The gentle strain of soprano notes flitted through the air. Pru opened her eyes. “Oh, it’s Mrs. Simmons!” She raced over to the windows and pressed her palms against them.
Seth remained where he was for a moment, slightly bent, ready to kiss her. He smirked to himself and straightened. Well, at least the opera singer had saved him from making a complete idiot of himself. He looked over to Pru, whose eyes were wide with wonder, and her nose was practically pressed against the glass like a child outside a toy shop.
He came to her side. “Shall we go in so you can see her better?”
She shook her head vigorously. “I like it here. It’s like we are having a private audience.”
He couldn’t help but smile at the wild-haired female. What a woman she was. He would not have minded kissing her, not one jot, but Pru Hastings was something different—someone different. She deserved much more than a man like him.
From now on, he’d have to keep his lips to himself. No matter how crazy she drove him.
Chapter Ten
PRUDENCE SUCCESSFULLY hustled the dogs into the drawing room and shut the door behind them. A riot of barking and scratching at the door increased when the butler let Seth into the hallway.
She peered at him and took in his appearance with a frown. “I thought we were to meet at the library?”
“I decided we could do with a break.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Put on a thick coat. And you may wish to change your shoes. I’m taking you to Hanbury Hall.”
The name of the house was familiar. It took her a moment to realize it was one of his family’s many estates. She supposed that explained his country attire. “But—”
“For once in your life, Pru, do not argue with me.”
Though arguments burned on her tongue, she held them back. She was not certain why but she did not have it in her to fight with the man. Not after weeks of researching and being in close quarters and learning more about him than she had ever known about someone who was not family. It was hard, exhausting, and frustrating, especially after that near kiss.
It was also the most fun she’d ever had. Her friendship with Seth—at least she hoped it could be called that—was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. He made every day different.
“Oh...” She sighed. “Very well then.” She wagged a finger at him. “But do not blame me when we run out of time to fix your situation.”
“One day will not hurt—not at the rate you read through books.”
She didn’t argue with him about that either, mostly because she did not wish to let him know quite how hopeless she was feeling at this point. So far, they had come across little that would help him, and he only had another three weeks to find an answer or else he would have to get engaged.
Pressing a fist against the pain in her stomach that conjured itself every time she considered him marrying some beautiful Society lady, she turned and headed upstairs to change. She mimicked his clothing and donned a thick riding habit and boots. Who knew what they would do there, but she imagined there would be horses. Really she should have demanded more knowledge but she trusted Seth.
She clapped hands to either side of her face. Lord, she really did trust the man. More than almost anyone. It was entirely illogical to trust such a man but she could not help feel she knew him—better than the women who flirted with him or made eyes at him over their fans. Better than the male acquaintances who approached him as though he were a god amongst men. There was no need for pretenses between them. After all, he was not trying to seduce her and she had volunteered her help.
Despite that near kiss. Whatever that was, she could not say. A mistake from him, most likely. Maybe he forgot who he was. Or perhaps he was frustrated because he had spent so little time with the opposite sex of late.
She knew well enough that he would not consider her the opposite sex. Who would when compared to the beautiful women of the ton?
Pru gave her reflection a quick stern look just to remind herself to stop being silly. She did not need a man’s attention to be fulfilled, and she never would. For now, she would enjoy his company and all that she was learning in their research.
Yes, excellent. She nodded to herself and straightened her shoulders. No silliness, and no being illogical, that was all she needed to do.
She met Seth downstairs, and she lifted her arms. “Will I do?”
He nodded with a grin. “You will indeed.”
He led her out to the carriage that gleamed under the late morning sun and offered a hand. She made a show of glancing around and pretending not to see it then climbing in unaided. She avoided his gaze until he sat opposite her so she had little idea if he’d noticed her deliberate dismissal.
Prudence narrowed her gaze at his wide smile as he tapped the roof of the carriage and they set off. “You are awfully relaxed for someone who might be forced into marriage within three weeks.”
“Perhaps I just have faith in you.”
She arched a brow. “We have found nothing of substance yet. If I were you, I would be preparing an alternate plan.”
His lips tilted. “Are you giving up on me, Pru?”
“Never.” She twined her gloved hands together and eyed them. “I just cannot understand how you can be so calm.”
He leaned back against the carriage seat, drawing her attention to the length of his body. A little quiver signaled in her stomach and she pressed her joined hands to it in a bid to quell said quiver.
“There is little point in me panicking yet. We have three weeks, and we only need to find that one thing to challenge the will.” He looped his fingers together and put them behind his head. “And I have the greatest legal mind in the country on my side.”
She pinched her lips at this description. She was not the greatest legal mind. And at the rate they were going, she would not be able to help him, and she was not certain he would think so highly of her if she could not. This day away from the library was reckless and she shouldn’t have agreed to it.
“We should be studying,” she muttered.
“Even great minds like yours need rest, Pru.” He removed his hands from behind his head and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees to fix her with his gaze. “You have been researching almost every damned day since I met you. If I broke you, I’d never forgive myself.”
A laugh escaped her. “I cannot be broken by mere research.”
“Well, I for one am not willing to risk it.” His eyes crinkled in the corners.
She rolled her eyes. “You are being overdramatic.”
“We are taking the day off, just accept it.”
Settling back into the chair, she watched the town give way to countryside. She supposed one day would not hurt. So long as she managed to keep her head around Seth.
Gentle green hills punctuated by great swathes of evergreen trees passed by them until they reached land surrounded by a cream stone wall.
“Your brother’s estate?”
Seth nodded. “It’s our preferred one. Closest to London and all that.”
They stopped by the gatehouse and the driver had a quick conversation with someone there then they rolled down a long road lined with oak trees. The house was visible even from the end of the road—an elegant square building surrounded by columns. No doubt it was not as big as the family seat but the house was sizeable and attractive.
“It’s lovely,” she commented.
Seth smiled. “It’s my favorite. Not just because of the proximity to London but because it’s the most practical of the houses. It hasn’t had much work done to it in the past fifty or so years so the layout is nice and simple.” He indicated to the house. “One great big square with a courtyard in the middle.”
“Funny, I would have thought you might appreciate modernization.”
He shook his head. “Why prettify something when it does not need it?” His gaze bore into hers, making her frown. Was he trying to tell her something else?
“What of your family seat? Is that very modern?” she asked quickly—an attempt to ease the tension thickening the air in the vehicle.
He nodded. “My brother has done nothing to it. As I told you, his wife left him in rather dire straits. But my father added to it, as did his father.” He shook his head. “That’s the problem with these buildings. Each man has a different vision and they all get muddled together and built on top of one another. I’d rather these buildings be left as they were.”
“Oh, so you would rather it was some draughty medieval castle perhaps?”
He chuckled. “Very well, I do not mind some modernisms.”
The carriage drew up in front of the house and came to a stop. “You are quite surprising sometimes, Seth,” she commented.
“Good. I would so hate to be predictable.” He offered her a hand and she took it, her guard completely forgotten.
Blast. His fingers were strong and supporting around hers, clasping them ever-so-perfectly. She imagined they would feel that way no matter where they touched—on her face, her body... She drew in a shaky breath and slipped her fingers out of his to hold her hat while she looked up at the building.
“Do you need some refreshments after the journey?”
Prudence shook her head. “No, it was not that long.” She peered around them, taking in the expanse of land that stretched away from the building.
“I shall show you the house shortly, but there’s something I want you to see first.”
She folded her arms. “You are being very mysterious.”
He took her hand. Without thinking, she hooked her fingers between his. It felt too perfectly right, and even if she wanted to escape his hold, it was impossible. He dragged her away from the house with such enthusiasm and speed that she couldn’t keep herself from laughing in between trying to keep up with him.
“Slow down,” she protested with a grin. “Wherever it is you are taking me, I am certain it will not vanish today.”
He stopped and smiled. “We’re nearly there anyway. Just over this ridge.” Slowing the pace, he led her over the rise in the land and came to a stop.
Pru gasped. Eyes wide, she took in the sight of what had to be an ancient medieval fortification. There was not a lot of it left but it sat on a slightly raised mound and one side gave away that it must have been a castle, its wide base and gray thick stones leading up past an arrow slit before ending unceremoniously in a wave of broken stones. Around it, there were signs that it must have been a sizable castle, but the only evidence was a few squares of gray, embedded into the grass.
“You have a castle,” she breathed. “Your very own castle.”
Seth nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “It’s been here since the twelfth century, we believe. It was pulled down by Cromwell during the civil war.”
“That awful man,” she muttered. “He has a lot to answer for. I would wager it was quite the fortress before that.”
Seth nodded and offered his hand again. “Shall we take a closer look?”
“Certainly.”
She let him lead her down the slope to the ditch surrounding the castle then up again. He released her hand so she could place a palm against the huge stones.
“Does it not fascinate you that they could create such buildings back then?” She motioned. “Just look at the thickness of the walls.”
“It always did. Believe it or not, I spent quite some time looking into the history of this castle when I was a boy.”
Prudence tilted her head and eyed him. The Prudence who knew of him might not have done but the Prudence who knew him now was not at all surprised. Seth was no fool. He might not have her brain for numbers or facts but there were many hidden depths to him, and she was grateful to have come to know him properly.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she murmured. She felt her cheeks beginning to heat and glanced away.
It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her. Few shared her interest in medieval history, and even fewer wished to indulge it. The mere fact a man like Seth had taken note of her interest meant more than she could say.
“Come, let me show you the well. It’s nearly fifty-feet deep, and apparently a man fell to his death there in the thirteenth century.”
She laughed. “You tell me the nicest stories.”
He took her hand and they walked around the perimeter then stepped over the stones toward the remnants of the well. “Careful.” He looped an arm around her waist. “There, now look over.”
Prudence peered down into the dark depths, finally spotting the bottom. She narrowed her gaze. “Is that a ball down there?”
He chuckled. “That may have been mine and Theo’s. We were not meant to play here, but how many young boys could resist playing in such a place?”
“I certainly would not have been able to.” She twisted in his arms to look at him and stilled. His body was firm against hers, his arm solid about her waist. The air left her lungs. Suddenly, her surroundings vanished—a blur of background against which stood this man. This amazing, remarkable man who was so much more than a mere rake. A man who was too kind for his own good. At this rate, she was going to fall for him, and what a foolish thing that would be.
She swallowed hard and dropped her gaze to her feet. “You...you can release me now.”
“What...” His voice was gritty. “What if I do not wish to?”
She lifted her gaze to his. She hardly counted herself as an expert on men, but she could swear that was desire there. It did not make sense. Why would he desire her? She did all she could to be undesirable to men—to pass their notice. Yet, somehow, this man had noticed her.
“I—”
“Pru, I’m going to kiss you.” He lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. “Do you mind if I do?”
Oh Lord. Yes, yes, yes, she wanted to scream, but her voice failed her. Instead, she nodded.
He lowered his mouth to hers with unbearable slowness. His gaze dug into hers before he closed his eyes. Prudence shut hers too and waited for the warmth of his lips. He caressed her mouth softly, the touch of his mouth sending a swirl of pleasure right through the center of her.
“Pru,” he murmured before pressing the kiss deeper, urging her mouth open and touching her tongue with his.
Heat rolled through her. She clung onto him, digging her fingers into his shoulders then pressed them up until they twined in his silky hair. She urged him closer and he gave her all he could, kissing her until her legs trembled and her breaths came in ragged gasps.
When he finally drew away and sucked in a breath of his own, he grinned down at her, keeping her close.
“If we stay here, I fear I may not remain a gentleman.” He indicated back toward the house. “Perhaps we should go for some tea where there are servants to keep me in check.”
Prudence nodded, but there was a part of her—a large part of her—that wanted to stay. For the first time in many, many years, she desired a man. So much of her wanted to see where it would lead. But could she really risk opening herself up to him? What if she fell too deep? He could hurt her easily. All she needed to do was look at his history. It wasn’t logical to desire Seth Templeton.
He took her hand, smiled at her, and led her back down the hill. How she remained standing on such weak knees she did not know. Unfortunately, her body wasn’t listening to logic.
Chapter Eleven
