The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,17

the first dance. When Fitzwilliam offered his hand to Prudence she hesitated.

“We can’t leave Anne here alone,” she said.

“Oh, yes. Of course, we can’t.”

“Please do not worry about me. I’m happy to remain here and watch the dancing,” Anne said quickly.

“It would be a poor show indeed if we left you without a companion, and I know your mother wouldn’t be happy,” Prudence said.

“I do not want to join their group, though,” Anne said quietly. “I shan’t be able to escape for the rest of the evening.”

“True,” Fitzwilliam mused, and then catching Mrs. Collins’s gaze he walked up to her and whispered in her ear. Smiling at him, Charlotte stood and walked towards Anne.

“I believe you need some company, Miss De Bourgh,” she said pleasantly, accepting the chair Fitzwilliam quickly obtained for her.

“Am I taking you away from your friends?” Anne asked.

“Not at all. My conversation isn’t required in a group of chatterboxes,” Charlotte said diplomatically. Anyone looking at the group would fail to see many interactions taking place. It seemed that Lady Catherine was, as usual, holding court with the occasional comment from Sir James.

“In that case, I shall welcome your company,” Anne said quietly.

Fitzwilliam and Prudence left the pair, Charlotte encouraging Anne to speak, whilst the dancing couple took their place in the long-ways set.

“I could not utter the words properly when at Rosings, but I must say you look beautiful tonight, Cousin,” Fitzwilliam said as they met across the set.

“You flatter me, Fitzwilliam. I’ve never had the word beautiful associated with my looks. A long Meg, or a robust woman, perhaps,” Prudence responded.

“I will not have it that those are the best compliments you’ve ever received,” Fitzwilliam said.

“You forget, I am a worker bee. We are far more focused on making a profit than wasting time on boosting one’s self-esteem.”

“Is there not time for both?”

“When Papa meets with his fellow friends, they talk business rather than pleasure. Development in the city is moving so fast there seems no time for changes to be implemented before the next one is being talked about. Perhaps we do not wish to waste a moment.”

“I’ve never considered it a waste of time, flirting with someone I like.”

“Is that what we’re doing?” Prudence asked in surprise, but although the words were unexpected, a trickle of pleasure ran through her body.

“I’d certainly like it to be. Unfortunately, you seem to be determined on a more pragmatic conversation,” Fitzwilliam smiled.

“I would not know how to start to flirt with someone,” Prudence admitted.

“Would you be willing to learn?”

Prudence flushed. “Yes. I think I would.”

Fitzwilliam raised her hand to his lips and quickly dropped a kiss onto her gloved hand. “Good. I was hoping you’d be agreeable. I am beginning to realise this might be the best visit I have ever made to Rosings.”

It was a good thing they were separated from each other in the dance because the ever-practical Prudence needed a moment to gather her thoughts. She smiled blandly at the gentleman from the next couple as he turned her in the dance sequence, but she wasn’t concentrating on him.

Fitzwilliam wanted to flirt with her. Was it a serious flirtation or just one to pass a visit that he had to endure rather than enjoy? She knew he was looking for an heiress, but he hadn’t seemed to be bothered about her background, or the little she’d told him of it.

Shaking herself inwardly, she sighed. Of course he was just funning with her. He had been clear on the type of woman he wished to marry. He didn’t consider her eligible. Why had her mind immediately raced to thoughts of marriage? She wasn’t usually so fanciful. She should just enjoy a flirtation for what it was and then forget him when his visit came to an end.

A pity then that since the moment she’d met him, she had thought of little else.

After their second dance, Fitzwilliam accompanied her into the refreshment room and obtained two glasses of lemonade for them.

“It’s as bad as attending a dance at Almack’s,” he grimaced as he drank the lemonade.

“Not a place to be rowdily drunk?” Prudence asked with a smile.

“No. The list of rules is longer than my arm, yet people are desperate to get an invite to it. Never really seen the attraction myself,” Fitzwilliam admitted. “People too full of their own importance for my liking.”

“You are a simple soul?”

“Yes. Being at war teaches you to enjoy the small things in life. When in Europe, a bed