The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,18

under cover was a luxury, or a bottle of wine bought or bartered from the locals was exquisite,” Fitzwilliam admitted.

“True. A day out in the countryside, breathing fresh air and no smog is a delightful way to spend a day for factory workers,” Prudence said. “Something the people of Kent would take for granted.”

Fitzwilliam gave her a sideways look. “Is life very hard?”

“It can be,” Prudence admitted. “It’s hard work and long hours, but some of the mill owners are good men and do not mind spending a little of their profit on the welfare of their staff. Not all mind.”

“And your employer?”

Prudence seemed to be on the verge of saying something and then changed her mind. “Mine is of the benevolent kind,” she answered.

“Good.”

“I must say, Cousin, you aren’t doing well in the flirtation stakes. This is a very serious conversation for a ballroom,” Prudence said with a laugh, changing the subject onto safer topics.

“I am losing my touch!” Fitzwilliam responded equally as lightly. “Come, I shall return you to our cousin, but I promise a better performance in the future.”

Returning to Anne, Prudence smiled on seeing Mr. Huxley talking to Anne and Charlotte. It seemed her reserved cousin was gaining a little courage, for although she was blushing beetroot red, she was answering Mr. Huxley with a smile and was animated when speaking.

Miss Goode had also returned from dancing and was talking to Charlotte. Fitzwilliam and Prudence both headed towards Charlotte, rather than Anne, each not wishing to disturb their cousin.

After introductions and niceties had been exchanged, Fitzwilliam secured Miss Goode, and they went to join the next dance. Prudence watched their progression in the cotillion with a surprising amount of envy. Miss Goode was very pretty and could clearly flirt far easier than Prudence if Fitzwilliam’s laughter were anything to go by.

“Miss Goode was telling me she’s just returned from a school in Switzerland. She seems very well travelled,” Charlotte said.

“Pretty and educated. A perfect combination,” Prudence said, glad her voice didn’t sound bitter. She couldn’t be so uncharitable against a fellow female.

“And with a healthy dowry. Sir James is convinced she will secure a fine match on her first season. They delayed her come out because she wanted to see some of the world before settling down,” Charlotte continued.

“I don’t blame her. Going from the schoolroom to a marriage seems very strange. One can have little life experience.”

“Sometimes that would be of benefit to both the husband and wife,” Charlotte responded with a smile. “Although in Miss Goode’s respect, that will not be the case.”

“I would imagine she’ll have suitors fighting over her.”

“Yes. Although Colonel Fitzwilliam could probably fix her attention if he put his mind to it, if their first meeting is any indication of how well they will get on.”

“You can’t plan a life on the basis of a first meeting!” Prudence exclaimed.

“Perhaps not, but Colonel Fitzwilliam isn’t getting any younger. He needs to make a short courtship if he wishes to secure someone like Miss Goode. Once they have reached London, there will be beaux aplenty to turn her head. He might not fare so well there.”

“If an attachment develops on both their parts, I’m sure a trip to London will not alter their affections. It wouldn’t for me.”

“Not with someone in reduced circumstances like Colonel Fitzwilliam, but for Miss Goode, she will have the pick of the ton,” Charlotte answered authoritatively.

“How depressingly fickle,” Prudence said.

Chapter 6

A knock on her bedchamber door stopped Prudence from becoming depressed from what she’d heard that evening. She couldn’t curse anyone but herself for how the evening had turned out. True, Fitzwilliam had returned to their group and danced with Charlotte and then escorted Anne and Lady Catherine into supper, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling that he’d been smitten with Miss Goode. He would not neglect his duties to his family no matter how delighted he was with the young girl.

Acknowledging the knock, she wasn’t surprised when Anne entered the room, all flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. Prudence smiled at her cousin.

“Did you see how attentive he was?” Anne asked, sitting on the edge of the chaise longue.

“I take it we are discussing Sir James towards Lady Catherine?”

“Don’t be cruel!” Anne chastised.

Prudence laughed. “Of course, I saw how attentive he was,” she said. “Our cousin thinks Aunt Catherine would never countenance a match between you. Be careful, Anne. Flirt with him, but do not have your heart broken by your mother’s wishes.”

Anne’s smile slipped. “I