The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,25
to do that for so long. I did not know what it was like to ache for someone, but I know now.”
“I’ve felt the same,” Prudence said quietly.
“May I continue to kiss you? I will stop if you want me to.”
Prudence groaned and pulled him to her lips. Laughing and wrapping his arms around her waist once more, he quietly proceeded to make it the most enjoyable carriage ride either had ever shared.
If the coachman noticed slightly dishevelled passengers alighting from the carriage, it was nothing new to him. If the butler noticed the flushed cheeks of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Prudence, he wouldn’t mention it to any other member of staff, old romantic that he was.
As a result, both Fitzwilliam and Prudence reached their respective bedchambers, one flopping against the door, the other onto her bed, both experiencing jubilant but confusing emotions at their day out.
*
Walking through the long gallery the following morning, Prudence was grabbed from behind and swung around until she was facing Fitzwilliam.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Fitzwilliam said, landing a kiss on her lips. “How are you this fine morning?”
Prudence laughed and snaked her arms around his neck. “All the better for seeing you. Although I should ask if you regularly accost young women when they least expect it?”
“Only the ones who fill my dreams with their kisses.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, you do say the sweetest things,” Prudence groaned.
“You say that as if it’s a bad thing,” Fitzwilliam answered, kissing her again.
Putting her hands on his chest to stay him, Prudence shook her head at him. “We cannot do this.”
“Why not?”
“I’ll be thrown out if we are discovered.”
“I’ll follow you.”
“You are nonsensical sometimes,” Prudence laughed at him.
“I want to experience as many of your kisses as possible. Is that wrong?”
“I’m no lightskirt,” Prudence said, a little cruelly because she knew without doubt Fitzwilliam would not be so disrespectful towards her, but it had to be said.
Fitzwilliam stepped back. “Is that what you think I’m trying to do? Offer you a carte blanche?”
“I just wanted to make it clear that I’m not a woman of easy virtue. I have never kissed anyone before.”
“What? Not even the most handsome man in the mill?” Fitzwilliam teased.
Prudence punched him in the arm. “Just because I’m unkissed does not mean I haven’t been courted or offered marriage.”
Her words immediately doused the humour in Fitzwilliam’s expression. “Have you? By whom?”
Shaking her head at him, she asked, “Fitzwilliam, do you know how arrogant and presumptuous you’ve been?”
“No. I―”
“Yes. You have,” Prudence interrupted. “It’s a good thing I like you, for I could box your ears. I really could.”
“Sorry. But it is not my fault. Truly.”
“And whose fault is it, pray tell?”
“Yours.”
“Mine?” Prudence spluttered.
“Yesterday, I admitted that I ached for you, which I’ve never done with anyone else. I would just like to reiterate that, and today you’ve made me as jealous as a young fop with his first infatuation,” Fitzwilliam admitted.
“You are truly ridiculous.”
“But loveable with it?”
“Perhaps a little.”
“That will do for me.” Fitzwilliam didn’t wait for any further response; he took Prudence in his arms once more and showed her, without words, just how loveable he could be.
When they eventually separated, both were flushed and breathless.
“This must stop,” Prudence said. “And this time I am being serious.”
“Why?”
“What happens if we are caught, Fitzwilliam? Can you see yourself living in Manchester with me? For I promise you this, I won’t ever live in London,” Prudence said. “Do you want to risk compromising me if that is the consequence?”
Fitzwilliam paled. He had been playing a dangerous game. They were still strangers really, and Prudence could demand he marry her. He hadn’t been thinking sensibly, just reacting to her. He should have thought of the consequences earlier. He was a fool. “I suppose I already have compromised you.”
“Don’t be silly. We have both enjoyed the kisses. They were something we both wanted. But I cannot risk any further foolishness. I won’t bring any shame onto my father. He is most precious to me,” Prudence explained reluctantly.
“Of course not. I am sorry, Prudence. I acted the cad.”
“That is the first time you’ve ever used my given name.” Prudence smiled, lightening the mood. “Come. We can put it down to a pleasurable experience, a moment of madness. But we shall still be the best of friends, won’t we?”
“You will be a most treasured one to me,” Fitzwilliam said honestly.
“Good. We can go on as we were before,” Prudence said, but there was a little less light in her eyes than