The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,31
old friend, Mrs. Beattie has been looking for a companion for her mother. The lady is of a peculiar nature, so needs someone with a strong character who can be caregiver and offer guidance when necessary. I have been in communication with Mrs. Beattie, and she agrees that you sound like the perfect person for the role,” Lady Catherine said very pleased with herself.
“Me? I thank you, but as I have mentioned in previous conversations, I am not looking for a role of any kind,” Prudence said, her tone stiff.
“Nonsense, child,” Lady Catherine waved her hand in dismissal. “It is the perfect position with a good family.”
“Can I ask, apart from giving me the chamber of the previous companion you employed, what has given you the impression that I seek such a role?” Prudence asked.
“You’ve been placed in a servant’s chamber?” Fitzwilliam asked in astonishment.
“It was the most suitable room for her,” Lady Catherine said to her nephew, but even Darcy had looked astounded at Prudence’s words.
“As the poor relation,” Prudence offered, fire in her eyes, her mouth in a grim line.
“I have taken you in out of the goodness of my heart.”
“To replace a servant. You’ve managed to presume I am a poor relation yet not paid me when I have stepped into a servant’s role,” Prudence pointed out, but then she turned to Anne. “But do not think I begrudge a moment spent in your company, Cousin. I have loved spending time with you. You are a darling and already very dear to me.”
“As you are to me,” Anne confessed.
“Thank you.”
“This is stupidity. You have been welcomed into my home as my nephews have been.”
“Have you ever interfered in their lives without them seeking your help?”
“Yes,” Fitzwilliam responded, unable to stop the glare aimed in his aunt’s direction. “Well, you did with Darcy.”
Prudence turned to him. “Our cousin apparently stood up for his own wishes in that instance, did he not? And yet you haven’t expressed your wishes to our aunt, have you Fitzwilliam? You faced the French numerous times, but when it came down to it, you did not fight for what you wanted, did you? Or was it a dalliance to entertain you while you rusticated?”
“An alliance with you? Of course he wasn’t serious about a liaison with you, child! Be serious! As if there could be a match between you,” Lady Catherine interjected before Fitzwilliam had time to respond.
Prudence stood. “Thank you for your hospitality. I shall be leaving within the hour. Please allow me to take your carriage to Westerham and from there I shall make my own way home.”
“Prudence, no!” Fitzwilliam said headedly. “You cannot travel to Manchester alone.”
“Why not? I have managed without a maid whilst I have been here, apart from when Anne was kind enough to share her own maid. I have not had the courtesy of being offered an escort on any of my outings whilst in residence, so why should this be different? After all, I come from the cotton mills, remember? We are made of sturdy stuff and can only aspire to become a companion, and that is if I am lucky,” Prudence said with derision.
“Ungrateful, insolent girl! Don’t think I shall be opening my home to you again!” Lady Catherine exclaimed.
“I would never accept an invitation from a woman so meddlesome and presumptuous as yourself, madam,” Prudence said.
“I think you’ve said enough,” Darcy cautioned.
Prudence turned to Darcy, her eyes flashing. “You are probably right, Cousin, but I am going to continue nonetheless,” Prudence snapped. “How dare you come here and interfere with something that had nothing to do with you and you knew very little about! What gave you the right to interfere with something that was none of your concern? And you must have known that you could not possibly have had all of the details?”
“I knew all I needed to know,” Darcy responded at his most quelling.
“Oh, you did, did you?” Prudence mocked. She gripped the back of a chair for support for she was shaking with anger. “Yesterday I was going to speak to Fitzwilliam and tell him the truth of my background. You see, my father, in his innocence, did not want me to appear gauche or at a disadvantage when I first arrived, so he was not honest about my situation. He is astute enough to be aware that the aristocracy does not like to hear about success from those of us in trade.”
“Your father is a cotton worker,” Lady Catherine