The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,37

short amount of time, she had wondered when still at Rosings. Now she wondered how she could possibly still be repining over his loss.

Withdrawing with the ladies after everyone had enjoyed a sumptuous meal, Prudence was approached by another daughter of a mill owner, a Miss Selina Beauchamp.

“Miss Bamber, we missed you at last month’s assembly,” Selina said with a smile.

“I’m sure you were very well entertained,” Prudence said politely. She had never really liked Selina, always sensing an unfriendly undercurrent from the young woman. “But I shall be at the next.”

“Glad to hear it. We thought you might have had your head turned by one of your fine relatives and decided to stay with them.”

“We are both Manchester girls. I would as likely leave as you would.”

“I would leave without a glance backwards,” Selina said with a slight note of derision as she looked around the room with an expression of disdain. “I certainly do not see my future amongst the grime of Manchester.”

“That is the same place that has given us our fortunes and lifestyle,” Prudence pointed out.

“The same way the aristocracy made their money in the sugar plantations, but you do not see many of them living there.”

Prudence had to acknowledge her comment. “Are you hoping to marry someone from outside our circle?”

“Aren’t we all?”

“To be fair, I had not given it any serious consideration,” Prudence said. She fiddled with her skirt, not wishing to reveal any of her feelings on what, or who, had changed her mind about the married state.

“I shan’t be staying in this area. The first opportunity I get, I shall be gone.”

“I was recently told that, by our age, the aristocracy would consider us on the shelf, confirmed spinsters,” Prudence pointed out.

“One can buy anything with money. Especially a husband. I am to travel in the Spring, and I will never return.” Selina stood and started to walk away. “I’d advise you to do the same, Miss Bamber. You are a little older than I, and it is beginning to show.”

Prudence could have laughed at Selina, but at that moment, a touch of her elbow notified her that the butler wished to speak to her discreetly.

“Miss Bamber, there is a gentleman wishing to speak to you. I suggested he call back in the morning, but he has asked could he sleep in the servant’s quarters. I would normally send him away under no doubt of my opinion of his impertinence, but he says he is from Rosings Park.”

“From Rosings?” Prudence asked, her colour rising. “And what is his name?”

“Mr. Huxley.”

Chapter 13

Prudence immediately approached a Mrs. Warburton, one of the older ladies of her acquaintance and a trusted friend. “Would I ask too much if I asked you to organise the dancing once the gentlemen join the ladies? I have an unexpected visitor from my aunt’s home, and I need to speak with him,” she quietly explained.

“Of course, my dear. You do what you need to do, and I shall take control here. Will your father be joining you?”

“Not at this stage,” Prudence said. “I shall send for him if I need to.”

“I hope everything is well, but don’t worry about us. We shall entertain ourselves.”

“Thank you,” Prudence said, before unobtrusively leaving the room. She followed her butler into the small morning room where Mr. Huxley stood by a sofa, looking uncomfortable. He gripped his hat tightly in his hands, and he looked travel weary and tired.

Prudence nodded dismissal to the butler, who closed the door behind him when he left the room. Only then did Prudence break the silence.

“Mr. Huxley! Are my aunt and cousin well?”

“They are Miss Bamber. Perfectly well when I left them. Well mostly,” Mr. Huxley gabbled.

“Please. Be seated. You look fit to drop. Let me get you a glass of brandy, and you can tell me what is happening. You are clearly out of sorts.” Prudence was business-like, approaching a side cabinet and opening it to reveal glasses and three decanters of dark liquid. Filling a glass, she approached Mr. Huxley and handed him the drink.

“Thank you, Miss Bamber. It’s been a heck of a few days,” the weary man said, taking a large gulp.

“Tell me everything,” Prudence instructed, sitting opposite him.

“I have been dismissed from Rosings without a reference. Without anything apart from the clothes I stand up in actually.”

“What? No! What happened?”

“I was foolish, Miss. I’ll own my stupidity in the situation. I replaced you in taking Miss Anne out every morning through the parkland. We