The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,54
house when out on my own.”
“It would be my pleasure to show you a little of Stretford,” Prudence said, but the look she shot her father spoke volumes that politeness prevented her words doing.
Chapter 18
Fitzwilliam handed Prudence into the gig they were to take out. It was pulled by two fine-looking chestnuts that Prudence had made a fuss of when she left the house. Settling onto the seat, she handed the reins to Fitzwilliam when he climbed nimbly onto his side.
“Really?” he asked in surprise.
“I know what you cavalry officers are like, remember? I shall direct, but you may drive,” Prudence said.
“I was looking forward to sitting back and criticising,” Fitzwilliam admitted.
“Brute. Fortunately for me, I am one step ahead of you!”
“Always, it would seem.”
They drove in silence for a while, enjoying being outside. Prudence pointed out sites of interest, but both were fully aware of wishing to enjoy their time together. Eventually they came to a halt at the river side.
“I admit I did not expect to see such a beautiful area after travelling into the city centre when I visited the mills. It’s like a different world, yet it is so close,” Fitzwilliam said.
“You haven’t seen the city in one of the fogs or the rain. It can be very bleak, but here we do not get the same smog. Father says it is something to do with the wind direction caused by the Pennine Hills. I have no idea if that is true, but we do seem to be more sheltered here.”
“It is lovely. I wish I had more time to explore the surrounding area. One thing this trip has taught me is that I need to explore this country a little more. I have seen more of the continent than I have of my own country, and I need to remedy that.”
“You cannot be criticised about not exploring England when you were serving your King and country against Napoleon.”
“No. I suppose not. It’s strange. When I left Oxford, I was completely sure that the cavalry was the only thing I wanted to do. I had the urge to make a difference, to serve my country and be around the finest horseflesh at the same time. It suited me down to the ground. But these last few months have made me consider that it is perhaps time I was looking for another occupation.”
“Really?” Prudence was stunned at his words and turned towards him. “I thought you loved the cavalry?”
“I do. Being on active duty and around my men and horses all day isn’t like work for me. Oh, the battles are not pleasurable obviously, and the nightmares of those I suppose I will carry with me forever. But does it make sense to say everything aside from the active service is like being a part of one large, welcoming family? Even then, we are working together to try to keep each other alive as well as ourselves,” Fitzwilliam explained.
“I can understand the feelings of belonging. I thought I could fit in anywhere. Arrogant of me, I know,” Prudence said. “But being at Rosings showed me that my home is around these parts, and there are areas of society in which I would not be comfortable. I admit the realisation took me aback a little.”
It was Fitzwilliam’s turn to look surprised. “You seemed perfectly comfortable even though you were treated so ill. In fact, I never once thought you appeared out of place.”
“I was treated like a member of staff, and Lady Catherine would point out that it was no surprise that I seemed to fit in!” Prudence said. “If that was my being treated ill, surely it means the poor companion who I replaced is also treated poorly?”
“I think she probably is. Something else we have to be ashamed of — that we stood by and let the poor woman be put through goodness knows what by our aunt.”
“Your ― our — family is likely not very different from many others of the aristocracy,” Prudence said.
“It does not make it right though, does it? I know I for one will be reflecting on my behaviour towards others in the future.”
Prudence smiled at him. “Our aunt will be accusing you of being influenced by the working masses.”
“We could take a leaf out of their book. Talking of my aunt, I have been thinking I should depart tomorrow. I need to call on Darcy to inform him of what has been happening and what needs to take place and