in case the newest member of our family decides to arrive early, and William needs someone to catch.”
Prudence could not help but smile. William was a wonderful older brother, caring, considerate, concerned. But at over a decade older than her, he was more a father than a sibling.
John, on the other hand, was exactly what a brother ought to be. Irreverent, mischievous, and teasing, he was nonetheless loyal. If only he could sort out that misunderstanding with Miss Darby, Prudence was sure he would be truly happy.
“I had forgotten,” she admitted.
She should go, really. They were the family of these parts, and it would be scandalous if none of them went to the Christmas Eve service. But if William, Charlotte, and John were already going…
Alexander would be going, of course. He would lose no time in ingratiating himself with more of the Pendle residents. Her smile disappeared as she considered the change in him she could no longer ignore.
The Alexander she knew would never bring up money in conversation. He would not haggle over the price of everything, and then proudly tell all those around him.
What had changed in the last year?
“Well? Are you coming?”
Prudence was startled by John’s question and spoke instinctively. “No, I think I will stay here.”
John waggled his eyebrows. “What, and invite great disapproval from our guest? I’m sure his Reverence is joining us.”
It was tempting to acquiesce just to see Alexander again, but Prudence forced herself to stick to her initial decision. Attending church on Christmas Eve just to impress him was not a good enough reason to go–and the drawing room was warm and cozy.
“You go on, I am staying here,” she repeated.
Her brother leaned against the doorframe. “My my, what will our resident vicar say?”
It was impossible not to blush as she replied, “Why should I care? I am comfortable where I am, and it will be freezing, coming back from the service. You go and befriend ‘our resident vicar’ if it means that much to you.”
Every word was spoken as nonchalantly as she could manage, but she was already starting to regret her decision. Perhaps Alexander would see her differently if she attended church–but no. he was going to kiss her under the mistletoe, a proper kiss, then she wanted it to be for herself as she was.
“Boo to you,” said John cheerfully. “See you later, then.”
The door closed behind him.
Prudence sighed. Alexander. He utterly overwhelmed her thoughts, preventing her from thinking of anything else.
The Alexander Michaels she had known had disappeared. The gentleman staying with them was a man more focused on money than anyone she had ever known.
He was different. Wealth was all he seemed to talk about. When they had been younger, before titles and riches had fallen into her brothers’ laps, she was sure they probably talked about money all the time. William had been a major in the Army, John had started to follow in his footsteps, and their wages had kept her and Honora in school, she knew.
Had she changed that much, then? Perhaps it was not Alexander who was different, but all of them. The Lennoxes.
Prudence fiddled with the pages. It was possible, she supposed, to speak about money in a socially acceptable way–but Alexander did not seem to know it. It was all he spoke about, and if she were truly honest with herself, it was…well.
Starting to become unattractive.
Shame rushed through her mind at the unkind thought. It was easy for her. She had been so young, just twelve or thirteen, when William had ascended to the dukedom out of the blue. He had told her they had never starved before then, but it was nothing to the riches they now enjoyed at Pendle Hall.
If she could just concentrate on her book, the time would disappear, and they would all be back. Alexander would be back.
Prudence spent a fruitless hour attempting to reach the end of the chapter, but it was impossible. The words simply did not want to stay still on the page long enough to absorb them, and as the clocks chimed five o’clock, she finally placed it down on the table beside her.
Perhaps it would be best if she retired upstairs to change for dinner. It would not be long, surely, until they would all return from church.
Just as she made up her mind, the door opened, and Alexander stepped through.
Obviously startled, he shut the door behind him and stammered, “M-My apologies, Lady Prudence. I believed the family had all gone