A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

Author:Mary Balogh [Balogh, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-440-33899-4
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 1993-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

SIR GERALD WAS in his study with a tenant farmer who had arrived after breakfast agitated by some grievance. The Earl of Severn waited for his host to be free so that he could take his leave.

“Well, Prissy,” he said, when she would have withdrawn quietly from the breakfast room, “you must take a stroll with me in the formal gardens, if you please. I have been meaning to get you to name all the individual flowers to me. Flowers are just flowers to me, I am afraid. But I am sure you know all their names and natures. Will you take my arm?”

She took it and smiled fleetingly up at him.

“I have been pleased to make your acquaintance in the past week or so,” he said, leading her down the steps and across the terrace to the formal gardens. “Gerald is a fortunate man. And I must apologize again for what happened three days ago. It was very largely my fault since I would not let you escape. I should have noticed sooner than I did that all three of them were thoroughly foxed.”

“It was Gerald who told me I was not to go to the conservatory, my lord,” she said. “I always obey Gerald.”

“Do you?” he said. “I envy him, Prissy. I wish I could find another such as you.”

She darted a glance up at him.

“You worked at Kit’s,” he said. “For how long?”

“For four months,” she said quietly.

“And have been with Gerald for almost as many more,” he said. “You were very upset with what Ramsay said, Prissy, and I don’t blame you. I am sure Gerald must have spoken with you on the matter and reassured you, but let me add my own assurances. You must not let yourself be dragged down by the vulgarity of a man far your inferior.”

“Mr. Ramsay?” she said.

“The Honorable Mr. Ramsay, actually,” he said. “Very far your inferior, Prissy. The words ‘whore’ and ‘mistress’ and all the other synonyms for them are only labels, you know. The person wearing those labels can sometimes transcend them. You do, very much so.”

She swallowed. “Thank you,” she said. “You are kind. But I am not easily crushed, my lord. When I entered into my profession, I did so deliberately and even with some pride. I know what I am. I also know who I am, and the two are not the same at all.”

He smiled and patted her hand. “I have been to Kit’s myself on a number of occasions,” he said, “and only found an hour’s entertainment. Gerald was more fortunate. Far more fortunate. He went there and found a very precious little jewel. I am glad to know that, Prissy—that who you are is so much more important than what you are.”

“Gerald is waiting for you,” she said. “And your carriage is coming from the stables.”

“Ah,” he said, looking back toward the terrace, “it is time for me to leave. No, you shall not slip your hand from my arm and melt into the background, Prissy.

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