All I Want by Lynsay Sands

Author:Lynsay Sands [Lynsay Sands]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780062106797
Publisher: HarperCollins US
Published: 2001-07-09T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

“Poisoning the punch, are we?”

Dropping the dipper in the punch bowl, Prudence whirled to find the owner of that silky voice, eyes wary as she met Lord Stockton’s mocking gaze. She hadn’t seen the man since the night of the little accident at his club. Well, all right, the night she had poisoned his patrons. Which had been two nights ago. Pru had considered sending him a letter of apology explaining the situation, but had decided against it, thinking that such an apology really should be given in person. But here was her chance, and she wished she had sent him a letter. Or that she had refused to allow Eleanore to talk her into coming tonight. Forcing Prudence to attend her mother’s ball had been Ellie’s attempt to cheer her friend and distract her from the Prescott family’s mounting bills.

Prudence was neither distracted nor cheered. She was terribly conscious of the fact that she was wearing a borrowed gown, and nothing could make her forget the subtle snubs she was receiving, or the fact that no one had asked her to dance.

“You have yet to answer my question,” Stephen said, drawing her attention back to him. “Are you poisoning the punch? I ask only because I should like to know if you are out to torment all of the ton for your father’s misdeeds, or are concentrating solely on ruining me.”

Catching the startled glances being cast at them and the way people around the punch bowl were suddenly setting down their empty glasses, Prudence forced a stiff chuckle. “Oh, my lord, you are such a wit. But you should not jest like that or people might truly believe that I would do such a thing.”

“The ones who suffered so foully at my club the other night, thanks to your poisoning, would have no trouble believing—”

Prudence cut him off by grabbing his arm, jerking him away from the table of refreshments and toward the balcony doors. She had no delusions about her strength. The only reason she managed to drag him out of the ballroom was because he let her. Since it suited her needs at the moment, she could only be grateful for his docility.

Prudence pulled him outside, shivered as the winter chill struck her skin, then led him along the wall of glass doors until they reached those leading into Lord Kindersley’s office. Ellie’s father didn’t like anyone in there, but it was too cold to stay outside, and she needed privacy for this confrontation.

“So, what plans have you for tonight?” Stephen asked as she entered the gloomy room and turned to face him. “You have already both started a riot and poisoned a large crowd. Perhaps you intend to start a fire to roast all of—”

“Please stop,” Prudence said wearily. She was not surprised by his irritation, but with all the troubles plaguing her, did not have the energy to fend it off. “I did not intend to start that riot. I was attempting to protect one of your serving women from a rather nasty client of yours.

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