Misadventures in Seduction by Robyn DeHart

Author:Robyn DeHart
Language: eng, eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Regency England;Regency romance;historical romance;Regency spies;masquerading mistresses;entangled publishing;entangled scandalous;robyn dehart
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Scandalous)
Published: 2014-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Prudence had never really had any close friends, but six hours later, as Emma fussed about with Prudence’s hair, she realized with sharp clarity how much she’d been missing. Since the death of her parents, it had been her all-encompassing job to care for her siblings. To make certain that Astrid and Constance knew all the ways in which to be a proper lady. To ensure that Jefferson grew to be a kind and honorable gentleman. And to be the only mother that sweet Matilda had ever known. Prudence had given up on having a life of her own a long time ago. Most of the time, she resigned herself to the lot she’d been dealt. She loved her family. But she wanted a lot more for her sisters. Wanted them to find suitable husbands so that they could want for nothing. Wanted Jefferson to grow into a fine man, just as their father had been.

“I can almost hear your mind thinking,” Emma said gently.

Prudence smiled. “Merely woolgathering, nothing too exciting.”

“You are lovely.” Emma moved out of the way and gave Prudence an open view at the looking glass.

The silk crimson gown enhanced the fairness of her complexion and brought out the natural rosiness of her lips. The wide neckline revealed more cleavage than she was accustomed to showing, but she’d be a liar if she said it didn’t make her feel desirable. A satin ribbon in a shade darker than the dress tied beneath her breasts.

Emma had also configured Prudence’s dark locks into a masterful coiffure. The result of the gown and hair was that she appeared far more sophisticated than she felt.

Prudence didn’t wear such gowns even though she well knew they were at the height of fashion. She saved all their extra monies for her sisters’ clothes, as she was perfectly comfortable wearing something more modest and less eye-catching. But there would be no hiding tonight. She would be on the Duke of Sutcliffe’s arm, and everyone was certain to notice.

“Now then, since you have not had all the training, I want to explain a few things to you,” Emma said.

“Harrison gave me something to read and showed me, well…”

Emma’s brows rose. “Indeed. Well, we can’t be too prepared.” She pulled Prudence’s skirt up to her thigh and secured a thin, sheathed blade into the top of her stocking. “This is for emergencies. If you are in danger, don’t hesitate to use it.” She placed another dagger on the dressing table.

Prudence shook her head. “I wouldn’t even know how or where—”

“It won’t matter where you stab. The blade is sharp enough that even if it doesn’t cause too much damage, it will cause enough pain to give you a moment to get away.”

In that instant, the real danger of the situation fell onto Prudence. This was what her brother had lived every day. “I never knew. I had no notion of what all of this was about, what my brother dealt with.”

Emma squeezed her hand. “He was a good man.

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