To Know a Lord's Kiss by Summer Hanford

Author:Summer Hanford [Hanford, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Scarsdale Publishing, Ltd
Published: 2017-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

As Francine left the room, she thought she saw something flitter away around the corner ahead, but when they reached the spot, no one was in sight. She shrugged and glanced back. There was no sign of Lawrence. Feeling oddly bereft, though she knew he must wait for a time before following, she walked alongside her mother to the ballroom.

When they reached the crowded room, her mother stopped inside the doorway, not accompanying Francine into the fray. The giggles and sideways looks were worse than before. Trying not to meet anyone’s gaze, she brushed through the crowd, headed for the punch table. As feared, no one spoke with her, and not a single gentleman asked her to dance.

In an even crueler twist of fate, she spotted Prudence beside the punch bowl, watching her. Francine forced her feet to keep moving. What else could she do, turn and run? Instead, when she reached the other end of the long table, she waited for one of the servers to offer a cup of punch.

Cream ruffles appeared at the edge of her vision. “I danced with Lord Erwin while you were off crying. Twice.”

Francine faced Prudence, taking in her smug smile. It induced visions of clawing the look right off her face. Still, they’d been friends for years. Or, at least, Francine had felt friendship toward Prudence. That must count for something.

“Don’t marry him, Prude,” she whispered. “I have it from a reliable person that he’ll ship you off to the country and only visit twice a year.”

Prudence gave an unladylike snort. “You should leave the tricks to me, Fanny.” She rolled her eyes. “Ship me off, indeed. I know how to manage a man. I’m going to be the toast of the town.” Her condescending look grated. “If you ever try to fool someone again, pick a name, or at least a title. Claiming a reliable person is so amateurish. No one would believe that.”

“I’m not lying. I swear. I’m trying to help you, because we used to be friends.”

Prudence gave a high, false laugh. “I shouldn’t even be talking to you. You’re a disgrace.” Her eyes narrowed. “Just so you know, after I danced with Lord Erwin, twice, I followed your mother. I heard all about how you had a liaison with a stable hand. If you do anything to ruin this union for me, I’ll tell the world.”

Francine stared, shocked by Prudence’s vitriol. For an uncharitable moment, she wouldn’t have minded if one of the glittering chandeliers fell right beside Prudence, close enough to scare her hair white.

“I did no such thing,” Francine muttered. “I was only thirteen and didn’t know about liaisons yet.”

“Thirteen? You gave away your virtue so young?” Prudence tossed her curls. “I’m scandalized, Fanny, I truly am. I’m afraid, if you don’t promise to stay away from Lord Erwin, I’ll see it as my duty to warn off any decent man who looks at you.”

Francine didn’t want Lord Erwin, but wasn’t about to concede to Prudence.

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