Vexed by a Viscount Read Free Page A

one’s counsel but his own, sir, I assure you.”
    Shaking his head, Landon held firm. “You underestimate just how proud he is of the man you have become. Regardless, I hope you’ll join us tonight for dinner. A small affair, but certainly preferable to dining alone, I would hope.”
    It was on the tip of Ash’s tongue to decline, but the image of Miss Landon in the lake slipped through his mind. What the devil had she been up to, anyhow? He couldn’t help but wonder how she would react to seeing him again. Had she changed so much in the few months since he had seen her? Was it even possible for a mousy little thing like her to suddenly throw off her inhibitions and become some sort of bold temptress?
    Temptress wasn’t the right word. She certainly hadn’t been trying to seduce him, of that much he was certain. Still, one didn’t simply change one’s personality. He was curious about what had motivated her to do such a thing as swim naked in the lake in broad daylight, and the opportunity to learn more had just been handed to him on a silver platter.
    Smiling to his guest, he said, “Do you know, I think that sounds like just the thing.”

Chapter Thre e
    W ithout so much as a scratch at the door, Prudence’s mother came sailing into her bedchamber, her thin hands fluttering like damp tissue paper in a stiff breeze. “Oh, thank heavens you are presentable. It seems as though we are to have another guest tonight, because of course things like even numbers are of no interest to your father.”
    Not daring to move her head as her maid jabbed the final pins into her freshly styled hair, Prudence lifted an eyebrow instead. “Oh? Who has he managed to importune today?”
    “Viscount Ashby.”
    Prudence jerked her head around, nearly yanking her coiffure from its moors. Harriet cried out in dismay, but Prudence ignored her. “ Lord Ashby? Whatever does he want with us?” Her whole body tensed, dreading the answer.
    Mama gave a mildly irritated sigh. “Your father went to see him this afternoon, and apparently was inspired to extend the invitation. Normally I’d be delighted to have a lord at my table, but it will make things terribly awkward with the squire here too.”
    Prudence tried to quiet her growing unease. Mama had no idea just how awkward things could be. If he breathed even a single word about what he saw today . . . She swallowed. God willing, he had enough sense and discretion to keep his mouth closed. And if he didn’t? Well, she would find out soon enough.
    A scratch at the door preceded a maid’s entrance. “Beggin’ yer pardon, ma’am, but Squire Jeffries has arrived. He’s waitin’ in the drawing room.”
    “Thank you, Agnes,” Mama said before turning back to Prudence. Looking her up and down, she gave a nod of approval. “You look quite well tonight. Your beau will be well pleased.”
    Mama had been relentless over the years in her attempts to groom Prudence into a proper young lady, but with the coming marriage, she actually seemed to be softening. In fact, her eyes betrayed a hint of pride.
    And why shouldn’t she be proud? She had produced the most obedient daughter the county had ever seen. Prudence smiled, just as she was expected to do, and came to her feet. There was no use putting off the inevitable. “Shall we?”
    Upon their arrival to the drawing room, Squire Jeffries stretched his thin lips into a passable expression of greeting and bowed. He was dressed head to toe in gunmetal gray, with a lifeless white cravat knotted at his neck. “Good evening, Mrs. Landon, Miss Landon. You are both looking quite lovely.”
    Though his tone held nothing but politeness, his gaze eagerly swept over her form. She had to squelch the desire to cross her arms over her chest. He was her betrothed, after all. However he felt about taking on a wife, it was clear he had no objection to Prudence’s figure. In theory, that was a good thing; but in reality, it made her feel decidedly uneasy.