Free A Prudent Match by Laura Matthews Page B

it.”
    “Indeed, my lord. A most exceptional young man. We are truly lucky to have found someone so talented.”
    “Excellent.”
    Ledbetter nodded to the vicar and made his way from the gloomy church into the light of day. Thor waited impatiently where the baron had left him, but instead of springing onto his mount, Ledbetter took hold of his reins and led him up the street. “I need to get some pleasure from this visit,” he muttered, tying his horse in front of the Rules’ bakery.
    * * * *
    Ledbetter's second errand had proved no more satisfactory than his first, and by the time he arrived back at Salston he was in an irritable frame of mind. His marriage was so new to him, and so preoccupied was he with the frustrations of the morning, that he was literally startled to discover Prudence arranging flowers in a vase in the Great Hall.
    He had come through a side door where he had left his muddy boots, and proceeded in stocking feet through the small parlor and into the hall. Because he made no sound whatsoever, his wife didn't hear him enter, and he was able to observe her unaware for several minutes.
    As promised, she had left her hair unbound and it made a glorious cloud around her head. The dress he had buttoned that morning fit her figure well, and not for the first time he remarked on what a fine figure it was. She hummed to herself, her deft fingers working the blossoms into a clever arrangement. She looked for all the world as though she'd been at Salston for years, and was quite happy to be there.
    “My dear,” he said softly, so as not to startle her, “Mrs. Collins has already put you to work, has she?”
    “Hardly. If I had nothing to do, I should be bored to death. Have you lost your boots, Led . . . William?”
    “Just obeying an old rule of my mother's never to track mud into the house. I suppose, being master of the place, I could track mud where I like, but old habits die hard.”
    “Thank heaven. If you've been in the stable yard, it's not just mud your boots would be tracking in.”
    He moved close to her, and captured one of her hands, which he lifted to his mouth to kiss. “You look the picture of domesticity, Prudence. Have you spent the morning familiarizing yourself with Salston?”
    She watched a little nervously as he raised the other hand to his lips. “Yes. Mrs. Collins gave me a thorough tour this morning. There are a number of matters I wish to discuss with you, but there is no urgency about any of them. Did you have a good ride?”
    “The ride was fine.” He pulled her toward himself and would have kissed her, but a footman appeared in the doorway to announce that the light collation my lady had ordered was available in the breakfast parlor. Prudence took the opportunity to loosen her hands from his grip as she turned to the footman. “Thank you, Gibbons. I'll be along in a moment.”
    When she turned back to him, she looked a little hesitant. “Will you wish to change before you eat, William?”
    “I had something in Market Stotton. You go ahead. I'll change into something to wear to the Mannings’.”
    “You've been to Market Stotton? But that's a good fifteen miles away, is it not?”
    “Twelve. I had business there.” And being reminded of it served to rouse his temper again. He turned away from her. “I'll be ready to leave by two.”
    “Very well.”
    * * * *
    Prudence chose her emerald velvet bonnet, because it served to tame her hair as well as matching the trim of her gown. She was ready and waiting in the front parlor when Ledbetter appeared at precisely two o'clock. When he saw her, he smiled appreciatively.
    “Fetching, my dear. Green suits you very well.”
    Prudence dropped a shy curtsy. “Thank you, my lord.”
    He tucked her arm inside his and led her toward the hall. “The Mannings live about half a mile away, so I thought we'd take the phaeton. I was tempted to surprise them with my news, but thought better of it.”
    “You sent a message ahead,