Persuading Prudence Read Online Free PDF

mind. She wanted more than a paper marriage. Her pride was understandably engaged now.
    Could he stay faithful? He’d never imagined marrying a woman he couldn’t remain faithful to. After all, he owed Pru that much after what he had done to her. But he hadn’t considered the marriage bed when he started on this course. From what little he remembered of the previous evening, he didn’t recall being disappointed. Should he make a promise he was not absolutely positive at this point he could keep?
    “Pru, I—”
    “No,” she said, turning her attention from the passing scenery back to him. “There are just too many reasons why I cannot accept your more than generous proposal. I’m sorry, Kolton, but I will not change my mind on this.”
     
     
    Chapter Five
     

     
    Prudence stood firm with her decision, and nothing Kolton said changed her mind. He’d finally dropped the subject, but she was sure he hadn’t given up the fight. His silence and brooding expression confirmed as much.
    Ignoring his dark scowl, Prudence settled back to rest. She awoke when they stopped to change horses. Kolton exited the carriage, but Prudence chose to stay behind and think without the earl’s commanding presence to distract her.
    What would marriage to Kolton be like? She had no prospects, after all. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad...
    No.
    He didn’t really want to marry her; he was just being a gentleman and owning up to his responsibility. But, surely, if she wasn’t with child he wouldn’t be pressing the issue, would he? And that was the whole of the problem, she concluded.
    He wasn’t , if truth be told, attracted to her. It could have been any woman in his bed last night and he wouldn’t have known the difference. He’d been sotted for goodness sake! She couldn’t marry a man who only wanted to do the right thing. Prudence knew it was likely impossible for her at this point, but she wanted a marriage based on more than duty. She had witnessed firsthand what that type of marriage could be like, and she wanted none of it.
    Prudence sat in the carriage for some time after the fresh horses were ready, trying to think of arguments that might make him see reason. As the minutes lengthened to more than a half hour, she became restless. He was taking an unusually long time to return. What was taking him so long?
    She was just about to go in search of him when the door opened and Kolton entered with a bundle under his arm, a bottle of wine, and two glasses.
    “I procured lunch,” he announced with charming smile. “It is simple fare, only cold meats, bread, and cheese, but I think it will be satisfying enough until we stop for dinner.”
    For a man who was not about to get his way, Kolton was looking entirely too pleased with himself, she thought suspiciously. “Thank you, my lord. You seem in brighter spirits.”
    He knocked on the ceiling of the coach, and the conveyance rocked as they started off. “I am not one prone to staying disgruntled for long. I have been told I possess a fairly cheerful nature, as a matter of fact.”
    “Yes, you do, my lord. But you are also a man who rarely accepts defeat either,” she added, studying his face.
    His lighthearted expression didn’t change. “That may be true, but I am done butting heads with you. I have decided to put the matter aside for now. We still have a long ride ahead of us and there is no use squabbling the rest of the day away.”
    Prudence agreed. She wasn’t going to change her mind. So she was more than happy to let the matter rest than continue to argue with the stubborn man.
     
    ***
     
    It was getting dark by the time the carriage stopped for dinner; and Prudence was happy for the chance to get out and stretch her legs.
    She looked around as the earl handed her down, confusion tugging at her brow. They had not stopped at an Inn, as she had expected, but a large cottage she didn’t recognize situated in a small clearing in the woods.
    “Do you like it?” he