Candice Hern by Once a Gentleman Page B

since we cannot change what is done.” He looked deep into her eyes, willing her to believe him. “Pru? Do you agree?”
    She took a deep breath and nodded her head. He cupped her cheek briefly—Lord, what incredibly soft skin she had—and smiled. “Thank you,” he said, and removed his hand.
    “M-may I ask you something?”
    “Of course.”
    “Was there…was there someone else you had hoped to marry? Someone you were courting?”
    “No.” Thank heaven for that. No others were hurt in this business. Or were they? Dear God, what if—
    “But what about you?” he asked. “Was there…is there someone special?”
    She gave a little smile tinged with self-mockery. “There was no one I dared hope to marry, I assure you.”
    “Well, then. At least neither of us is breaking someone else’s heart. One less obstacle to overcome. Easier for us to make the best of things. I realize you have no choice, but are you willing to try?”
    “Yes.” Her voice was steadier than before. “Yes, I am.”
    “Good girl. I do think, though, we need to move slowly. It’s all been so sudden, we should take some time to get used to the idea of marriage. Even though we’re friends, there is much we do not know about each other. Small things, like whether we drink tea or coffee in the morning, for example. And larger things, like our expectations of life, our hopes, our dreams. Even our backgrounds and upbringing. Yours is still a surprise to me, and I need to become more comfortable with it. I’m sure there are surprises you will discover about me as well. So we should take it day by day, and learn to live under the same roof. Does that sound agreeable to you?”
    “Yes.”
    He smiled. “I thought it might. But there are practical matters we must discuss. I spoke with your father yesterday about…money.”
    Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, you musn’t worry about that. I should not be a burden on your income. I have a bit of money of my own. In fact I—”
    “Yes, I know. Your father told me about your inheritance. But I want you to understand, Pru, that I would never touch your money. It is yours to use as you please.”
    “But I am happy for you to have it,” she said. “I know you have plans and could certainly use it.”
    “No.”
    “But what about the factory in—”
    “No, Pru. And that is final. Your money stays with you.” It pained him to know that so much money was within his reach, but he could not, would not, take it from her. Besides, he was certain of some decent profits from Amsterdam very shortly, and that would help his project in Derby get off the ground. The warehouse there would not remain empty much longer, but it would be fitted out through his own efforts, not by relying on his wife’s fortune.
    “I will do my best to make you comfortable here,” he said. “I have enough for that. But you must tell me if there are any changes you wish to make, or if there is anything you need. Servants, for example. I had thought perhaps to bring Lucy in on a full-time basis, if she will agree to it. And if you would like to hire a lady’s maid, of course you must do so.”
    “That won’t be necessary, if Lucy is here. Please do not think I am used to luxury, Nicholas. I am not. My father is not a rich man, you know. There were nine of us living on Brooke Street. It was quite cramped at times. And I never had a lady’s maid of my own. I always made do with one of the housemaids. There is no reason I cannot do the same here. If you like, I can speak to Lucy about it.”
    “Thank you, Pru, that would be fine. And there is also the matter of Mrs. Gibb. She only comes in the mornings and prepares everything for the day. She has come in to cook a hot supper when we’ve asked, if we had guests, for example. But I thought we should ask her if she would like to expand her role in the kitchen, to come on full-time. There are servants’ rooms on the top floor, so both she and Lucy could both live in.”
    “Are you