Dangerous by Amanda Quick

in this bedchamber be­cause we were seeking some privacy in which to discuss our future. I have decided it is time I married. For her part, Miss Merryweather has wisely concluded that she is not likely to get a better offer due to her advanced years. We have therefore reached an agreement."
    "
Angelstone
," Prudence got out in a strangled voice.
    Sebastian did not even hesitate. "Allow me to present my fiancee, sir. Miss Merryweather and I are engaged."

Chapter Five
    I am sorry to have to say this, my lord, but the disaster in which we find ourselves is entirely your fault," Prudence announced as Sebastian turned the sleek black phaeton into the crowded park.
    "You are far too generous, my dear." Sebastian guided the two beautifully matched black horses into the stream of traffic. "I believe we can give you most of the credit for last night's proceedings."
    Prudence retreated beneath the brim of her plain chip straw bon­net. She twitched her slate-colored bombazine skirts over her sturdy half boots and sought for a way to defend herself. "I was only trying to help."
    "Were you, indeed?"
    "If you had allowed me to make the explanations to Lord Thorn-bridge, everything would have been satisfactorily resolved." Prudence gazed straight ahead, acutely aware of the stares she and Sebastian were receiving from passing carriages.
    It had been like this since last night when Thornbridge had accom­panied them back to the ballroom and announced the news of the Fallen Angel's engagement.
    The Thornbridges' guests had been first stunned and then titillated and finally deeply intrigued. This was far and away the most entertain­ing event of the Season. The notion of the Fallen Angel marrying the amusing Original was obviously more than most members of the
ton
could bring themselves to believe.
    Society's reaction was nothing compared to that of Hester and Trevor. They had been shocked speechless. Sebastian had warned Pru­dence not to attempt to explain the situation to either of them, as it
‘t
    would only make things more complicated. Prudence was forced to agree with him on that score.
    Surprisingly, it was Hester who had recovered first from the stun­ning announcement. Once she had digested the news, her eyes had turned oddly speculative.
    "Not quite what I expected," Hester had mused. "But then, the Fallen Angel rarely does what one expects. And it follows that he would choose someone out of the ordinary for his future countess."
    "He's playing another one of his bloody games," Trevor had snarled.
    "I'm not so certain of that," Hester had said. "An engagement is an honorable commitment. Whatever else one can say about Angel-stone, he has never been known to break his word. In any event, there's nothing to be done about it now. Prue is engaged to the Fallen Angel and that's a simple fact. We shall have to go on as if everything were quite normal."
    The engagement was definitely not a normal event as far as polite society was concerned. All of London was agog. Sebastian had de­creed the drive in the park this afternoon, saying it was better to make a bold show than to try to hide from the unwanted attention. Pru­dence was not entirely certain that his reasoning was correct.
    "Pray, do not take offense, Prue," he now said. "The truth is that your explanations to Thornbridge were doing more harm than good."
    Prudence glared at him. "I do not see how they could have done any more harm than your ridiculous explanations, my lord. And I do not recall giving you leave to call me by my first name."
    Sebastian's mouth curved faintly. "I didn't think you would mind. We are engaged, after all."
    "Not by my doing."
    "No?" Sebastian's black brow arched mockingly. "What did you think was going to happen when you leaped out of that wardrobe?"
    Prudence clutched her large, practical reticule very tightly. "I was attempting to save your life, sir. In case you had not noticed, you were in a somewhat untenable position at the time."
    "Yes, I was,