Dangerous by Amanda Quick

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 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 Angelstone, 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, wasn’t I?” Sebastian looked unconcerned about the matter. “But you jumped to my rescue and I was saved.”
    “I am glad you appreciate that much, at least.” She was stung by his amused sarcasm. “Under the terms of the bargain we made, I was in your debt. I was merely attempting to discharge my obligation to you.”
    “Ah, yes, our bargain.”
    “I thought I could repay you by saving you from Lord Thornbridge.”
    “I see.”
    Prudence subsided back into the guilt-ridden gloom she had been nursing since last night. “I collect you must be very angry, my lord.”
    Sebastian shrugged. “Not particularly.”
    Baffled, Prudence slanted him a sidelong glance. “Why ever not?”
    “I don’t think that our engagement will be a problem.”
    Prudence brightened. “You have a plan for dealing with our predicament?”
    “I suppose one could say that I have.”
    Prudence gazed at him in growing respect and relief.“My lord, that is excellent news. What, precisely, do you intend to do?”
    Sebastian smiled at her, but his gaze was unreadable. “It’s a very simple plan, my dear. I intend to enjoy to the fullest the benefits of being an engaged man.”
    Prudence’s mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon?”
    “You heard me.” Sebastian inclined his head with chilling civility to an elderly lady in a passing carriage who was staring at the black phaeton. The woman looked away quickly.
    “You intend to let our engagement stand?” Prudence demanded in disbelief. “Why on earth would you want to do