Prudence rolled onto her back and sighed miserably. Sleep seemed to be beyond her. Her mind was too full to allow it.
She kept thinking of Stephen, seeing his handsome face, remembering his kisses, his touch, his scent, his smile. He had such gentle eyes. She wished-
She threw the bedcovers aside impatiently and sat up to swing her feet off of the bed. There was no use in wishing for things she couldn't have. It was doubtful that Stephen's interest in her went beyond the carnal, and even should he wish more, she could not, in good conscience, have any sort of marriage with a man who made his living off of the weaknesses of people like her father.
Standing, she found her robe and pulled it on, then made her way cautiously through the dark to the door. It was Christmas Eve. She had gone to bed early. The whole household had, except for her father. He was no doubt out losing the last of their possessions. The creditors had stopped allowing Bentley, their butler, to brush them off. The day before, they had started to take things away in lieu of payment. Which was why Prudence had taken Charlotte skating-to keep her from having to witness those nasty encounters.
She had intended to take her little sister somewhere else today, perhaps to visit Ellie, but other than two large bill collectors who had visited rather early, no one had come around. The day had turned out well, and she and her mother had decided to take advantage of their home while they still had it, stringing popcorn to finish decorating the tree. Prudence supposed even creditors had hearts if they were waiting until after Christmas to empty the Prescott home.
She had made her way along the dark hall and down the stairs before spotting the light shining from beneath the kitchen door. Suspecting it was her mother, and knowing she would need cheering, Prudence forced a smile to her face and pushed into the room. Inside she froze. It wasn't her mother; instead, her father sat at the table, looking dazed.
"Father, whatever are you doing home?" she asked with surprise. "Why are you not out…"
"I have been banned from everywhere, that is why. Where has all the liquor in this house gone?"
"You drank it," she answered distractedly. "Did you say you were banned from everywhere?"
He nodded morosely. "Someone went around and paid all my debts, every last one. But in exchange, the owners were to bar me from entry." He shook his head miserably. "I am not even allowed in to drink! Who the hell would do a thing like that?"
"Papa, you are sober."
He glanced up with a startled expression. "Aye. Why does that surprised you?"
"I have not seen you sober in a long time," she said gently. Surprised realization crossed his face; then his gaze moved to the door as his wife entered.
"What is this about?" she asked upon seeing her husband. Her face showed the same surprise at his presence that Prudence had felt.
"Papa has been banned from the clubs. Someone has paid his debts, but he is no longer allowed in them-even to drink." Prudence spoke quietly, then rushed to comfort her mother as she burst into sudden tears. "This is good news, Mam. Everything will be well now."
"I know!" The woman wailed. "It is just that I have been so frightened. When those creditors came and took… I feared we would be in the poorhouse by year's end, and- oh, Prudence, we are saved!" She threw her arms around her daughter and held her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder, and Prudence peered over the other woman at her father, unable to keep the accusation out of her eyes. It was not softened by the stunned and slightly horrified look on his face.
He looked away from her angry eyes for a moment, then stood and moved forward to pat awkwardly at his wife's shoulder. "Ah, now, Meg. Don't carry on so," he said uncomfortably. "Things had not got that bad."
"Not got that bad?!" Lady Prescott shrieked, turning on him in the first show of temper Prudence had ever seen from her. "The creditors were here yesterday and this morning. They took my mother's diamond necklace and-"
"What?" Lord Prescott interrupted, looking thunderous. "Why did no one tell me?"
"Because you were never here to tell!" she roared. "You have been avoiding us for weeks now. Dragging yourself back in the middle of the night, passing out in the guest chambers, sneaking out the moment the way was clear…"
He flushed guiltily at the accusations, then wearily sank back into his seat.
"I have been an ass, haven't I? I've made you both so miserable." Grasping his wife's hand, he pressed it to his forehead and closed his eyes. "I do not know how it started. John died and I just didn't want to think about it. At first the drink worked for that, but then it wasn't enough. I started gambling. Before I knew it, I had gotten so far in debt that I could not stop. I kept hoping that the next hand would be enough to get me out, but instead I just kept getting in deeper and deeper and…" He shook his head, then opened his eyes and peered up at his wife. "I am sorry."
A sob breaking from her lips, Lady Prescott bent to hug her husband tightly around the neck. "I know it was hard losing Johnny like that. I still ache over it as well. But dear God, Edward, this last while I felt sure we had lost you, too."
"Nay." He patted her back soothingly. "Well, mayhap for a while. But I am back now." He blinked, as if looking at the world through new eyes. Sober eyes.
"Thank you, God," Lady Prescott whispered, then added with a smile, "Just in time for Christmas."
"Christmas?" Lord Prescott looked stunned, then vexed. "Damn me, I forgot all about Christmas. I have no gifts for you."
"It does not matter." Prudence's mother gave a watery laugh, joy spreading on her face. "I got all I wanted for Christmas."
Her husband's confusion was plain to see. "What was that?"
"I prayed that you would stop drinking and gambling, that we wouldn't spend Christmas in debtor's prison. And I have that now."
"Damn." He sighed miserably. "I have been an ass. I am sorry, love. I will try to be a better husband. I will try very hard."
"That's all a woman could ask," Lady Prescott said quietly, and helped him to his feet.
Prudence watched them head up the stairs, a soft smile on her face. She knew it wouldn't be easy; there were still hard times ahead. There were days her father would be miserable and unhappy for want of the liquor, but there was finally hope… and her mother looked so happy. Almost as happy as Prudence felt.
A thought coming to her, she headed for her own room, but not to go to bed. She needed to get dressed. She had someone to thank for this miracle. Someone unexpected.
Chapter Six
"My lord?"
Stephen glanced up from the fire he had been morosely contemplating, and lifted an eyebrow at the sight of his butler.
"You have a guest, my lord," the man announced.
Stephen started to say that he had no wish for company, to send whoever it was away, when he spotted Pru's gamine face peeking around his butler's ample girth. He lurched out of his seat.
"Prudence! What are you doing here?" he cried in astonishment, waving the butler away as he hurried forward to greet her.
"I had to talk to you."
"But you could be ruined if anyone-"
"No one saw me," she assured him quickly. "And I will stay only a moment."
His expression easing somewhat, Stephen nodded and led the way toward the two chairs in front of the fire, gesturing for her to take one. He waited politely while she seated herself, then moved to lean against the fireplace.
"You did it, didn't you?" she asked the moment he was settled.
Stephen shrugged, not bothering to ask what she spoke of. He knew she meant her father and his gambling debts.