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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“I’m thankful we didn’t have to pull tricks to get them to act right today,” Prudence stated. She had grown rather bored of the silence in the carriage. Jane had come to learn some of Prudence’s telltales.

“Aren’t we all? My whole body aches from last night’s drama.” She whined and tugged at her blouse.

“Hmmm,” came Prudence’s reply.

Jane let out a frustrated groan. “The girls have become hyper monster and are now exasperatingly difficult to handle.” She exhaled sharply. “I was so frustrated last night- they almost pushed me to the wall.”

Prudence chuckled at this.

“They are a handful. But sometimes I wonder if they can tone it down. My governess used to say this to me. Now I say it to them. When did I get this old?” She laughed and Prudence joined in.

“I love the girls so much. They are beautiful and smart. They remind me of Sarah and I when we were young. I am committed to be there for them. I’d do my best,” she vowed.

Prudence clasped her hands together. Her sharp eyes shone with respect. Jane could almost feel the increase in Prudence’s appraisal of her. Of course, she had always expressed passion for her great-grandchildren, Prudence may have thought she’d become less passionate once she got to experience them. Saying this out loud again, Jane could tell she had fully convinced the dowager that she was a real one.

“Do you know of their parent?” Prudence asked abruptly.

Jane was taken aback by the question. She had been briefed about the late Lord Algernon by the housekeeper who had shown her around a few days after her arrival. However, she couldn't put her in trouble so she lied. Besides, she didn't really know anything anyway.

“No… I don’t.” She answered after a while.

Prudence smiled softly “The servants didn’t give you a gist or two about them?” She teased.

Jane caught on quickly and vehemently shook her head “No, they were quite reserved about the matter.”

“My son had Algernon at his youthful age. He was so proud of his son when he was born. When I saw him wrapped up in a white towel, all pink and smooth I cooed in love.”

Jane looked at Prudence. As she spoke it was obvious, she was reliving the past and a ghost of a smile visited her face.

Jane sat still. She was captivated by Prudence’s voice. She felt such strong emotion in it that it resonated within her. Jane could just imagine little Algernon in Prudence’s arms. She smiled back at Prudence.

“I thought he’d live longer than me. I thought he’d live to see his children grow. But I was wrong.” She bowed her head. A tear threatened to drop down.

The noise from outside the coach had long been forgotten. Jane could hear Prudence sob softly. She wanted to console her. But didn’t want to overstep her boundaries. Another sob from Prudence helped her decide.

She stretched out and placed her hand on Prudence’s wrinkly ones. “You need not tell me this if you can’t bear it.” She caressed her hands.

Prudence sniffed and ceased her sobbing “No, I need to tell you. You ought to understand better what you are into.” She placedJane’s hands in the middle of hers, reciprocating Jane’s touch. “I am good now.”

“Algernon was the heir to the title. So, he mostly concentrated on that. He was offered the best. And when it was time to settle down, he married the love of his life. I can still remember that day. It was beautiful to see their love match.” Prudence tapped Jane’s hand.

“I bet.” Jane provided with a sly smile.

Prudence’s expression hardened “When she died, Algernon was not there. He had earlier gone out on an important trip. When he came back, his wife was dead. It broke something inside him. I watched my grandson become a ghost of himself.” She sighed.

Jane could feel her pain. Her eyes were slowly pooling up as Prudence spoke. Losing a loved one was never easy. The pain would subside over time but it never fully goes. She had lost her mother at a young age. Even if she had not had much time with her. Jane had missed her. She still did

“Algernon was a responsible man of the ton. He’d visitWhitejust as every other man. But he never drank himself to a stupor till the days after his wife’s burial.”

She could never wish this sort of pain on someone. No. For a brief moment, she pondered how she’d act if she lost the person she loved so much.

Colin

She was sure she had grown strong feelings for Colin although she would not outright admit it to anybody. So, the thought of not seeing him again, not hearing his voice, would break her. But to the point of alcoholism? She didn’t think so.

“We have arrived at the dressmaker’s.” the coachman announced.