Candice Hern by Once a Gentleman Page B

effort to be open and comfortable when alone with him. To do that, you must believe yourself worthy of him. And you are.”
    Was she? Pru was not so sure about that.
    “Yes, you are,” Flora repeated, as though reading her thoughts. “You are well-educated and well-read. Nicholas appreciates that. You are remarkably well born. He may not like that so much at first, but he will learn soon enough the advantages to having a wife with such connections. Especially if he decides on a career in politics. Do not underestimate your value to him in that arena, Pru.”
    She had not considered that. He might find her connections distasteful, but they could be useful to him over time.
    “So, you see,” Flora said, “your assets far outweigh any perceived liabilities. You are a valuable person, a treasure to your friends, and more than worthy of any man. Even Nicholas Parrish.”
    Pru swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back tears. “Thank you, Flora.”
    “It is perfectly true. Just don’t let yourself forget it.”
    “I won’t forget,” Pru said. “I am not so insecure as all that. I have actually been quite content with myself for years, once I realized I would never be as glamorous as the rest of my family. It’s just that being married to Nicholas, I have become more than ever aware of my shortcomings. I thank you for reminding me that I have something to offer.”
    “And I shall keep reminding you, I promise.”
    “What I don’t know is how to to project that attitude you talk about. How to let him know that I am”— ready! —“interested. I get so shy around him. I’d like to know how to…flirt.”
    Flora sputtered into a laugh. “Flirt?”
    Pru’s cheeks flamed. “Yes. Don’t you think I should?”
    “Oh, I most definitely think you should.”
    “But I don’t know how. I’ve always been too shy around gentlemen. Can you show me what to do?”
    Flora tilted her head to one side as she studied Pru. “I suspect you will be a tough case, my girl. But I suppose it is worth a try. Shall I teach you a few tricks?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “All right, then. Now, pay attention.”
     
    Some time later, their lesson was interrupted by a raucous explosion of voices from the front of the house.
    “Ah. The Ladies are here,” Flora said.
    The Crimson Ladies were colorists for the magazine’s engravings. Flora had hired the blowsy crew of street prostitutes last year to hand-colorthe fashion plates, and Edwina had christened them the Crimson Ladies, which they all thought a grand joke. Illiterate, bawdy, and coarse, they were nevertheless adept at coloring the fashion plates—in their own bold style.
    “There is a lovely spotted muslin petticoat and jacket in one of this month’s plates,” Flora said. “I had better go make sure they understand it is not leopard skin.”
    She walked to the door and opened it, but turned again toward Pru. “Remember to save tomorrow afternoon. We are going to Madame Lanchester’s showrooms. And mind what I’ve said, my girl. You are worthy of him. Repeat it to yourself like a litany, until it becomes second nature.” She left the office and closed the door behind her.
    I am worthy of him . It still didn’t sound all that convincing to Pru. But Flora was right. If she continued to be intimidated by his perfection, she would never be a proper wife to Nicholas.
    I am worthy of him. I am worthy of him.
    Perhaps if she repeated it enough she would come to believe it.
    Pru turned back to the desk, intending to resume her work on the advertising copy. But on her way to the desk, she tried the seductive walk Flora had taught her, with an exaggerated swing of hips that still did not feel quite right. Perhaps she should practice.
    She walked back and forth across the room, again and again, hitching her hips from side to side with each step. But it felt silly, not at all right.Why should it be so difficult to glide seductively across a room? She could dance well enough. In