Prudence's mother, who had realised who this Vincent Dominick was, got alert the instant this man spoke about Abiona's father. Of course, Elizabeth knew it because she was the one who had gone early in the morning to Thatcher's mansion and had sent Abiona's father to Vincent Dominick; the man who her daughter had offended yesterday.
Elizabeth's hands, which were pushing Prudence to her bedroom, now came around her daughter. She nuzzled Prudence behind her defensively.
There was a fire that Prudence had and if anyone observed it carefully, then it was something she had learnt from Elizabeth. The mother was once a fierce woman who had fought for her own and her daughter all by herself. But now Elizabeth liked to live inside her house and not cross her path with people who would prove it to her how tough was it to live all by herself. One experience was enough for her and to get her warning Prudence every time she stepped out of the house.
However, fate had different plans. No matter how much Prudence tried to control herself, her wish to protect the Warrier's self-respect always sparked up inside her. She wanted to protect her mother and Abiona had come as a blessing in her life. Someone who would save Prudence from difficulties.
Today Prudence saw that little ray of blessing Abiona's family had been her being blocked by the dark clouds. The clouds that Vincent Dominick brought with him here.
Vincent, who was gawking at Prudence secretly, now turned to face her. There was an irritation that surfaced in his eyes watching how Elizabeth had defensively pushed Prudence behind herself and stood as a shield between Vincent and Prudence. Vincent's eyes narrowed at the small and subtle gesture, and his jaw clenched. He had already seen this girl as his and whatever belonged to him was not allowed to be touched by others in a way to show their rights over that person.
Elizabeth bowed deep. She was told everything about Vincent by Mr Thatcher, so she knew the respects she was supposed to present in front of the man who was called as His Grace.
"We are thankful for your help, His Grace," Elizabeth said in a gentle tone. "But you did not have to trouble yourself to come till a lowly house like ours"
Although Elizabeth had talked gently, the underlying hostility in her voice was not missed by Vincent. Abiona, who was worriedly eyeing between Prudence and Vincent, had missed out on it, but Drakos, who was standing right behind Vincent, had noticed that. Drakos was ready to step ahead and snap the lady's neck in two if His Grace ordered, but Vincent had strictly mentioned he would be handling this his own way.
Vincent pulled up a charming smile at Elizabeth as he responded, "How could I not come here, after all, I am here to bring Lady Prudence with me to a safer place." He turned halfway to Drakos and asked, "Isn't it right Drakos, we are here to help."
Drakos, like a good loyal man of Vincent's, bowed his head, closing his eyes in approval of what His Grace had just said. He carefully shifted his gaze to Prudence and said, "Lady Prudence Don Sam is sent away from Dewrest for a day. His Grace wanted no harm to befall on you and the safest place right now would be under the protection of His Grace."
Elizabeth was about to answer when Prudence step forward, "I am sure His Grace can help by just asking Don Sam to forget about what happened. His Grace seems powerful enough."
Prudence zipped her tongue the moment she realised she had subtly taunted the man. Elizabeth's hand around Prudence had come as a warning when Prudence realised how she had blundered once again. There was a look that the mother passed to her daughter, and Prudence shrugged inside her own clothes. She cleared her throat and spoke, "I am ready to apologise to Don Sam. I really should not have done that."
Vicent eyed every little action that Prudence did. Especially how her eyes had slightly widened in the realisation of her mistakes and her lower lip was subtly pulled inside. She had bitten into it for a split moment before she had parted her lips with worry, filtering her expressions and the little hue that rose on her lower lips made Vincent's fang ache.
He was not pleased by how Elizabeth tried to hold her daughter back. Vincent wanted to see how bold this girl can be to dig her own grave. Sadly, she had her mother holding her back.
"Unfortunately, Prudence, I have no wishes with meddling with Don Sam Murray like this," Vincent said, crossing his leg over the other and leaning comfortably into the stiff chair. He wasn't referring to Prudence as Lady like he had done with Abiona and Prudence wondered was it because he thought she was lowly enough, then why had he stepped in this part of the town? Everyone else's eyebrows in the room crinkled with worry while Drakos watched at Vincent in shock.
His Grace had never gone back on his words and this Afternoon Vincent had given a word to Mr Thatcher that he would take care of Don Sam Murray.
Abiona turned worried by that, and opened her mouth to speak something when Vincent raised his hand in front of her as a warning for the girl.
Elizabeth and Abiona were important to Prudence, and Vincent did not want to heartlessly get them out of the way, even though he hated people coming in between him and what he claimed as his.
Vincent Dominick politely smiled at Elizabeth and said his next words loud and clear for everyone to register, "I have taken a liking towards your daughter and there is no need for her to stay away from me." Elizabeth sucked in a dry breath at his words and her chest uneasy with the proposal His Grace had brought to their house. Vincent's eyes shifted from the mother to the redhead girl in the room. "Say your goodbyes. The carriage is waiting outside for us," his voice was cold, in contrast to the smile he carried.
If she was aware of this before, Elizabeth would not have dared to open the door and be hospitable to these two individuals. She felt helpless for her daughter, who was already anxious because of this man and they were a nobody in front of this man, who was the former crown of this country.