They don't have far to go. The new house is within sight, a gift from Daddy. Rodney has enough money for his own house-possibly even his own castle-but he told her he wanted "something small and cozy to start off with." All those years of city living have gotten him used to cramped spaces.
He opens the door to the house-their house-and ushers her inside. "Oh, this is lovely," he says as though it were a palace. She sees how small and plain it is, without even a parlor for entertaining company. Not that she intends to invite anyone, but should one of the old women from the village happen by she'll have to offer them tea at the rustic hearth.
She nods and smiles, demurring as Mother told her a lady should. "Would you like some supper?" she asks. Clara, Mother's servant, has left a roast chicken and potatoes for them. They eat their first meal as husband and wife at the little table in the miniature dining room. Daddy has made sure to equip the table with an extra-wide chair for Prudence and an extra-tall chair for Rodney.
"I thought tomorrow I'd go into town and see about buying some seeds," Rodney says. "Would you like to come?"
"Oh yes. I've been thinking of looking for some new material for a new dress," she says. Mother would never approve of such an extravagance when Prudence's old dresses still fit. But now that she is a married woman, Prudence no longer wants to wear those same clothes, those child's clothes. She's a woman now with her own household to manage.
"Well then, we can make a day of it," he says.
After supper, they sit in customized rocking chairs before the hearth. Rodney lays out his plans to farm the land Daddy gave him. She doesn't hear the words, listening instead to the enthusiasm in his voice. To him, planting a field of grain is as glorious and challenging as vanquishing an entire army. She sighs to herself, thinking how lucky she is to have such a man.
When the fire in the hearth burns down to embers, he leads her to the bedroom. Like a true gentleman, he waits outside as she changes into a nightgown and brushes her hair out. She lies down on the bed she will now share with her husband.
Only after changing into a nightshirt and blowing out the candle does he settle onto the bed next to her. He leans over and kisses her again, this time a wet, passionate kiss with his tongue. Prudence stiffens at this sudden outpouring of emotion. She isn't sure what to do. His hand roams down her back before coming around to cup her breast. Sweat breaks out along her forehead. Her breathing turns shallower.