5. Chapter Five

Chapter Five

T here could be no help for it. Silas had to tell Prue about the wager. The ball the previous evening had been awkward since she had surely been expecting him to ask her to dance, especially after they'd spoken.

It wouldn't matter as much if she weren't helping him with his grandmother's birthday party. She had to be wondering why he hadn't danced with her as promised. No matter how much he longed to hold her in his arms and breathe in her scent, to learn more about her, and coax a smile from her sweet lips, he couldn't dance with her when it would be considered part of the wager.

He dreaded the task of telling her, for there was no way to present the situation in a positive light, not when it involved her. He didn't want her to think poorly of him, that he was no different than Ulstead or Randolph, though he wasn't prepared to ponder the reason why.

Never before had he minded his reputation as a rogue. Living up to the low expectations of that term was easier than relying on his intelligence, especially given that he was a Hayward. He'd locked away the hope that he could be something more. At least, he had until Prue's offer to mention his design to her uncle.

He'd requested Prue meet him at his grandmother's home again to review a few more details his mother mentioned the previous day. She was feeling marginally better but still not herself and certainly not well enough to assist with the party.

"Good afternoon, Grandmother." Silas bent to kiss her cheek as always. "How are you faring?"

"Excellent. I should insist you plan a party for me each year so that you are forced to visit as often as you have the past week." Her teasing smile had him smiling in return.

"You might wait until you see how the party progresses before you decide that for certain." He hadn't realized how much work it took to host a birthday party. Thank goodness for Prue's assistance, or he'd be forced to ask his grandmother for advice and the few surprises they had planned would be no more.

"I have complete faith in your abilities." She held his gaze for a long moment. "Though I admit to being relieved Lady Prudence is lending aid. How are the two of you getting on?"

"Quite well. She has been very helpful." Not to mention sweet and pretty and desirable. He hoped what he had to tell her wouldn't ruin her willingness to aid him with both the party and her uncle.

"I have always liked her." She gave a single nod. "The girl has a good head on her shoulders."

"She certainly seems to." He cleared his throat, nerves taking hold again. "She was kind enough to arrange a meeting with her uncle regarding the windmill design."

His grandmother's eyes widened. "Arthur Harrison? How exciting. I'd forgotten that Edith mentioned his interest in inventions."

"I am to speak with him later this afternoon." He was both anxious and excited about it. Perhaps it would be better to wait until after the meeting to tell Prue about the wager.

Before he could decide, the butler announced her.

He took in the sight of her standing in the doorway in a pale lavender gown with white braided trim. She directed a rather chilly look at him before offering his grandmother a warm smile.

Was that because he hadn't danced with her or something else?

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Sutton. So good to see you." Prue walked forward to take his grandmother's hand.

"And you, dear." She squeezed Prue's hand before reaching for her cane. "I was just telling Silas how grateful I am that you're assisting him with the party."

"I'm sure he would manage it quite well without me." Prue sent him a pointed glare. "In fact, I would be willing to wager on it."

Silas nearly groaned, his stomach sinking. Clearly, word had spread about the blasted wager.

"I appreciate your faith in him." His grandmother rose with the aid of her cane. "But I am grateful for your help all the same." She turned to the doorway. "I will leave the two of you to the planning."

Relieved she hadn't told his grandmother, who would be disappointed in his poor behavior, Silas offered what he hoped was a disarming smile. "Prue, I had planned to tell you about the wager today." He waited, trying to gauge her mood.

"Truly?" Her suspicious tone suggested she didn't believe him.

He heaved a sigh and ran a hand along the back of his neck. "I was. You may have noticed that I didn't ask you to dance at the last two balls even though I said I would. Even though I wanted to."

"Yes, I did." She waited, anger sparkling in her eyes.

"While I would very much enjoy dancing with you, I didn't want to involve you in the...situation."

"But you didn't hesitate to include my cousin, Millicent."

Yes, and he felt terrible about it. "I didn't realize your connection until later. My apologies."

"Why would you agree to such a thing?" she demanded, color high in her cheeks, back ramrod straight.

Thank goodness she thought enough of him to know the wager hadn't been his idea. Warmth spread through his chest at the realization.

"A late night with friends and too much to drink." He didn't mention how appealing—and needed—winning the money would be. "I didn't care for the arrogance of the lord who came up with the idea. In all honesty, I don't want him to win." He drew close to stand before her and reached for her hand, surprised when she allowed him to hold it. "But that doesn't excuse my behavior. I am sorry for any hurt I caused to you or your cousin."

"Does it truly require dancing with twelve wallflowers at twelve different balls?" Her furrowed brow revealed what she thought of it.

"Yes."

"Is Viscount Maynard behind it?"

"How did you guess?" he asked, surprised by her insightfulness.

"He strikes me as the sort." Her tempting pink lips twisted with displeasure.

"It would be disappointing if he won." Silas sighed. "I truly am sorry if my actions hurt you or Miss Davies in any way."

She pulled her hand from his and drew back from his touch, suggesting she remained annoyed. "The ladies you are using are much more than wallflowers. They are intelligent women with feelings and deserve more than being subject to such a scheme."

"You are right," he agreed with sincerity, almost smiling at the surprise on her face. He truly hated that he was part of the wager.

Prue looked adorable in her righteous indignation. So adorable that he allowed his gaze to fall to her lush lips. The situation would be easier if he weren't so attracted to her.

Those lips pursed, causing his chest to tighten. "I'm pleased you realize that. It is difficult enough to stand along the edges of a ballroom hoping for a dance. To become the target of roguish behavior only makes it worse."

"I am very sorry. None of you should have to endure that." He hesitated, wanting to prove he meant it because he did. "You are a unique, intelligent person who deserves more, as does your cousin and the other ladies. Your regard for family, not to mention your defense of the ladies involved in the ridiculous wager, is truly admirable."

She blinked several times, making him think she'd been prepared to argue her point until he saw reason and wasn't sure what to say since he'd quickly agreed with her. "Oh. Well...thank you."

"I have only known you a short time and already I can see how special you are. Why some gentleman hasn't opened his eyes to see that for himself is beyond me." Irritation at his fellow man took hold, sharpening his tone.

Prue stared at him with wide eyes, clearly flummoxed by his words. "That is very...kind of you."

"I'm not trying to be kind, only truthful." He reached to touch the softness of her cheek. "Yet I confess that I am also grateful no one has, or you wouldn't be standing before me now. And I wouldn't have had the chance to come to know you."

"Oh, Silas." She pressed a hand to her chest as if moved by his words. "I—I'm not sure what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." He swallowed, willing away the longing to take her into his arms, yet the lure of her beckoned. She was desirable in every way, and he wanted her to know that.

"Prue?" He clenched his hand, doing his best to hold back the urge to kiss her. That would be a poor idea. A terrible one, in fact. The situation was already complicated.

"Yes?" Her eyes darkened as she studied his expression. Could she sense the direction of his thoughts?

"You are beautiful inside and out, and so brave to come to your friends' defense." He paused, realizing he had no will when it came to lovely Prue. "And I should very much like to kiss you." The words came out in a rush before he could halt them.

Those lips parted, eyes widening in surprise as a pretty blush filled her cheeks. "Now?"

"Right now." Immediately, if not sooner. He wanted to taste her more than he wanted his next breath.

"Oh." Wariness took hold of her expression.

"Please?" His heart lodged in his throat as he waited for her answer.

She thought it over for a long moment and then straightened her shoulders as if to brace herself. "Very well."

Not exactly welcoming, but he didn't mind. He had enough enthusiasm for them both and hoped to share it with her. Determined to savor the moment, he placed his fingers along her jaw, appreciating her soft skin. He leaned close until their breath mingled, giving her time to become accustomed to him.

He hoped those few seconds were enough because he couldn't wait any longer. He brushed his lips against hers once, twice, then longer the third time.

Prue's stiff form relaxed as she returned the kiss. Her innocence should be a red flag when he knew this couldn't lead anywhere. Instead, it appealed to him and raised a protective urge to make certain no one disrespected or hurt her, especially the rogues involved in the blasted wager.

Her lips molded to his, and he deepened the kiss.

Before he was prepared, she pulled back, eyes locked on him with confusion in their blue depths.

He was confused as well. Stunned, actually. What was it about this lady that drew him so? He didn't want to use her for the wager and had no business kissing her when he needed to keep his focus on finding an heiress to wed.

But, damn, if he didn't want to do so again.

"How did the meeting go?" Millie asked the moment Prue returned home and joined her in the drawing room.

"Quite well." Prue busied herself removing her hat and gloves, unable to look at her cousin. Millie would know something had happened if she weren't careful.

Silas's passionate words had touched her deeply. No one, let alone a rogue, had ever spoken to her like that. To think he saw her in that light was more than she would've dreamed possible.

"Did you speak to him about the wager?"

"I did." Why was she tempted to help him win? Surely it was only because she thought Maynard arrogant and in need of being taught a lesson.

Millie's mouth gaped. "What did he say?"

"That he was sorry to be mired in it, apologized to both of us, and realized the ladies involved were intelligent and had feelings." Well, that last bit had been her words, but he'd readily agreed.

He'd agreed so quickly that it had put her off balance. No wonder she hadn't been able to deny his request for a kiss.

She closed her eyes briefly. Silas did more than make her feel off balance. He was handsome and kind and exuded charm without even trying. She felt completely out of depth with him.

Why he'd wanted to kiss her she didn't know. Her practical side suggested he didn't want her to refuse to help him with the party or feared she would advise her uncle not to consider investing in his invention.

But the other side—the one who longed to be seen as more than a daughter or a cousin or a wallflower—wondered if he thought her attractive in some way.

The longing was ridiculous, yet she couldn't fully set it aside.

She knew rogues were not to be trusted, and there was no denying Silas was just that. The last thing she wanted was to be humiliated and hurt by him or any other rogue. She wasn't sure she could survive another encounter like the one during her debut, at least not emotionally.

Still, he was a temptation she didn't think she could resist. That he'd asked permission to kiss her suggested he wasn't as much of a rogue as she'd thought and only made her admire him more.

"What else did he say?" Millie asked, dragging her attention back to the conversation.

"Viscount Maynard is the one who started the whole idea, as we guessed. Silas is loath to allow him to win."

"Silas?" Millie lifted a brow.

Prue's cheeks heated. "We thought it more practical to be familiar in that way." And another way as well if one considered their kiss. Her face suddenly felt as if it were aflame.

"Did you tell him of our intent to ruin the wager?" The suspicion in her cousin's voice had Prue looking at her.

"No." It hadn't crossed her mind mostly because the kiss had wiped away everything else.

"Well, you seem so friendly with him that I thought you might've mentioned it."

Prue frowned, hoping she wouldn't be forced to end their acquaintance because of the wager. Then again, perhaps she should've already done so out of loyalty to the other wallflowers.

"In all honesty, he has been nothing but kind to me," Prue said. "He seemed sincere when he apologized to have hurt either of us or the others. That doesn't excuse him being part of the situation, of course."

"No, but if he weren't so charming, it would be easier to take offense."

Charming and handsome, and when he offered that lopsided smile, she wanted to give him anything he asked for, including kisses. Given her previous experience with a rogue, she was a fool to trust him with any part of herself.

"Have you thought of a way to turn the tables on them?" Millie asked as she selected thread for her embroidery.

"Not exactly. I don't think confronting them will make a wit of difference."

"True. Our opinions don't matter." Millie sighed.

"Yes, they do, regardless of whether the rogues agree." Prue narrowed her eyes as she considered their options. In truth, she felt powerless. As Millie had pointed out, nothing she said, even if she had the confidence to confront them, would matter. However, that didn't mean what the wallflowers thought was meaningless.

"How unfortunate that we don't know their grandmothers," Prue said with a smile. "If they are anything like Mrs. Sutton, they might have a few harsh words for their grandsons."

"Do you intend to tell her?" Millie's mouth gaped in shock.

"No." While Silas might care what his grandmother thought, the other rogues wouldn't. "It seems as if Maynard should be our focus since it was his idea."

If only she had the confidence to say something to him, but even their brief conversation at the ball had made her uncomfortable. Then again, he would only dismiss her since she was nobody to him, as were the rest of the ladies involved.

"Do you think they agreed on a list of wallflowers ahead of time?" Millie asked as she returned to her needlework.

"I have no idea." The thought saddened Prue, though there was little they could do about being labeled by the unflattering term.

Why couldn't people see one another for who they truly were rather than who they thought?

Millie scowled. "I find it quite frustrating."

"As do I." If they wanted to seek revenge of some sort, information was key. "How can we learn more about Viscount Maynard without him finding out?"

"Hmm. I know someone who enjoys gossip. She's a bit of a wallflower and might be of help."

"Can we trust her to keep a secret?" Prue asked.

"Probably not. Information tends to slip out before she thinks about the wisdom of it. I don't think she means any harm, but I can't say the same about her sister."

Millie explained how Lady Lucinda Ferrington and her sister, Lady Jane, had twisted The Mayfair Literary League's For Better or Worse agenda and nearly ruined two of the members' chances for a happily ever after. They later apologized but Millie remained wary of them, as did most of the other league members.

"Perhaps we can discuss other matters as well, so she doesn't realize our purpose," Prue suggested. "I wouldn't want Maynard to become aware of our intent."

"I'm sure we can." Millie set aside her embroidery and stood, a determined glint in her blue eyes. "There's no time to be wasted since there is another ball tomorrow evening. Shall we depart?"

Lady Lucinda was delighted they'd called. She was a newer member of The Mayfair Literary League and from what Millie had said, the other members were careful about what they discussed in her presence.

Luckily, her sister, Lady Jane, wasn't home.

"Are you enjoying the Season thus far?" Millie asked after introducing Prue and explaining that she wanted her cousin to meet all the league members.

"I am. Always exciting." The lady's narrow face and hooked nose made Prue think of a bird. Her hands awkwardly fluttered as she spoke. "It has been a thrill to watch the success of our league members make such excellent matches over the last two Seasons, don't you think?"

"Yes, indeed," Millie agreed.

Prue thought it interesting that Lady Lucinda seemed so pleased by the matches when she had caused several problems for the ladies in the group. Had she truly joined because of her love of books, or did she hope to take part in the For Better or Worse agenda?

The opulent drawing room with pink floral wallpaper held more figurines and paintings than Prue could count. The décor suggested Lady Lucinda's mother wanted any callers to know of their wealth, though Prue found it cluttered rather than impressive.

The conversation continued, and it was quickly clear that Millie had been right to suggest they call on her. Lady Lucinda seemed to know details about everyone who was anyone and admitted how much she enjoyed reading the gossip sheets. She shared what was on her mind, without thinking twice, in unsettling spurts.

Millie guided the discussion with a subtle hand until rogues were the topic and who among them was the most outrageous. Prue sent her an approving smile.

"So difficult to say who is the most roguish, isn't it?" Millie asked after their hostess mentioned several with whom Prue wasn't familiar.

"Indeed. I suppose we only hear of their more outrageous activities. The Marquess of Montfort only returned to England a few months ago and is already off the market." Lady Lucinda glanced at Prue. "Montfort recently married Lady Winifred, another of our members. Anyway, Viscount Winstead is a good friend of his and is said to be in search of an heiress."

That wasn't news, but Prue did not want to discuss Silas, especially his intent to marry an heiress. Especially after their kiss.

"The viscount is quite attractive," Millie added. "I believe he's friends with Viscount Maynard as well."

"Maynard is said to enjoy cards and women in equal measure." Lady Lucinda's eyes gleamed with interest. "Rumor has it that his mother, who is engaged in numerous charitable works, is nearing despair that he will ever marry. He is currently dallying with an Italian opera singer, much to her dismay."

"Do you find him attractive?" Millie asked the lady.

Lady Lucinda quickly shook her head. "He is not for the likes of me. I danced with him at a ball last week, but I can't say I enjoyed it."

"He is rather abrasive," Millie agreed. "What of Lord Randolph?"

Lady Lucinda smiled. "He is quite handsome. I also had the pleasure of dancing with him recently, though I wondered if he had one drink too many. Conversing with him was a challenge."

Millie lifted a brow at Prue who nodded. They had more information than they'd had before. Whether or not it would be helpful remained to be seen.