“I have heard terrible news. There is a wallflower wager underway.” Millie’s lips tightened as she glared across the ballroom.
“I don’t understand.” Prue followed her gaze to where Silas stood talking to Randolph and Maynard, along with two other men.
“I overheard Maynard speaking with Randolph. They have a wager going that whoever can first manage to dance with twelve wallflowers at twelve different balls will win a substantial sum of money.”
Prue’s heart sank. She had a terrible feeling she knew at least four of the scoundrels involved based on the men at whom Millie glared. “Twelve?”
“Yes.” Millie looked back at her. “I’m given to understand the men speaking with Viscount Winstead are involved.”
Prue nodded. “Including him?” She had to ask even though she was already certain of the answer.
“Yes.” Millie’s lips twisted, her disappointment obvious. “And here I thought this Season was going to be different. I was rather excited by how many dances I’ve had at the last few balls. But they only asked because of a wager, not because they have any interest in me.”
“Oh, Millie.” Prue pressed her cousin’s arm, hating to see how discouraged and hurt she was. “None of them deserve you. You’re far too special for the likes of them.”
Millie shook her head. “Am I? I suppose I should be flattered that they consider me a wallflower rather than a spinster.”
“Millie—”
“If only the Marquess of Linford wasn’t one of the rogues involved.” She pressed a gloved hand to her chest. “I have had a secret tendre for him for some time now.”
“Perhaps he isn’t.” Prue didn’t know who the man was but hoped she was right.
“He is. I’ve spoken to him several times of late as his sister, Eliza, is in our literary league. Each time I fall a little more. When he asked me to dance, my heart soared. But now I know the reason.” She turned her back on the men and heaved a sigh. “Life can be so unfair.”
“Yes, it can.” Prue knew that firsthand. Anger had her clenching her fist at the realization that her cousin was being hurt much the same way Prue had been during her debut. She’d been humiliated by a lord in front of everyone, and it had nearly ruined her. She prayed she didn’t come upon him again. She didn’t know if she could bear it. “We can’t allow them to do this.”
Millie shook her head with a resigned expression. “I don’t know what we could possibly do. Wallflowers like us have no power against rogues like them.”
“Surely we can do something.” Prue refused to believe otherwise. “Allowing ourselves to be manipulated in such a fashion is unacceptable.”
“I suppose we could try to convince the other ladies who might be considered wallflowers not to dance with them if asked.” She frowned. “But some are so desperate for a match they probably won’t agree.”
“We shall ask anyway. We must find a way to thwart their game. But there must be more we can do. Something that will teach them a lesson.”
Millie almost smiled. “That would be ideal, though I can’t imagine how we could manage it.”
“I shall think on it. Meanwhile, let us speak with those who might be affected by their wager. Surely a few won’t want to dance once they know why they’re being asked.”
Millie nodded. “I will alert my friends in the literary league, as well. They’ll help to spread the news.”
“Are any wallflowers?” Prue asked.
“Not anymore. Most are either betrothed or recently wed. I’m one of the few still unattached in the group.” Her smile was rather wistful. “You see, the founder of our league proposed that we each consider making a bold move to catch the attention of the men who captured our interest. We call it the For Better or Worse agenda.”
“What sort of bold move?” The term alone was both concerning and intriguing.
“Nothing untoward, of course. No compromising situations or anything of that ilk. Something that helps the gentlemen see us in a new light, as a potential partner for life.”
“How interesting.” The more Prue thought it over, the more she liked it. To take action rather than waiting along the wall of the ballroom and hoping.
“It has been. A stolen kiss, a marriage proposal, a pretend betrothal, a favor of some sort.” Millie smiled. “The ladies have been quite inventive with their moves.”
“And successful?”
“Absolutely.” Millie’s smile faltered. “At least, those who have made a bold move have been.”
“Do you intend to participate?” Prue asked gently, wondering if she’d already attempted a move only to have it fail.