“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.