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.