The countess watched the dancing with a jaded expression as if she found it tiresome rather than entertaining. Two ladies flanked her, both thin rails compared to her.
“Are you certain you wish to speak with the countess?” Millie’s mother asked, clearly reluctant to introduce them. “The lady is not known for being friendly.”
“We won’t take much of her time,” Prudence assured her aunt. In truth, the lady’s formidable appearance had Prue questioning her plan.
Speaking with her might be just as challenging as speaking with her son. But a few minutes with her should reveal whether the countess would care about the wager her son had started.
A short while later, the introductions were made, and the lady looked over Prue and her mother from head to toe, making Prue pleased she’d dressed carefully. Never mind that she’d had Silas in mind when she’d chosen her blue silk gown.
“Lady Tinford, it is a pleasure to meet you.” Prue curtsied.
“Oh?” The woman lifted her brow.
“I have heard much about your charitable endeavors and admire them so.” Prue dearly hoped Lady Lucinda hadn’t gotten that wrong.
The lady lifted her chin, suggesting she was proud of her work. “It is our Christian duty to help those in need.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Mother and I lend support to an orphanage near our home.”
Her mother looked perplexed by the direction of the conversation but joined in, sharing a few details about the orphanage. They didn’t visit long and soon continued on their way along the ballroom.
“I must say I’m pleased you didn’t want to linger,” her mother said with a wary glance over her shoulder toward the countess. “She isn’t an easy person to speak with.”
Prue agreed.
“What did you think?” Millie asked when Prue rejoined her.
“It’s difficult to say whether she would be bothered by a wager her son made.” Prue sighed, feeling discouraged. “And he might not care what his mother thinks if he hasn’t bothered to hide his mistress.”
Millie scowled. “I didn’t consider that. How frustrating. There has to be a way to show the rogues we won’t stand for being used in this manner.”
“None of them will win if we all refuse to dance with them,” Prue pointed out.
Millie hesitated, clearly torn. “Refusing could ruin our chances of marrying.” She shook her head. “We shall speak with the other ladies and see what comes of it, though I worry they will dance with them anyway.” She shared a resigned look with Prue. “Some are quite desperate for a match, and I don’t blame them.”
Prue nodded, knowing Millie was right. Three years ago, she’d hesitated to dance with a rogue but feared it would be unwise to say no. The man had been the worse for drink and held her far too tightly during their dance. She’d done her best to keep an appropriate space between them with limited success.
At the end of the dance, the Marquess of Waltham became angry and grabbed her upper arms, tearing the lace trim of her gown in the process. Frightened, she’d shoved him, and he stumbled, angry at her rebuff, especially when the others on the dance floor stared.
Waltham spent the remainder of the evening telling everyone how rude she’d been. That was all it took for others, especially gentlemen, to keep their distance for the remainder of the Season.
Prue had been relegated to watching the dancing, and the only offer she’d received was from a wealthy merchant’s son who liked her father’s title more than her.
Though she wished she’d listened to the voice in her head warning her which would’ve saved her the humiliation, ladies did not refuse to dance with gentlemen without cause.
Time away from London helped her regain her balance if not her confidence. Yet she couldn’t allow one rogue’s actions years ago to make her miserable for the rest of her life. That meant he’d won, something she refused to allow.
“I considered requesting assistance from the Countess of Bolton,” Millie whispered, eyes narrowed. “You may remember me mentioning she is the founder of our literary league. But since she is happily married and expecting a child, I thought we wallflowers should attempt to band together to address the problem first.”
“Agreed.” Prue thought it best for the ladies affected to be the ones to take action. “However, we shall call in reinforcements, if necessary.”
“Agreed.”
Yet after a conversation with the first wallflower they came upon, they were already having second thoughts.
“My mother would never permit me to refuse a dance,” Lady Catherine Melrose said after they’d told her about the situation. “I receive so few.”
“I understand,” Millie told her. “But if one of the rogues asks you, they are only doing so because of the wager.”