“Intriguing.” Pride lit Silas’s eyes as a smile curved his lips. “He’s an astute man. He had several questions about the design as well as production and requested a few additional drawings before he proposes it to the investor group he leads.”
“That’s wonderful news. He tends to be cautious with his selections, so you should be pleased he wants to proceed to the next step.”
Silas kept his gaze on the drawing as if avoiding looking at her. “You don’t think he is simply acting interested because you asked him on my behalf?”
Prue nearly laughed, certain he jested. When she saw he was serious, she shook her head. “Uncle Arthur and I are close, but he takes inventions seriously and would never risk investing in something he didn’t believe in wholeheartedly.”
“If you’re sure...” Silas studied her as if he remained unconvinced.
Feeling rather bold, Prue placed a hand on his arm and squeezed. “I am. I told you it was a wonderful idea, as did your grandmother. I would have been shocked if my uncle disagreed.”
In truth, it was touching to see the normally confident and outgoing Silas with such vulnerability in his eyes. Almost like he’d looked after they kissed last evening.
He slowly nodded. “Thank you again for the introduction.”
“My pleasure.”
He lifted a brow. “You’ve recovered from the encounter last evening?”
“I have.” Kissing Silas had nearly wiped seeing Waltham from her memory. “I would rather not come upon the marquess again, but I shall be more prepared if I do.”
“He is nothing but an ill-mannered lout who happens to have a title.”
Prue smiled. “I shall keep that in mind.”
“Someone should teach him a lesson.”
Silas’s words were a reminder of the plan to do exactly that to the rogues involved in the wager. She was half-tempted to mention it to him.
Though torn, her loyalty remained with the wallflowers. The rogues were the ones who had behaved poorly.
“Perhaps fate will step in and do so.” But any reckoning wouldn’t be given through her. The moment she’d locked eyes on Waltham, the small amount of confidence and poise she’d gained over the past three years disappeared in an instant.
“Prue.” The seriousness of Silas’s tone had her looking at him again. “Everything I said last night is true. You are a wonderful person.”
Person. Not friend, or acquaintance. Person. Somehow, the word felt cold. Did he think he’d been overly forward of late and didn’t want to give the wrong impression?
A woman of the world would understand. Prue lifted her chin and managed a smile. “You are too kind. I appreciate you helping me through a difficult situation.”
She returned her attention to the table. “Now then, how are the decorations coming?”
Silas advised her of a problem with the lilies they’d wanted as part of the bouquets. They discussed other flower options that might work, though it was clear the idea of not including his grandmother’s favorite flower didn’t please him.
She had the impression he wanted to put them back on friendly footing despite the heated kisses they’d shared the previous evening, yet still, he frequently touched her. A hand on her arm, a touch on her lower back, a brush against her shoulder.
All those left her with a heady feeling that made concentrating on the party nearly impossible.
In accordance with her new persona of being a woman of the world, she returned those touches several times. The feeling was glorious.
Bold and confident—those were two words she wouldn’t have thought to use to describe herself, and she had Silas to thank for them.
“I wonder if one of your grandmother’s friends has a conservatory and would be willing to provide a few lilies. Then we’d at least have some since your grandmother is so fond of them.”
“That’s a fine idea.” Silas’s doubtful look gave her pause. “However, I can’t say I know of anyone in particular, do you?”
“Aunt Edith mentioned someone. I’ll find out who it is when I return home.”
“Perfect. Shall we meet here again tomorrow and call on them together?”