Prue knew she’d been poor company for Millie the past several days but was determined to change that. Attending a meeting of The Mayfair Literary League was the perfect distraction from her woes even if it would be only temporary.
Her decision not to attend Mrs. Sutton’s birthday party had been difficult. She desperately wanted to see Silas and help his grandmother celebrate. Yet it was too soon to be with him. Hiding her feelings would’ve been impossible. She’d settled for sending a message to Mrs. Sutton with her regrets and to express her best wishes, using the excuse of not feeling well for not attending.
Lady Bolton’s warm but elegant drawing room was filled with over half a dozen ladies near her own age. Prue had already met several at the parties she’d attended since arriving in London and found them to be wonderful.
Lady Bolton’s loose gown hinted at the baby she carried. Her pregnancy clearly agreed with her based on her contented expression.
Millie had shared the book the group was reading so Prue could read it too and participate in the discussion.
After Lady Bolton called the meeting to order, a lively discussion over the merits of the book began. The ladies were not shy about sharing their opinions or disagreeing with one another, but it was all done respectfully.
They voted between three suggestions for the next book, and Prue wished she was going to be there for it as it was one of her favorites. However, she and her mother would most likely return to their country estate by then.
“Next is our For Better or Worse agenda. Does anyone have anything to share?” Lady Bolton asked.
Prue was intrigued by the idea of the ladies making bold moves toward the men who caught their interest, and she admired the happiness the plan had brought several of them.
But a bold move wouldn’t solve her problem. Silas already knew how much she cared for him, though she hadn’t told him in so many words. She hoped her actions had shown him. From what he said when they’d parted, he felt the same way.
While she admired his determination to rectify his family’s finances as they were obviously in dire straits, she hated that it stripped away their chance for happiness together. Unfortunately, she was powerless to change it.
Still, the success of the group’s agenda couldn’t be denied. One need only look around the room to see that. Lady Bolton’s bold move had been to propose a marriage of convenience to the man who was now her loving husband. Lady Tabitha Shaw was married to a mystery author who had been a friend since childhood, all because she’d suggested a pretend betrothal.
Lady Harriet Persimmons’ wedding to a viscount was next week. Miss Frances Melbourne was newly betrothed, her fiancé having recently returned from America. One of the other ladies, a new duchess, was on her wedding trip, having asked her secret tendre for a simple favor. Their ideas seemed ingenious thus far.
Millie shifted in her seat, drawing Prue’s attention. A glance at her cousin’s face suggested she dearly wanted to say something—or perhaps do something.
Prue understood and held her breath as a flash of determination crossed Mille’s features only to be quickly followed by resignation. Her shoulders slumped as if she’d decided against the idea that gripped her.
Lady Bolton noticed Millie’s change of heart as well, though she was careful not to draw attention to it. The countess cleared her throat. “Remember, our goal is to choose action over regret. Isn’t it better to attempt to reach for what we want and risk failure than to always wonder if there was something we could have done to change our future?”
The question settled deep into Prue’s heart. She completely agreed and pressed her lips tight to keep a resounding “yes!” from slipping out.
Yet what could she possibly do to reach for Silas? Her funds were limited. She had already introduced his idea to her uncle. What else was there?
Perhaps it would be worthwhile to see if her uncle had any suggestions. That was a small step that might make a difference.
Another would be to help Silas win the wager. Did she dare? If she explained the situation to the other ladies, would they lend assistance? Would teaching Maynard a lesson be enough to satisfy the wallflowers involved?
She glanced at Millie, wondering what her cousin would say if she told her how much she cared for Silas. Helping him was no guarantee that he’d win since she didn’t know the exact terms of the wager or who was leading. But the need to act was taking a firm hold.
As if feeling the weight of her regard, Millie turned to meet Prue’s eyes and smiled, a thoughtful look upon her face. Did that mean an idea was brewing for her as well? Prue hoped so.
As Lady Bolton said, wasn’t it better to reach and fail than live with regret?
Chapter Eleven
The more Prue considered Lady Bolton’s words after the meeting, the more determined she became. So determined that she called on her uncle late the following morning, hoping a conversation with him would clarify how to proceed.
She knew above all that she didn’t want to live with regret, and if she didn’t do everything in her power to help Silas so they could be together, she would most definitely regret it.
“Prudence, how good to see you. Are you enjoying your time in London?” Uncle Arthur asked.
She moved through the pleasantries as quickly as possible and explained the reason she’d called.
“I do think Winstead’s plan has potential,” he said. “I told him as much and that there are other investors in London who might be interested even though my group isn’t. Building a prototype could be expensive but worthwhile to prove how innovative his design is.”
“Would you be willing to provide him with an introduction to other potential investors?” Prue asked.