“Which one?” Prue asked. “They are both annoying.”
Silas reached to hold her as the strains of a waltz started, more than ready to put the rogues from his mind.
“Oh, my.” Prue stilled, her focus on the group they’d left.
Silas followed her gaze to see the wallflowers had surrounded the two men and were escorting them toward the ballroom entrance. The men looked dumbfounded by the turn of events.
“Serves them right,” Silas said.
“I do believe the wallflowers have won the day.” Prue laughed as they started to move in time to the music.
“And you have won my heart.” Silas looked into her eyes, hoping she understood his meaning.
“Oh, Silas.” The joy in her expression made her the most beautiful woman in the room. “You have mine as well.”
“Then I am the happiest man in all of London.” His hold tightened as they moved in time to the music.
“I knew it,” Prue whispered, a smile curling her lips.
“What?”
“That dancing with you would be perfect.”
“We are perfect together.” Silas held her gaze, nearly drowning in her lovely blue eyes. She truly was the angel he’d thought when she’d come upon him after he fell from the tree.
But as much as he enjoyed the dance, he was more than ready to speak with Prue alone when the music ended. He had so much to say and couldn’t wait another moment.
“I have so much to tell you,” he began as they started off the dance floor.
“Winstead.”
Silas groaned at the sight of Randolph and Ulstead approaching. Was he never going to have a moment alone with Prue?
“It seems you’ve won. We concede. None of the wallflowers will dance with us, so the wager is over.” Ulstead looked around the room. “I thought Maynard was here, but I can’t find him at the moment.”
“Congratulations.” Randolph scowled. “Clever of you to pretend like you weren’t interested in winning only to do it anyway.”
Silas shook his head. While happy to have won the wager, it was the reaction of Prue and the wallflowers that truly touched him. “That wasn’t exactly how it worked but thank you. Now if the two of you will excuse us...”
“Of course.” Randolph glanced at Prue as if just now realizing she was there. “I will find Maynard to tell him the news.”
“A word of advice to the two of you.” Silas held Prue’s gaze and smiled. “Take a second look at the wallflowers. You never know what you might find among the blooms.”
The lords shook their heads, clearly thinking him mad. Silas didn’t care and forgot all about them as he and Prue skirted the dance floor and walked toward the patio doors.
Prue stepped onto the deserted patio, her heart swelling with love as she turned to face Silas.
The support of the wallflowers had been touching, and she was grateful for their understanding. Now she was ready to hear what Silas had wanted to tell her when he first found her earlier.
“Prudence.” He took her hands in his, shifting them to the side where shadows lingered. “What I intended to say was that I am ordering the prototype in the next few days.” He smiled. “Perhaps even sooner than I expected since you have some of my plans.”
Disappointment took hold. Silly of her to have hoped he would tell her something else. “I hope they help.”
“I don’t know what will come of this, and I have nothing to offer you if no one is interested in my design, but I would like to ask you to wait for me. I would like nothing more than to have you as my wife. My partner for life.”
“Oh, Silas.” Prue wanted to weep with joy. “I would like that, too.”
“I know we haven’t known each other long, but I already know that I love you. The future is impossible to consider without you in it.” The sincerity in his face caught her breath.