Read Online A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan - Free Book Online Page B

for her maid. “And why does me being like you not sound like a compliment?”
    Aurelia made a face. “There’s a reason I’m still unwed.”
    â€œI thought you lost a year while you were in mourning and then another for half-­mourning—­”
    â€œYes, but I’ve had one Season. Last year. Mama was hoping for a match then.”
    â€œSo how are we alike? Tell me.” Rosalie pulled the last pin and shook her hair free with a soft moan of relief.
    â€œI loathe the balls and parties. Perhaps not at first, but they soon became tedious. One is much like another. All the girls our age wax on and on of fashion and gossip. And the gentlemen . . .” She sighed, falling back on the settee edging Rosalie’s bed to gaze forlornly up at the ceiling. “Have you met a single one to stir your blood?”
    Rosalie stared at Aurelia for a moment, caught off guard from her candid speech. But that was only part of her hesitation. She was a little surprised to find that this elegant young lady, brought up with all the polish and advantages afforded one of high birth, wanted something else. Something more.
    Aurelia glanced her way. “Come now. Be truthful.”
    Rosalie gave a nod, agreeing. “No. No, I have not. Not that I’ve spent much time with anyone besides Lord Strickland in the last week.”
    Aurelia grimaced. “Indeed. He did close in rather quickly on you, didn’t he? You’re simply too nice.”
    â€œShould I be impolite?” Rosalie demanded helplessly. “I can’t be caustic and sharp-­tongued like—­”
    â€œMe?” Aurelia rolled to her side and pulled her knees to her chest, her pastel green skirts a pool around her as she faced Rosalie. The color did nothing for her friend’s olive-­toned complexion. Sadly, it made her look mildly ill.
    They fell into silence, each lost in their thoughts.
    Aurelia bit her lip until she finally said with a heavy exhale, “I don’t suppose I can continue to behave that way either. Mama is at her end with me. She’s complained to my brother . . . he’s threatening to send me to live with my elderly Aunt Daphne in Scotland. Once there, I might as well give up all hope of ever . . .”
    Her voice faded and Rosalie prodded, “Ever what?”
    â€œOf ever experiencing adventure, love . . . a kiss that doesn’t make me want to wipe my mouth off afterward.”
    Rosalie sat up anxiously. “Someone kissed you?”
    â€œIt happened last season. Archibald Lewis, the vicar’s son, isn’t that ironic? He snuck a kiss on me.” She wrinkled her nose. “It tasted of fish and soured milk. Wretched experience. But that’s beside the point.” She fluttered a hand. Rosalie nodded, feeling a bit dizzy in her attempt to follow. “Wouldn’t you want to know what a kiss felt like from someone who knew how to kiss? And isn’t old enough to be our father? And doesn’t look like the back end of a mule?
    â€œEr, well. Yes.”
    â€œMe, too.” Aurelia punched a fist into her palm. “It’s simply not fair that my brother and Dec and that boor Camden can sow their oats to their hearts’ content while we must wither on the vine, waiting to be plucked up by an eligible gentleman.”
    Rosalie shook her head. “But what can we do about it?”
    Aurelia gestured wildly. “Something. Anything!” Her arms flopped at her sides. “If I’m to be sent to rusticate with Aunt Daphne until I’m old and dead, then I should blasted well live a little first.” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial pitch. “We should go to Sodom.”
    â€œSodom? As in Sodom and Gomorrah? From the Bible?” Rosalie frowned, not sure if this was some tonnish expression she had yet to learn.
    â€œIt’s a private club host to all manner of illicit activity.”
    Illicit