Free A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan

activity? Her cheeks warmed even though she was not entirely certain what that meant.
    Aurelia continued, “I’ve overheard Dec speak of it with Camden.” She sat up on the settee, apparently warming to the subject. “You must be a member. Or get an invitation from a member.” Her lips twisted wryly. “I’m sure no such invitation would be forthcoming from Dec.”
    Rosalie snorted, imagining her stepbrother’s face if Aurelia approached him with such a request. “No. I imagine not.”
    â€œSo we would have to secure memberships for ourselves. I’ve enough pin money set aside. I don’t know the cost, but I’m sure we could manage some manner of temporary membership that—­”
    â€œAurelia,” Rosalie broke in. “Slow down a moment. You cannot be serious. Ladies of repute cannot attend such a—­”
    â€œI’m certain they do !” Aurelia nodded doggedly. “Wearing dominos, with no threat of discovery, why ever not?”
    Rosalie stared at her, trying to process what she was suggesting and come up with a reason why this was the worst idea in the history of terrible ideas. She only arrived at: “You are serious.”
    Aurelia nodded. “I am quite serious.” She scooted closer on the great big bed, her brown eyes luminous. “Will you not join me?”
    â€œI—­I—­”
    â€œDo you not crave a taste of adventure before you marry the likes of Lord Strickland?”
    â€œI’m not marrying Lord Strickland,” Rosalie was quick to object.
    Aurelia sank back on the settee with an arch of her dark eyebrow, flopping her arm onto the bed where Rosalie’s skirts pooled. She toyed with the pink fabric. “Indeed,” she said mildly. “You’re not? You’re certain of this?” A decided glint entered her brown eyes.
    Rosalie sat up a little straighter, crossing her legs beneath her voluminous skirts. “I think I would know who I will and won’t marry.”
    Aurelia made a humming sound and crossed her arms over her chest. “I heard Strickland mention to Mama that he wished to call on Dec.”
    Rosalie said nothing for several moments as she processed this. “I’m sure it has nothing to do with me—­”
    Now Aurelia snorted. “It has everything to do with you. Did you think Mama and Dec were merely planning your social calendar for you? Oh, Rosalie,” she tsked, and shook her head. “They’re planning your life . . . right down to the groom.”
    Rosalie inhaled sharply through her nose. “You’re mistaken.”
    Aurelia gave her a pitying look that seemed to say, We shall see .
    Rosalie shook her head, a sick feeling starting in her stomach as she watched her companion rise from the bed and smooth down her skirts. “If you say so. Meanwhile, if you change your mind . . . I’m sure I can get us inside Sodom.”
    â€œThank you, but I don’t think so.”
    Aurelia groaned. “Oh, very well. I shall die a dusty old spinster with only the memory of Archibald Lewis’s kiss to comfort me.”
    Rosalie fought down a grin. Aurelia was nothing if not entertaining. “Dusty and old are not words that come to mind in association with you. I doubt you’ll behave old even when you are.”
    â€œVery well.” Turning, she held up her hand and fluttered her fingers. “Good night.”
    â€œGood night,” Rosalie murmured, rising to her feet as her maid entered the room, bypassing Aurelia.
    She moved to stand before the mirror, gazing at her reflection as Sally moved behind her and began unhooking the tiny buttons on her gown.
    â€œGood evening, miss,” the maid said. “Have a nice time tonight?”
    â€œYes, Sally, thank you.”
    â€œYou look lovely in this pink gown . . . so brilliant with your hair.”
    â€œThank you,