Page 2 of If the Duke Dares
“And yet we are all destined to marry one, whether we want to or not,” Tamsin said, also rising. “Why should a reprobate like Bane be allowed to ruin a sweet person like Pandora?”
“Because he’s an earl and heir to a dukedom.Hecan do whatever he wishes and likely suffer no consequences.” Gwendolyn Price, the newest member of their club, got to her feet as she shook her head. Her brown eyes glittered with outrage as her dark curls brushed her cheeks. “It isn’t remotely fair.”
“But what can we do?” Pandora asked forlornly.
Persephone clasped her sister’s hand and looked into her eyes. “We can vow to not let them get away with their behavior. We can band together and sayenough. We won’t tolerate being treated this way, and we won’t play by their rules.”
“We’ll make our own rules,” Min said.
“Starting with ‘never walk alone with a rogue,’” Pandora said bitterly. “And never flirt with one either.”
Gwen held up her hand. “Forgive me, but what is a rogue exactly? Are all men rogues?”
“Yes,” Pandora said emphatically.
Min sent Pandora a sympathetic look. “Notallmen, but a great many who swan about with their privilege, their poor reputations for whatever transgressions they’ve committed, and their arrogance.”
“I would say rogues pay little attention to Society’s rules—or any rules, really,” Ellis said.
“That would be their privilege,” Persephone added with a nod. “They think they can get away with whatever they want without a care for anyone else. Utterly reckless.”
Min shrugged. “Some aren’t even that bad. In my experience, rogues can simply flirt too much. They think they’re irresistible.” She rolled her eyes. “They also tend to gamble and drink to excess. And, of course, anyone who spends time at the Rogue’s Den is, by definition, a rogue.”
“What’s the Rogue’s Den?” Gwen asked.
“A place in London where rogues go for their bed sport, and true rogues are not discreet about it,” Min said with a sniff. “One must be a member, and it’s rather elite.”
Gwen opened her mouth to perhaps ask how Min would know, but Min went on. “My brother is a member, and he is most definitely a rogue.”
“Your brother’s entire set are rogues,” Persephone said. “Except perhaps Droxford. I can’t say he’s exhibited roguish tendencies.”
“Not that we’ve seen, but one must wonder given his company,” Min said warily.
Gwen nodded firmly. “I think I understand. I daresay my brother may be a rogue. He is a terrible flirt. He also likes to do risky things—the more dangerous, the better, such as racing in a high-perch phaeton.”
“That is absolutely rogue behavior—more recklessness,” Min said.
“My mother despises when he does such things, especially since he always promises her that he will stop.” Gwen exhaled. “Rogues are likely not entirely truthful.”
Pandora scoffed. “Not atall. Bane vowed his eternal adoration just moments before he informed me that he was betrothed.”
Ellis curled her lip. “That’s another rule: never believe their pledges of love and devotion.”
“And when you hear of a rogue’s reputation, never doubt it,” Pandora added fiercely. “They are not to be trusted to change.”
“Indeed, once a rogue, forever a rogue,” Persephone said, squeezing her sister’s hand.
Pandora nodded vigorously in agreement. “Never, ever allow a rogue to see your heart. I wish I hadn’t.”
Persephone ached for her sister. “Never even give a rogue a chance. I wish I’d given you that advice.” She’d hoped Bane was not as bad as his reputation had purported him to be.
Min’s eyes glittered with intent. “Most importantly, if given the opportunity, ruin the rogue before he can ruin you.”
“Amen!”
“Huzzah!”
Cheers went around the room, and Persephone nearly sobbed at the sight of her sister smiling faintly. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
