Page 45 of When the Viscount Seduces
“Yes,” Gwen replied. “I broke at least two rogue rules, but I’m not sorry. I wanted to know what a kiss felt like, and now I do.”
“Bravo,” Jo said. “There is nothing wrong with kissing a man, provided you don’t get caught. What if you married someone and they were terrible at kissing?”
Tamsin exhaled. “I didn’t kiss Isaac until after we were married. It wasn’t even on our wedding night. Fortunately, he isnotterrible at kissing. Or anything else, for that matter.” A faint blush bloomed in her cheeks.
“That is fortunate indeed, Lady Droxford,” Jo said.
“You must call me Tamsin. If we’re all to call you Jo, you must use our given names as well. I daresay we’re friends already,” she added almost shyly.
Min sent Tamsin an apologetic look. “I’m sorry you thought you couldn’t share the truth with us. We must all promise to be honest—as Gwen has been today. We love each other, don’t we? There will be no judgment.”
They all nodded. “I promise,” Gwen said. “I do feel better telling you about last night.”
“I promise too,” Tamsin agreed.
“I do as well, though I can’t imagine I will ever have anything interesting to disclose,” Ellis said. She was a confirmed spinster, even if she hadn’t reached spinsterhood yet.
Jo sent Ellis a hooded look. “You never know what may happen. Also, I, for one, don’t want to feel badly if I decidenotto share something. There are just some things that aren’t our secrets to share, and others can’t be…articulated.” She shrugged.
Min surveyed Jo with interest. “I suspect your experiences eclipse all of ours put together.”
Letting out a short, sharp laugh, Jo shook her head. “I don’t know if that’s true. As I said, I observe a great deal. That doesn’t mean it ismyexperience.”
“You must hear a fair amount of gossip,” Ellis noted.
“I do, but I discount most of it. People just like to hear themselves talk.”
“Well, in the interest of sharing information, I should tell you something,” Min announced. “Given my current reputation for being too discriminating, my parents are worried I have ruined my chances to wed by refusing so many suitors and making it clear I won’t suffer anyone with even a hint of roguish behavior.”
“What does that mean?” Gwen asked. “Are you no longer on the Marriage Mart?”
“It means her parents are furious with her behavior and want her to marry someone of their choosing.” Ellis sent Min a sympathetic look.
“It can’t be that bad,” Tamsin said, ever the optimist. “You’ll find the right person this Season.”
Min shrugged. “I don’t know if that will be possible. I am not asked to dance very often, and I’ve had two callers. For the entire Season.”
Gwen’s jaw dropped. How could she have had more callers than Min? That made no sense.
“And I’m afraid I can’t do much to fix things, even if I wanted to. My reputation has worsened, thanks in large part to gossip from other young ladies and their mothers. I think they believe my absence from the Marriage Mart will vault them into popularity.” Min rolled her eyes.
“Are people really that cruel?” Tamsin asked.
“Yes,” Jo replied. “I’ve heard plenty of gossip about Lady Minerva and her perceived arrogance.”
“Arrogance?” Gwen couldn’t think of a word that described Min less.
Min shrugged. “That doesn’t surprise me. As Henlow’s daughter, people have a predetermined idea of who I am. That has always been part of the problem with my time on the Marriage Mart. Most gentlemen I meet think they know all about me already. That, and they don’t care to become acquainted with me. They see my father’s title and connections, and that is what they really want.”
“So true,” Jo murmured. “I’m sorry for that.”
Min looked over at Ellis. “We’ll just be spinsters together, and that will be fine.” She laughed, and Ellis smiled in return.
“I’ll join you, as I’ve also decided to eschew marriage,” Jo said. “We can form a club.”
“Yes, please,” Min replied with a grin. “We’ll host literary salons. Can an unmarried young woman do that?” she mused.
“I just want to attend one,” Tamsin said. She addressed Jo. “Can you obtain an invitation for me?”
