Chapter Fifteen
“Nicholas Archer is trying to seduce me,” Bea announced.
She and her friends were gathered once more in her sitting room—the unofficial headquarters of The Wallflower’s Revolt—sunlight slanting through the tall windows and catching motes of dust above the tea table.Bea stood near the hearth, still flushed, her pale blue muslin gown creased where she’d twisted her fingers into the fabric.Georgie lounged on the settee in a pink-striped walking dress, bonnet abandoned on the chair beside her, teacup poised in one hand.Poppy sat cross-legged on the rug at their feet, embroidery hoop balanced against her knee, her soft yellow day dress already speckled with stray threads.It was meant to be a meeting.It had become a confession.
Georgie choked violently on her tea.Poppy dropped her embroidery hoop on the rug.
“What?”they both screeched simultaneously.
Bea turned to face her friends, fingertips pressed to her temples.“He told me.Directly.That he intends to seduce me.And then—and then—he somehow managed to kiss me.”
Georgie stared, the look on her face half-horrified, half-impressed.“Did you slap him?”
“No,” Bea muttered.She was still wondering at herself about that.Whyhadn’tshe slapped him?If anything deserved a slap in response, it was that kiss.
“Did you bite him?”Poppy asked, far too hopefully.
“No,” Bea groaned.Honestly, she hadn’t thought of it at the time.Not a half-bad idea.Something to consider for next time.Notthat there would be a next time.Because while she might have to pretend to allow him tocourther, she certainly didn’t have to allow him tokissher again…ever.
“What did you do?”Georgie asked, blinking in confusion.
“I kissed him back,” Bea admitted, expelling a long sigh.
“Oh,” Georgie breathed, eyes widening.
“Oh?”Poppy echoed, obviously scandalized.
“Yes,” Bea admitted.“But only briefly.Quitebriefly.”
Georgie leaned forward, pursing her lips.“So let me ensure I understand this correctly.Nicholas Archer kissed you and you enjoyed it enough to kiss him back?”
“Briefly!”Bea repeated.
“Too briefly to know whether you enjoyed it?”Georgie pressed, a sly smile on her lips.
“He infuriates me,” Bea insisted.“His politics are wrong, his humor is uncivilized, he’s smug and glories in it—and yet?—”
“He’s an excellent kisser,” Georgie supplied, another wicked grin on her face.
Bea scowled.“You’re not helping.”
“Very well,” Georgie said, setting her teacup aside and smoothing her skirts.“If you’re determined to be a spinster?—”
“Wallflower,” Bea corrected.
“Then why not kiss him?”Georgie shrugged.“I mean it.If it’s enjoyable.Be discreet.Have fun.”
Poppy gasped so hard she nearly inhaled a needle.“Georgiana!You cannot possibly mean that.”
“I mean exactly that,” Georgie replied.“Why shouldn’t Bea enjoy herself a bit?You don’t have to marry the man to enjoy him.”
Bea opened her mouth, then she closed it and scowled again.“I cannot possibly enjoy myself with Nicholas Archer.”
“I believe you,” Georgie hummed, giving her a slow wink.
Bea groaned again.“Stop looking at me like that.This is not about kissing.Or seduction.Or…his ridiculous mouth.”She rubbed her forehead vigorously.“We have more important concerns.”
Poppy perked up.“Such as?”
