“Doesn’t seem like he’s determined to forget yours,” Persephone murmured thoughtfully. “I can’t believe he was your first dance. Or well, I can believe it because it happened, but to think your luck is so bad that you caught the attention of the one man that woman set her sights on.”
“I didn’t catch his attention,” Elowyn disagreed. “You forget, I’m the only reason he isn’t shackled to her right now. He simply wishes to ensure I don’t go back on my word.”
“Didn’t seem that way to me,” Persephone murmured. “The way he looked at you . . . so intense!”
“That still doesn’t excuse what Lady Gabrielle did,” Isadora said. “Fortunately, others seem to agree. I’ve heard she’s been cast off the guest list by several hosts. You might not have a problem with her in the future, which is why you should come to the tea.”
That bolstered her mood. “I see. That’s good.” Then Mandeville wouldn’t have a reason to steal any more of her firsts. What had her brother said again? The man didn’t do anything without gain. He seemed to be only one who won in the end.
Persephone grinned wickedly. “That woman was her own downfall. No one would raise a brow if Mandeville rejected her outright.”
“Serves her right,” Elowyn muttered.
“Speaking of serving, your new pink gown arrived, correct?” Persephone waggled her brows. “You must wear it to the tea. A dress like that deservesto be seen.”
Isadora grinned. “Yes! That dress was meant for your garden tryst, right? Well, we are going to a garden tea.”
Elowyn sighed, but the corner of her lips twitched.
“See. You want to go,” Persephone pressed. “You aremeantto go.”
“Besides,” Isadora said. “Are you going to give up just like this? Going to let that woman steal your joy?”
Her face flamed as she recalled how she had tossed those words to Mandeville. She’d said them in anger, not because they were true. This season truly was off to a tough start. But no, she didn’t want to give up. No matter how they came about, she had already accomplished two things on her list of items.
“Fine. I’ll go,” Elowyn muttered, shaking her head at the twin beaming grins of her friends.
It was a tea party, after all.
Both Isadora and Persephone would be there.
There was nothing to fear, right?
***
Julien couldn’t get her out of his mind. The look of horror on her face as she realized what had just happened. He had hated—hated—the humiliation swimming in those jewel-bright eyes. It bloody haunted his every waking moment. His every dream. He wanted nothing more than to see for himself that she no longer carried that shame in her eyes, but she hadn’t left herhouse once in the past three days. And he’d know. He had two men stationed outside that informed him of every movement of that household. The same with Dansbury and his niece. No one made a damn move without his knowledge.
Wrath entered White’s and made his way over to his table, plopping down. “I thought I’d find you here.”
“Nowhere else to be,” Julien muttered moodily.
“Heard Cranbrook called on you today. Good or bad news?”
“Good.”
Wrath nodded. “That’s a relief then. Sided with you?”
“It’s not about sides anymore. Dansbury’s niece has managed to anger quite a few women. It seems the chit dug more than her own grave with that stunt.”
“But you’re not happy.”
Of course not. His wildflower had been hurt. “I won’t be happy until I crush the life from their family fortunes and crush their spirits.” Watch the same humiliation and shame they inflicted on others cross their faces.
“Savage.”
“They brought this on themselves.”
“Are you sure you’re doing it for yourself? Or are you doing it for a certain lady, perhaps?”
