A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

for lunch?”
    Lady Peregrine looked up from the swatches that she held up for comparison against Rosalie’s face. “We’ve much to do and a short amount of time. Really, Aurelia, think of Rosalie and don’t be so selfish.”
    â€œI am thinking of Rosalie, Mama. She looks on the verge of expiring, too!”
    Lady Peregrine shot her an exasperated look before fixing her attention once again on two swatches of blue that looked very much alike in Rosalie’s opinion. “Which one for the Colton ball?”
    Aurelia flopped back on the chaise with a moan. “Mama, they are identical. We’re tired and famished.”
    â€œVery well, you little monster.” Lady Peregrine flung a scrap of silk at her with a decided lack of heat. A smile played about her lips. “I’ll ring for some refreshments.”
    â€œNo need.” Aurelia popped back up, suddenly revived. “Rosalie and I will go. I want to make certain Cook gives us plenty of those little lemon biscuits with the raspberry icing.” When her mother looked ready to object, she added, “And those sandwiches you love, Mama. Enough for all. I’m certain that Mrs. Ashby and her staff could use some fortification, too.”
    The modiste’s head jerked around from where she was surveying an assistant’s work on one of Rosalie’s day dresses. “That would be lovely. I am feeling rather peckish,” Mrs. Ashby agreed. The assistants nodded avidly.
    â€œOh, very well,” Lady Peregrine relented.
    Aurelia grabbed Rosalie’s hand and tugged her down from where she stood on a small dais.
    â€œTell Cook to prepare enough for everyone. But really, must you both—­”
    The door closing behind them muffled Lady Peregrine’s final words.
    â€œThere now. You’re free. Go. You can thank me later. I’ll fetch enough food that Mrs. Ashby and her assistants shall be occupied for a good hour.”
    â€œGo?” Rosalie shook her head. “Where?”
    â€œUse your imagination. It’s a large house.” She batted her hands at Rosalie before turning for the stairs that led to the kitchens.
    Rosalie stood there for a moment, weighing her options. Her room was in use. The library seemed a rather obvious place, as Lady Peregrine had already noted her fondness for books. She would know to look for her there.
    Deciding a little fresh air might do her some good, she slipped out the back of the house into the small garden. The sun fought through the clouds, and she lifted her face to its feeble rays. She was accustomed to colder weather in Yorkshire. This felt as good as the warmest day she was ever treated to there.
    She descended the steps and strode across the brick courtyard, past the bench and out onto the lawn. Bending, she removed her slippers and enjoyed the cool grass beneath her toes. Leaving them behind, she walked deeper into the garden, turning between two thick hedges of heather, stopping when she came to a large oak. She sank down before the base of it, the bark at her back. Stretching her legs out in front of her, she wiggled her exposed toes in the air, inching her skirts up to her knees.
    Arching her neck, she looked up at the thick canopy of leaves, rustling softly in the wind. This almost felt normal. Out here she could almost forget what waited for her in that enormous house just beyond the courtyard. A luxurious life that suddenly felt too big. Frightening in its strangeness.
    â€œYou still have a fondness for the outdoors, I see.”
    Her gaze dropped and she straightened, pushing her skirts back down to her ankles as she focused on Banbury standing before her.
    â€œYour Grace.” She pulled back her head to look up at him, following the lean lines of his frame. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œThis is my house.” He waved a hand. “My garden.”
    She flushed and started to rise. “Yes, of course. Of course, it