A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan

without deliberation. It was simply the only thought in her head.
    Aunt Peregrine gasped. An irreverent laugh escaped Aurelia, which she quickly silenced by slapping a hand over her mouth.
    Strickland blinked, his smile slipping ever so slightly. “Er, what . . . Uh, no. I spoke with your brother—­”
    â€œStepbrother,” she snapped.
    He inclined his head at the error. “I only just spoke with him moments ago and he accepted—­”
    â€œHe told you I would marry you?”
    Strickland stared at her as if unsure how to proceed, his mouth parted like a gaping fish.
    She demanded again, the point very important to her, “ He told you I would marry you?
    At last, he nodded and found his voice. “Indeed. Quite happily so, he gave us his blessing.”
    The wretch! She pounded a fist into her lap, indifferent to the book sliding from her lap to the carpet.
    â€œRosalie,” Aunt Peregrine scolded.
    She vaulted to her feet, ignoring the warning. “Without even asking me?” She flattened a hand to her chest. It was inconceivable that he would accept an offer without consulting her.
    She began pacing the room, heedless of anything in that moment save for Dec’s utter gall . . . his arrogance. She should have known this would come about. He was the one who decided to give her a Season and a dowry without consulting her, after all. All with the express purpose of winning her a husband. It stood to reason that he would accept the offer on her behalf.
    â€œMy lord,” Lady Peregrine began in a placating tone. “Miss Hughes is simply surprised . . . delighted . . . but surprised. I am certain you understand.”
    Aurelia snorted and muttered indiscreetly into her hand, “More like disgusted .”
    Fuming, Rosalie reached for her composure and sucked in a calming breath. Before she did anything else, she must dispel the notion that she would be marrying Lord Strickland, and she needed to do that as graciously as possible. Stopping, she faced him and forced a brittle smile. “I am truly honored. You humble me with your offer, but I’m afraid I cannot accept, my lord.”
    Aunt Peregrine cleared her throat in the sudden silence. “Rosalie, dear—­”
    She held up a hand, cutting off Lady Peregrine. She held the earl’s gaze, waiting for him to say something.
    Strickland blustered, his face flushed varying shades of red. “But your brother—­”
    â€œMy stepbrother was working under the misapprehension that he has the authority to accept marriage proposals on my behalf. I apologize for any embarrassment this has caused you.”
    â€œApologize! Apologize!” Strickland lurched to his feet. “I should say so!” He wagged a finger at her. “I was under the impression you welcomed my suit . . . your brother—­”
    â€œStepbrother,” she interjected, not that he paused for breath to acknowledge his mistake.
    â€œâ€”­made a fool of me by accepting my offer of marriage before the words had even left my lips. He was that eager to be rid of you!”
    The words shouldn’t have stung. They shouldn’t have.
    She shook her head. “I am very sorry . . . I just do not feel we suit, my lord.”
    He stormed toward the door and yanked it open, rattling the wood on its hinges. “Indeed! We do not! I should have known better to consider anyone connected with Banbury! He’s a morally repugnant scoundrel unfit for good company! Duke or no duke! Any sister of his is equally tarnished, I’m quite certain. And there is the matter of your mother.” His lip curled. “If half the rumors of her misdeeds are true, I was quite cracked in the head to consider you for a bride.” With that parting shot, he stormed out of the room.
    They held silent for some moments, staring at the empty door.
    â€œWell,” Aurelia began—­no