Going Rogue by Jessica Jefferson Page B

at all like us . She’s pretty enough, but she’s obviously the type of girl who’d prefer to sit in a drawing room and embroider rather than engage in any of the sorts of entertainment we’re used to.”
    “That’s exactly my point. We need someone from the watercolors and embroidery set. Surely you’ve read some of what’s been written about me?”
    “Yes, but—”
    Meredith turned, setting her feet flat on the floor. “The only reason those gossip mongers aren’t writing about you is because your family is rich enough to buy their silence. I’m forced to accept whatever lies they put out there for the world to read. I’m not getting any younger, Alex. I need to get married and I can’t expect to land the type of husband I need with a lackluster reputation. Miss Ophelia Marshall can help. And perhaps I can help her as well.” She just knew with the right influence, Ophelia would thrive in her new surroundings.
    Alex shook her head. “The Ribbonsare inclusive to few and exclusive to most. She’s just too different.”
    “Exactly. She’s different, and I think different is just what we need.” Ophelia was the most genuine person she’d come across in years. She could give the group the one thing they’d been lacking—authenticity.
    Alex sighed. “It takes two nominations and you’ll never get someone else to second your own. But even if you were to somehow pull it off, what makes you think she’ll be able to go through the steps of actually earning her ribbon?”
    “She’s a brilliant girl, I’m sure she can figure out something.”
    Alex leaned back, splaying her arms across the back of the furniture. “Do you remember that unfortunate incident at the art museum with the goat and all those trifles?”
    Meredith smiled at the memory. She’d ruined one of her favorite gowns, but the look on the curator’s face had made it all worth it. The Ribbons believed in corruption as a privilege. It was a technique that had done wonders to elevate her own status. The more ridiculous the task, the more prestige it warranted amongst their select few.
    “You don’t want to be remembered as the leader who compromised our popularity by allowing just anyone in, do you?” Alex warned.
    “What if I’m the leader who’s remembered for elevating the Ribbons to an entirely new level of accomplishment?” Meredith challenged. Still, Alex had a point. Introducing someone like Ophelia Marshall had a certain amount of risk associated with it—namely public ridicule and mockery. But she knew how much being a member would improve Ophelia’s sense of self-worth. She needed confidence to make her own decisions, and the Ribbons could make that possible.
    “They won’t let my maid follow me back here,” Ophelia announced as she reentered the room.
    Alex smiled. “Madame Lapone only allows her direct clients to enter this chamber—everyone else is left waiting in the common areas. It’s a perk of being a Ribbon .”
    “A ribbon?” Ophelia asked.
    Alex shook her head. “Not a ribbon, a Ribbon .”
    Ophelia plopped down on the settee at the center of the room. “Well, that certainly clears things up.”
    “It’s what we ladies like to call ourselves. A nickname of sorts,” Meredith clarified.
    Ophelia’s wide eyes grew impossibly wider. “ The Ribbons ? I’ve heard Mama talk about them.”
    “Are you interested in joining?” Meredith asked, impressed by her nonchalance. Most girls she knew would salivate on cue over the mere mention of the group.
    Ophelia shrugged. “It depends. What do you ladies do?”
    Alex’s hand flew up to her chest. “ Do ? For your information, we do quite a bit.” Her face flushed with righteous indignation.
    “Like what?”
    Meredith laughed, but quickly disguised her amusement by coughing politely into her hand.
    Alex thrust out her left wrist, showing off the primrose ribbon tied around it “When you’re a Ribbon , there are countless benefits attached. Private rooms