Theodosia gave her A Look.
“What?”
“I’m marveling at your dedication to enter this club. Truly riveting.”
“Do not tell me you aren’t even a bit curious? You don’t have one tiny speck of curiosity?”
“They are too suspicious for my taste.”
“I have wondered at their aim, as well. But as an heiress onthelist, a lady of society, what is the ending for us, Theo? Marriage? A life as a pariah? Are those our only options?”
“Spinsterhood is another.”
“As a pariah! Why must we be labeled when men who remain unattached are not?”
“Pariah, spinster, wife . . . they are mere terms.”
“And rain ismerewater, but it can still cause a flood and wash your house away. If our fate is already decided, we might as well discover who we are beyond the riches, the titles, and this biased world you claim is at our fingertips.”
“You decide your future.”
“If you say so.” Selena cast her friend a sidelong glance, recalling a particular detail. “Has your mother not been hosting morning callers which she’s disturbingly named ‘blind matchups’ to find you a husband and remove you from the chaos?”
Theodosia’s hand shot out to cover Selena’s mouth. “Do not utter such blasphemy.” Her eyes darted around. “Never mention this again. My mother has lost her faculties.”
“Your mother is quite forward thinking.”
“I agree. She . . .drat.”
A shiver crawled up Selena back. “What’s wrong?”
“Our watchdogs found us.”
“That was to be expected was it not?” Selena peered over her shoulder. The two jackals were prowling in their direction.
“I was hoping they’d be dense enough not to notice our departure.”
“Ignore them. It’s not like they can do anything in a public setting filled with women in trousers that do not restrict their movement. The men here are the ones who ought to be wary. Look at them all standing on the outskirts observing with disapproval yet not stopping us.” Only Warrick and Saville had marched into the fray.
But before her words had even cooled, her sight was blinded by a coat being draped over her face. The scent of a familiar cologne of woody fragrance reached her.
He dared?
Arms circled her waist, and she was hoisted over a very hard, very muscled shoulder. The motion was so smooth, so quick, the only protest that left her lips a small gasp.
Yet the only objection or outrage on her behalf that she could sense came in a bout of hushed whispers that in no way helped her current predicament. Would no one come to her aid?
Where are your backbones, ladies?
Her own words finally burst forth. “Pig! Knave! Blackguard! Put me down!”
“In a moment.”
“You best put me down right now, you watchdog, you beast!”
“You are making a scene.”
“You are the one hoisting me up like a sack of potatoes!” Always thwarting her plans.
