“The meeting went very well,” Sophie reported happily. “The members adored your sketch and Lily’s latest column. Both sparked a great deal of lively conversation.”
Lily blew a dark curl away from her face, set her pen on the desk blotter, and leaned back in her chair, her green eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Tell us more,” she urged. “What do your members wish to know? What topics capture their fancy?”
Sophie paced the length of the studio slowly, carefully considering her answer. She’d founded the Debutante Underground so that devotees of the column would have a place to discuss the column and other topics of interest to them—especially the ones that were deemed unsuitable for genteel drawing rooms. As such, the meetings were an excellent source of ideas for future columns, but Sophie was very careful not to violate her own guidelines—particularly those ensuring anonymity and forbidding the sharing of personal details. Fortunately, Fiona and Lily respected her adherence to the rules and never pressed her to share more than she felt she could. They could have attended themselves, of course, but perhaps they sensed that Sophie needed the meetings to be her domain—her unique contribution to their project.
“The women agreed wholeheartedly that a generous spirit is an important quality in a lover,” Sophie began. “But some of them wondered how to nurture that quality in their current partners. Others wished to learn how to be more generous lovers themselves.”
“Interesting,” Lily said. She picked up her pen, dipped the nib in her inkpot, and began scribbling notes. “Perhaps I should write about the importance of explicitly communicating one’s desires.”
“An excellent idea,” Fiona chimed in. “Honest communication is key to every aspect of a relationship.”
“Agreed,” Lily said firmly. “In next week’s column, I’ll advise women to tell their partners what they desire—both in the bed and outside of it.”
There was a time, not so long ago, when such forthright talk would have made Sophie blush to the roots of her hair. But she now realized that carnal pleasure was as natural as a seed sprouting in the sun. It was nothing to be ashamed of, but rather, something to appreciate—even celebrate. The Debutante’s Revenge had opened the door to an enticing, passionate new world.
So far, for Sophie, that world existed only in sketches and words. She’d yet to experience the thrill of a lingering kiss or a sensual touch. But she intended to—maybe before she was married to Lord Singleton.
While Lily continued writing, Fiona said, “I noticed you returned from your meeting much later than usual.”
In the months since the Debutante Underground began, Sophie had taken to spending Friday evenings at Fiona and Gray’s house and staying overnight. The routine spared Sophie from having to explain where she was going every week and also provided time for the three friends to work on the column the next morning. Fortunately, Sophie, Lily, and Fiona had grown up together, and Mama was inordinately fond of the entire Hartley family—so she didn’t object to the arrangement in the slightest.
“Forgive me if I worried you last night,” Sophie said. “After the meeting I stopped by a vacant building near the dress shop to see if it would make a suitable alternative location.”
Fiona arched a strawberry-blond brow. “And would it?”
“It would…” Sophie mentally debated telling her friends about Mr. Peabody. She’d thought of him often since leaving him snoring softly in his chair.
The harsh lines of his face had softened as he slept, and his tightly coiled muscles had relaxed. If he’d been dangerously handsome stalking about the tailor’s shop, he’d been doubly so as he dreamed, with his long legs sprawled in front of him and his full lips parted. She’d turned down the lantern and carefully placed a blanket across his lap before gathering her things and tiptoeing out of the shop’s back door. If anyone in the world could understand her odd attraction to a relative stranger, Sophie was sure that Fiona and Lily would.
But part of her feared that talking about her evening with Mr. Peabody would strip away the magic, make it feel strange or trite. So she decided to keep him solely to herself. “Unfortunately,” she continued, “the building isn’t available for let.” She shrugged as though it were nothing but a mild disappointment. “I’ll find something else.”
“The offer to hold the meeting here still stands,” Fiona said kindly, “but I know you’d prefer a spot that’s more centrally located.”
Sophie smiled gratefully. “Yes, dozens of people strolling up to your front door would attract undue attention, I’m afraid.”
“Would you like us to help you secure a location?” Lily offered. “If money is an obstacle, we’d be more than happy to cover the rent. It’s the least we can do.”
“Thank you,” Sophie said sincerely. “You’re both so generous. But I’m going to attempt to do this on my own—if only to prove to myself that I can.”
“Of course you can,” Fiona said encouragingly. “We have complete confidence in you. But in the meantime, if you should find yourself in a bind, please know you can count on us.”
“I know,” Sophie said, thankful. “I’ve always been able to depend on you. Indeed, I’m not certain I would have survived our years at Miss Haywinkle’s without you.”
“You have that backward,” Lily said with a chuckle. “I was the one who was forever being called into the headmistress’s office. You were the one taking first honors in every subject.”
“We had such grand dreams back then,” Sophie said, almost overcome with longing to return to the days when anything seemed possible. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she glanced at the clock on the mantel and shot her friends a regretful look. “I promised Mama I’d return home by early afternoon. I should go.”
Fiona gave a playful pout. “Our time together always passes too quickly.”
“Always,” Sophie agreed. “But perhaps I’ll see you both at Lady Rufflebum’s ball Wednesday evening?”
“Gray and I will be there,” Fiona said brightly.
“Nash and I are going too.” Lily looked up from her journal and waved her pen like a flag. “Soph, you should wear the emerald silk to the ball!” She and Fiona had given Sophie the gorgeous gown as a birthday gift several weeks ago. Sophie had planned to save it for a special occasion, but the season would be over before she knew it, and opportunities were running out. Soon she’d be officially betrothed to a man she didn’t love, and shortly after that, she’d become his wife. She suppressed a shiver and reminded herself that a loveless marriage was a small price to pay for her family’s security.
“Perhaps I will wear the green gown,” Sophie mused. “Let us hope that the shocking display of décolletage doesn’t cause Lady Rufflebum to faint straightaway.” She gave her friends a wink before collecting her portmanteau and saying goodbye. Fiona and Lily proceeded to hug and fuss over her like she was embarking on an expedition to Egypt instead of walking a few blocks across town.
A half hour later, Sophie breezed through the front door of her family’s townhouse, hung her bonnet on its peg, and peered into the hallway looking glass, smoothing several tendrils of hair behind her ears. “Hullo,” she called out. “I’m home, Mama.”