A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan Page B

her well in her particular brand of business.
    â€œI . . .” She shook her head, unsure of herself. What did she want?
    The lady’s keen eyes studied her for several moments before saying kindly, “Perhaps you wish to leave—­”
    â€œNo,” she said quickly, certain she did not want that. “For the first time in my life, I’m doing something . . . bold.” Something brave. She came here looking for a taste of adventure. She would not flee now. “I don’t want to leave before I’ve experienced anything for myself.”
    â€œAh. You wish for an experience. You’ve come to the right place.” Mrs. Bancroft nodded as though she understood, which was bewildering since Rosalie had yet to fully understand what it was she was looking for. Or perhaps she did know. She simply could not put it into words. Embarrassment and modesty and inexperience stopped her.
    The woman in the adjoining room cried out suddenly, a great shuddering moan that reverberated on the air and sent a ripple of gooseflesh across her skin. It was like a whole army of butterflies erupted there, set loose from a cage.
    â€œI . . .” Rosalie paused, moistening her lips. “I think I should like to be kissed . . . by someone . . .” Her voice faded beneath Mrs. Bancroft’s knowing regard.
    â€œBy someone who knows how?” she finished for her.
    She nodded. “No more than that, I think . . . I’ve no wish to be ruined . . .”
    â€œAm I to assume you’ve never been kissed before?”
    â€œNo. I haven’t.”
    â€œWe shall rectify that, then.”
    â€œI don’t want to go beyond—­”
    Mrs. Bancroft nodded with alacrity. “Understood. We can find an accommodating gentleman, I’m sure.”
    â€œSomeone handsome,” Aurelia chimed in, glancing over at them as if this sudden important thought had just occurred to her. She looked at Rosalie with raised brows. “You don’t want an Archibald Lewis slobbering all over you.” She shuddered before dragging her attention back to the trysting ­couple, her mouth parting with continued astonishment at the scene.
    â€œOf course.” Mrs. Bancroft nodded. “For your first kiss, we wouldn’t settle for less than a handsome man who knows what he’s about.”
    Rosalie nodded as well, her face overly warm.
    â€œAnd what of you, dear?” Mrs. Bancroft queried of Aurelia.
    â€œI’m content to watch. For now.”
    â€œVery well.” She fluttered her fingers at Rosalie, beckoning her forward. “Come along.”
    With one last glance at her friend, Rosalie followed the elegant lady from the room and down the corridor to the private rooms. Mrs. Bancroft opened one door and motioned her inside.
    â€œIf you’ll wait in here, I’ll return shortly.”
    Rosalie nodded, her shoulders knotting tensely.
    Mrs. Bancroft hesitated at the door. “Don’t worry. I guarantee, you will enjoy yourself. That’s the promise of Sodom. Pleasure only.”
    With those parting words, she slipped from the room. The door clicked softly behind her. Rosalie rotated where she stood, eyeing her room. Like the last one, dim red lighting suffused the cozy space. A bed overflowing with pillows and an inviting-­looking fur blanket sat in the center. Coal glowed in the grate. After a few moments she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, folding her shivering hands in her lap, wondering how long she would have to wait . . . wondering who Mrs. Bancroft would bring with her.
    Wondering if she had the courage not to flee through the door before Mrs. Bancroft returned with the man who would be her first kiss.
    D ec prowled restlessly through the second floor of Sodom, moving between rooms, searching for something to satisfy the ache, the need . . . to dispel the numbness. He’d been here for a while