Aurelia sucked a breath into her lungs. It was a hard truth. She had been so busy reveling in how that kiss felt that she had just assumed it was momentous for him, too. She had forgotten the cold contempt with which he’d treated her to all these years. She remembered now.
Cecily was correct. She needed to be careful. She needed to remember that Max was a rogue who didn’t care whose bed he shared.
“You’re right, Cecily.” She nodded, feeling at rights again. If she continued fixating on Max, she was bound for disappointment. The Season would be over, and she’d be in a carriage on the way to Scotland before she knew it. “I think I will have Will invite Mr. Mackenzie to dine with us.”
Cecily arched an eyebrow. “Indeed.”
“Yes.” Feeling better with her decision, Aurelia nodded and returned to the chaise. Picking her sketch pad back up, she made a few strokes on the parchment before stopping. Her concentration continued to stray.
She felt Cecily’s stare on her. “Something amiss?”
Aurelia lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. The possibility that she might not wed in time . . . that she might not receive an offer of marriage, nagged at her. The matter wasn’t entirely in her control, after all . . . even if she made herself utterly amenable. And she hated that . . . the sense of not having control.
Seized with a sudden impulse, she rose from the chaise again and moved toward her small desk. She rifled through the drawer until she located the stationery.
“What are you doing now?” Cecily asked as Aurelia sank down on the chair and started scribbling on the parchment. Finished, she folded the missive, stuffed it inside the envelope and stood again.
“Here. Would you please deliver this for me?” She extended the envelope. “Now?”
Cecily stepped forward and took it from her hand. She looked from Aurelia to the missive, her eyes widening as she read the name on the outside of the envelope. Her fingers stroked over the clean lines of script that proclaimed Mrs. Bancroft’s name on the outside of the envelope. The proprietress of Sodom. “Are you certain?” Cecily asked.
Naturally, her friend knew of her exploits to that club with Rosalie a year ago.
Aurelia nodded. “Yes.” Part of the reason she had not revisited Sodom was that Rosalie couldn’t accompany her. The rest of the reason might have to do with what happened with Max. The events of that night could have been too scandalous even for her.
Cecily nodded slowly, still looking unconvinced. “If you are certain . . .”
“I am.” She moistened her lips. “Cecily, what if no one proposes—”
“Someone is going to propose to you. I wouldn’t be surprised if they both ask you within the next fortnight.” Cecily shook her head, smiling as though Aurelia was out of her mind.
Aurelia grinned ruefully. “Of course you would say that, but what if they don’t? I want my last few months here to be memorable.” Max had given her a taste of passion. Who knew what other adventures waited for her? With a fortifying breath, she continued, “There is a side door at Mrs. Bancroft’s. A doorman is there at all times and will take the missive from you.”
“Very well,” Cecily said. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, but I will go.” At the door, her friend paused and smiled ruefully. “I haven’t your adventurous spirit.” That said, she slipped from the room, leaving Aurelia alone.
Aurelia stared at the unmoving door for some moments before murmuring to no one, “Lucky you.”
Her life would be so much simpler if she didn’t want more. If she didn’t crave it with an intensity that had only grown since Max pushed her up against the back wall of the house. He’d doomed her.