ruined-by-nature

There is no need to overreact. I__ certain there are worse things that could happen to a young lady than to be denied a voucher to Almack__._ With a small smile, Amelia Bouchard folded up the letter that had delivered the bad news and tossed it into the fireplace.

It was likely her due, then, that a familiar voice halted her progress just as she started to ascend the staircase. __ou__e certainly turned the afternoon on its head._ Lucas regarded her with a wry smile from the first landing, his thick brown hair blending into an exceptionally large portrait of Gravethorne__ favorite hounds. __ow does it feel to be the most notorious debutante in London?__parring with Lucas Bellamy held little appeal to her at the moment, but Amy was incapable of letting a jab go unanswered. She gripped the decorative knob on the newel post and lifted her chin. __lightly inconvenienced yet decidedly more powerful, I think.