“Mother, on the other hand, is probably rolling over in her grave.” Flo pursed her lips together in disapproval, before whispering harshly, “The Trewloves are all . . . bastards.”

“It’s not a disease, Flo,” Selena responded tartly. “It’s not going to rub off on you.”

“But to associate with them is scandalous. It could hurt our marriage prospects.”

The whole point was to improve their marriage prospects, although she couldn’t explain that to them. But before she could think of an appropriate response to put her sister’s mind at rest, Alice piped up. “It’s not their fault. Should we blame people for things that aren’t their fault?”

“I agree with Alice,” Connie said. “To a point. I’m thinking of it as research. I’ve never spoken to a lesser being before.”

“They’re not lesser,” Selena snapped, taking no pleasure in her sisters’ wide, round eyes landing on her with the full weight of their surprise.

“Have you spoken with one of them?” Flo asked cautiously.

“I attended one of their weddings, did I not?” Not that she’d spoken to any of them there as she’d not attended the breakfast following, but it was best to let her sisters draw their own conclusions. They had not attended, having not yet had their coming outs.

“What are they like?” Alice asked innocently.

“They’re people.” Selena turned her attention to the scenery beyond the window. “With dreams and ambitions. They”—make me laugh, bring me pleasure, make me forget my sorrows when I’m in Aiden’s presence—“want what we all want: to be loved, to be happy, to have shelter, food, and clothing. I think it is quite commendable that they are seeking to improve their lot in life through business. Mick Trewlove has his building empire. Finn Trewlove has his horse farm where he and his wife, Lady Lavinia, take in orphans. Their sister Gillie, who married the Duke of Thornley, has her tavern. And now this other sister will have a bookshop.”

“Then there is the Trewlove with the house of sin for ladies,” Connie said. “To be honest, I was quite intrigued by the place after hearing the ladies carrying on about it the day of the funeral. Have you been there, Selena?”

“I’m in mourning.” Not a lie, but not an answer either.

“When you are not, will you go there?”

“Perhaps we all will.” Everything depended on the state of her relationship with Aiden.

“You know an awfully lot about them,” Flo said.

“They are on everyone’s tongue. Please do be on your best behavior.” Selena needed Aiden to find them worthy. “You don’t want to embarrass Lady Aslyn when she was kind enough to offer us a reprieve from the maudlin for a while. Simply think of it as an afternoon of good works.”