Reese set down the letter, dropped his head in his hands, and—for the first time in his adult life—sobbed.

All week long, Sophie felt like she’d been wandering through a fog, numb and sad. But now that Friday had arrived, she missed Reese more than ever.

As she slipped through the door of the tailor’s shop to prepare for that night’s meeting of the Debutante Underground, she saw memories of Reese everywhere. The buttons they’d wagered in their game of vingt-et-un. The pillows they’d laid their heads on as they slept on the floor. Even the ivy plant she’d begun nurturing back to life on the night she’d met Reese made her miss him. Perched on the counter where she’d left it to ensure it received some afternoon sun, its heart-shaped leaves drooped a bit—as if it shared in her sorrow.

Sophie gave the potted plant a little attention, then began heating water for tea and setting out little plates for scones and cakes. The Friday night meetings of the Debutante Underground had become such an integral part of her life, and she wasn’t sure how she was going to bring herself to tell the members—much less Fiona and Lily—that her time chairing the meetings was quickly coming to an end.

But once she and Lord Singleton were married, she wouldn’t be able to sneak out of the house and disappear for hours on end. She couldn’t lie or keep secrets from him, and she certainly couldn’t tell him the truth—for their relationship was nothing like Fiona and Gray’s or Lily and Nash’s, which were based on mutual respect and love. But her friends’ marriages were the exception.

Like most gentlemen, Lord Singleton would expect his wife to be unfailingly proper and obedient. And Sophie supposed she owed him that much.

Reese wouldn’t be waiting for her after tonight’s meeting. Instead of going to Warshire Manor, she’d be spending the evening at Fiona and Gray’s house. During her visit, Sophie planned to tell her friends everything she’d been keeping bottled up—and perhaps have herself a good, hard cry. But first, she had to muddle through tonight’s meeting.

By the time members eagerly began filing into the shop, a dozen candles lent the room a cheery glow, the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air, and plump silk cushions brightened the shabby furniture. Sophie pasted on a smile as she greeted everyone, and at eight o’clock she took her place at the podium. After giving her official welcome and usual review of the rules, she invited Violet to read this week’s edition of The Debutante’s Revenge.