Ten Ways to Ruin (The Daring Drake Sisters #1) - Christie Kelley Page 0,2

something small at a ball. Just to prove I can do it. I would return the item.”

“Oh, dear Lord, you are going to hang.” Tears formed in Susan’s brown eyes. “You mustn’t do such a thing, Emma.”

She wasn’t about to hang because she refused to be caught. “I shall leave it for now. We can edit the list when we are finished.” Though she had no idea how she might manage it, she did want to try. Emma wrote down the next item as she told Susan her thoughts.

7. Learn to paint in oils

She’d painted and sketched all her life, but oils were for men, which in Emma’s mind was a ridiculous rule. Women who painted in oils were only a step above soiled doves.

“Hmm.” Susan mulled over the idea. “I suppose that would not be too dreadful. Still, your mother won’t approve.”

Her friend was correct on that point. “No, but Louisa would approve. I’m certain she will let me take lessons at her home.”

Emma closed her eyes and thought of something she’d seen a man do that she wanted to try. Her mind wandered back to a year ago when she’d seen five of London’s rogues racing their gigs. It couldn’t be that difficult, could it? She’d driven a trap before. It was similar to a carriage, although an old nag had pulled the trap. The fine specimen of horses those gentlemen drove were slightly more spirited than old Bess. But this list was about doing things out of the ordinary, so she wrote:

8. Race a carriage

“What did you write?” Susan asked curiously.

Emma showed her the list with a smile. “What do you think?”

Susan flicked open her fan and then waved it in front of her face. “If you don’t hang for breaking the law, you will surely die in a carriage accident.”

Emma considered Susan’s hysterics for only a moment. Racing was by far the most dangerous item on her list, but it sounded exhilarating. Perhaps for Susan’s sake, Emma should think of something that involved less danger to her and her reputation.

Susan shook her head. “I cannot imagine what you have planned for the last two items.”

Emma twisted her lips. “I am not certain.”

“Well, if you are planning to do all this, you might as well have an affair with a rake.”

An affair? Why shouldn’t she have a liaison with a man? The idea set off a fluttering in her belly. After being jilted, the concept of marriage left a bitter taste in her mouth. If by chance, she ever married, she could blame her lack of virtue on Bolton. He deserved some ill will after abandoning her. For once, Susan had a brilliant idea.

“Oh yes,” Emma said with a slow smile. “That should definitely be on my list.”

“I was not serious!” Susan jumped off the bed in a flurry of yellow muslin and then tried to grab Emma’s list.

Emma moved the paper away before her friend could toss it in the fire. “I am serious. It was an excellent suggestion. Why shouldn’t I discover what making love is all about?”

9. Seduce a rake

“I think I am going to faint,” Susan cried, returning to the bed. She wiped away an errant tear from her cheek. “This is the most dreadful day ever.”

“That only leaves number ten. I have no idea what else I could do.”

“There is nothing else you could do. You will be ruined, and I shall be forbidden to speak with you. Once you do this, there is no returning to Society.”

Emma stared at the paper and nodded. Society could hang for all she cared. After spending four years conforming to their idea of perfection, she was tired of it all. The time had come to live her life on her terms. “I suppose I could wait on number ten. I might come up with something grand after I have these adventures.”

“Number ten is easy,” Susan said, wiping her eyes.

“Oh?” Emma glanced curiously over at her friend.

“Become a spinster. Because that is the only choice you shall have left once you ruin yourself so terribly. No decent man will want you if your virtue is gone.” Susan rose from the bed and straightened her skirts. “I cannot go along with this foolishness any longer, Emma.”

“You promised you would go to a gaming hell with me.”

“And I shall, but that is the extent of my involvement in your ruination.” Susan wiped another tear. “Please rethink this idea. Once you are completely scandalized, you will not be accepted