Page 72 of The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

“Only that my father spoke to him.” Philippa grimaced. “It’s supposed to be the other way around. Northrup assures me he’s not disinterested in a union but is not yet ready to make an official offer.”

“That sounds like therewillbe an official offer.” Tommy frowned. “Perhaps sooner than we’d like.”

“We cannot send him to the devil.” Jacob cupped a baby hedgehog in his palm. “Not yet.”

Graham tilted his head and considered Philippa. “Your excellent reputation is another asset.”

She sat up straighter. Her bland, unobjectionable reputation had always been her most important attribute, according to her parents. Society’s opinion was more important than Philippa the person. She thrilled at the idea her pristine reputation might be used for exacting justice. That it was a tool she possessed, but her entire person was helpful and valued.

“In two months, Northrup will have land and a title, but no money. I’m the money,” she said. “I have my own inheritance from my grandmother, and my dowry is significant. My parents will trip over themselves to give their approval, and he likely knows it. The only reason he hasn’t asked yet is because he’s receiving so much attention as an eligible bachelor.”

“With luck, he’ll wait to ask until he’s been made a viscount,” Elizabeth said. “Or until he can no longer make purchases on credit.”

“She shan’t really marry him,” said Marjorie. “Will she?”

Everyone turned to look at Philippa.

“I must marrysomeonethis season, but I will not accept Captain Northrup.”

“What if you don’t accept anyone?” Elizabeth asked. “You don’thaveto marry a man if you don’t wish to. Why not decide to be a scandalous spinster?”

“Because scandal would reflect badly on my parents,” Philippa said quietly. “As well as any friends and organizations who wish to continue to associate with me.”

If she lost her standing, she would lose her friends, her reading circle, her cooperative charity endeavors, the last vestiges of her parents’ respect, and any hope of founding community reading libraries to bring blessed escape to those who needed it most…

Tommy met Philippa’s eyes. “Then we get justice for Damaris before you’re forced to cause a scandal.”

“Damaris and Agnes and Katherine,” Elizabeth amended. “Whilst Graham’s associates are trying to find the original document Northrup produced or someone who saw it, we shall collect the other volumes for further analysis.”

“Won’t there be a commotion when the papers report a string of very specific robberies?” Philippa asked. “The replicas will not fool the world forever.”

“Which is why we cannot dally,” Tommy agreed.

Philippa’s skin prickled. Her time grew shorter every day. At first, she was to have had her freedom until the end of her last season in June. Next, they had needed to avenge Damaris before the season opening celebration in January. Then her parents had decided she must marry Northrup. And now, her and the Wynchesters’ plans to help Damaris could fall apart at any moment.

She no longer had two months. She hadweeks. Possibly even days.

“You’re right.” Her limbs felt clumsy. She hugged herself to calm them. The manuscripts could be the key. “What is the next step?”

Graham tapped the end of his pencil against his jaw. “You possess volumes two and four. We’ve identified the simplest target for volume three.”

Jacob tickled the hedgehog’s belly. “The private library of the Electi Society for the Intellectually Elite.”

“Notice the name fails to specifygentlemen,” Philippa said. “And yet they refuse to allow any of my female friends on their premises.”

“Bah,” said Elizabeth. “Who needs permission?”

“Er,” said Philippa. “Everyone? They’ve a rigorous qualifying process for membership, followed by a vote all members must be present for…The patronesses of Almack’swishthey were so discerning. The club is so secretive and exclusive, they won’t allow nonmembers even to cross their threshold.”

“If they know you’re coming,” said Elizabeth.

Graham nodded. “The Electi Society meets for supper during the season, followed by wine and lively discourse until the wee hours of the morning on the subjects of ancient and natural philosophy.” He tucked his pencil in his pocket. “We’re not interested in any of that.”

“I am,” muttered Philippa.

Jacob set down his hedgehog. “The season has not yet begun, making this an optimal time to strike.”

“Not all members of the Society are fashionable enough to have somewhere to go during the summers,” Philippa said. “They may still take suppers there, if unofficially.”