The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)

by Joanna Shupe

“We’re friends.” “No, absolutely not,” Mamie snapped. “You cannot be friends with Mulligan.” Florence held a palm up to silence Mamie. “Justine, I met Mulligan and spent some time with him in his club. He’s charming and intelligent, I know. He’s a gorgeous bundle of charisma dressed like an English duke. I understand an attraction to him. But this won’t lead anywhere beneficial for you. He’ll ruin you.” “The way Clay ruined you?” Then she pointed at Mamie. “Or the way Frank ruined you?” “You cannot . . .” Mamie exchanged a glance with Florence before coming back to Justine. “You cannot be thinking of marrying him.” “No one is discussing marriage!” Justine crossed the room and dropped onto the bench at her dressing table. “I meant physical activities. Taking my virginity.” “Has he?” Florence asked on a gasp. “No—not that I’d tell either of you if he had.” Any tiredness she felt evaporated like smoke. She pushed off the bench and began pacing the room. “You both have quite a lot of nerve lecturing me. Neither of you saved yourself for marriage. Neither of you followed the rules or conventions of high society. You did whatever you pleased, and neither one of you checked with me first to see what I thought!” “Justine, you are the youngest,” Mamie said, using her big-sister tone. “It is our job to look out for you. To help you.” “Even when I don’t require it?” Florence gave a dry laugh. “You think you can handle Mulligan? Don’t you think you are a little out of your depth, Just...