Unfortunately, she encountered someone far worse: Amelia Snowe. As she was already over the threshold, it was too late for Maddie to leave when she saw the icy beauty. Besides, she didn’t wish to give Amelia the satisfaction of knowing her presence had rattled her. “Why, look who it is,” Amelia said from her usual position—before the looking glass, “it’s Lady Madeline Essex, who was so unfortunate as to be caught in a gaming hell this week.” “Do tell us, Lady Madeline,” she said, turning with what Maddie could only assume was great reluctance from her own visage to cast her gaze upon the other girl. “Was it worth ruining your reputation, this escapade of yours? For I doubt any gentleman of true social standing will look twice at you now.” Her constant companion, Lady Felicia Downes, tittered at her friend’s words. “I do not think they would have done so before the gaming hell incident, Amelia. No offense meant, of course, Lady Madeline. But you know how unpopular you are with the gentlemen.”
