Wallflower Gone Wild by Maya Rodale

subsequently made themselves scarce as soon as they became aware of her approach.
    Finally, she found Emma and Prudence standing near the lemonade table. It was likely that Olivia and Prudence would remain there, off to the side, for the duration of the ball, save for the occasional trip to the ladies’ retiring room just to liven things up.
    But tonight was different.
    Olivia was distinctly aware that instead of averting their gazes, people gave her looks that could only be described as pitying. The women offered half smiles—before turning to whisper to their companions. The men still looked away, but without their usual alacrity.
    Olivia concluded the obvious: the ton was aware that the Mad Baron was courting London’s Least Likely to Cause a Scandal. Her throat constricted at the thought.
    She had spotted Emma and Prue just ten paces away when Lord Dudley, of all the people in England, stepped in front of her.
    She stepped to the right, intending to walk around him, for that bounder couldn’t possibly mean to speak to her . But Dudley also stepped to the right, blocking her path.
    She stepped to the left. So did Dudley.
    Lady Olivia’s polite vocabulary lacked the words to describe him, other than to say that he was universally disdained because of his cruel wit and hotheaded behavior. And yet the scoundrel was invited everywhere due to his father’s influence.
    Thus when Dudley stepped before Olivia, obviously intent on speaking to her, a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. This could not be good.
    Other people nearby were of the same mind, for they turned to stare in expectation of a scene. The constantly tormenting Lady Katherine was smirking. For the first time in four seasons, Olivia found herself the center of attention.
    “Lady Olivia,” Dudley said, bowing deeply. “I understand congratulations are soon to be in order.”
    Olivia didn’t reply because she didn’t have anything to say—though not for lack of want or effort. Tomorrow at breakfast she would think of a devastating retort. For now . . . nothing.
    “I have something you may find interesting,” Dudley said with a smirk.
    “I rather doubt it,” she replied. Nearby, someone chuckled.
    Dudley was not dissuaded. He handed her a broadside. With just a glance she could read the title, printed in large letters: The Mad Baron: The Gruesome Story of an Innocent Maiden’s Tragic Love and Untimely Death. A True Story. 
    It had published six years ago—shortly after the Murderous Incident. Olivia knew this because a fellow student at Lady Penelope’s School for Young Ladies had procured a copy. All the girls had eagerly passed it around, relishing in all the gory details of the sordid story and praying they’d never, ever have to marry him.
    “Go on, take it,” Dudley said with a smirk. “You’ll want to know what you’re in for on your wedding night.”
    “I have already read it,” Olivia told him, hoping she sounded bored and not terrified. But Dudley shook the leaflet at her, leaving her no choice but to take it. Then, with her lip quivering from the cruel reminder that she was to possibly wed the worst man in the world, she walked past Dudley toward the wallflowers. She let the broadside fall to the ground, to be trampled on by the hordes of satin slippers.
    “What was that all about?” Emma asked. Even though she was a duchess now, she still spent a fair portion of every ball with Prue and Olivia.
    “Dudley is the worst,” Prudence said vehemently. The other girls agreed.
    “He wished to give me a copy of the broadside about the Mad Baron .”
    “Remember reading that at Lady Penelope’s?” Prudence asked. “I had nightmares for weeks. Truly terrifying stuff.”
    “Prudence!” Emma exclaimed. Prue ignored her.
    “Remember the part where he had his brother killed so he could seduce his intended?” Prudence asked with gruesome relish.
    “Only to eventually kill her, too,” Olivia said. “Oh, I remember.”
    “Your