Page 202 of From Rakes to Riches

He shook his head. “That’s what others call them.”

“Those who aren’t invited, I’d wager.” The Star Chamber was not exactly a favorable term. It also inferred secrecy. “Who is on this committee?”

“No one knows for sure, but Lord Lucien is obviously a member since he owns the club. Or one would assume anyway.”

“I think that’s a fair assumption. The rest are secret?”

“The ladies’ side has four patronesses, and it is also presumed they are on the committee.”

“Who are these patronesses?” Fiona wondered if they could be petitioned to somehow allow her and Cassandra entry to a ball. Perhaps one of them would be willing to act as a sponsor. She had no idea if any of that was even possible, but why not try?

“Mrs. Renshaw is one of them. She oversees the ladies’ side in much the way Lord Lucien manages the gentlemen’s. Lord Lucien explained that much to me last evening.”

Mrs. Renshaw. Fiona would speak with Cassandra about her as soon as possible.

“I think you should feel flattered that you’ve been invited,” Fiona said.

He didn’t immediately respond. She looked at his profile, his long, dark blond lashes sweeping down as he blinked. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I suppose I do. I am not, ah, typically at the top of anyone’s list when it comes to social opportunities.” A faint shade of pink briefly swathed his upper cheekbones. “I probably shouldn’t have admitted that to you.”

“Nonsense, I’m glad you did. I can wholeheartedly understand your position. I may be the ward of an earl, but I’m from a small village in Shropshire, and I’ve never been anywhere before. Then yesterday I was presented to the queen.”

“That’s quite an advancement.” He grinned at her, and she acknowledged he was rather handsome. “This is really my first Season too. I’ve spent the last several years teaching at Christ Church College at Oxford.”

“How fascinating. What did you teach?”

“Religious studies. I’m intending to become a vicar, though my father hopes I’ll be a bishop one day.”

“Do you want that?”

The pink returned to his cheeks. “Honestly? Yes.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe I admitted that to you. It’s rather immodest, isn’t it?”

She laughed. “No, it is not. Ambition isn’t bad, even for a man of God.”

“God might disagree,” he said drily.

“Except I’m sure your ambition is entwined with your desire to advance the word of God.”

“The Phoenix Club is a distant second to you when it comes to flattery, Miss Wingate.” He sent her a slightly sardonic look. “Perhaps I’m the type of religious man who only wants to find a living so that I may reap the benefits and will employ a curate who does all the work.”

“Well, that sounds like the vicar in Bitterley.” Fiona thought of poor young Tom Keeble, the curate. The vicar didn’t do a thing beyond sermonizing, and he only did that once a month, leaving the rest to Tom. “I realize we just met, but I can’t see you doing that. And if you did, you certainly wouldn’t admit it. Nor would you think twice about accepting membership in London’s most exclusive club.”

He laughed. “You are a most logical young lady, Miss Wingate.”

“Why thank you, my lord.”

Fiona’s gaze connected with a familiar pair of pewter eyes. Lord Overton stood to her left, his attention focused wholly on her. His expression was inscrutable, but something about his stance made her catch her breath.

Why?

Recovering her wits, she smiled at him and lifted her hand, not quite waving.

“See someone you know?” Lord Gregory asked.

“My guardian, Lord Overton. Are you acquainted with him?”

Lord Gregory shook his head. “I am not, but being relatively new to town, there are many people I haven’t yet met.”

“If you accept the invitation to the Phoenix Club, you will undoubtedly get to know him there. He’s a member, and a close friend of Lord Lucien’s.” She looked over at him. “Are you going to accept?”

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