Page 13 of Invitation
“Does it matter?It’s already in motion.You can be a part of it or not, but I’d prefer you choose the former.”
It was an excellent solution to what she should do next.Managing the club would be exciting and interesting, and she would be able to support herself.“I admit I do not know as much about Society as you, but how will a club that allows both men and women, and which is run by a woman, be seen as acceptable?”
“Because there will be two distinct sides: one for ladies and one for gentlemen.They will be kept separate, and the ladies’ side will be overseen by a small but select group of respectable women, one of whom will be you.”
She stared at him.“You’ve really thought this through.How can you be sure this group of women will accept me, a faux widow?”
“They won’t know you’re pretending, of course.And in the interest of establishing the truth as we wish it to be from the outset, please don’t use those kinds of words.Just know that I have, indeed, thought this through.I have a very precise plan.”He looked into her eyes.“Do you trust me?”
She shouldn’t.And perhaps she didn’t completely.“I trust you enough.”
He laughed softly.“That’s better than I expected, actually.”
“Who are these other respectable women?”
“No one insufferable, I promise.They are not allowed.”
“And who else is on the membership committee?”she asked.
“A few of my friends and a pair of people who will remain anonymous.Don’t ask me who they are or why they will be unknown.Just know that I cannot start this club without them.They are wholly trustworthy, and they understand and support the spirit of the Phoenix Club.”
“ThePhoenixClub?I think it does matter to me when you conceived of this club, but I won’t press you about it.”Her gaze met his, and for the first time, the flutter she felt in her belly when she looked at him was not sexually charged.There was gratitude, respect, and friendship.“Thank you.”
Lucien leaned forward again, his dark eyes sparkling.“Does that mean you’re accepting the position?”
“Yes.”They hadn’t discussed wages, but that was one area in which she trusted him implicitly.If anything, he would probably try to pay her too much.“Where is the Phoenix Club to be located?”
“On Ryder Street, between Bury and Duke.”
“So near to the St.James’s clubs?”
“I liked the property.”He lifted a shoulder, and the edge of his mouth ticked up.“And perhaps I appreciate the taunting nature of the proximity.”
Mirabelle shook her head.“You would cock a snook at the entire ton if you could.”
“I try every day.They deserve mockery—and that includes me.”He slapped his palms on his thighs, then vaulted to his feet.
“I suppose you aren’t rid of me, then.”She looked up at him.“We will, however, just be friends.”
“Yes.”He went to her chair and took her hand.“I shall count myself very lucky to be your friend.”
“And my boss,” she added with a laugh.
“I fully expect you to be the boss, not me.”He let go of her hand and straightened.“You must leave London for some months.Mirabelle Renault needs to disappear long before the English widow arrives.Where do you want to go?”
She thought for a moment.“I’ve always heard Cornwall is fair.”
“It is quite lovely.Your employment includes a stipend while you are reinventing yourself.”Mirabelle opened her mouth to object, but Lucien held up his hand.“That is nonnegotiable, I’m afraid.I think you must arrive in Bath in the fall, where you will make the necessary friends before they persuade you to come to London.”
His plan really was precise.Overcome with appreciation, she merely nodded.
“Excellent.Enjoy your time away, Belle.”He started to turn.
“Evangeline.”The name tumbled from her lips the moment it entered her head.“Evangeline Renshaw.”
Lucien pivoted and offered a bow.“Mrs.Renshaw, I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”His eyes sparkled with mischief before he turned and quit the room.
“You may call me Evie,” Mirabelle murmured as she pressed her hands to her cheeks.Fortune had smiled upon her at last.
