Page 15 of Invitation
This was the second time this week someone had sought to gain entrance by claiming membership.The employees of the club were well trained as to who was a member and who was not.“Do you truly?”Lucien asked.“I admit I find their desperation somewhat satisfying.”
She gently swatted his arm.“You’re terrible.”
“What, you don’t agree?”
A smile crept over her dark pink lips.“I don’tdisagree.It serves some people right to feel excluded.”
“Precisely.”He’d wanted to create a place where those who were often and usually excluded, derided, or completely cast out were able to feel welcome and wanted.Those who didn’t belong could suffer the consequences of being haughty, condescending prigs.
Lucien offered Evie his arm as they ascended the stairs.The first floor contained the primary rooms of the club: the drawing room that overlooked the corner of Ryder and Bury Streets and the largest chamber in the club, which Lucien had dubbed the members’ den.
As they entered the members’ den, Lucien inclined his head toward a trio of middle-aged ladies seated at a table, proof positive that welcoming the club’s ladies to the gentlemen’s side one night each week was something people wanted.One was the widow of a disgraced gentleman who’d died of an apoplectic attack in a rather compromising position in a brothel.Another was a never-married woman—a spinster—and the sister of the third woman, a lady who had married a baron fifteen years her junior.He was glad they had a place to gather, where they could enjoy being out and connecting with people who wouldn’t judge them.If he did nothing else, this would be enough.
“You look happy,” Evie murmured.
He glanced at her, marveling at how different she looked now.Along with changing her name, she’d changed her style.She only wore gray, silver, or purple in the latest, most conservative style, and her dark hair, due to some sort of powder, now appeared a shade lighter.“It’s going well, don’t you think?”
“I do.I only wish my sister could come to see it.”
“She will—someday.They have already accepted their invitations to join the club.Has the babe arrived yet?”Lucien asked.Heloise and her husband were expecting a child any time.
“Not that I’ve heard, but the mail takes a few days.I could be an aunt already.”
He heard the tremor of emotion in her voice.“You are welcome to take time to go and see them.Should I insist?”
Evie squeezed his arm.“I’ll go in the summer.By then, Ada will be able to run things in my absence.”
“Are you ever going to tell me the specifics of how you made her acquaintance?”
“Here comes Ruark.I’ll let you speak with him.”She withdrew her hand from Lucien’s arm.
Lucien narrowed his eyes at her.“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you orchestrated that to avoid answering my question.”
Her dark brows arched as she gave him a look of mock innocence before gliding away.
Smiling to himself, Lucien turned to greet Ruark.
“Evening, Lucien,” Ruark said, briefly clasping his hand.“I wonder if I might borrow you for a …matter?”
“A matter?That sounds potentially serious.”
Ruark flashed a bright smile.“Probably not.”
Lucien noted his use of the word probably.“How can I help?”
“I want to introduce you to a friend.Is there somewhere we can talk privately?”
Lucien had an office and private sitting room on the second floor.“Certainly.Let’s go upstairs.Where is your friend?”
“A moment.”Ruark went to the corner where a gentleman sat in a chair near one of the doors that led out to the veranda that overlooked the garden, which was still being finished.When they returned, Lucien recognized the fellow.Because he knew everyone who belonged to his club.
“Good evening, Lawler,” Lucien said as he gestured for them to accompany him from the members’ den.He led them up the stairs to his private office, which sat directly above the also private selection chamber where the membership committee met fortnightly to discuss potential members and voted to extend invitations.
Lucien’s sitting room smelled of fresh paint and wood, having just been finished several days ago.Bookcases lined two walls, while a hearth occupied the third, and windows facing the garden marked the fourth.
“Please, sit.”Lucien gestured to the seating area as he took a chair.
“I’ll let you talk,” Ruark said.He gave Lawler a meaningful look before turning and leaving, closing the door behind him.
