Page 96 of Impossible
Lucien grimaced. “I was only asking.”
“There is nothing between me and Ada.” Nothing that wasn’t temporary anyway. “I’ll return to Stonehill—probably tomorrow. I’m deeply grateful for her help, but she’s quite happy at the Phoenix Club. She truly loves her position there, if you don’t already know that.”
“I do know that. She does an excellent job.” Lucien frowned, and Max could practically see the wheels turning in his mind. That was another thing he had in common with Ada. They were both loud thinkers.
“Is there something else you feel the need to say?” Max suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.
Lucien hesitated before shaking his head. “No.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Exhaling, Lucien pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m actually trying not to be so meddlesome, especially in relationships. I stuck my nose in a few times recently and have been informed that I should mind my own business.”
So hewastrying to play matchmaker. Since Max didn’t want that, he abandoned the topic.
“Speaking of meddling, I’m afraid I did interfere with something.” Lucien cast a pained look toward Max.
“Hell, what did you do?”
“I bought Arrow.”
Max did stop this time. “My horse?”
Lucien paused, turning toward him. “Yes. He’s being delivered tomorrow. If you want him, he’s yours.”
Max faced him. “Why would you do that?”
“Honestly? It was Ada’s idea. She said he was sold at Tattersall’s and asked me to find him. When I did, his new owner offered to sell him. It sounds as if he’s not happy.”
Fuck.Max felt like someone had reached into his chest and was squeezing his bloody heart. “Please tell me you mean the owner and not my horse.”
“I think you know what I meant.” Lucien twitched his lips in sympathy. “Sorry.”
“I’ll take him.” Max started walking again, his mind churning as they neared Piccadilly. Ada had inquired about Arrow? Old Max would have been furious at her interference. New Max,improvedMax, wanted to kiss her.
“I’m so glad.” Lucien whistled for a moment. “It’s Tuesday, which means the ladies come into the men’s side of the club tonight. It’s the most entertaining night of the week. You should come downstairs. I’m sure Prudence will be there if you’d like to spend time with her. Dougal should be there too.”
“Why not? I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Should we try the Siren’s Call again?” Lucien wondered. “I feel bad about how that ended.”
Max recalled how his night had finished and had no such regret. He didn’t say so. “I think we’ve graduated from the Siren’s Call. Your club is just fine. Splendid, in fact.”
“Good, because I honestly hate going to other places now.” Lucien chuckled.
“You really should be proud of what you’ve built,” Max said earnestly. “I’m not at all surprised. You’ve always been wonderful at bringing people together—and at coaxing out the best in people.”
“Not always. You were a tough nut to crack, my friend.”
Friend. Yes, they were friends, and Max had been foolish to ever think or say otherwise.
Max paused and turned to Lucien again, the busy traffic of Piccadilly going by despite the seriousness of this moment. “Thank you for saving my life.”
Lucien had stopped too, his gaze meeting and holding Max’s. “I would do it again.”
“Even if it meant getting injured again?” Lucien hadn’t been as badly wounded as Max, but he hadn’t emerged unscathed.
“Even if it meant death.”
