Page 55 of Impossible
There was another reason he ought to go to London, he realized. His half sister. Not only should he give Prudence her dowry, he should at least meet her. As Ada had pointed out, he wasn’t really alone. Furthermore, if Prudence was a close friend of Ada’s, it seemed likely that Max would perchance find her interesting.
Fine, he’d go to London. But he wouldn’t commit to enjoying it.
Ada had barely deposited her traveling case in her bedchamber before there was a knock on the door of her private apartment located on the second floor of the ladies’ side of the Phoenix Club. Moving into the main room, she hastened to the door, certain of who it would be.
“Evie,” she said warmly.
Evangeline Renshaw was one of the most strikingly attractive people Ada had ever met. She was classically beautiful, with sculpted cheekbones, a dazzling smile when she chose to give it, and the most remarkable round blue eyes that turned up at the outer corners. She was also graced with astonishing russet hair that always looked as though she stood in the sunlight or beneath a glittering chandelier. Evie just…sparkled.
She was also incredibly clever, with a no-nonsense head for business that inspired Ada in all she did. When she’d first met Evie, who was somehow only slightly older than Ada, two years ago in Cornwall, Ada had been entranced. She’d wanted nothing more than to be just like her. In time, she’d realized that was silly, that she needed to learn to be Ada. She hoped she was doing that.
They embraced, and when Evie stepped back, she said, “You look like you’re still in one piece. Was Warfield as awful as expected?”
“I would say more awful, actually.” Ada recalled the first few days and his efforts to get her to leave. “But I managed to wear him down. He hired a steward before I left.”
Evie gaped at her. “Astonishing. I shouldn’t have doubted it, however. You are remarkably skilled at bringing out the best in people.”
Had she done that? Ada wasn’t sure she’d seen Max’s best. She’d certainly seen his better, in any case. She only hoped he continued to improve. She truly believed he was ill, in a manner of speaking, from whatever had happened in Spain and was finally on the path to recovery. “He’s been through a difficult time.” She couldn’t deny wanting to defend and protect him.
“You got on well with him, then?” Evie asked.
“Eventually.” During the journey back to London, Ada had considered whether she would tell Evie or Prudence what had happened. She feared telling Evie would invite reproach. Evie had rescued Ada at one of her lowest points, after she’d left her employment as a governess and feared her life as a respectable woman was over.
In the end, since there was no chance Ada and Max would repeat their night of passion, Ada had determined it was best to just pretend it had been a lovely dream. That was precisely how she’d remember and treasure it.
“I know Lucien is eager to speak with you if you’re not too tired,” Evie said.
“Not at all. He’s in his office?”
Evie chuckled. “I told him you would be full of energy even after the long ride in a coach. He really ought to know better by now, but men will always discount us, even those who know us best.”
Ada wasn’t sure she agreed with that, but didn’t say so. Evie was the most independent-minded woman Ada had ever known. She often found men, particularly their opinions and interference, to be a nuisance. If ever there was a woman who would never marry, it was Evie. Her identity as a widow was a complete fabrication—a secret known only to Ada and Lucien and perhaps a few others.
“Do you want to walk with me?” Ada asked.
“I’d planned to go over, since it’s Tuesday.” The men’s side would be bustling with activity as women joined them this one night of the week.
They went down to the first floor and took the shortcut through the gallery that overlooked the ballroom. Lucien’s office was situated at the back of the first floor. His door was open, and Ada moved inside.
Evie followed her in. “Ada’s back,” she said, perhaps unnecessarily.
Lucien jumped up from behind his desk, his features eager. “Welcome home, Ada. I can hardly wait to hear all about your adventure.”
“I’ll leave you to it.” Evie closed the door behind her as she departed.
Tall, with dark eyes and darker hair, Lucien was nearly as attractive as Evie and equally driven. They’d once been lovers, Evie had confided to Ada, but they were now just the best of friends.
“Your letters were not nearly descriptive enough.” Lucien gestured to a pair of chairs near the hearth. He waited for Ada to sit before he took the other chair, sitting far forward in his enthusiasm. “Tell me everything.”
She wouldn’t come even close to doing so, but he didn’t need to know that. “I believe I conveyed the important parts—that he was disagreeable and that I was making progress.”
He smacked the arm of his chair with his palm. “I can’t believe you got him to agree to hire a steward!”
“He actually hired one before I left.” She nearly laughed as Lucien stared at her in unabashed shock. “I recommended Mrs. Tallent, a farmer on the estate, and he agreed.”
Lucien’s expression sobered. “Is Mrs. Tallent qualified?”
Evie’s words came back to Ada, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Ibelieve so, yes. She’s an excellent bookkeeper—the best on the estate—and she’s managed to not only maintain her husband’s farm since his death last year, she’s increased profit and productivity.” Women could and probably should run the world, Ada thought.
