Page 69 of Impossible
Frowning, Max started toward the door to the club, but stopped. Was Ada here this evening? If so, she’d be on the ladies’ side, of course. Or perhaps in her office, wherever that was located. He suddenly wanted to find out.
In his youth, he might have garbed himself as a woman and stolen into the ladies’ side. Since he couldn’t fathom where to come up with a costume of women’s clothing, he’d have to settle for just stealing into their sanctuary. There had to be a servants’ entrance.
He pivoted and walked around to the side of the club. There it was. Stairs led down to the kitchen level below the ladies’ half.
Anticipation curled through him in a way it hadn’t for quite some time. This was incredibly unusual for him—or at least for who he’d become.
Max crept down the stairs and slipped inside. This area was quiet as he made his way along a corridor. Sounds of the kitchen came from his left, and he noted a staircase on his right. Where would Ada be? He couldn’t very well stroll up the stairs and find her.
Hell.
A woman dressed in smart livery came toward him, her brow furrowed. Max had never seen such a costume for a woman. It was a feminine version of something a footman might wear. It occurred to him that the ladies’ side might not have footmen but instead employed footwomen. Extraordinary and brilliant.
“You shouldn’t be down here,” she said.
“My apologies,” Max said smoothly, angling himself so that she could see his best side—or more importantly, not see his scarred side as well. “I am looking for Miss Treadway. I’m lodging on the other side of the club, and I require her assistance with something. I don’t suppose you could deliver a message to her?”
“Certainly.” The footwoman appeared skeptical.
“I assure you, Miss Treadway knows me and will be eager to help. Can she meet me in her office?”
“I’ll ask her, but if she refuses, you’ll need to return to the other side. This is highly inappropriate.”
“I do beg your pardon.” He flashed her a smile that used to draw the ladies to him like magnets.
Her features softened, and he felt a heady rush of victory.
“Where is Miss Treadway’s office?” he asked.
“Second floor, front.” She nodded toward the stairs that were now just behind him. “Take those straight up.”
“Thank you.” He turned and dashed up the stairs, moving faster and with more intent than he had in a very long time. With excitement, even.
What did he plan to do once Ada came upstairs? He had no idea and that unknown only added to his anticipation.
Chapter14
Saturday evenings during the Season at the Phoenix Club always felt subdued after the potent excitement and bustle of the assembly the night before. Ada enjoyed the quiet, however. It was unlikely she’d be called upon.
This was the night she typically went to the ladies’ library to find the book she would read over the next week. She’d just replaced her last book on the shelf—the one she’d started before going to Stonehill and inadvertently left here. It was another romance, and she couldn’t help but think that Max would find fault with it.
Instead of scowling or otherwise reacting with disdain, she smiled. Even when he’d been insufferably aggravating, she’d enjoyed their banter.
She wondered where he was tonight. Was he in the library on the other side? Sipping Irish whiskey, perhaps? Or was he already abed where nightmares awaited?
Now, she frowned. She hated to think of him struggling. And she wasn’t around to help him.
Except shewasaround…
“Miss Treadway?”
Blinking her reverie away, Ada turned from the bookshelf to see one of the footwomen standing with her hands clasped. “I’ve a message from a gentleman. I forgot to ask his name.” Pink crested her cheeks.
“That’s all right, Joanna. Is there a problem?”
“He said he needed your help and would meet you in your office. He’s waiting there now.”
“You let him into this side of the club?” Ada couldn’t imagine how Joanna had come to encounter him in the first place, unless she’d needed to fetch something from the men’s side.
