Page 75 of Impossible
Frustration bubbled inside her. Not with anyone or anything but with herself. She ought to have known better after her experience with Jonathan.
Foolishly, she’d thought age had given her wisdom or at least the ability to behave differently. It had done neither, it seemed, for she threw the covers back and slipped from the bed. Donning her dressing gown and slippers, she took a candle and left her apartment, making her way quietly to the cabinet at the end of the corridor.
It wasn’t really a cabinet. Once she was inside, she found the lever that released the false back which was actually a door leading to another, identical cabinet.
Now, which chamber was his? She’d seen every inch of this club and if she had to guess which room Lucien would have given Max, she would say it would be the largest, which was situated in the back corner overlooking the garden.
Creeping as silently as possible, she slowly traipsed to the far corner. Then she stood outside the door and frowned.
Why was she hesitating?
Because she shouldn’t be here. He hadn’t invited her. Neither had she invited him the previous night, but he’d been in her apartment anyway.
She’d ask him about his meeting with Prudence. Yes, that was an excellent reason for coming to see him well past midnight.
Before she could stop herself, she knocked. A moment later, the door opened, and Max pulled her inside.
“I knew it was you.”
“That’s a relief. I can’t imagine who else you’d be expecting at this hour.”
“I should think that would be obvious.” His brow arched. “A courtesan.”
She wanted to argue, but she knew that occasionally, certain gentlemen—friends of Lucien’s—had assignations on this floor. She was not in favor of it since the Phoenix Club was not that kind of establishment.
Narrowing her eyes, she took in his dressing gown and the exposed flesh at his neck. “Did someone offer to arrange that for you?”
“No. Should they have?”
“I would hope not, but I don’t have a say in all that goes on here.” She set her candle down on a table situated against the wall. Pivoting toward him, she clasped her hands in front of her and flexed her arms briefly. Anxiously. “I came to, ah, ask you how your meeting with Prudence went.”
“I was hoping I might see you. I wish the men’s club wasn’t only open to women on Tuesdays.” He gestured to the seating area that dominated the small antechamber.
Ada avoided looking toward the door to the bedroom as she perched on the settee. “Perhaps you should stay another day so you can experience that. It’s my favorite night of the week, actually.”
He sat down beside her—closer than he had when they’d shared a settee in the library at Stonehill, but not close enough for her to touch him. It was both a blessing and a curse. “I had the same thought. That would also allow me to see Lady Peterborough. I plan to send her a note tomorrow requesting an interview.”
“I’m surprised you want to see her.”
“Prudence suggested it, but I’d already been considering doing so. I have questions.” He frowned into the distance.
“Then you should see her. It sounds like you’re having a most productive trip.”
“I suppose I am. I like Prudence, but then I expected to since she is your close friend. I think we will get on well, actually.”
Ada beamed at him. “I’m so happy. For both of you.” She couldn’t wait to talk to Prudence about it. Hopefully, she’d be able to see her tomorrow.
“Thank you.” He looked at her with a solemn gravity that tempered her joy, but not in a bad way. She could see how much this meant to him. “You’ve moved me in ways I thought impossible.”
Oh dear. He was being irresistible again. But then, she didn’t think she could see him any other way. She was absolutely in love with him, and if she didn’t run now, she would be caught in the web. If she wasn’t already.
She jumped to her feet. “I’m glad to hear things are going so well.” She forced a yawn, putting her hand in front of her mouth. “Now, I must get to bed. I’ve an early morning, and we have an exciting evening tomorrow.” How was she going to manage that? Strolling the dim, romantic walks at Vauxhall with a man who made her heart practically burst from her chest? Not to mention the way he made her body thrum with desire. As it was doing at that precise moment.
He stood. “You’re leaving?”
“I think I must,” she whispered.
“Probably.” He sounded resigned. “Would you stay if I promised we would just sleep?”
