Page 90 of Impossible
“No more than I.” It was there that Evie had detected Ada’s sorrow. She’d just left her position as governess a few days before and was trying to determine how to make her way as an unwed mother without employment. Evie had taken charge, drying Ada’s tears, and counseling her on how she could reclaim her life.
Buoyed by Evie’s support and instant care for her welfare, Ada had decided not to have the baby. After a short time, Evie and Ada had traveled to western Cornwall. Those months had shown Ada what the life of an independent woman could be—and she wanted that.
Now she had it.
“I came to see if you might help me face my fear of the water.”
A look of distress passed over Evie’s features. She reached over and touched Ada’s forearm. “Is this because of my insensitive comment last night?”
“Yes, but that’s not a bad thing, truly. In helping Max—Lord Warfield—to heal, which requires him to overcome his own fears and challenges, I find I am somewhat of a hypocrite. So I’m going to get on a boat. I’d thought to take a wherry from the Horse Ferry perhaps down to Somerset House.” She shuddered. “Will you come with me? I plan to invite Prudence too.”
“Of course! Though, Prudence may not want to get on a wherry if she feels sick from the babe.”
Prudence was expecting a child, which only a select group of people knew. Ada had talked Prudence through her shock and fear at learning she was pregnant—that was before she’d married Glastonbury. Fortunately, all had worked out well and they’d discovered a mutual love and devotion, but it hadn’t been easy.
“That’s certainly true, though I think she’s felt well for the most part. I’d like to go tomorrow.”
“So quickly?”
“I don’t want to lose my nerve.”
Evie grinned. “Then, let’s do it. I’ll arrange for someone to pick us up at Somerset House.”
Joanna, one of the footwomen appeared in the doorway of the office. She wore a puzzled expression. “Pardon me for interrupting. There’s a gentleman here to see Miss Treadway.” She darted a glance toward Ada. “I told him that we don’t receive gentlemen on this side of the club, but he was most insistent.”
Ada’s first thought was that it was Max, but it wouldn’t be him. He knew the rules of the club and had demonstrated his ability to circumvent them. This sounded like someone who didn’t know what the Phoenix Club was and had arrived here looking for Ada.
“We’ll have to receive him on the men’s side,” Evie said with authority, standing. “Instruct him to go to that door, and I’ll have Sebastian show him up to Lucien’s office.”
Joanna nodded, then left.
Ada rose, wondering who it could be. “Before you ask, no, I don’t know who it is. I’m as perplexed as Joanna.”
“We shall find out soon enough.” Evie preceded her over the threshold, and they made their way to the men’s side, arriving quickly at Lucien’s office.
Seated at his desk reading, Lucien looked up as they entered. “Good morning. Am I in trouble?”
“No, why would you think that?” Evie asked.
“Because you’re both here, and last night was, ah, difficult.”
“You aren’t in trouble,” Ada said, moving into the office to stand near the settee. “We aren’t even here about that.”
“How is Max?” he asked quietly.
“Better than you probably think,” Ada responded. “I’m hopeful that you’ll hear that from him, and that’s all I’ll say on the matter. We’re here because a gentleman has come to see me. Evie thought I could use your office.”
“Actually, I said ‘we’ would receive him,” Evie clarified. “If you think I’m leaving you alone to meet some unknown man, even in the security of the club, you don’t know me very well.”
“Perhaps I should stay too,” Lucien offered, rising from his chair.
Ada exhaled. “While I appreciate you both very much, I am a grown, independent woman.”
Sebastian appeared in the doorway, his blue gaze sweeping the occupants of the office. “Mr. Jonathan Hemmings is here for Miss Treadway.”
Thankfully, the settee was close, for Ada sank onto it, her jaw dropping just before she clapped her shaking hand to her mouth.
Evie sat down beside her. “Oh dear. You can’t want me to leave now.”
