Page 79 of Impeccable
“She did not,” Ada said evenly.
Evie hadn’t bothered to repeat Millie’s nonsense about Ada’s position as bookkeeper. She was far too valuable, but she also didn’t want to leave her job. Indeed, they’d worked out a way for her to still be the bookkeeper even though she didn’t live in London throughout the year.
“I find it inappropriate for you to be employed by the club in addition to being a patroness. It’s unseemly.”
Ada appeared to take her criticism seriously, her brow creasing. “I’m afraid I disagree. Isn’t it helpful? I already spent time with the patronesses with the planning of events, and now I—and my knowledge—will always be there.” She smiled brightly as she finished.
“I agree,” Evie said, proud of her friend, who was always consistently brilliant.
Millie’s nose wrinkled. “It’s a disgrace. Norespectableviscountess would retain employment.”
“Then perhaps I’m not a respectable viscountess,” Ada said with a shrug.
Evie wanted to hug her. “It’s good that she’s a patroness here since the Phoenix Club is not concerned with such things.”
“It should be!” Millie’s voice rose, and people around them took notice.
“Please don’t shout,” Evie said softly. “Perhaps we should take this—”
“You’d like it if these things weren’t aired. You’d prefer the members weren’t aware that the club’s bookkeeper, a viscountess, is now a patroness and how horrid that looks for the club and for all of us who are members. You’d also prefer they weren’t aware of the countless people who are denied membership—dukes and earls and people of import in our government. People who are welcome at Almack’s and belong to White’s. But they are shunned by the Phoenix Club.” She scoffed, cutting her hand through the air. “It’s a mockery as this club purports to be inclusive and not leave anyone behind. Balderdash!”
“Millie, you need to stop,” Evie whispered urgently. The members’ den had gone nearly silent in the face of the woman’s tirade.
“I do not.” Millie lifted her chin haughtily. “I am arespectableviscountess, my husband is a very important nobleman, andI am a patroness.”
At “respectable viscountess,” Evie clenched her jaw and moved toward the woman. She was not going to be allowed to insult Ada.
Grabbing her forearm, Ada pulled her back. “Don’t,” she murmured. “Lucien is coming.”
Evie turned her head to see Lucien stalking toward them, his eyes darker and angrier than she’d ever seen them.
“Lady Hargrove, if you will accompany me?” he requested politely, but with a sharp edge.
Millie looked him in the eye, fearless in the face of his ire—likely because she didn’t realize just how furious he was. “Say what you have to say here.”
“I will not. You may choose to accompany me, or you can leave. There is no third option for you.”
She stared at him another moment, her mind clearly churning. In the end, she strode past him without a word. Evie wondered if she was leaving.
Lucien followed Millie and inclined his head toward Evie indicating that she should come too. Outside the members’ den, they had their answer as Millie paused and looked at Lucien.
“In my office,” he said crisply, moving around her and opening the door to his suite. He waited for Evie to come inside, then closed the door.
“I will not apologize,” Millie declared, taking the offensive.
Lucien glowered at her. “I had hoped you would. You insulted Lady Warfield—a valued employee and patroness of the club. She is also your peer, whether you like it or not, and she deserves your respect, even if it’s manufactured.”
“How could you possibly have heard what I said?” Millie demanded, now taking a defensive posture as she folded her arms over her chest.
“I was on the other side of the members’ den. Perhaps you don’t realize how loudly you were speaking.” His eyes narrowed, and he added, “I find you are often incredibly unaware of yourself.”
Evie willed herself not to smirk.
“I could have said much worse,” Millie said, using a much softer but somehow more malicious tone than in the members’ den.
Lucien exhaled. “You give me no choice, Lady Hargrove. That sounded like a threat, and the truth is that I fear you may say worse or continue to cause problems. You seem very unhappy here at the Phoenix Club, both as a member and a patroness. I wonder why you even bother with either. Wouldn’t you be much happier clinging to Almack’s?”
“Almack’s is not a club like this, and you know there is really nothing like the Phoenix Club when it comes to ladies.” There was a flicker of unease in her eyes as if she were contemplating not coming to the club anymore and realizing she didn’t like that.
