Page 54 of Impeccable
Emma put her hand on his shoulder. “Yes, dear.” She bussed his cheek, then wished him good luck before leading Evie and Ada from the gaming room.
They moved into a vestibule behind the staircase hall. “My apologies for Lord Dungannon,” the viscountess said. “He becomes awfully fixated on his gaming.”
Evie waved her hand. “No need to apologize. We are well acquainted with his brusqueness and don’t take it personally.”
Emma’s brow puckered. “Evie, I’ve been wanting to speak with you outside our next patroness meeting.” That was scheduled for later in the week. “Millie has been carping about her membership recommendations being ignored. She is particularly annoyed about her most recent suggestion—Lord and Lady Witney.”
“I can imagine,” Evie said. “Millie’s recommendations do not often lead to invitations. I do wonder sometimes if she’s happy being a patroness here.”
Emma nodded slowly. “I’ve wondered the same. But she’ll never resign—even if we install a fifth patroness whom she doesn’t like. She has no hope of becoming a patroness at Almack’s, and this is the next best thing.”
“Is it?” Evie hadn’t realized. The Phoenix Club wasnothinglike Almack’s.
“It’s the exclusivity,” Emma said.
“But we aren’t that exclusive,” Ada argued. “Indeed, we include those who aren’t invited to Almack’s and other places.”
“We also exclude those who are invited everywhere,” Emma pointed out kindly.
Ada frowned slightly. “I hadn’t thought of it as being exclusive. I didn’t think those people wanted to be members.”
“Lady Witney does,” Evie said flatly. “I encountered her over the holidays, and to say she was persistent with her expressions of desire for an invitation would be an understatement.”
Perhaps, in the interest of the club’s mission, the membership committeeshouldinvite the Witneys. Lucien could be clear about the club’s purpose as well as the sort of condescending conduct that wouldn’t be tolerated. Then, if they exhibited such behavior, they would be expelled. No, if they did that, they’d have to invite practically everyone, regardless of their attitude and treatment of others, and that wasn’t the community Lucien had built.
Emma wrinkled her nose. “So, she turned to Millie. I do dislike when someone launches a campaign to be invited.”
Evie looked earnestly to Emma. “I have a proposition that may help matters. What if we add a patroness? Specifically, I was thinking of Lady Edgemont.”
“Oh!” Emma’s eyes widened briefly before she smiled. “Aren’t you clever. Do you think she would accept?”
“She was Ada’s suggestion, actually.” Evie glanced toward Ada. “I think it’s highly likely she’d accept the offer.”
Emma’s expression darkened. “This will upset Millie.”
“Yes,” Ada acknowledged slowly. “But it may also dilute her voice, which would benefit us all.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Emma said. “You have my support. I daresay Harriet will also agree.” She referred to the fourth and final patroness, Mrs. Holland-Ward.
“She and Lady Edgemont are friendly, I believe,” Ada noted.
“Yes. That should help matters.” Emma fixed them both with a serious stare. “Is your goal to drive Millie out? As I said, I don’t think she’ll resign.”
Evie didn’t want to be completely transparent, not with anyone other than Ada and Lucien. “Our goal is to establish a more pleasant atmosphere.”
Emma smiled. “I can’t find any fault with that. Do we need to speak with Lord Lucien or have the membership committee approve this appointment?”
“Lady Edgemont is already a member, so we won’t need any input from the committee,” Evie said. “We’ve never added a patroness, so I’m not entirely certain what’s required. I suspect we’ll be making it up as we go.” She smiled. “I’ll go and speak with Lucien now, then find you later to confirm that we patronesses are able to add someone.”
Emma cocked her head and looked at Ada. “Why aren’t we also adding Ada? She would be an excellent patroness. She already comes to most of our meetings during the Season, and we truly couldn’t do without her input and expertise when it comes to planning events. Furthermore, a sixth patroness will only lighten the atmosphere even more.”
Evie suddenly wanted to bang her head against the wall.Of coursethey should add Ada. She was Lady Warfield, for heaven’s sake! Not that a title was necessary to be a patroness. Adding her would only needle Millie further. “That is anexcellentidea, isn’t it, Ada?”
Ada gaped at them for a moment. “I’m speechless, which doesn’t happen often.”
Evie and Emma laughed, and Ada joined in.
“You must,” Emma insisted.
