“You should never have told him that. We already talked about this.”
It was all very well for Della to take free rein in other matters. They were partners; they both had equal say in running the club. But this was different. Jane possessed a power of veto where Eli was concerned. Surely that went without saying?
“I know, I know, but you should have seen him, Jane. He was so considerate. He thought our club was a clever idea, and he took everything I said so seriously, not at all as if it was a girlish fancy, the way some men behave. He really is a remarkable gentleman, and he only wants to help you. I think you’ve hurt his feelings with how cold you’ve been.”
“I’vehurthisfeelings?” Jane sputtered. “He disappeared for two years and didn’t even tell me he was alive! Why are we so concerned with how Eli feels?”
A remarkable gentleman. He only wants to help you. Honestly, how did Eli get Cordelia eating out of his palm in such a short time? It was sickening.
“Lieutenant Williams,” Della corrected. “You keep forgetting to pretend that you don’t use his Christian name.”
Jane made a sound that was half shriek, half growl. The footman stopped arranging the chairs and exited the room with a quick stride.
“Anyway, it’s done now, and guests will be arriving any moment,” Della continued, unaware of how near Jane was to upending the tables and stomping home. “Why don’t you ask me who’s coming tonight? I found a replacement for Lady Baldwin just like you wanted, and I’m sure you’ll forgive me once you hear who it is.”
“That’s doubtful.” Jane scowled at her friend. But after a prolonged silence made it clear she wouldn’t know unless she asked, she added, “Who, then?”
“Lady Eleanor Grosvenor.” Della all but sang the young lady’s title.
This news succeeded in shocking Jane from her ill humor, even if forgiveness still hid beyond sight. “You really did it?”
“And she’s bringing Mrs. Duff and Miss Anwar…” Della continued listing off the new names while Jane made a tally of their characters and incomes where such details were known. Several heiresses. More than one lady of influence. These were exactly the sort of members they’d spent most of the season trying to attract. Della had done it. Not that it made up for her greatest error.
“Have you forgiven me yet?” Della asked when she finished. She had a glint in her eyes that said she knew what a success the night would be.
“Humph.” Jane pursed her lips. Annoyed as she was about Eli, it was impossible to stay cross when the daughter of a marquess would soon be joining them. Della sensed her victory, for she pranced around the room, humming as she fussed with the refreshments and the centerpieces on the tables until the first knock came at the door.
They welcomed each of their guests warmly with a well-placed question or two about their families or hobbies. The ladies poured in quickly, craning their necks at the other arrivals and failing to hide their disappointment when they realized the attraction they’d been promised wasn’t there yet. Then he walked in, and everything changed. It would be wrong to say that the ladies were overcome by Eli’s presence, for no one had to call for smelling salts, but the result wasn’t far off. Everyone turned to stare as he stepped over the threshold. The conversation receded, exposing every sigh and murmur to the ears. It was as though Lord Byron had just walked through the door. (Also resurrected, of course.)
“Hello.” Eli gave a faint, self-deprecating sort of smile as he took in the number of eyes upon him. Something shifted in the air, and without any further effort the women were no longer staringathim, but lookingtohim. The crowd was his.
Jane drew a shaky breath, wishing that she didn’t feel it too. It wasn’t fair that he should be blessed with such charisma without having done a thing to earn it.
Della stepped forward, a dazzling smile upon her face. “Lieutenant, thank you so much for joining us. I’m sure your calendar must be packed full these days.”
“Not at all. I had to see this for myself.”
Della signaled Jane from the corner of her eye. There was no way to avoid him without appearing to give slight, so she stepped forward to join in the greeting. “Welcome, Lieutenant. I hope you’re well this evening.”
“Very well, thank you.” A trace of hesitation crept into his voice at her approach. “I’m grateful to Miss Danby for the invitation.”
She took his meaning: he wanted some reassurance from her that he was welcome tonight. She couldn’t very well tell him he wasn’t—not in front of this adoring crowd. Jane drew a large breath and girded herself for the rest of the evening. Her feelings didn’t matternow; she needed to make the most of this opportunity, even if she hadn’t asked for it.
“We’re happy to have you.” With a look that encompassed the rest of the room, she added, “But I’m afraid you mustn’t get too attached, for this remains a ladies’ club. You must consider yourself our guest for one evening only.”
She kept her voice light and friendly, but trusted that he would receive the message. He could be as charming as he liked; she still wouldn’t yield.
There were small sighs of disappointment at her pronouncement from some of the younger members, but no matter. They might think her too strict, but Jane had the future of her club to protect. Their fledgling endeavor couldn’t risk any angry fathers showing up on Della’s doorstep when they learned their daughters were gambling in mixed company.
“How long have you two been hosting a card club?” Eli asked.
“Only this season,” Jane replied. There was no point in letting herself be drawn into conversation with Eli about this. They weren’t friends any longer.
But Della (quite predictably) failed to show any solidarity. “Jane had the idea last fall, when a few of us were playing cards at a house party, and a gentleman in attendance made a disparaging remark about our ability to strategize.” She managed to avoid rolling her eyes, but her tone of voice conveyed the sentiment. “We decided we’d enjoy the freedom to play in a more discreet setting and quickly found others who shared our view.”
“I didn’t know that you were a card player, Miss Bishop.”
She hadn’t been, when she’d kept company with Eli. Certainly not for large sums. But in searching for ways to supplement her meager income, she’d done a few calculations and realized that gambling was terribly profitable, for the house.
