Della was, in fact, put out by the rejection, but her temperament was such that she couldn’t linger on it for too long. She allowed herself about an hour to mope before she put on a brave face and set out to pay a few quick calls she’d been neglecting before it grew too late in the day for them. She wanted to look in on Lady Eleanor and some other connections to make sure she stayed in their good graces. It was important to maintain friendships with the right people to keep everyone talking about her club—something she hadn’t done enough of lately. After that, she jotted down some notes on the views she’d seen earlier while she ate a sandwich Cook had made for her and then got changed to go to Bishop’s for the evening. She’d been hoping to finish a chapter today, but when all was said and done, there’d been barely half an hour left to scribble a few paragraphs.
Ah, well. I’ll write twice as much tomorrow to make up for it.Though this wasn’t the first time she’d made such a promise to herself, things were still quite manageable. Five weeks was plenty of time.
Della found her thoughts wandering back to Lord Ashton as she slipped through the last hours of daylight. Had he changed his mind about meeting her because of something she’d done? Had she been too forward with him in the drawing room this morning and frightened him off?
If I did, he wasn’t worthy of me, she reassured herself. There were plenty of men in the world. If the viscount didn’t appreciate her as she was, then it was his loss.
Despite these encouraging thoughts, she couldn’t entirely shake off a feeling of regret—or perhaps it was hope. The viscount had some originality to him, after all—an independence of thought that she admired. Shouldn’t he be capable of defying convention? His reaction at the casino last night and in her drawing room this morning showed great promise.
This was enough to make Della consider the second possibility: that he hadnotrun in fear of her wantonness, but actually had a good reason for not coming. One that was too personal to confide in a letter. After all, they hadn’t had much time alone to talk about anything properly. Perhaps he’d been forced to cancel their plans due to an urgent obligation, just as she had, and would make it up to her later. Though she had her doubts, Della much preferred this explanation and made a conscious decision to adopt it until it was disproven. She was nothing if not an optimist.
Besides, she was far too busy to feel sad. She’d promised Jane she would handle the club by herself tonight. Best of all, Annabelle didn’t yet know she would be there to observe what was sure to be an embarrassing evening for her. Bishop’s didn’t track wagers outside of card play, but if it did, Della would have offered five-to-one odds that Annabelle couldn’t win over Miss Greenwood. Ten-to-one odds there would be sonnets involved.
I can’t wait.
Tragically, she had no choice but to wait, for she arrived at the club to learn that the greengrocer’s delivery hadn’t come as planned and she had to spend the next hour adjusting the menu with their cook. Soon after that, the first group of ladies arrived, a cluster of regulars she knew well, and Della hurried out to greet them.
After another hour or so, Annabellefinallyappeared with a pale siren on her arm. Della caught a glimpse of them from across the room and hung back, making her way slowly through the edges of the crowd to better trap her unsuspecting prey.
She eavesdropped shamelessly once she drew within earshot. After enduring Annabelle as a chaperone these past few weeks, it was the least she could do.
“…certain you’ll love it. You have such a free spirit, you’re meant for a place like this.”
“It’s much bigger than it looks from the outside.” Miss Greenwood was taking in the club with something like awe. Della liked her already. “How long ago did you say your sister and her friend founded it?”
“Two years, more or less.”
It was three years! Doesn’t Annabelle know anything?
“And they couldn’t have done it without me,” she continued. “It takes a keen mind to get a business off the ground. Not everyone is up for the challenge.”
Not even Della’s curiosity could force her to hold her tongue at this outrage.
“Annabelle,” Della exclaimed from behind her sister’s back. “You made it!”
“What areyoudoing here?” Annabelle wore a look of utter horror as she whirled around.
“You do recall that I own the place?” She managed to keep the sarcasm from her tone.
“I–I thought you were meant to be at home tonight.”
“Change of plans.” Della smiled and turned her attention to the gorgeous blonde by Annabelle’s side. “And you must be Miss Greenwood. I believe we were introduced at Ascot last year, weren’t we? How do you do?”
“Very well, thank you. You have a lovely establishment.”
“Whythank you. You’re so sweet. I can see why Annabelle wanted to bring you here.”
“I was just going to show Miss Greenwood the retiring room,” Annabelle blurted out. “So, um, we’ll go do that now.”
“What’s the hurry? I think you were just about to tell your friend all about your business skills, weren’t you?” She arched one eyebrow, watching Annabelle squirm.Ah, sweet justice.“Would you like to tell the story of how we found the premises? I’m sure she’d love to hear that one. You remember it, don’t you?”
Annabelle was giving her such a ferocious glare that she was liable to wrinkle that way. It was delightful.
Wait, who was that a few yards behind her sister at the faro table? Della craned her neck to get a better look, hoping her eyes deceived her.Oh no.She recognized the little woman with the pink gown and graying hair. Mrs. Muller had already placed a wager, though Della had been watching the door for her all night except for this one little break. Couldn’t she torture Annabelle in peace for even a minute? Surely she’d earned the right!
“Will you two excuse me for a moment?” Della turned back to the girls. “I’ve seen someone I have to—”
But they were already gone, having escaped into the crowd the second Della’s attention was elsewhere.How dare she avoid my teasing, when I’ve dealt with her comments about Lord Ashton for weeks now!Ah well, she’d had enough fun to make it worthwhile, at least.
