“And us.” Sutton took the last of the tarts from the tray. “We all want to see Lady Mary.”
“I’ll tell her.” With one last wistful gaze at the men, Netta turned and made for the carriage with a sigh.
Nothing The Minerva had to offer could compare to the thrill that group of men instilled. Of that she was certain.
***
She was certain of nothing. Not even of which direction was up.
The mirrors at the far end of the room distorted the reflection of the black-and-white striped walls into eye-straining waves. Netta’s reflection, and those of every other woman in The Minerva Club’s ballroom, were distorted and reverse, making it appear as though they walked on the ceiling.
Lady Mary shook her head. “This is what happens when you succumb to the compliments of an Italian glass maker. At least his skills in other areas surpassed his workmanship with mirrors. They will have to be replaced, of course.”
“Of course.” Netta rubbed her forehead, an ache forming.
“Look out!”
Netta ducked, dragging Lady Mary down to the floor with her as a pall-mall ball flew overhead and crashed into one of the mirrors. A shower of broken glass exploded from the impact, sending the women standing near it fleeing.
“Hmm.” Lady Mary cocked her head. “Perhaps I should have all the women take aim. It will be much easier to sweep out the mistake than have the heavy panes removed.”
Netta pressed her palms to the dark stone floor and dropped her head. She thought she pushed boundaries, but ever since stepping inside The Minerva Club, she realized she was but an amateur. These women were experts.
At least she now knew which direction was down. She patted the nice, solid floor before standing. “Shall we continue the tour?”
“Of course.” Lady Mary flicked her skirts and marched ahead. “This, as I said, was to be our hall of mirrors. An homage to Versailles. You must come back and see it when I’ve remodeled.”
Netta nodded and skirted around a tumble of fencing swords on the floor, one of the uncapped points tugging at her gown. If she survived this visit.
“And this is our tavern.” Lady Mary swept her hand to indicate the room decorated in pearl grey and lavender. A long oak bar ran the length of the far wall, and a man in a powdered wig and cheeks stood behind it serving drinks. “We had to hire a new bartender. The last one never refused service and some of these women”—she leaned towards Netta and cupped her mouth with her hand—“don’t know when to say no. It’s almost as though they never snuck their husbands’ whisky before.”
Netta bit back her smile. “How positively unimaginative of them.”
“Exactly.”
A cheer rose from the corner where a table had been set up with a chess board. A woman in a jade-green caftan held up her black queen in victory.
“Your club is an amusement parlor then?” She trailed after Lady Mary through a room with a thick carpet and a game of lawn darts in play.
“In large part.” She finger-waved a man in full livery over and whispered something into his ear. He nodded and glided away. Lady Mary resumed her march. “Women need to learn how to have fun. Life can be deadly serious at times; we women need a place to relieve the pressure. But we also have a library and a conversation parlor where many a debate have been held.”
She threw open a wide set of double doors and circled the new room to raise the flames of the gas lamps. “We also have this stage where we hope to invite lecturers to come speak.”
Netta stepped inside, and her heart leapt. She clapped her hands together. It was small, a mere eight by ten feet, but there along the back wall was the most darling stage she had yet seen. She wanted to fold it up, put it in her pocket, and take it about with her everywhere.
Lady Mary’s eyes crinkled. “And of course, the odd performance would be lovely, as well.”
Netta had told the woman she was an actress. After John discovered it, Netta hadn’t wanted to keep that truth from Lady Mary. And now she was pleased she hadn’t.
She skipped to the raised platform. It was made of solid teak, the edges carved with elaborate scroll-work. Cherubs peeked out at each corner. She hurried to the stairs and hopped up the three steps to stand upon it. The stage was sturdy beneath her feet, the grain of the wood giving its surface a sultry luster. She pushed open the hunter green curtains behind it.
“There’s another room!” Netta hooked the rope on the wall around the curtain, holding it open. “With enough space for small sets.”
Lady Mary joined her. “And that hallway there not only leads to the kitchens and an outdoor exit, it also contains several chambers that could be used as dressing rooms. Now if only I knew any actresses who’d care to put on a small performance for our motley group.”
“It’s absolutely charming.” Netta stepped to center-stage and twirled. “I’d be honored to perform here any time. And I’m certain my friend, Cerise, would too.”
“Good.” Lady Mary pushed her spectacles up her nose and turned for the steps, Netta trailing slowly behind. “And now that you’ve seen the place, what say you to becoming a member?”
