He read the other terms on the papers in front of him, which mentioned the payment of his dues, how to purchase event vouchers, and information about the club itself. Lord Blackstone went over each subject individually, until Isaac was fully instructed.
“Do you have any questions for me?” The viscount asked.
Isaac’s mind raced. He had been assailed with new information, but he couldn’t forget his goal. Becoming close to Lord Blackstone was a vital part of his plan. He remembered Percy’s strategy—how he had feigned interest in the great horned owl. Would the same tactic work a second time? With a different animal, perhaps?
Isaac searched the room for his target, which he found within seconds. “Yes, actually. I noticed this remarkable tortoise…does it have a name?”
Lord Blackstone sat up straighter, his features softening. “Oh, yes. That is my new addition Archibald, the rare Seychelles giant tortoise. There are times my feet grow rather swollen, and the height of his shell serves as a remarkably comfortable footstool.”
“I admire your resourcefulness.” Isaac smiled, struggling to hide his amusement. “Perhaps you might teach me more about the species. I have great interest in…herbivores.” He grimaced at his own attempt to sound intelligent. In truth, he knew very little about animals.
Lord Blackstone appeared slightly offended. “Well, the first thing you must know is that this particular species of giant tortoise is not strictly herbivorous. They are rather opportunistic, you see, and will eat just about anything small enough to bite into.”
“Including your swollen feet, I daresay, if you don’t take care.”
Lord Blackstone threw his head back with a hearty laugh. “I suppose you are right. Archibald, were he alive, would surely be a great threat to my extremities.”
Isaac smiled, but his heart was still heavy with the news of Sophia’s courtship. It was ridiculous how his heart could feel something entirely without his permission. No matter how enthusiastically he told himself to be grateful for the news—that it would benefit his efforts to move on—his heart refused to listen.
He cleared his mind enough to speak again. “I am grateful to have met you, my lord, for you can easily correct my misinformation about tortoises. I am certain there is more to be set straight.”
“And I will gladly do so!” Lord Blackstone stood, ushering Isaac back out into the corridor. “I should hate to have any gentlemen of my club misinformed about their co-inhabitants. If you are not otherwise engaged, I will receive you for dinner tomorrow evening where we may discuss my footstool at greater length.”
“I would be honored, my lord.”
The old man flashed Isaac a quick smile before eagerly leading him back down the gallery. The tour of the first floor covered a large sitting room, a few private meeting rooms, a library, and billiard room. There, a giraffe neck sprung out from the floor, stretching up until it grazed the ceiling. Isaac met several gentlemen as they moved from room to room, all of whom were agreeable and didn’t seem to greet him with any hostility. So long as they weren’t friends with Mr. Baker, they would have no reason to distrust him.
On the second floor were guest rooms, and on the ground floor were several card rooms, a dining room, and a spacious drawing room where Isaac made several additional acquaintances. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable,the scent of smoke cutting through the unpleasant scent of what Lord Blackstone had called their ‘co-inhabitants.’
When the tour ended, Lord Blackstone left Isaac with an official invitation to his townhouse, and the opportunity to stay at the club and socialize for as long as he wished. Already, Isaac was comfortable in his surroundings. He was no longer on-edge. Perhaps Blackstone’s could become a home to him, at least while he was in London.
In the far-left corner of the drawing room, Isaac caught sight of Percy, peering over his glass of brandy with a smile. His black hair and jacket blended him into the dim surroundings.
Isaac couldn’t help but wonder how long he had been watching him.
Percy had likely perched himself there in the corner of the room in order to entertain himself with Isaac’s reaction to the club.
Percy set down his glass as Isaac approached, his smile growing smugger with each step. “I see you were welcomed with open arms,” he said, his voice wavering with suppressed laughter.
“I think I may have proven myself a worthy competitor for the title of Lord Blackstone’s favoriteMr. Ellington.” Isaac took a seat in the empty chair across from his cousin. “I have spent the morning wondering if you sent me to apply here as a joke.”
“I confess that was part of it. However large, I will leave that up to your interpretation.” Percy grinned as he drained the last few drops from his glass.
The unsettled feeling returned to Isaac’s stomach as he remembered that Percy—more of a mischievous fox than Isaac would ever be—was attempting to court Prudence Hale. The match couldn’t possibly be less advisable for the young girl.
Isaac chose his words carefully. “I was given conditions that I must uphold during my probationary period. Blackstonerequires that I not court any relatives of other club members…with an emphasis on his stepdaughters.”
Percy relaxed into his seat. “Well, I am glad not to have you as my competition for once.”
Isaac frowned. “For once?”
Percy shrugged, flaunting a devil-may-care smile. He was silent for a few seconds. “All I mean to say is that you would be a fierce competitor for a lady’s affections. You are far more amiable and richer than I am, although significantly less handsome.”
A laugh blurted out of Isaac’s mouth. “Significantly?”
“The truth stings.” Percy tugged on his cravat, leaving a gap between the fabric and his neck.
Isaac glanced around the room again. There were several gentlemen engaged in deep conversations, some laughing, some drinking, and others engaged in quiet study. Despite being full of so many deceased creatures, Blackstone’s was also full of life. It was an interesting contrast, but Isaac quite enjoyed it so far.
