Tilly and her mother agreed wholeheartedly.
The trip was not a long one, and she looked out the window, her mind on many things, while her parents chatted as was their wont, even after years of marriage.
If she could have a marriage like theirs, formed on respect for what each other wanted, then she may consider it. Ambrose slid into her head. He would not be an easy husband for the woman who ended up with him.Not me,she thought.
She’d once thought a man of the cloth, or a lawyer or barrister would suit her. Tilly doubted they would care overly about her birth, but the truth was, she’d lost interest in a need to have a family of her own now she had The Iris.
“Ready, dear?”
She hadn’t even realized the carriage had slowed to a crawl behind the others lined up outside the Lindell town house.
“You look lovely, Mother,” Tilly said after her father had helped them from the carriage.
Her mother wore a deep wine-colored velvet dress with a spray of flowers in her hair.
“She does,” her father agreed, love in his eyes as he looked at his wife. He wore a black jacket, the perfect accompaniment to her mother’s dress.
When the door opened, they joined the line of guests that had formed to meet the hosts. Light blazed from windows and the open front entrance, and servants stood in readiness to fulfil any guest’s wish.
“I would have thought you’d know better than to allow your daughter to start a women-only club next to a man’s one, Wilson.”
These words came from behind them, and all three Wilsons turned to find the Duke and Duchess of Humble there.
“My daughter saw a need, Duke, and filled it. She is causing no harm in helping women who wish for a space to share time with other women while their men do the same in the club next door. Come along now, my dears,” he then said with a smile to his wife and daughter.
The love she felt for this man then was so strong.
“I’m sorry, Father?—”
“You will not apologize for someone else’s bigotry, daughter. Now let us find a seat, and enjoy the evening’s entertainment, if we can,” he said the last part under his breath.
Tilly had known some would not be happy but had hoped her parents would not be censured because of her actions. It seemed she was wrong. Frustration welled inside her.
Why could people not leave others alone to do as they wished? Why must everyone conform in society?
“I am going to talk to Violet,” she said, needing solitude to take some deep calming breaths.
Tilly had thought people would simply tire of the vitriol toward The Iris Club’s location, but they hadn’t. She’d received yet another letter of complaint today, as well as avisit from an inspector over yet another issue to do with her building. It was disheartening and frustrating, and Tilly worried that it was not going to stop.
Should she look for another building?
“Lovely,” her mother said, patting her hand, unaware that Tilly didn’t even know if her friend was here. “Pay that idiot no mind, dear, and we shall see you after the musicale, as I’m sure you wish to sit with your friend.”
She nodded, her throat thick with emotion. Her parents had always been her biggest champions because they knew her history, that she was different, and perhaps that was why they gave her so much freedom.
“Miss Wilson.”
She swallowed her groan as Lady Angeline Chippington, Violet and Ambrose’s mother, stepped in front of her with a gleam in her eye that did not bode well for Tilly. With her was Octavia, the middle daughter. Unlike her sisters, she had red-gold hair and looked lovely in cream with buttercup yellow ribbons in her hair.
“Good evening, my lady. Octavia,” Tilly said, dropping into a deep curtsy.
“I really cannot condone your club, Miss Wilson,” Lady Chippington said. “The location is embarrassing, and even stepping through the door is harmful to the reputations of those young ladies who wish to enter. I must insist that you close it at once.”
“Mother, that is unfair. Tilly can do as she wishes, and many, including your daughters, like The Iris Club,” Octavia said.
“She cannot do as she wishes if she is creating a spectacle and involving my daughters,” Lady Chippington snapped. “I want your assurance you will do as I say, Miss Wilson,” she added.
Tilly was growing heartily sick of people telling her theydid not like her club. She did not force her opinions on others and had no wish for them to do so with her. Yes, perhaps she had selected that location because it made a statement, but she had never believed for a second it would create so much attention. Clearly she’d been naive in her thinking.
