“Right, then. Let’s get Ruby inside,” Tilly said, starting toward the club. She held the front door open for the others to enter, and they all filed inside. She hoped not too many women were here already, as seeing men in their sanctuary would surely upset them.
“Dear Lord, what are they doing here? I thought we made this a women-only club!”
CHAPTER 16
Ambrose looked at his sister, who now stood in the entranceway with a stern-faced woman buttoned up to the neck in a dark grey dress.
“I would rather be strapped to a chair listening to you read Wordsworth endlessly while I am having a tooth pulled than step inside this club, Violet, unless it was a necessity,” he said.
“Margaret, forgive me for bringing men into The Iris, but I fear we’ve had a situation arise. These men are Lords Talbot and Seddon, and they are friends,” she said. “Margaret is the stewardess here,” Tilly added.
The woman dropped into a curtsy, and Ambrose and Leo acknowledged her.
“Do you remember me mentioning Ruby, Margaret?” Tilly asked.
The older woman nodded.
“She is here and unwell. We need to tend to her. Also, there is her dog, Barnaby. I’m sorry, I don’t think I mentioned him.”
Tilly was looking flustered now, not a state she was often in, or not so Ambrose had seen.
Margaret, the stern-faced woman, looked from Ruby down to the dog, and then her entire face softened. “He’s a fine fellow. Hello there, Barnaby.” She bent to pat the dog as he came to greet her. “What a lovely boy you are. Once we have your mistress sorted, we’ll find you something to eat.”
Barnaby’s tail wagged slowly, as if uncertain these words could be true, but willing to go on a little faith.
“There’s that small room next to mine. Miss Ruby will be good there where I can watch over her,” Margaret offered.
“Thank the Lord there are no other ladies in here right now, as they would not be pleased to find you standing in their club. Now tell me, what is going on?” Violet demanded as Ambrose reached her side.
“As to that, I’m not entirely sure, but it has to do with this club, your annoying, troublesome friend, and a large brute called Dill, who has fists like anvils.”
“Why are you with Tilly? Have you been fighting, Ambrose?” Violet demanded. “Your face would suggest as much.”
“He has, actually, and acquitted himself adequately,” Leo said, handing Ruby over to Margaret.
She and Tilly then took her away, heading through a door to their left.
“Adequately? That man was huge, and I bested him,” Ambrose said and then winced as his lip gave a vicious tug of pain. In fact, after last night and what happened today, his body felt like one big ache.
“And took your time doing it,” Leo said. He then wandered over to study the writing on the wall.
“I will get something to clean your face,” Violet said.
“I don’t need...” But his sister had gone, disappearing through the door Tilly had.
“May I ask what has you all standing in the entrance of The Iris Club, a women-only place, as I understand it.”
These words had come from Gray, who had just arrived at the door.
“Why are you here?” Leo demanded.
“I want to speak to Tilly about what I learned regarding the compliance orders, and how they were wrongfully executed,” Gray said. “So, I thought to see if I could lure her outside to talk with me. But I heard male voices so here I am, inside a women’s only club.”
“Do you think we should leave? After all, Gray’s right—this is their club,” Leo said. “Cyn loves it here, as do the others. It’s nice, and less severe than ours. If feels more comfortable,” he said, looking around him.
Ambrose knew what Leo meant, as the place did have a nice feel to it. The wall color and the general scent of the space was soft and welcoming. There were no loud voices or men trying to be heard.
“Shall we find this room that leads to the tunnels and up to our club?” Leo asked.
