“I was dreading this meeting today. Because of Millie. She’s proving to be more difficult than ever. She was supposed to come today with a name to propose as patroness because she was outraged that she didn’t know to suggest someone last week.”

Ada’s brow pleated. “She needed a week to think of someone?”

“Apparently, and even that wasn’t enough. None of her close friends are members, it turns out, a fact she finds outrageous.”

“Let me guess. She launched into another diatribe against the membership committee regarding her recommendations being ignored.” Ada pressed her lips together. “The irony is that we don’t ignore them. We simply dismiss them.”

“Well, I wouldn’t tell her that even if I could.” Evie laughed softly. “I’m going to speak with Lucien and see if he can talk sensibly with Hargrove. I think we’d all be happy if she just resigned from the club, but I doubt she’d do that without Hargrove leaving too.”

Ada shook her head. “I can’t see him doing that. He enjoys the gaming room far too much.”

“Indeed. We’ll see what happens next Friday when we gather with our new patronesses.”

“Perhaps Millie won’t come,” Ada said, lifting a shoulder. “She could decide to be a patroness in name only.”

“I hadn’t considered that,” Evie said, immediately warming to the idea. “I’ll propose that to Lucien too. He can suggest it to Hargrove. Ada, you are brilliant!”

“Sometimes. Other times, I don’t always get things right. For instance, when I first came back to town, I could have sworn there was something different about you.”

“Different how?”

“You always sparkle, but you were somehow even more dazzling.” Ada smiled. “Honestly, I wondered if you’d finally decided to take a lover. I would understand if you decided not to tell me. I hid my liaison with Max from you for a time.” Her smile faded. “I wish I hadn’t.”

“Don’t feel badly about that. Sometimes there are things we need to keep close—for a variety of reasons. I consider you my dearest friend.” Evie couldn’t help thinking she was making her own plea for secrecy since there was so much Ada didn’t know. Her liaison with Gregory was only a fraction of what she could—and probably should—share.

Should she tell Ada about her past? Ada would never tell anyone, and she’d be another support, even more than she already was. But Evie had locked that part of her life away. She didn’t even like thinking about it, let alone discussing it. Seeing Arbuthnot at that Yuletide party at Witney Court had dredged up her fears that she’d be discovered. Then there would be no hiding herself.