Ada released Evie. “I won’t be as effective as Lucien in actually helping you with this, but I’ll be at your side providing all the support you need.”

Evie almost smiled at Ada’s misplaced certainty. Lucien was a wonder, but he couldn’t work miracles. “Lucien can’t fix this. Not even he can keep the Hargroves from ensuring my secrets are exposed. If he doesn’t give in to Millie’s demands, the club will suffer.”

“But he can’t!” Ada’s voice rose. “You will suffer. And the club will suffer if she’s allowed to stay.”

Evie appreciated her friend’s outrage, but it wouldn’t solve anything. “We are all in agreement, not that it matters. Lucien has built a wonderful place here, and he can’t let it falter. I don’t see any outcome that doesn’t include my exposure.” She was surprised to find that the numbness she’d felt earlier persisted. Good, she didn’t have the energy to despair.

“I wish that weren’t true,” Ada whispered. “This is so unfair.”

“Perhaps, but we both know that fairness rarely enters into anything. I’ve had a lovely run the past two years here. Now, it’s time to move on.”

“Must you really? Surely, no one will resign their membership if you stay. And people will still come. The population of the Phoenix Club is made up of people who have either been maligned or ignored by Society or are so far removed from it to not give a damn.”

“Mostly, yes. However, there are some who will see the expulsion of a patroness and the well-respected Lord Hargrove as unjust. They may not resign their membership, but they may very well stop coming to the club, at least for a while or perhaps the entire Season. Or they may never return.” Evie could see the calculations going on in Ada’s head.

“That would be devastating,” Ada said quietly.

“Yes.” Evie wouldn’t let that happen.

Ada shook her head rather vehemently. “No, this isn’t going to be how it plays out. The anonymous pair on the membership committee will protect you and the club. There may be a scandal, but it will be minimized, and it will be brief.”

A kernel of hope nestled in Evie’s chest. It was hard not to be persuaded by Ada’s optimism. And now Evie was thinking of Gregory. Perhaps he’d rubbed off on her more than she wanted to admit. In fact, she wondered what he was doing now. Was he working to protect Evie? She had to think he might be, but she was better off not thinking about it—or him—at all.

Evie smiled faintly at Ada. “You speak as if you know who those anonymous members are.”

“I don’t.” Ada blinked. “Do you?”