Later that night, when Tobias was settled in his coach with Miss Wingate and Miss Lancaster, he stretched his legs out, feeling much better than he had earlier. His promenade and dance with Miss Goodfellow had gone exceedingly well. He’d call on her Monday, and perhaps a week from now, they’d be ready to announce their betrothal.

“How was your evening?” Tobias asked. “I barely saw you.”

“I danced a great deal. Did you happen to see?” Her eyes held a delightful sparkle. “I’m much better.”

“I did, actually. Well done.”

“Several people did ask me about the unfortunate situation at the queen’s drawing room. Most commented that I looked well recovered.”

Tobias wrinkled his nose. “Did that bother you?”

“Not at all,” she said brightly. “Lord Gregory and I had quite a laugh about it, actually.”

“Lord Gregory?” Tobias asked as if he didn’t know who the man was or that he’d all but delivered him into her orbit.

“We danced. And promenaded, I suppose. I liked him very much.” Her eyes sparkled in the lamplight. “He said he was recently invited to join the Phoenix Club but hadn’t yet decided whether to accept. I convinced him he should.”

“Did you now?”

“What possible reason could there be to decline it?” She stared at him intently. “It’s a coveted invitation. I heard one woman carping about being ignored by the club, but she seemed unpleasant. And since everyone I know who is a member is exceedingly pleasant, it’s easy to deduce that the membership must be of a high quality.”

Enchanted by her reasoning, he curled his mouth into a faint smile. “Which members do you know exactly?”

“Er, you, of course. And I met Lord Lucien this evening.” She looked up at the ceiling of the coach, as if she might find an answer in the brocade. “Very well, I don’t know many, but you are exceedingly pleasant.”

Feeling inordinately flattered, Tobias sat a bit straighter. “Thank you.”

Miss Wingate tipped her head to the side. She brushed at a dark red curl grazing her temple. “What is the Star Chamber?”

Tobias stared at her. “The what?”

“That’s what some call the club’s membership committee.”

“Is that true?” He glanced toward Miss Lancaster.

Her brows rose. “Why would I know?”

“No reason. I’m just…surprised.” He laughed. “And amused. The Star Chamber, really?”

“Because it’s so secretive,” Miss Wingate said, lowering her voice and grinning as she said the last word.

“And because the committee has such power,” Miss Lancaster put in.

“So you did know?” Tobias asked Miss Lancaster.

She shrugged, smiling faintly.

Miss Wingate nodded. “Yes, their power. I’d love to know who’s on this committee. Besides Lord Lucien, of course. And the patronesses.”

“Who said the patronesses are on the committee?” The question leapt from his mouth before he considered how it might sound. But it was silly to think they’d gather he was on the committee from just that.

“No one said,” Miss Wingate answered breezily, not seeming to make any assumptions about his question. “Lord Gregory and I were only musing as to who the members might be. They seemed the most obvious candidates. I have not met Mrs. Renshaw. I understand she oversees the ladies’ side.”