Improper (The Phoenix Club #1) - Darcy Burke Page 0,20

are atrocious.” Cassandra made a face. “Not that I’ve been yet, of course, but that’s what my brother says.”

Fiona tried to follow everything Cassandra said. There were so many places and people to remember. “Aldington goes to Almack’s but spends most of his time at the Phoenix Club?”

“My apologies, I have two brothers,” Cassandra said with a smile. “Aldington thinks Almack’s is pleasant—that’s what he says about most things, which renders his opinion almost moot—and he’s never been to the Phoenix Club because he isn’t a member. My other brother, Lucien, owns the Phoenix Club, and he finds Almack’s dreadful. I suppose that’s one of the reasons he founded his club.”

Her mind swimming, Fiona wanted to know more about this club that Cassandra was so keen to visit. “What’s so exceptional about the Phoenix Club? And why wouldn’t Aldington be a member if your other brother is the owner?”

“The club is very exclusive, perhaps even more so than Almack’s, though not at all in the same way. Members of the Phoenix Club are more likely to be found on the periphery, or even on the outside, of a ballroom. People like my eldest brother—staid, respectable heirs with every possible privilege—are not generally invited to join.”

“How fascinating. Do people like Aldington want to be members?”

“Some do. Others pretend they’re above it, that its membership is lacking.” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial volume. “I suspect those people are envious and would enthusiastically accept an invitation if it were offered.”

“I wonder what prompted your brother to establish such a place.” Fiona rather liked the sound of it.

“He and Con are complete opposites. Where Con is solemn and restrained, Lu is gregarious and…indecorous.” Cassandra grinned. “On occasion. Lucien found the typical gentlemen’s clubs a bit too stiff. The Phoenix Club is his answer. The best part is that the club has a ladies’ side. A women’s version of White’s, if you will.”

“Indeed? How marvelous. You said you were glad to finally be able to see it now that you’re having a Season. Does that mean I can go too?” Fiona hoped so.

Cassandra’s mouth compressed into a brief pout. “No. And neither can I, unless it’s to attend one of their assemblies, which they host every Friday starting in March.”

“Then we’ll do that,” Fiona said eagerly, despite hearing the edge of pessimism in Cassandra’s voice. “Unless there’s some reason we can’t?”

“Our sponsors must be members of the club for us to attend an assembly. Unfortunately, my aunt is not a member, and I don’t think Lady Pickering is either.”

“My goodness, the Phoenix Club does sound exclusive,” Fiona said. “And wonderfully progressive. I’m astounded that women have their own side of the club.”

“And they are allowed to enter the men’s side on Tuesdays.”

“We can’t be members?” Fiona was certain the answer was no but wanted to be sure she’d understood everything correctly.

Cassandra shook her head. “We must be married or widowed.” She pursed her lips a moment. “Or perhaps we can be spinsters. I can’t recall. In any case, an assembly is the only time we can see the interior, and we’ll be kept to the ladies’ half of the building and the ballroom, which is shared with the men’s side. We are not allowed to visit any other part of the men’s portion. What I wouldn’t give to see all of it, but especially the men’s side, where my brother reigns supreme. Or so I imagine.”

“Perhaps there’s a way for us to steal inside,” Fiona suggested with a grin.

Cassandra laughed, a devilish glint in her eye. “I do like how you think.” She sobered and cast a glance toward Prudence. “I really hope you don’t gossip.”

“I do not,” Prudence said. “That would be a most unwelcome trait in a companion.”

“I assure you, she’s completely trustworthy.” Fiona smiled at Prudence just as the door opened.

The maid had returned with a plate of biscuits. She was also followed by two guests.

“Here you are, my lady.” The maid offered the plate to Cassandra, who plucked a biscuit from the top.

“Thank you so very much. These are my favorite.” Giving the maid a bright smile, Cassandra nibbled the biscuit before rising.

Fiona also stood. Taking a biscuit for herself, she silently asked Prudence if she wanted one by inclining her head. Prudence gave a slight negative shake. Then the three of them quit the retiring room.

By the time they’d returned to the ballroom, Fiona was feeling even more excited about the Season ahead. It wasn’t just because of