Oliver said, holding a flat palm out to Fletcher.
Fletcher retrieved a bank note and tossed it at Oliver.
“We had a wager and Fletcher here suspected Malcolm would be nagged about his slothfulness. I’m holding out for gluttony.”
“The devil you say,” Malcolm said, finally speaking. “I am not interested in being saddled with a wife so you can keep your bloody club to yourself.”
“You do know you’re next, don’t you?” Fletcher asked Malcolm.
Malcolm, in return, released a filthy stream of curses.
“This is connected, then, to their Ladies of Virtue work?” Sullivan asked.
“Yes. Evidently that was my wife’s brilliant idea,” Oliver said. “To try to weed out some of the sinful behavior from among the aristocracy.”
“And each one—”
“Has ended up married to the man she confronted,” Fletcher interrupted with the answer. “I’d say the jest is on them.” He took a hearty sip of his drink. “Now then, what actually brought you into this fine establishment?”
“I wanted to discuss the Ladies of Virtue,” Sullivan said. “I know Agnes is also a member.”
“As is Harriet.”
Malcolm made a face. “Had I known that before I married her off to you, I would have locked her in her room.”
Oliver chuckled. “It wouldn’t have worked. She knows how to use a hairpin to pick a lock.”
How were they so blasé about their wives risking their lives for such dangerous and unnecessary work?
“If you’re not going to spend this time gossiping or telling me the benefits of having a wife at your beck and call, then I’m going to go find somewhere to get myself into trouble.” Malcolm stood, then nodded to Sullivan. “My condolences on your recent nuptials.”
Once Malcolm had left the club, Sullivan took another slow sip of his drink. “How are you not bothered by their activity in this organization?”
Oliver leaned back in his chair, crossing his huge arms over his chest, his cane propped against his leg. “Have you ever seen her do it? Any of them?”
“Yes, I saw Tilly on Bond Street stop a thief.”
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Fletcher asked.
“It’s bloody dangerous, is what it is.” Sullivan forked his fingers through his hair. “What the devil is wrong with the both of you? You speak of this nonsense as if you are proud of their escapades.”
“I can’t speak for Oliver, but I am proud,” Fletcher said. “Agnes not only has impressive skills with catching pickpockets, she also designs many of their weapons. All cleverly disguised within pieces of jewelry and other ladies’ accessories.”
“You are not concerned for her safety?” Sullivan asked, unable to believe these men.
“Of course I worry,” Fletcher said. “But it’s part of who she is. I can’t change that. Just like she can’t change the fact that her husband has the reputation of being the greatest lover in England.”
Oliver snorted. “Harriet adores her work with the Ladies of Virtue. She’s been so bored since that business with Lady X put their work on hold. She actually embroidered tiny flowers at the cuffs of several of my shirts. I accidentally spilled brandy on them, then tripped and dropped them into the fire.” He tapped his cane on his leg. “Bad leg, you know. Quite unsteady on my feet.”
Lady X. There was that name again. He hadn’t heard back from her since her last correspondence. He wanted to ask these men more questions but decided to wait to see if they’d provide more details. “We should make them quit. It’s far too dangerous.”
“You want us to forbid them from being members of the Ladies of Virtue?” Fletcher asked.
“It is our responsibility to protect them. They are our wives.”
Oliver barked out a laugh. “You’re a damned fool, Glenbrook, if you think you can forbid your wife from doing anything, least of all something this important to her.”
Fletcher leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the tabletop. “Have you discussed this with Tilly?”
“Of course. I told her she was to stop immediately.”
Fletcher chuckled. “How did she like that?”
A memory flashed through his mind…Tilly’s bare bottom spread across his lap, pink from his palms. The last thing he needed was to get hard while sitting in a room full of other men. “She disobeyed me.”
“Precisely. And she’ll continue to do that,” Oliver said. “You’d have to lock her away to prevent her from this.”
“That is unacceptable,” Sullivan said. “I thought if the three of us spoke to them together, we’d have more sway. Be able to convince them.”
Fletcher shook his head. “I’d never ask Agnes to quit.”
“Harriet and I already have an agreement. The minute she’s