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F iona strode eagerly into the drawing room where the butler said Cassandra was waiting for her. Before Fiona could greet her, Cassandra waved for Fiona to join her on the settee.

“I have news,” she said with a rather dire tone.

“Has your father betrothed you to someone?” Fiona asked with deep concern.

Cassandra’s animated expression arrested. She stared at Fiona a moment, then blinked. “Whyever would you think that?”

“You just sounded so serious, and now you’ve lines etched into your forehead.”

Laughing, Cassandra massaged her brow. “Better?” At Fiona’s nod, she returned her hand to her lap. “Lucien told me our aunt is not getting an invitation to the Phoenix Club.”

Disappointment blazed in Fiona’s chest. “Why not?”

“Apparently the membership committee was not in favor.” Cassandra exhaled. “It’s no use being upset about it. I begged him to try again, but he said the committee’s vote is final—and I’m not even supposed to know there was a vote. If I tell anyone, he said he’ll send me to a nunnery.”

“Then I suppose I’d best not tell anyone either.”

“That would be most appreciated,” Cassandra said drily.

Frowning, Fiona leaned back against the settee and stared straight ahead as if she could divine answers from the air. “I wonder why they voted against her.”

“Because she can be haughty and insincere and just…irritating.” Cassandra also leaned back. “Still, I’d hoped they would overlook her shortcomings since she’s Lucien’s aunt. What we have learned, however, is that Lucien doesn’t have as much power as I’d thought, despite being the owner.”

“That makes no sense,” Fiona said. “Unless he isn’t the only owner.”

Cassandra sucked in a breath and turned to face Fiona. “I hadn’t considered that. Perhaps we could find out if there’s a secret, silent co-owner and use that information to extort invitations to the assemblies.”

Fiona inhaled sharply, echoing Cassandra, her eyes widening as she pivoted on the settee. “You wouldn’t do that to your own brother.”

“Of course not. Unfortunately, my mind tends to come up with rather devious plans. I do try very hard not to launch any of them. Only when needs are critical.” She paused and looked Fiona in the eye. “I would say our needs are now critical.”

Feeling slightly puzzled, Fiona asked, “What needs are those exactly?”

“How we’ll obtain a sponsor so we may go to the assemblies.”

Right. “I did ask Overton why he couldn’t just sponsor me, and why your brother couldn’t sponsor you. They’re members, and we’re family. Well, you’re family, and I’m sort of like family.”

“Brilliant. What did he say to that?”

“He indicated he’d speak with Lord Lucien. Did your brother say nothing to you?”

“No, and he just called late this morning. Perhaps the membership committee wasn’t in favor of that either.”

“Are they in charge of all the rules in addition to membership?”

Cassandra wiped her hand across her forehead but didn’t rub it this time.

“I have no idea. I am beginning to lose hope that we’ll attend an assembly.

I would wonder if my father wasn’t behind this, except Lucien typically ignores Papa’s edicts.

On the other hand, when it comes to me, Lucien doesn’t push too hard.

Damn, I really wanted to see that bacchanalia painting. ”

“And I want to see the Circe one,” Fiona murmured.

“When we first met, you suggested that we steal inside,” Cassandra said slowly, as if she were testing to see how it sounded out loud.

“I was jesting.” Had she been? “Sort of.”

“I think I may have a plan.” Excitement sparked in her gaze.

Fiona was simultaneously thrilled and hesitant. “Didn’t you just say your plans are devious?”

“I also said I only launch them when absolutely necessary.”

“What’s your plan?”

“We’ll dress up as gentlemen and steal into the men’s side of the club.”

Fiona gaped at her. “ What? ”

“That’s an awful idea.” Prudence stood just inside the doorway with a tray of cakes and lemonade.

“Why are you bringing refreshments?” Fiona was still confused by the hierarchy of households. Prudence was not a servant and yet she did things that were similar to a servant.

“Because I was hungry and thought you might be too.” She set the tray on a table near the windows that overlooked Brook Street. “Also, I didn’t want to trouble anyone,” she murmured.

Fiona understood that sentiment. If she wanted something late at night, she never rang for assistance.

Indeed, she had trouble ringing for assistance at any time.

The fact that she had a maid dedicated to helping her dress and taking care of her things seemed utterly excessive.

However, Fiona completely understood—and appreciated—her maid’s expert help with dressing for a ball, not that she needed that again anytime soon.

Fiona and Cassandra joined Prudence at the table where she was sipping lemonade but hadn’t taken a seat.

“Aren’t you staying?” Fiona asked, reaching for a biscuit.

Prudence eyed her and Cassandra guardedly. “That depends on whether you’re actually planning to dress up like gentlemen and steal into the Phoenix Club.”

“Do you have a better idea?” There was an eagerness to Cassandra’s question and a glint in her eye that said she rather hoped Prudence did.

Setting her glass down on the table, Prudence perched on one of the four chairs. “Why are you trying to get inside?”

Cassandra sat across from Prudence. “Because it doesn’t look as though we’ll be able to attend the assemblies. And it will be incredibly diverting.”

Prudence pursed her lips and gave them a disapproving look. “Those don’t seem like very good reasons to take such a risk. I shouldn’t listen to this conversation,” she murmured, starting to rise.

“No, you shouldn’t,” Fiona said firmly. She truly didn’t want to get Prudence into any trouble.

Prudence plucked a biscuit from the tray.

“I’ll leave you to your plans.” She glanced toward the door, then lowered her voice.

“If it were me, I’d dress up as one of the maids and steal into the women’s side one morning—just act as if I’m going about my work.

The maids wear a distinct costume of a gray gown with a dark green apron.

And a white cap, of course.” She took a bite of biscuit before turning and departing the drawing room.

Fiona wanted to ask how Prudence knew so much. Also, she still hadn’t inquired as to how Prudence was acquainted with Lord Lucien.

Cassandra sat back in her chair, grinning. “You are so fortunate to have Prudence. What I wouldn’t give for a companion like her. Or any companion,” she added with a sigh.

Was she lonely? Fiona hated to think she might be.

She knew how that felt, not that she’d realized that was what she’d been experiencing in Shropshire until she’d come here.

Going from a small household, where it was just her and Mrs. Tucket, along with Mr. Woodson who came round regularly to help with things, to this grand house in Mayfair with its large complement of servants, plus Prudence, was just as much of a change as participating in Society.

No, she wouldn’t go back to Bitterley—not now. And if that meant marrying, then she’d find someone tolerable.

In the meantime, Fiona was going to enjoy her freedom. “Where do you suppose we can find dark green aprons?”

Cassandra blinked in surprise. “Do you truly want to do it?”

“Your brother owns the club. If we were discovered, would there be any harm? Besides, if we go in the morning, no one will see us there, save the employees of the club. We’ll just need to keep our heads down. Perhaps we need extra large caps to pull them down over our brow.”

“Oh yes,” Cassandra said with a warm laugh. “I think perhaps it’s time for our shopping trip to Cheapside. I’ll arrange for Aunt Christina to take us tomorrow.”

“Will she be available on such short notice?”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “She owes me a favor after all but abandoning me the other night at the ball. If I told my father, he’d cut off her allowance.”

“Your father gives her an allowance?”

“He compensates her for acting as my chaperone.”

Fiona kept the next question to herself—why would family need to be compensated for helping and supporting one another?

She feared the answer as well as how it might make Cassandra feel.

Fiona was beginning to realize things about her friend.

She seemed so fortunate on the outside, with her family, wealth, and privilege.

But if she was lonely and her family was as cold as Fiona was beginning to grasp, it was no wonder Cassandra had grasped on to Fiona and looked for entertainment.

Again, Fiona wondered about Cassandra’s mother, whom she now knew had died, but Cassandra never wanted to talk about her.

“Then I suppose she’ll have to escort us to Cheapside,” Fiona said with a smile. “I will not invite Prudence. That way she has absolutely nothing to do with this.” Fiona froze, and she stared at Cassandra. “Are we actually going to do this?”

Eyes dancing, Cassandra faced Fiona. “I think so. You were right—no one will see us and even if they did, what harm would be done? We’ll go on our merry way.”

It sounded marvelous. Like an adventure . And hadn’t the queen herself urged Fiona to enjoy her adventure? “I hope it’s not our only visit. I do plan to ask Overton if he’s spoken to your brother about my idea of changing the rules so that men can bring their unwed family members.”

“I will speak to Lucien myself,” Cassandra said. “Where is the earl today? I hope he’s not lurking about eavesdropping.” She laughed softly as she picked up a glass of lemonade.

“He’s out paying calls.”

Cassandra took a sip. “On prospective brides?”

“Probably.” Fiona hadn’t considered that, but it made sense.

“I wonder who he’s considering? I hope she’s pleasant and fun—you’ll be living with her, after all.”