Page 32 of King of Clubs (The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society #9)
~June 8~
Christianne, Lady Ayres, stretched and luxuriated in her bed after a morning of snuggling with her beloved Liam. Even after two years of marriage, they still giggled and carried on like newlyweds. Christianne smiled to herself—even at their age!
The door to her bedchamber opened, and a maid came in carrying a tray with her morning chocolate and toast.
Christianne sat up and accepted the tray across her lap but noticed a note alongside her cup. “What’s this?” she asked.
“It came for you early this morning, my lady.”
Christianne opened the note. “ The Ladies Wagering Whist Society is cordially invited to the Ryder Street Club this morning at eleven. We look forward to seeing you there .”
The note was unsigned.
“That’s very odd,” Christianne mused. She supposed she would go, however, since she was not only a member of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society, but one of the founders. At least, whoever sent it knew they met that afternoon, so whatever this was about wouldn’t interfere with their regular game.
At precisely eleven, Christianne allowed her footman to hand her down from her carriage. She noticed Lady Welles and Lady Moreton walking up to the club as well. As she waited for them on the club’s doorstep, two more carriages pulled up. Lady Blakemore and Lady Gorling each got out of their respective vehicles. As they did so, the Duchess of Bolton joined them with her little dog, Duchess.
The pup was so excited to see everyone she began barking and jumping up on the legs of various ladies, turning this way and that, as if she could hardly choose who to bother next. As her mistress desperately tried to keep control of the dog, Lady Sorrell joined them as well.
“Well, it looks as if just about all of us are here,” Christianne said.
“All except—” Lady Blakemore started.
With a clatter of hooves, Lady Colburne galloped up. She leapt off the back of her enormous thoroughbred, calling out “So sorry I’m late!” She handed the reins to a groom and ran to join everyone.
“You are right on time,” the duchess said good-naturedly if not entirely truthfully.
With everyone accounted for, they all entered the club.
Miss Sherman and Lady Wickford met them just inside.
“Ladies, thank you all for coming,” Lady Wickford said, her bright smile lighting up her whole face.
“What is this about, my lady?” Lady Welles asked, voicing everyone’s curiosity.
“We have a very special surprise for you,” Miss Sherman said. “If you would, please, follow me.” She turned and went up the stairs.
All the ladies followed.
“Isn’t the card room upstairs?” Lady Moreton asked Christianne quietly.
“I believe it is. I have to admit, I’ve not seen it yet,” Christianne admitted.
The door to the card room on the right was open as they passed it. Christianne and a number of other ladies peeked in.
“Here we are, ladies,” Lady Wickford said, opening a door on the left with a flourish.
“The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society Salon!”
The women all gasped with surprise and joy as they followed Miss Sherman and Lady Wickford into the room. It was lovely with warm, pale blue walls and a small seating area of deeper blue sofas and chairs, off to one side in between two large windows. On the other side of the room were two green baize-covered card tables. It was decorated with sparse elegance. There were a few paintings on the walls of landscapes, but other than that, it almost looked like a blank canvas waiting for the ladies to put their mark on it.
“We hope that you will consider this the new home of The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society. Tea and cakes will be provided for your weekly meetings every Wednesday afternoon,” Miss Sherman said, her pretty blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
“How wonderful!”
“But, this is perfect!”
“I love it!”
The comments came from all the ladies as they took in the room.
“Oh, look, it’s even labelled!” Lady Colburne exclaimed, standing by the door.
They all turned to look, and indeed, there was a small, elegant brass plaque:
The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society
Christianne turned to Miss Sherman and Lady Wickford. “Thank you. This is truly wonderful.”
“We are more than happy to provide you with your new home,” Lady Wickford said.
“I know it is a little early for your regular meeting, but we’ll leave you to your business,” Miss Sherman said. She gave the ladies a curtsey and was followed out the door by Lady Wickford, who closed it behind her.
“Well, I am floored!” Her Grace said, plopping down into a chair.
“It is the loveliest gesture,” Lady Gorling agreed, taking a seat on the sofa next to the duchess.
All the other ladies took seats as well.
There was silence for a few moments as they all looked around at each other.
“Well, it’s certainly been a very busy and exciting three years, hasn’t it?” Christianne asked.
Lady Welles giggled, and there was general agreement.
“So many weddings!” Lady Sorrell commented.
“It’s quite incredible,” Lady Moreton agreed. “But lovely as well.”
“Whoever thought when I accepted Lady Ayres’s invitation to an afternoon of gowns and fashion that I would end up not with a new dress but with seven new friends,” the duchess said. She pulled a handkerchief out of her reticule and delicately dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
“Not just friends, but close friends,” Lady Blakemore said.
“Confidants,” Lady Gorling agreed.
“Sisters,” Lady Welles added.
“Yes, sisters,” Lady Colburne said, giving Lady Welles a smile and reaching out to take her hand.
“Well, perhaps aunts as well,” the duchess said with a little laugh.
There was laughter all around.
“Three years of card games and secrets,” Christianne said.
“We sound as if it were going to end,” Lady Welles pointed out.
“Well, we are going to be losing Lady Moreton,” Lady Sorrell pointed out.
“No, she is only going to be going on hiatus. I’m certain she’ll be back,” Lady Colburne said hopefully.
Lady Moreton laughed. “I’m certain I will. How could I ever leave you all permanently?” Now it was her turn to pull a handkerchief from her pocket.
“But then we’ll only have seven,” the duchess said.
“I think it’s time we made some additions to our little group. What do you all say? Shall we put it to a vote?” Christianne asked.
There were nods all around.
“All in favor of adding more ladies to The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society say ‘aye’,” she said. The room was filled with ayes. “All those against?” Silence. “All right, the ayes have it. Now, who do we invite?”
“The Duchess of Warwick,” Lady Sorrell suggested.
“Oh, I need something to write on! I didn’t bring my book,” Christianne said, standing up.
“There’s a bell pull. I’m sure we can ask for some writing materials,” Lady Colburne said, jumping up and striding over to the bell next to the fireplace. She gave it a good tug.
A moment later, a footman knocked and then came into the room. The request was made, and he left running. Only a few minutes later, he was back with what they needed.
Christianne dipped the pen into the ink and began to write.
Duchess of Warwick, Tina
She looked up, waiting for more suggestions.
“May I suggest my nieces, Bel, Lady Conway and Bee, Lady St. Vincent?” Lady Blakemore asked.
“Absolutely!” Lady Moreton agreed.
Their names were duly noted.
“Speaking of St. Vincent, what about Mrs. Aldridge, Elizabeth?” Lady Sorrell offered, giving the duchess a smile. The lady looked very pleased.
“And Lady Rossburke, Margaret?” Lady Gorling proposed.
“Yes!” both Lady Welles and Lady Colburne agreed immediately.
“Miss Benson?” Christianne suggested.
“She’s going to be moving to India after this summer with Mr. Fitzwalter,” Lady Sorrell said. Although she was clearly trying to hide it, it was evident that this was going to be very difficult for her.
“She’ll be back, just as I will,” Lady Moreton said, reaching out and taking the lady’s hand.
Lady Sorrell gave her a grateful smile and a nod.
“And we shouldn’t forget our hostesses, Lady Wickford and Miss Sherman,” the duchess added.
“How many is that?” Lady Colburne asked.
Christianne counted the names in front of her. “Eight! We have enough names here for another two tables.”
“But not all these ladies will be able to come every week,” Lady Gorling pointed out.
“No.” Christianne recounted. “Lady Moreton, Lady Rossburke, and Miss Benson will be unable to come. So that makes thirteen to play.”
“I wonder if Lady Wickford knows how to play,” Lady Gorling pointed out.
“She may not. We can teach her, but you’re right, perhaps we shouldn’t count her as a playing member,” Christianne agreed.
“Which makes twelve. Three tables,” Claire pointed out.
“Yes,” Christianne said, looking over her list once again.
“Perfect! I would like to make a motion that this be our final list of members of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society,” Lady Sorrell said.
“All in favor?” Christianne asked. The room was filled with ‘ayes’. “Against?” Silence.
“It looks like we have a number of new members to inform,” Lady Welles said with a giggle.
“Change is difficult,” the duchess said, looking around the room, “but good.”
“But at least there will always be a Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society,” Lady Moreton said.
“No one could ever doubt that,” Christianne said with satisfaction.