Page 17 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Fifteen

Blythe forced herself to look away from Orlando and sought out the exits from the drawing room. If she left abruptly, would anyone even notice? Yet, if she did, would he seek her out?

No, he would not do that. He hadn’t sought her before so why would he now?

Besides, as far as anyone else in the room knew, the two of them had never met. Well, other than Isabella.

“Please excuse me,” Blythe whispered to Elizabeth.

“Is all well?” she asked in concern.

“There is no cause for concern,” she insisted. “I will only be a moment.”

Elizabeth nodded but worry lingered in her eyes. Maybe she would confide in her later, but not now. She needed to gather her thoughts and calm her nerves so that when she returned to the drawing room, she was prepared to greet anyone who might approach, even if it was Orlando.

Blythe asked for directions to the retiring room and then calmly walked up the stairs because rushing to get away from everyone would have only drawn attention that she did not want.

Thankfully, there was nobody else within the retiring room and with a hand against her heart, Blythe willed it to slow and not pound so fiercely as she settled onto the settee as the past rushed back to her.

Blythe took a deep shuddering breath. That was nearly three years ago. Much had changed. She had changed.

Further, she had panicked for no reason because neither Orlando nor Isabella would speak of her embarrassment.

She also could not hide again. She had done that for two years and gained nothing for being a recluse.

Though, she had believed herself content.

That was until she’d been forced from her brother’s home to attend functions.

Only then had she realized how much she had missed and Blythe would not let a chance meeting from her past force her back into seclusion.

With that thought and a deep breath she returned to the drawing room.

* * *

Orlando had attended the Venetian Breakfast to celebrate his brother’s good fortune, which may turn out to be his as well.

Except he also feared that when Blythe stepped from the drawing room she would not return. She had lost some of the color in her cheeks, but she had to know that he would never betray her trust.

Unless she also had hoped never to see him again.

She had left him without a word, after all.

He glanced back at the entrance just in time to see her return and join the woman who had accompanied her. Orlando did not know who the other woman was, nor did he care.

He then looked at his sister, who murmured something to Storm, and the two began to cross the room toward Blythe.

Not one to be left out, and desperately wanting to speak with Blythe again, not that he would demand answers at a Venetian Breakfast, Orlando circled the drawing room until he came up at the side of his sister as she reached Blythe.

There was wariness in Blythe’s eyes as if she feared what Isabella or he might say.

“Blythe,” Isabella greeted in a familiar manner that spoke of an earlier friendship. “I do not believe I have seen you since Brussels.”

Since so many in Society had flocked to the city after Napoleon’s first abdication, anyone listening could assume that Blythe had been one of the visitors, unless they already knew that her husband had been in the cavalry.

“It is good to see you again, Isabella,” Blythe returned, yet her tone was strained and voice tight.

“May I introduce my husband, Captain Nathaniel Storm.”

There was almost the hint of a smile at the name. Did she recall that the only reason he had attended the Duchess of Richmond’s ball was because Storm wanted Isabella there?

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Blythe murmured.

“And my brother.” Isabella gestured to Orlando who offered a brief bow.

“Dr. Valentine,” she nodded.

The woman beside Blythe gently nudged her arm. He supposed it was rather rude to ignore her.

“Lady Andover,” Blythe introduced. “This is Isabella Storm, her husband, Captain Nathaiel Storm, and her brother, Dr. Orlando Valentine.”

“Ah, a relation to the groom?” Lady Andover asked with interest.

“He is our brother,” Isabella answered.

“How are you acquainted with Blythe. I fear that she has never spoken of you.”

Nor would she, he supposed.

“Brussels,” Isabella answered. “Her husband, Lt. Clay was with the cavalry. My brother was a doctor and I had joined him. A sister following the drum instead of a wife,” Isabella chuckled. “It is where I met my husband and Blythe.”

“You had mentioned you followed the drum,” Lady Andover said to Blythe before returning her attention to Isabella. “However, she refuses to speak of her adventures and only told us that she lost her husband at Waterloo.” At least the last was said with some sadness.

“It was a chance meeting while we were in Brussels,” Isabella answered.

“Mrs. Storm, you must visit Athena’s Salon,” Her Grace, the Duchess of Claybrook, announced, as she joined them. “I am certain that Mrs. Clay will make you feel right at home since she had managed the salon in mine and Tessa’s absence.”

Orlando had heard of Athena’s Salon but he had not been interested in knowing more, until now.

“I am simply a hostess on the nights that I am there,” Blythe insisted.

“You are more, which we need to discuss,” Her Grace insisted. “Could we meet there tomorrow afternoon.”

Blythe nodded. “I would be happy to.”

“Good!” Her Grace smiled.

“What exactly is Athena’s Salon?” Orlando asked. “I have heard the name but little more.”

“Likely because you are a man,” Lady Andover laughed.

“It is a gentlewoman’s club,” Her Grace explained.

“Gentlemen have White’s, Boodles, and many others.

We have Athena’s. Any woman is granted entrance.

Men, however, must earn the privilege to cross our threshold because we host discussions on the latest scientific discoveries, literature, art and politics.

Many men do not believe that women should discuss such matters. ”

Her eyes narrowed on Orlando as if to challenge him to support such a belief.

“I have four younger sisters, Your Grace, and believe me, if I thought a woman had no right to opinions, thought or discussions, I would not be long for this world.”

“He does speak the truth.” Isabella chuckled.

“It was good to see you again, Isabella, Captain Storm and Dr. Valentine, but I must speak with Lavinia,” Blythe said and before Orlando could utter another word, she had walked away and directly toward Orlando’s new sister-in-law. Lady Andover frowned, then followed.

And, in that moment, Orlando knew that he would find a way to gain access to Athena’s Salon, especially since that was where he would find Blythe.

It wasn’t because he wanted to pursue her, but because he wanted answers as to why she left without a word or goodbye.