Page 21 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Nineteen

Coming face to face with Orlando a second time was no easier than the first.

He had missed her and had thought of her.

Blythe nearly admitted to the same but remembered where he had just come from.

Not that it should matter, but it did and jealousy burned in the pit of her stomach.

She had almost even convinced herself that she did not want him as a lover because of the women he preferred, but that had been a lie as well.

Oh, maybe she should allow him to call on her. What harm could it do?

Except, he may not wish to after the cold reception he had just received from her.

Why had she behaved so badly?

Because she was afraid. She wanted him but didn’t want to be rejected.

If he had truly cared, he would have found her when he returned to England and he had not, which meant that she had made the right decision and reached the correct conclusions before she left Brussels.

Oh, thinking about what could have been and what he may want would drive her to madness and it was best to push all thoughts and emotions as they relate to Orlando Valentine aside and put her mind to more important matters.

“Please see that I am dropped at Athena’s Salon. I can walk home from there,” she requested of Elizabeth who instructed the driver then stepped into the carriage.

“I see that Dr. Valentine greeted you.”

“Yes, well he saw me and it was a polite thing to do.”

Elizabeth tisked. “I know that tone, Blythe. It is the one you use to keep those at a distance and not ask too many questions.”

She did prefer her privacy and one of the reasons she had been a recluse from the moment she returned to England until last. But that did not mean she let people close, though Lavinia and Elizabeth were probably closer to her than anyone else, but still, they did not know all her secrets.

Thankfully her friend did not press and asked no further questions while they traveled from the market to Athena’s Salon and Blythe was very much relieved when she stepped from the carriage then left alone to let herself inside.

After she handed the tulips to a servant, Blythe made her way to the office where she reviewed the accounting, and orders, and schedules for the lectures and discussions and art displays arranged for the following weeks.

She wanted to make certain that all was put to rights and that she would be able to answer any questions that Bethany may have when they did meet.

That was supposed to be this afternoon, but her employer never said where or even offered a time.

What if word had been sent to her home and since she had been gone most of the day, had not received it.

Blythe pushed away from the desk and was just about to retrieve her bonnet and pelisse when Bethany breezed through the door.

“Ah, I am glad you are here since we had not settled on a time.”

At least a note wasn’t waiting for her at her house.

“Before we meet, I would like to review the books and memberships since I have been rather derelict in my duties.”

“I am certain that you will find everything in order,” Blythe assured her and hoped that she hadn’t made any errors.

“Why don’t you request tea and then you can answer any questions that I may have.”

“Of course,” Blythe answered and left Bethany to her review while she went in search of a maid surprised to find that it was nearly two in the afternoon. She had no idea that she had been working for so long, but at least it had managed to keep her mind off Dr. Orlando Valentine for a short time.

After making the request for tea, Blythe returned to the office and answer any questions that Bethany may have.

“We gained members in my absence,” Bethany said after Blythe was seated.

“Not many but a few. I assume the list will grow once everyone returns from the country.”

“Even though the Season has not yet begun, the profits were good for January and February.”

“Yes, they were.” Blythe was rather pleased as she had not expected Athena’s to do so well in Bethany and Tessa’s absence. She had simply hoped that income would remain steady so that she did not lose her position.

“Which brings me to a proposition.”

Blythe was on the edge of her seat, waiting. “Yes, Beth…Your Grace.”

Goodness, her employer was married to a duke so she must stop thinking of her as Bethany.

The same correction had been made when her cousin, Tessa, had become a duchess.

It was Tessa who insisted that she forego the formalities and continue to address her in the same manner as she had done since they were children

“When it is just the two of us, please call me Bethany. I am still not used to the title.”

“I suppose it does take getting used to. My mother told me that for a short time after she had wed when she heard, Her Grace , she looked around forgetting that she was the one being addressed.”

“I completely understand and have done the same.” Bethany laughed.

“What might your proposition be?” Blythe asked.

“With Tessa away for the Season and now that I have unexpected duties, especially since I had never intended to wed, we are in need to someone to manage when we are not here, which will likely be most nights once the Season begins.”

Blythe hoped that Bethany meant her, and not someone else, even though they had four other employees who could also fill the position. Blythe had simply stepped in when Bethany did not return right away after Christmas.

“Tessa and I believe that it should be you, if you are willing to be here the four nights a week.”

“Yes, of course.” Blythe did not even need to think about the offer. The busier that she kept herself the less likely she would be to think about Orlando.

“You may also keep a room above-stairs so that you do not need to travel to your home so early in the morning, after Athena’s Salon closes. It is not a safe time for a woman to be alone. We hope that you do since neither Tessa nor I will be living here any longer.”

While Blythe enjoyed being at Athena’s Salon, she did hate having to return home alone at two or three in the morning. It would be nice to be able to lock the door and retire to a chamber.

“Thank you.”

“Once invitations begin to arrive for the Season, I will keep you apprised of which nights I will be otherwise occupied.”

Blythe nodded.

“That does not mean that you cannot also enjoy entertainments. If you have a ball or other function that you would like to attend, another can stand in your place.”

“I will not be attending any balls,” Blythe assured her.

“I hadn’t seen you at any before, but you did attend the Venetian Breakfast yesterday.”

“That was for Lavinia and it was at her invitation.”

“Just so, you will not be forced to remain here every night we are open if there is something else you would rather do.”

“Thank you,” she answered not expecting to ever have anywhere else to be.

“Now that those matters are settled, I would suggest that you move some of your belongings upstairs so that you have a change of clothing, nightrails, and all other essentials so that you are not inconvenienced the four nights you are here and then we can prepare for tonight.”

Blythe stood. “I will see to it right away.” She turned and was about to leave when Bethany called out.

“I granted two vouchers today.”

Blythe turned. Vouchers were only give to men and were not an automatic membership.

They had to first convince either Bethany or Tessa that they were open minded and considered women equally as intelligent and talented.

The second test was to watch their behavior and attitude once they spent an evening at Athena’s Salon.

If the character remained true to what they portrayed earlier, then they would be allowed membership.

“They would like to visit and I need to make certain they will suit, though I truly have no concerns.”

“Who are they?” she asked.

“Mr. Demetrius Valentine, but I do not expect him to be a regular visitor since he and Lavinia will be moving to Seaford.”

“And the other?” Blythe asked, already knowing.

“Dr. Orlando Valentine. He was visiting his brother, who is staying with His Grace and myself, when the topic was broached earlier today.”

Her pulse quickened and Blythe was not certain if the churning within was from anxiety or anticipation. “I will see that they are granted access.”

“I am certain they will fit in very well with our other clientele.”

“Yes, of course.” Blythe forced a smile and left the office.

Lavinia was a member so it was possible that her husband was curious, and if Orlando had been sitting there, he might have made the same request.

Or did he want entrance because of her?

Oh, she wanted that to be the reason.

Blythe returned to her home and packed a trunk with necessities that she could keep at Athena’s Salon and prepared a list of other items that she would need to shop for.

All the while, memories of Brussels crowded her brain. She had changed so much in just a month.

She had also been a coward and selfish.

She had coveted and had fallen in love with a man who was not her husband.

It was only when she saw Orlando, faced with hundreds of injured and dying men that she realized how insignificant she truly was.

Her husband had tried to tell her, but when she left seclusion and viewed reality, she came to realize that much of what he said was true.

What good was she if she could not help anyone, most of all Orlando when he needed someone the most?