“This could take forever,” Ambrose said.
Violet poked out her tongue, which made him laugh.
His eyes went to Tilly. She wasn’t smiling. He wouldn’t apologize for what he’d said to her today. She’d deserved every word and needed to understand that she couldn’t just walk into danger and expect everything to go well. Someone had to caution her. He wondered why her parents weren’t.
She told the tale, interspersed with questions from Violet. By the end of it, Ambrose’s head was pounding, as was his jaw.
“I can’t believe someone attacked you!” Violet shrieked.
“Pixie, I am right here before you, hearty if a little less hale. No need to shriek, sister.”
“A lady has arrived and wishes to speak with you, Miss Wilson,” Margaret said, appearing in the doorway. “Miss Ruby is sleeping peacefully, and I have fed Barnaby. He is now slumbering beside her on a blanket on the floor.”
Barnaby, it seemed, had landed on his paws, Ambrose thought.
“What is her name?” Tilly asked.
“Lady Hardacre.”
“Isn’t she friends with that loathsome Lady Crisp?” Violet asked, wrinkling her nose like she had since childhood.
“Perhaps she is here to beg Lady Crisp’s case?” Leo said.
“It’s all very odd. I thought women like those would never want to step foot inside The Iris,” Tilly said. “At the musicale, Lord Crisp told me I should let his wife join, even though she was rude to me. I can’t understand why, as they believe a man’s word is law, and this is a women-only club?—”
“Well, who is to say that way is wrong?” Ambrose asked. “It is the way of things and?—”
“Oh, do shut up, Ambrose,” Violet said. “Like those others, you just don’t want change because you’ll realize that women are in fact far more intelligent than men.”
“Hardly—”
“Exactly, Violet,” Tilly said, shooting daggers at him. “Excuse me, I shall speak with Lady Hardacre, and then we shall go to the secret door.”
“You could tell us where it is,” Ambrose said.
She ignored him and walked away, angry with him again, which was the constant state of things between them.
“I’m going with Tilly. She may need my help dealing with Lady Hardacre,” Violet said. “You’re an idiot, Ambrose.”
“Charming,” he muttered.
He, Gray, and Leo moved closer to listen to what was being said.
“You and Tilly have a lot of animosity toward each other. I wonder why?” Leo said into his right ear.
“Because she is infuriating.”
“Or, there is another scenario,” Gray drawled.
Ambrose glared at the two men, not liking their smug expressions one bit.
“That woman is nothing more than an annoyance to me, now be quiet so we can hear.”
Leo snickered, and Ambrose refrained from jabbing him with his elbow.
“Lady Hardacre, how may we help you today?” Tilly said.
“Miss Wilson, your club refused entrance to my dear friend. I wondered if I could change your mind in that, and you will allow her and me to join?”