“For some people,” Charlotte responded, gesturing vaguely. “Rakes and such.”
“But not for everyone,” Dominic added. “Only oneself can decide what living a good life will look like to them. And of course, one must always be mindful of society and propriety, for what are we if not civilised?”
“Indeed.” Lord Bellmore agreed.
“But tell us about the Baron. What happened next?” Lady Philippa Nettle asked.
“Well, he was banging on the door with his walking stick, proclaiming that he needed another glass of whiskey, and eventually, the door opened. And who do you think opened it?” Dominic glanced around the table, inviting guesses from those gathered.
“The club’s steward?” Lady Evelyn Nettle ventured, frowning slightly.
Dominic shook his head.
“A bailiff?” Lady Philippa guessed.
He shook his head again. “I do not think you will guess.”
“His mother,” Lady Bellmore offered though it was obvious the suggestion was more tongue-in-cheek than anything serious.
“A good guess, and it would have been rather a surprise, but no. The person who answered the door was a complete stranger. In fact, it was a woman of about two score and four years, glowering at him.”
“A woman? At a gentleman’s club?” Lord Bellmore frowned
“That was exactly what the Baron said,” Dominic replied
“What did she say?” Lady Evelyn asked.
“I believe it was something along the lines of ‘it is a surprise you can tell that from the state you are in’.” Dominic shrugged.
“I believe I like this woman.” Charlotte laughed softly, and her sisters joined her.
She has a rather pretty laugh.Dominic laughed with them. “She is a remarkable character.”
“And after this woman was so impudent to him?” Lady Bellmore frowned at her daughters.
“The Baron then tried to push past her and demand his whiskey, but the woman barred his way. The Baron remarked that the Club had surely lost its mind if it had resorted to getting women to keep its patrons from the door.” Dominic looked around the table.
“It is rather an unusual thing to do,” Charlotte admitted, looking at him curiously.
“Indeed, it is. Though I sense there may be more to this story than His Grace is letting on.” Lord Bellmore gave Dominic a knowing look, and Dominic suspected that the Earl was acquainted with Baron Basildon.
“Perhaps.” Dominic inclined his head towards Lord Bellmore and continued, “The Baron insisted that she let him in and that if she were not willing to do so, then she could at least bring him a whiskey. After all, he deserved it.”
“Oh, I’m sure she gave him an earful.” Charlotte looked gleeful at the prospect.
Dominic shook his head. “Indeed, she did not. To his surprise, the woman — who up until this point had been rather hostile towards him — smiled and told him to wait there. She said that she would find something that he deserved.”
Dominic paused, smiling mischievously before continuing. “A moment later, she returned. But there was no whiskey in sight. In fact, the only thing she was carrying was a rather large saucepan.”
“Surely she did not…” Lady Evelyn said, clapping a hand to her mouth as she began to giggle.
“She did. From what I heard, she chased him down the street. You see, the Gentleman’s club was several doors away from her house, and she had grown rather tired of drunken nobility showing up at her door,” Dominic said.
“I am surprised the Baron did not go to the Magistrate after that.” Lady Bellmore frowned
“Few men would want to tell the magistrates that a woman half their size had chased them through the streets of London with a saucepan,” Dominic explained.
“I certainly would not.” Lord Bellmore agreed.
