“Andrew!” Ellen was shocked at her brother’s rudeness.
“It’s all right, shall we begin?” Marjorie said and sent her lady’s maid to get the drinks. When she returned, she had two glasses in her hands and a bottle of whisky.
“Ellen is staying out of this, I presume,” Marjorie asked.
“Without a doubt,” Andrew confirmed as he took a glass and proceeded to fill it with whisky.
Marjorie took her own glass and did the same. Since Marjorie remained undaunted, the Duke took the first gulp of the drink. Smirking, Marjorie sipped her drink slowly while Andrew barreled on.
Ellen knew she should keep count, knowing that her beloved brother would never take to a woman defeating him in a game of drinking. She did not have the heart to tell Marjorie that Andrew would win fair and square; her brother took to alcohol like a fish to water.
As Marjorie and Andrew continued their challenge, Ellen’s thoughts wandered to the feeling of Gerard’s lips on hers. The Earl of Ridlington had such mesmerizing eyes, toned skin and when he held her, she had felt heat in his wake. She was suddenly filled with the longing to be breathing the same air that he did. She blushed and tried to focus her attention on the game happening before her, but she got so bored soon enough that she fell asleep in her chair.
“Ellen, wake up,” someone said, shaking her awake.
“Marjorie?”
Marjorie grinned. “You’re awake. Thank goodness! I was contemplating whether or not to wake you.”
“What happened?”
“Oh, your brother fell into a stupor. The alcohol knocked him out.”
Ellen was confused. “What about you? How are you still sober?”
“Ellen, I might be a lot of things, but I am not stupid. There was no way I was going to outdrink your brother. I hate alcohol. I only needed it as a distraction, so I could tell you why I invited you here tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Try to keep up, Ellen. Oh dear, we must not be late.”
“Wait a minute, Marjorie, if you did not take alcohol, then what were you drinking? I watched you take a drink with my own eyes.”
“Yes, I only sipped the first glass of whisky. I swapped my other drinks for some juice.”
Ellen giggled. “You scheming wench.”
“Why, thank you, Lady Ellen Bamber,” Marjorie replied.
“But where are you going?”
“I am going to a book club meeting with some ladies, and I want you to accompany me. You know how I always talk about women being equal to men and all my causes — well, you get to see the pioneers of that tonight, and I assure you, you will be surprised.”
“Marjorie, I am not sure that’s a good idea. Mother would be angry, and the last thing I want is to jeopardize the chances of me making my family proud.”
“I assure you that you shall not be caught, and we would be back in time before Andrew wakes up from his slumber. It’s just one meeting.”
Ellen hesitated. It was risky to go out at night and also unchaperoned, but she remembered her conversation with Gerard and decided to go along. She only had one life to live after all. “All right. I will go with you then.”
The first thing, Ellen noticed when she entered the club was that this was not a book club at all. Sure, there were books all over, and every lady had a copy in her hands. Ellen smiled at the lady who handed her a book.
Ellen turned to Marjorie who was watching her in amusement. “Marjorie, isn't that Duchess Gringoll?”
“Yes, that's her. I told you you’d meet interesting folks. Now, try not to lose yourself or me; the meeting is about to start.”
“But what are the books for?”
“The title of the book is your code word. For next time.” Marjorie winked.
