Chapter 5
Five
Dinner had been another disaster for Esther.
The dowager had looked like she’d wanted to stab her with a fork. Minnie had eaten only the soup, and Mother had talked in clipped tones.
Since Esther had been ordered to do whatever Minnie did, she’d eaten as little as Minnie, ignoring her roaring stomach. On top of that, Minnie had retired early and locked herself in her bedroom.
So here Esther was, in her bedroom, pacing and wondering if she could sneak into the kitchen and grab an oat biscuit just to make her stomach stop complaining.
She shifted her weight in front of the door. Blast it all. Behaving like Minnie wouldn’t change anything aside from her being hungry and bored. She inched the door open and checked the corridor. No one.
No sound came from downstairs. She slid out of the bedroom and gingerly closed the door. Along the corridor, she paused in front of Minnie’s door. No light limned it. She had to be asleep. Not even the dowager was asleep now.
Minnie followed a rigid routine made of deprivation and discipline. Esther wouldn’t be able to live as her friend did for long.
She went down the stairs quickly and headed towards the kitchen. If a servant was still up, she would cheekily ask for the biscuits.
A noise came from a lateral corridor. She turned around in time to catch a glimpse of a fluttering cloak. Who was going out at that time?
She followed the person and suppressed a gasp. Minnie slipped past the French window opening to the garden. She paused to close it a little before covering her head with a large hood and leaving.
By the time Esther crossed the room and looked out of the window, Minnie was heading to the fence bordering Alexander’s house.
A nocturnal assignation? With the duke?
Maybe the animosity between them was only a trick to hide…she had no idea what. In fact, that didn’t make any sense.
She wanted to know, and after all, Mother had told her to do whatever Minnie did. She rushed to the cloakroom to snatch the first cloak she found and chased Minnie.
Her obsession with cricket bore its fruit because, despite the delay, Esther nearly caught up with her friend who was barely past the fence. But instead of heading to Alexander’s house, Minnie took a lateral path towards the city.
Esther followed her at a distance but moved closer once they arrived at the busy centre, not to lose her. Like in London, people in Brighton didn’t go to bed early. There were groups of ladies and gentlemen promenading the high road, and the restaurants facing the sea were full.
Minnie ignored the crowded streets and took a side alley.
Esther followed her at a slow pace but sped up when a broad man approached her. Adventure was one thing, but getting robbed by a footpad was another. The man matched her speed, his heavy footsteps thundering behind her.
“Esther.”
She skidded to a halt at hearing Alexander’s voice. “Alexander?”
He pulled down the hood of his cloak and cast a worried glance at her. “What are you doing here alone?”
She didn’t know what to say. Minnie’s behaviour was suspicious, but she didn’t want to tell Alexander about Minnie’s nocturnal excursion.
“I’m not alone. I’m happy to see you. When did you arrive?” She glanced over her shoulder to see where Minnie was going.
“A couple of hours ago.” He narrowed his eyes, watching past her shoulder. “That’s Minnie. Don’t tell me you’re going with her.”
Why did he tense when Minnie was involved?
“Why, what if I am?”
He inched closer. “You should stay away from that club, especially if Minnie is with you. Let me escort you home.”
She was growing tired of people telling her what she should and shouldn’t do, and his tone was a little commanding, and she felt a little rebellious.
“I’m old enough to make my own decisions.” Although she had no idea where Minnie was going. But that was a problem for later.
“You are old enough to make bad decisions, too.”
Minnie didn’t seem like a lady who made bad decisions. Whatever she did, it worked, considering the queue of suitors at her door. She was likely going to a secret macramé club or a Russian poetry reading.
“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll do what I want. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She marched towards Minnie who was standing in a quiet corner at the end of the alleyway.
Alexander blocked her path. “It’s dangerous.”
“Sometimes a little danger is what a lady needs.”
“Have you been there before?”
Her boldness petered out quickly for lack of frequent use. There was no point in pretending she knew what she was doing. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” She rose on her tiptoes to make sure Minnie was still there.
A few people walked past her to stop at the same spot as Minnie.
“The New Club,” he said as if expecting a big reaction from her.
“Never heard of it.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” He offered her his arm. “Let me take you home.”
She hesitated as two giggling ladies rushed along the alleyway to the same infamous spot. She wanted to know why that club attracted so many people. It couldn’t be that bad if so many ladies wanted to go.
“Esther?” His eyes glinted.
“Sorry, but I’m curious. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She sidestepped him.
“Esther!” It was an order, and she stopped only because she wanted to give him a piece of her mind.
“I’m going, and you can’t order me around. I’m curious. I thought you understood how difficult it is for me to be constantly forced to renounce things I like.”
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Be careful.” Genuine worry filled his voice, and her resolve wavered.
Perhaps she should listen to him. But when the group behind her started to cheer and clap, curiosity won.
She held up a hand. “I will be.”
He gave her a nod, his expression still concerned.
A thrill of excitement danced down her back as she strode onwards.
Minnie’s eyes flared wide when she saw Esther. “Esther?” She searched around. “What are you doing here?”
“I followed you. Sorry.” A heavy-looking door closed one side of the alley. “You aren’t upset, are you? I didn’t tell anyone. Your grandmama doesn’t know anything if that’s what worries you.”
Minnie tugged at the hood, covering her face. “You should go home.”
“Not even you!” She balled a fist on her hip. “I want to see The New Club.”
“So you know about it?”
“More or less.”
“Do you know what it’s famous for?” Minnie asked.
“The view of the sea?”
“No.” Minnie drew her closer. “The New Club is one of the very few nightclubs that allows women.”
A flicker of interest sparked in her. “And what can a woman do there?”
Minnie showed a wicked smile Esther had never seen. “Everything the gentlemen do, like playing cards.”
“That’s not really appealing to me.”
Minnie laughed. “Dancing, listening to music, and…” She lowered her voice. “…even spend time with a gentleman alone in private.”
Esther suppressed a gasp, not wanting to sound shocked. “Have you done that before? I can’t believe it. You’re always so prim and meek.” She must have said something horrible because Minnie’s face transformed into a mask of rage.
“Meek? Like a lamb? Well, maybe I’m tired of following orders and not doing things I like, only to be meek. Maybe I was forced to live a secret life to have the experiences I value. Maybe I want more power over my own choices.”
“Goodness.” Esther wanted to applaud her friend’s spirit. “You have my whole sympathy. I’m not here to judge you.” Although shock and surprise made her wonder if she knew Minnie at all. But that could wait as well. “I’m here to join you.”
“Are you really? Do you understand you’ll have to be careful? If your mother suspects you set foot in The New Club, she’ll send you to your Great Aunt Martha in Argyllshire.”
She recoiled. Argyllshire was the wettest county in the kingdom and one of the least populated. And she would end up like Great Aunt Martha, having a fit every time she crossed another human being on the pavement.
“I understand,” she said in a quivering voice.
“There’s no going back,” Minnie continued. “You’ll have to protect your reputation tooth and nail and make sacrifices to enjoy yourself. You’ll have to wear dull gowns and be very, very meek, not to raise suspicions. I hope you’re ready for that.”
She put a hand on her chest, moving towards the wall as more people arrived, cramming the alleyway. “I thought you were the highest example of a perfectly mannered lady.”
“The important thing is not to let anyone know the truth. Ever. It’s like a secret society. Do you swear never to tell anyone you saw me here?”
“I do.”
That wicked smile, completely at odds with Minnie’s persona, came out again. “Do you want to experience what true enjoyment is?”
It was the offer Esther had been waiting for since her first Season. “I do. But what happens when you spend some time alone with a gentleman in the club?”
Minnie leant against the brick wall behind her. “Allow only a taste, or he will lose interest and think you’re easy prey. Try to meet as many gentlemen as possible. Don’t promise anything, but tease as much as you can. Show a little bit of yourself but don’t allow him to touch you for too long.”
That was Minnie’s secret.
She was confused though. So many rules. There were rules even in a secret wanton life. “And does that work?”
“How do you think I gathered six suitors in a short time? A night at The New Club works better than an entire Season of balls and tea parties.”
Esther nodded. She was more curious than interested in a suitor. “I want to go.”
“Welcome to the club.”