Chapter 11
Tilly spent a great deal of time at The Iris Club over the next few days, getting things just right, or so she told herself. What she was really doing was avoiding any possible contact with Ambrose.
That moment with him had shaken her. The need and want she’d felt had been unlike anything she’d experienced before. Tilly must ensure going forward never to be alone with that man again or she’d end up doing something even more foolish.
“Hurry up, Tilly.” The words drifted up to her from below.
“Coming, Mother!”
Ruby had still not returned to take up the position Tilly had offered in The Iris, and that worried her too. Something wasn’t right there, and it niggled in the back of her head.
They were to go to the Lindell musicale this evening, and while she was looking forward to it, as she loved music, there was also trepidation. Ambrose would be there, as would Lady Crisp. The woman could make her life, and that of her parents, difficult.
“I hope you have a pleasant evening, Verity, and please don’t wait up for me,” she said to her maid before leaving.
“Thank you, and you also. Perhaps tonight will be the night you catch the eye of a gentleman—”
“I don’t want to catch the eye of a gentleman, Verity.” Tilly bit back a sigh. She knew that, like many, Verity believed a woman’s place was tending to her husband’s every whim.
Her maid tsked but said nothing further, and Tilly left the room. Taking the stairs down, she found her parents waiting for her in the front entrance.
“Excellent, we shall now leave and hope that those performing tonight have not been selected because of who their parents are, but on talent,” her father said.
Tilly and her mother agreed wholeheartedly.
The trip was not a long one, and she looked out the window, her mind on many things, while her parents chatted as was their wont, even after years of marriage.
If she could have a marriage like theirs, formed on respect for what each other wanted, then she may consider it. Ambrose slid into her head. He would not be an easy husband for the woman who ended up with him. Not me, she thought.
She’d once thought a man of the cloth, or a lawyer or barrister would suit her. Tilly doubted they would care overly about her birth, but the truth was, she’d lost interest in a need to have a family of her own now she had The Iris.
“Ready, dear?”
She hadn’t even realized the carriage had slowed to a crawl behind the others lined up outside the Lindell town house.
“You look lovely, Mother,” Tilly said after her father had helped them from the carriage.
Her mother wore a deep wine-colored velvet dress with a spray of flowers in her hair.
“She does,” her father agreed, love in his eyes as he looked at his wife. He wore a black jacket, the perfect accompaniment to her mother’s dress.
When the door opened, they joined the line of guests that had formed to meet the hosts. Light blazed from windows and the open front entrance, and servants stood in readiness to fulfil any guest’s wish.
“I would have thought you’d know better than to allow your daughter to start a women-only club next to a man’s one, Wilson.”
These words came from behind them, and all three Wilsons turned to find the Duke and Duchess of Humble there.
“My daughter saw a need, Duke, and filled it. She is causing no harm in helping women who wish for a space to share time with other women while their men do the same in the club next door. Come along now, my dears,” he then said with a smile to his wife and daughter.
The love she felt for this man then was so strong.
“I’m sorry, Father—”
“You will not apologize for someone else’s bigotry, daughter. Now let us find a seat, and enjoy the evening’s entertainment, if we can,” he said the last part under his breath.
Tilly had known some would not be happy but had hoped her parents would not be censured because of her actions. It seemed she was wrong. Frustration welled inside her.
Why could people not leave others alone to do as they wished? Why must everyone conform in society?
“I am going to talk to Violet,” she said, needing solitude to take some deep calming breaths.
Tilly had thought people would simply tire of the vitriol toward The Iris Club’s location, but they hadn’t.
She’d received yet another letter of complaint today, as well as a visit from an inspector over yet another issue to do with her building.
It was disheartening and frustrating, and Tilly worried that it was not going to stop.
Should she look for another building?
“Lovely,” her mother said, patting her hand, unaware that Tilly didn’t even know if her friend was here. “Pay that idiot no mind, dear, and we shall see you after the musicale, as I’m sure you wish to sit with your friend.”
She nodded, her throat thick with emotion. Her parents had always been her biggest champions because they knew her history, that she was different, and perhaps that was why they gave her so much freedom.
“Miss Wilson.”
She swallowed her groan as Lady Angeline Chippington, Violet and Ambrose’s mother, stepped in front of her with a gleam in her eye that did not bode well for Tilly.
With her was Octavia, the middle daughter.
Unlike her sisters, she had red-gold hair and looked lovely in cream with buttercup yellow ribbons in her hair.
“Good evening, my lady. Octavia,” Tilly said, dropping into a deep curtsy.
“I really cannot condone your club, Miss Wilson,” Lady Chippington said. “The location is embarrassing, and even stepping through the door is harmful to the reputations of those young ladies who wish to enter. I must insist that you close it at once.”
“Mother, that is unfair. Tilly can do as she wishes, and many, including your daughters, like The Iris Club,” Octavia said.
“She cannot do as she wishes if she is creating a spectacle and involving my daughters,” Lady Chippington snapped. “I want your assurance you will do as I say, Miss Wilson,” she added.
Tilly was growing heartily sick of people telling her they did not like her club.
She did not force her opinions on others and had no wish for them to do so with her.
Yes, perhaps she had selected that location because it made a statement, but she had never believed for a second it would create so much attention.
Clearly she’d been naive in her thinking.
“Answer me!” Lady Chippington demanded.
She was usually even-tempered until riled—and Tilly was fast becoming that.
“Clearly your parents have little control over you—”
“I’ll stop you right there, my lady,” Tilly said in a tone that could cut ice. “My parents are wonderful, kind, and intelligent people who do not feel threatened by change, as others clearly do.”
“I am a forward-thinking woman!” Lady Chippington said, which had her daughter hiding her snort behind a gloved hand.
“Then you must see that it is time for women to have a place in this world alongside men,” Tilly said. She then dropped into a curtsy and walked away before she could insult the woman further.
She found the terrace and stepped outside. Moving into the shadows, she inhaled a deep breath of smoggy London air.
Was it worth it? Had she been right to form The Iris next to the men’s club? The single word that filled her head was a loud and comprehensive yes to that question.
“The very woman I was just discussing.”
Tilly closed her eyes briefly and then opened them as she turned to face Lord and Lady Crisp.
“My wife is most displeased you did not allow her entrance into your club, Miss Wilson. Especially considering her standing in society.”
“My intent was not to displease her, my lord,” Tilly gritted out. “I merely wished to understand why she wanted to become an Iris Club member when it does not seem like something that would suit her.”
“Yes well, I think you should rethink the matter,” Lord Crisp snapped. “It will not go well for you if you continue to treat your betters in such an ill-mannered way.”
Was that a threat?
“There you are, Miss Wilson. The music is about to start, and your parents asked me to find you.”
“Ah, thank you, Mr. Howard,” Tilly said, wondering what the man was about. They’d barely conversed with each other during her time in society, yet he’d recently called at her house and tonight come to her rescue.
“Come, my lord, we will take our seats,” Lady Crisp said after shooting a glare at Tilly. “Miss Wilson’s reputation is already in tatters, so being alone with a man will not harm her further.”
Lady Crisp’s behavior only reinforced her decision to leave society. It was time.
“Miss Wilson, are you well?” Mr. Howard asked when the Crisps had gone inside.
“I am, thank you, and thank you for telling me my parents are asking after me. Also, forgive me for missing you the other day when you called.”
“I will call again soon, and perhaps you would honor me by coming driving one day?”
“I—ah, thank you, that would be nice,” she said, unable to refuse without a good reason.
“I must be truthful,” he said solemnly. “Your parents actually didn’t tell me to find you, but as I overheard what Lord and Lady Crisp were saying to you, I thought to intervene.”
“Thank you again, then. That was very kind of you,” Tilly said.
“Can I get you a drink, perhaps, to calm your nerves?” he offered.
“It would take more than that conversation to unsettle me, Mr. Howard, I assure you.”
“A woman who does not fall apart easily is a wonderful thing,” he said, looking out over the night sky. “I think this would be a lovely view when the sun is rising,” he added.
“Quite spectacular,” she agreed, looking out over the park the house bordered, as many of the wealthy members of society’s town houses did.
“Do you like to read, Miss Wilson?”
Tilly returned her eyes to Mr. Howard. He wasn’t dashing or handsome like some, but he was pleasant.