But before he could answer, Bad did. “I am perfectly capable of attending Grace without stepping into the marriage noose.”
“What we need is a two-pronged plan.” Vice scratched his chin. He needed to start using his head. “We’ve been reacting to Lady Abernath. It’s time to actively seek her out. In that way, we can cease guarding the women at all.”
“I agree,” Daring grunted. “I’ve hired a detective to find her. But I also think we need to talk with your cousin, Sin. He is more intimately acquainted with her movements than we are.”
Vice’s stomach pitched. He’d brought the Earl of Sinclair into the fold to help with the club but it had turned out that Lady Abernath had been blackmailing Sin into helping her. He knew it wasn’t Sin’s fault but Vice still felt betrayed by his cousin. Was he destined to have no one he could trust? “Fine. Should I get him now?” Sin was attending the wedding and the breakfast, though Vice hadn’t spoken with the man all day.
Daring gave a nod. “Bad can get him. You and I have a bit more to discuss first.”
Bad turned and headed down the hall the way they had just come. Vice didn’t wish to retrieve Sin but he didn’t really want to discuss anything else with Daring either. Truth be told, he’d like to return to Ada’s side. This was an urge he needed to fight. Too much time with her and she’d discover all his worst attributes.
“We haven’t discussed enough?” Vice asked.
Daring’s shoulders drooped. “Ada is a soft woman. I worried less about Diana or even Cordelia but Ada…she could be hurt so easily.”
Vice cracked the knuckles of his fingers one at a time. “I understand that. But you needn’t worry. She sees right through me and where I am concerned, she seems unwilling to yield at all.”
Daring nodded. “I noticed.” Then he clapped his hand on Vice’s shoulder. “You bring out the best in her. Does she do the same for you?”
He blinked, taking a partial step back. “I don’t know.” She did, he suspected. What he was less certain about was whether he was actually good for her. He hadn’t been for Camille.
Bad and Sin sauntered down the hall. “Good,” Daring said as he caught Sin’s eye. “It’s time for us to finish this.”
Chapter Four
Ada stood between her sister and her cousin, wishing Vice had returned to the room. She shifted as she glanced at the door again. She tried to remind herself that she didn’t much care for him. He was so full of himself.
But then she remembered the way his hand felt at her waist. The brush of his hip against hers. He made her feel like she was…more.
“Ada,” Minnie nudged her arm. “Where are you?”
“Obviously, I am here.” Ada pulled herself back to the present.
Minnie gave her a sideways glance, a small grin settling on her lips. “Physically, I suppose.”
Ada looked over to where Diana stood next to her new husband. Lord Exmouth looked at his bride as though she were the most important person in the whole world. His gaze was so soft, his touch gentle. “You caught me. I watched Diana marry today and it made me wonder…”
“What did it make you wonder?” Minnie asked as she slipped her arm about her sister.
Ada gave a small shrug. “I wondered what type of man I might marry. Will he look at me with love and admiration?” Then she pointed to Diana.
Minnie gave her a squeeze. “Of course he will.”
But Ada frowned. “How can you know? I’m not like you and Diana. People aren’t drawn to me.”
Minnie gave a light laugh. “You know people are also repelled by us, correct? Where everyone finds your company enjoyable.”
“Enjoyable isn’t exciting…” Ada looked toward the window, her chest aching. “It’s quite boring. And interesting men find more interesting things to do than spend time with me.”
Minnie let out a long breath. “Is this about Walter? First of all, he wasn’t interesting, he was a terrible bore.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Even boring men won’t like me enough to marry me?” Ada’s gaze snapped back to Minnie.
Minnie held up her hands. “He liked you because you were willing to feed his complete affection for himself. You’re unfailingly kind that way. And he didn’t marry you because, despite what he said, he knew you’d wait. You’re not boring, you’re loyal and good.”
Ada cringed. “I sound like our retriever, Rusty.” But Minnie had made several pertinent points. She had made so few demands on Walter. But she’d always been afraid, if she did, he’d refuse and leave her. “I only know how to be myself.”
Minnie stepped closer. “That’s true. And some man will love you for exactly who you are. Don’t let Walter take that away from you. He just wasn’t the correct man.” Minnie dipped her head even lower. “Now a man like Vice…”