Chapter Twenty-One

Ellie woke in her own bed the next day.

The previous night’s events came flooding back. Hugh had asked her to marry him.

His wife.

Years ago, she would have given her two front teeth to have him propose. But things were different now. He’d caught her as she’d proceeded to smuggle the battered wife of a baron out of the city.

She’d been shocked to discover Hugh in Violet’s coach. In that instant, she’d believed all was lost, and she’d feared Hugh would have ordered the driver of the coach to turn around and deliver Lady Willoughby straight to her husband.

But he hadn’t.

He’d helped them instead.

Then they’d made love in his library. Shockingly, he hadn’t insisted she stop her work. Rather, he’d said she’d have his support. But if she agreed to be his marchioness, then she’d have to cease her dealings with Violet Lasher and tell him everything. Could she trust him?

Another nagging question surfaced in her mind. Why did he propose? And why now? Ian was to make a decision regarding the Raven Club within days. Her suspicious nature made her question the timing of Hugh’s offer. Did Hugh fear losing the club, or did he fear losing her?

His words returned to her in a rush.

We desire each other. It is more than most couples could wish for. You can have everything. My title. My wealth.

Not his heart.

Could she marry him, knowing she didn’t fully possess his heart?

No, he would seek another. A lover. She barely survived finding him kiss Isabelle years ago. She’d never survive him having an affair or taking a mistress, and that would certainly happen if he felt obliged to marry her to protect her or to gain the club. Could she take that risk?

He’d told her to think over his proposal, but she remained uncertain.

The only thing she knew for certain was that no man would ever be able to compare with Hugh. Her body still thrummed from the experience of being with him. She’d felt protected and cherished, feelings she’d never believed possible with Hugh. She’d thought it was a fantasy—she didn’t belong to him, and he certainly didn’t belong to her. She’d told him it was the last time they would be together, yet she felt a deep regret that she’d never know him intimately again.

The problem was her feelings were changing for him. The past could not be altered, his stubbornness and belief that he’d acted to protect her when she was young could not be changed. But she knew her own weaknesses, her faults, and that she struggled with forgiveness. It was not in her nature to forget or forgive.

Or to trust.

Maybe it was time to forgive Hugh. Maybe, just maybe, she did trust him when he agreed not to tell her brother about her activities with Violet Lasher. And even more shocking, she did trust him when he said he wouldn’t stop her but would help her.

The challenge over the Raven Club was almost decided. Could she wait to learn the result before telling him her answer to his proposal? Would he change his mind if he lost?

She pulled the coverlet aside and sat on the edge of the bed. She rang for her maid, dressed quickly, and headed for the breakfast room. The delicious smell of fried bacon wafted to her, and her stomach growled. She was famished. When was the last time she’d eaten?

Ian was already seated with a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast before him.

“Good morning,” Ian said.

“That smells delicious,” Ellie said as she took a plate and helped herself to a heaping portion of eggs and bacon from the sideboard. She joined her brother at the table.

“You slept late,” Ian said.

Ellie’s fork halted in midair, and her breath squeezed in her chest. “If you must know, I oversaw the opening of the women’s gambling room.”

Ian looked at her. “Was Brooks there to help you?”

“Of course.”

Brooks had been busy on the main casino floor, but she didn’t need to clarify. She had hired sufficient workers and staff to help run the place when she’d departed with Lady Willoughby. It hadn’t been ideal to smuggle Samantha out of London on the opening night, but Ellie’d had little choice. Once Baron Willoughby had found his wife’s mask, time had been of the essence.

The door opened, and a footman entered carrying a pot of coffee. He filled Ellie’s cup, then left as quickly as he’d come.

Ian set his fork on the edge of his plate and eyed his sister. “Grace and I will make a decision about the Raven in two days’ time. It’s not too late to back out, Ellie.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because I would think a lady would have other pursuits in mind rather than ledgers and ink-stained fingers.”

“You mean marriage?”

“Yes.”

Ellie’s fingers twisted the napkin on her lap. Just the simple question wounded her in ways her brother could never understand. What would he say if he’d learned of Hugh’s proposal?

It didn’t matter. Her mind was in tumult, and she needed time to decide her answer.

“I haven’t found a man worthwhile,” she said. Though a voice in the back of her mind whispered that was a lie…

“You won’t find him squirreled away in my office at the club, either, Ellie.”

She stayed silent. No sense arguing with her brother. At least one thing was clear. Hugh had not said a word about his proposal or what he’d learned. If he’d visited early this morning or sent a missive telling her brother about her secret activities, Ian would not be lecturing her about marriage. He’d be bellowing at her about something else entirely.

A weight was lifted from her chest. Hugh had kept her secret. Despite her brother’s looming presence at the table, his undisguised disapproval of her wanting to win the club, her heart lifted.

Perhaps she truly needed to work on forgiveness. Perhaps they had a second chance for happiness after all.

…

The women’s gambling room was making money. A good amount. Word was spreading, and more and more ladies and wealthy women had entered through the guarded paneled doors to place wagers, eat, drink, and enjoy an entertaining evening.

As for Hugh, he’d been busy in the boxing room. Ellie had heard of visits from several champions, and she knew there had been additional boxing matches. When she walked by the room, she could hear excited shouts and jeering. From the cacophony, it sounded like the number of spectators had tripled. Hugh had been careful to keep his own ledgers regarding the profitability of the fights, so she had no idea how much money had been added to the club’s coffers.

Despite everything that had occurred between them, she was still curious and wondered if her profits rivaled or exceeded Hugh’s. For someone who’d handled the ledgers for some time, it was frustrating not to know.

Things had changed between the two of them as well. The wariness was no longer present, but neither had their awareness of each other ebbed.

Hugh hadn’t mentioned their evening together or his proposal, but he didn’t attempt to hide his desire. On more than one occasion, he’d brushed against her, and she’d experienced a frisson in her veins. She’d glanced up at him through lowered lashes, and he’d looked innocent enough, but she’d suspected the contact was no accident. He knew how she felt. The night they had spent together in his home was fresh in her mind.

He didn’t pressure her for an answer to his proposal. He must have sensed her confusion and had said he’d understood that she needed time.

But she knew he wouldn’t give her too long.

Rather than be pleased he was keeping his promise, she’d felt a wave of disappointment. It wasn’t fair. She was conflicted, and he appeared calm and composed. She needed to immerse herself in the figures on her desk, the tiny rows of numbers that could numb unwanted feelings or distract from the constant whirl of her thoughts.

It was early afternoon by the time she was finished entering last night’s profits to the ledgers. She stood, her low back aching from staring down at the books for so long. She went to the window overlooking the casino floor and spotted Hugh leaving the boxing room.

Her heart stuttered at the sight of him. He was dressed simply in waistcoat and trousers. As she stared into his compelling green gaze—the color even more intense against the starkness of his white shirt—she was reminded of her sleepless nights, tossing and turning in bed, thinking of his touch, his embrace, his heated kiss.

She could not deny the truth any longer.

She was in love with him.

The thought jolted her, and her chest felt as if it would burst. She was not one to lie to herself. Had she ever stopped loving him?

How could she not when he made her laugh, when he risked his life protecting her from criminals and took a bullet in the shoulder, when he did not turn Violet Lasher’s carriage around but joined them on their journey to save Lady Willoughby?

There was a strong passion within her when it came to this man, and he had the power to unleash it at his whim. What on earth was she to do? There was more at stake than her desire, her heart, so much more when it came to the Raven Club. Could she trust him?

Yes…yes, she could. He’d shown her he had changed. She had as well.

Her heart danced with joy. She’d marry him. She felt as if a weight was lifted from her chest, that she knew she was making the right decision. Rather than face her brother about their competition for the club, Hugh could ask for her hand, and they could both walk away as winners.

Ellie pushed away from the window and headed for the door. Just as she reached for the handle, a knock sounded.

She opened the door to find one of the club’s servants. Swallowing her frustration at the slight delay, she nodded at the man. “Yes.”

He handed her a piece of foolscap. “This was just delivered for you, my lady. The messenger said it was urgent.”

“Thank you.” She accepted the missive, and shut the door. Her heat pounded as she recognized the script and broke the seal.

Meet me immediately in the back of the club.

Violet

Ellie’s heart pounded. Violet had never asked to see her outside the club before. Something must have happened. Something bad. Was it Lady Willoughby? Had the baron found her?

The thought made her stomach sink. She needed to see Violet and find out.

She hurried down the stairs, scanning the casino floor for Hugh, but he was nowhere in sight. He must have already departed.

Hugh would want to know. He’d asked her to tell him everything. He didn’t like that she associated with Violet and believed the courtesan made her act dangerously. In hindsight, he was right, but it was a risk she had always been willing to take.

But she wouldn’t be purposely deceiving him. She had yet to accept his proposal.

Making up her mind, Ellie rushed past the gaming tables, threw open the back door, and stepped into the alley.

Ellie did not see Violet’s black carriage. A stray cat knocked over a crate and made her jump. “Violet,” she whispered.

No answer.

“Violet!” she said a bit louder this time.

“Over here!” a feminine voice answered.