Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ellie didn’t think she could ever experience such a tumult of emotions. She exhaled slowly, her heartbeat calming for the first time. The day had been frightening. First, Baron Willoughby had forced her out the back door of the jewelers and nearly strangled her in order to find out his wife’s whereabouts. She knew, without a doubt, that the deranged man would have killed her once she’d given him the information he sought. Then she’d stabbed him and fled, only to run into Hugh’s arms. The image of the letter opener protruding from the baron’s neck would haunt her dreams for weeks.

Now she was by Grace’s bedside, experiencing joy over the birth of her niece.

Baby Catherine made a choked cry, and Grace rocked her. “Shhh, darling. You must be hungry.”

Rather than summon a nursemaid, Grace had stated she wanted to nurse her own babe. It was unusual for a lady, but knowing her sister-in-law, Ellie was not surprised.

The rest of the occupants immediately headed for the door.

“Please stay, Ian,” Grace said.

Her brother nodded, pulled a chair to the bedside, and sat beside his wife. Olivia and Ellie quietly departed to leave the new parents alone.

Once in the hall, Olivia halted Ellie. “Lord Deveril is in the study. He is asking for you. You should know, he looks even worse than Ian.”

Ellie swallowed. Despite her despair over her broken heart and her soon-to-be banishment, she owed Hugh her life. She found him staring out the window of the study, his arms folded at his back. “My lord?”

He turned. Olivia was right. She couldn’t help but notice the difference in Hugh’s appearance. His attire was disheveled. His hair was mussed, his cravat loosely tied and wrinkled, and a stain marred his shirtfront. His handsome face looked ragged, as if he had been out drinking until the early morning.

Perhaps he had.

She hadn’t taken note of his appearance when he’d run into the alley. Or afterward, when they’d spoken with the constable as Baron Willoughby’s body was carted away.

She shivered. Her nerves had been strained then, her mind reeling.

Now that things had resolved, she knew she should limit her time with Hugh. Her circumstances had not changed. She would be banished from town soon.

Still, it was difficult to keep her gaze from wandering to him. After today, she’d likely never see him again. He had no reason to visit Castleton’s country estate, not when he had the Raven Club to manage and all of the pleasures of town at his feet as a wealthy marquess. She should be relieved not to see him again.

Then why did her heart squeeze in anguish? The swell of pain was beyond tears.

“Olivia explained why you were at Bond Street. I never thanked you for coming to my aid,” she said.

“You needn’t thank me. My heart stopped when your sister told me you were missing.”

She halted in front of the large rosewood desk. Fearful her legs would give out, she leaned against it. “If that is all, I must finish packing for the country. Now that the babe is born, I won’t have much time.”

To his credit, he winced at her statement. “You needn’t bother.”

“I do believe I have no choice.”

A look of distress flashed across his handsome face. “You were right all along, Ellie. I’ve been a fool. I’m here to ask for your forgiveness.”

Her fingers tightened on the edge of the desk. “My forgiveness?”

“I was wrong all those years ago for luring you into the gardens and then kissing Isabelle. I should have told you about my parents’ disapproval. Most importantly, I should have ignored their cruel demands and married you. I have no doubt now that we would have sorted everything out together. Even if we lived impoverished, and I know Castleton wouldn’t have allowed that, it was wrong of me not to confess the truth. Because of my stubborn pride, you never had a say.”

She stood before him, amazed and shaken by his words. If only they could have changed the past. If only he hadn’t talked to her brother and betrayed her. If only she didn’t have to return to her bedchamber and pack her portmanteau. “My lord, I—”

“Please, let me finish. You deserve to hear this. I should never have spoken to Castleton about your activities at the club. Both times I believed I was protecting you, but I should have trusted you. I know it is too much to ask for forgiveness now, but I must try.”

Her gaze traveled over his face. His expression was one of wretchedness commingled with hope, and she realized his disheveled appearance reflected his misery over the course of the past several days. She ached with an inner pain. It was too late. Nothing could change her future. Her brother had made a decision, and she was powerless to fight him. She dropped her lashes to hide her own misery. “Thank you for telling me. Please pardon me, but I must prepare for my journey.”

He touched her arm before she could fully turn away. “Wait. There is more. I love you, Ellie. I always have.”

Her heart pounded at his confession. His expression was earnest and his green eyes full of intent and purpose. Why, after all this time, did he tell her now? She’d loved him for a lifetime, and now it was too late.

“If you do not wish to marry me, then I cannot allow you to leave London,” he said, his voice full of purpose.

“My brother has decided,” she said.

“You need not leave. I shall.”

She stared up at him, her emotions a tangled web. “What of the Raven Club?”

“I no longer want it. It’s yours.”

Her eyes widened in astonishment. She opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure what to say.

“I will not stand in your way. I will leave London forever if that is what you wish.” Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a parchment. He unrolled it to reveal an official-looking document with a seal. “It’s already done. My solicitor has transferred the deed to the club to you. Everything is now in your name.” He handed it to her.

She stared at the document in her open palm, then her gaze flew to his. She read despair in his green eyes. A despair that matched her own.

She was afraid to breathe. The words came out on a sob. “Oh, Hugh. Are you certain?”

“More certain than anything in my life. I love you. I wish for you to have everything you desire, even if I cannot be with you. You can have the club and continue to help others. I want you to be happy, Ellie.”

She looked at him in awe. He admitted his flaw and had proclaimed his love. Could she do the same?

Forgiveness was a virtue she’d struggled with. It was her own flaw, she knew. But she refused to allow her pride and stubbornness to ruin her future.

She raised her chin, and her lips curved in a smile. “I’ve been guilty of my own sins of pride. I forgive you.”

He let out a held-in breath. “Thank you.”

He might have gifted her the deed, but she still had her brother’s demands to contend with. Would Ian permit her to stay in London? Would he allow her to run the Raven Club without interference even knowing what she’d done…what she still planned to do?

No. He’d never allow it.

The deed burned in her hand along with the thudding of her heart. Her troubles were far from over, even with Hugh’s gift.

“I do believe forgiveness calls for a kiss,” she said, her voice breathless.

Once more to say goodbye.

She recognized the moment hope lit his gaze, and her chest squeezed.

She rose on her tiptoes as he lowered his head to capture her mouth. Seconds later, his strong arms pulled her to him. It was a sweet kiss, the kind that melted her bones and tugged at her heart. A kiss that made her feel treasured and, heaven help her, loved.

A small thought pierced her haze of joy. Not all was lost; an opportunity remained. But was she bold enough to seize it?

Yes, she was. If it meant finally obtaining the happiness that had escaped her years ago. A happiness they both deserved.

She pressed a hand against his chest and felt his own heart beat in response. Lifting her head, she looked up at him and took a deep breath. “You should know that I’ve never stopped loving you.”

“Truly?” he asked.

“Oh, yes. From years ago. And from the first moment I spotted you in the boxing ring with Bear. It took me a while to realize it, but now I know.”

He looked at her in delight. “I wish I had known. It would have changed everything.”

In spite of her nervousness, she laughed out loud. “While we are confessing, you should know there is something else I desire.”

Unmistakable mischief lit his eyes. “Such as?”

“Marry me.”

His hands covered hers where it pressed against his chest, and his eyes welled with tears. “I thought you would never ask. It would be my honor.”

“And the club?” she asked as she held up the deed she still clutched in her free hand. “Will you want this back?”

“No. It’s yours.”

Her heart danced with joy. “It’s ours. Together it will flourish.”

“I do believe I must speak with Castleton and seek his permission,” Hugh said.

“Luck is with you. My brother is in a good mood today.”