Page 75 of How to Best a Marquess

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.