Page 79 of How to Best a Marquess

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hugh’s lips parted in surprise as the door flew open. Ellie’s sudden appearance was completely unexpected, and for a brief second, he’d wondered if the earl knew she’d been close by. But one glance at Castleton confirmed her brother was just as shocked to see his sister in the doorway.

“Ellie,” Hugh said simply.

She stomped forward, her fists clenched at her sides. Her eyes were fierce with blue fire. “You bastard!” she hissed. “You wanted the Raven all along, didn’t you? Everything you said to me was a lie. A lie!”

Hugh stepped toward her, his eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Imagine my surprise when I passed Ian’s study and heard you speaking with my brother. I heard everything.”

He shook his head regretfully. It was as he’d feared. Not only had she been close by, she’d eavesdropped. “I’m sorry you overheard our conversation. But you must know how I feel about it. I only have your—”

“My best interests at heart,” she finished. “I know. If I hear that from you one more time, I swear I will find a pistol and shoot you.”

“Ellie!” Ian strode toward her, his expression hard and unforgiving. “I had my suspicions, but now I fear they are true.”

“You cannot believe him,” Ellie countered.

“I can and I do,” Ian said. “I ran into Lord Willoughby at White’s yesterday. Let’s just say he had a few choice words. I’ve never liked the man, had always disliked the amount of alcohol he consumed and the way he spoke to his young wife, but he surprised me when he told me Lady Willoughby has gone missing.”

Trepidation crossed Ellie’s features. “Ian, I can explain if you’d just—”

“I did not think anything of it at the time,” he continued, “except to offer my sympathies. But I now realize there is much more to the story. You sent Lady Willoughby to the country, didn’t you?”

She paled even more. “I…I—”

At her distress, Hugh wanted to go to her side. He forced himself to be still and allow her brother to speak.

Ian glowered at her. “You lied to me, Ellie.”

Her lips parted as she faced her brother. “I had no choice. I never meant to lie to you.”

Ian’s jaw hardened like granite. “I must think of the future of the Raven Club. The anonymity of the club is its biggest asset. If patrons believe they are at risk or the place is not safe, then the Raven will be no different from the dozens of gambling hells throughout London. You put the club at risk, Ellie. As a result, I have decided to sell the place to Lord Deveril.”

Hugh had wanted this, dammit. Yet a sharp pain like the tip of a dagger sliced through him—regret and guilt.

“No!” Ellie cried out. Her cheeks paled as she stared at her brother. “You can’t do this. I’m your family, your sister!”

Ian walked behind his desk. “There is only one way you can stay involved. I understand the marquess has offered to marry you.”

She raised her chin in defiance as she turned to glare at Hugh. “I will never marry him now!”

Hugh took a step closer. “What do you mean by now, Ellie? Were you going to say yes?”

Fury sparked in her eyes. “I was, but no longer. I can never marry a man who would betray me so terribly, a man I can’t trust.”

Hugh felt as if he received a punch to the gut. Was she telling the truth? It was difficult enough that she would not get the Raven Club, but had she intended to accept?

Ian pressed his palms on the surface of his desk and leaned forward. His dark eyes narrowed as he stared at his sibling. “If you refuse his offer, then your future remains in my hands.”

Hugh knew where this was headed. He knew and he didn’t like it. This wasn’t what he wanted. Even though he’d been the one to warn the earl about his sister’s activities, he never wanted to punish her, only to protect her.

Ellie sucked in a breath as she met her brother’s eyes. “What do you intend?”

“You leave me no choice,” Ian said. “The next lady who will be sent packing to the country will be you.”

…