Ten Ways to Ruin

“Emma?” Louisa whispered as she opened the door and peeked inside.

“Come in, Louisa.” She wiped away her tears as her sister entered the room.

“Are you all right?”

Emma could only shake her head as the tears fell again. “Oh, Louisa, I thought I must be with child. I was happy about the idea. I wanted a child. His child. Do you think I miscarried?”

Louisa sat down on the edge of the bed and clasped Emma’s hand. “You will have children, Emma. But it is doubtful that you were carrying. The stress of the shooting most likely delayed your courses.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Emma said with a long sigh.

“Can I get you anything?”

Emma shook her head. The only thing she wanted was to feel the warmth of Simon’s arms around her, comforting her.

“Do you want to join us for dinner tonight?”

“No,” Emma replied. “I truly feel awful and can’t stand the idea of facing anyone.”

“As you wish.” Louisa started to stand up.

“How is he?” Emma had locked herself up in the bedchamber since noon. She’d only seen him briefly after breakfast.

“Much improved.” Louisa smiled down at her. “He was up and walking in his room today. Do you want to know a secret?”

Emma sat up against pillows and smiled. “Of course, I do.”

“Simon is selling Hell.”

“What?” The smile on her face fell. Emma stared at her sister in disbelief. She must have misheard her sister because Simon would never sell his business.

“It’s true.” Louisa’s smile broadened. “And it’s all for you.”

Emma seemed unable to move, much less respond. He’d spent the past eight years building it to what it had become...one of the best gaming hells in London. “Why?”

“For you, of course.”

Why would he sell Hell for her? “That doesn’t make any sense, Louisa. You must be mistaken.”

Louisa sat back. “I most certainly am not mistaken. He is selling it to Ainsley, Stanton, Blakely, and Riley.”

“Why?”

“To marry you, silly girl.”

“Why?” She couldn’t stop asking that question. It made no sense that he would make such a sacrifice for her.

“Because he loves you and doesn’t want you living in a gaming hell,” Louisa replied with a frown.

She couldn’t let him do this. He’d built Hell from almost nothing. What would he do if he sold? He obviously couldn’t afford to live somewhere else, or he wouldn’t be living at the place. There had to be a way to stop him from selling what he loved.

Clearly, there was.

If he was only selling Hell to marry her, she had to refuse him. Then he would continue to operate his business and be happy. And she would be miserable.

But she would do the right thing. She wouldn’t be selfish. The best thing for them both would be never to see each other again and get on with their lives. Simon would keep Hell, and she would die an old spinster. Of course, a part of her remained hopeful that after she told him, he would agree to keep Hell...and her.

“Are you all right?” Louisa asked. “You’ve gone very quiet.”