Ten Ways to Ruin

“Duchess, I do believe we need to show your sister that not only do I have a purpose, but I also have more than enough funds to achieve that goal.” A devious plan came to him. He would show her exactly what he was worth and how she was instrumental in his design.

“What are you planning?”

Simon related his plan to her. He couldn’t stop grinning.

“I like the idea, but I do believe you should wait a few days.”

“I am well, Duchess,” he said, annoyed that she couldn’t see how much he’d recovered.

She gave him a mischievous look. “It’s not you that I’m thinking of. Emma needs to feel miserable for a few days to appreciate all that you are about to give her.”

Simon did love his sister-in-law, but he wasn’t sure about her part of the plan. “Wouldn’t it be better to strike now?”

“No,” she slowly said as if realizing something else. “Besides, she wasn’t feeling very well yesterday. Delaying will give her time to recover.”

“As in, when we do reconcile, her monthlies will be finished.”

“Simon Kingsley, I would never suggest such a thing.” Louisa couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course, that is the reason. I need another niece or nephew soon to be close to George.”

“George? Or another son or daughter?”

Louisa shrugged with a hint of a smile. “At some point, yes.”

“You are devious, Duchess.”

“I always have been. And I will do whatever it takes to see my sister happy.”

“Good, because so will I.”

They discussed their strategy in detail. As much as Simon didn’t want to admit it, the extra few days would give him more time to gain his strength back and get a few things in order. “What is today? I’ve been in bed for so long I have no idea what day it is.”

“It’s Monday,” she replied.

“What day would you suggest?” He didn’t know an awful lot about a woman’s time other than what Meg and Melissa complain about at Hell.

“Saturday should be fine.”

“Very good. Where is my brother? He and I have several things to do today.” And the first was to sign the paperwork selling Hell. He was done dealing in vice. It was time to grow up and become a gentleman.

“He is with Charlotte. I will have him join you for a proper breakfast in the morning room.” Louisa shot him a smile. “You had better get her to agree.”

“Have no doubt, Duchess. Your sister will be my wife before the end of the month.”

“You really have lost track of time. The end of May is tomorrow.”

Simon blinked in surprise. “Very well, by the end of June.”

“Middle of June and no later,” Louisa said as she opened the door.

“Yes, Duchess.”

BY SATURDAY MORNING, Emma’s heart had broken entirely. She’d heard nothing from Simon nor even her sister since departing the ducal home. Wandering downstairs, she hoped her mother had left the house already because the idea of facing her made her stomach roil.

After five days, Emma had given up hope. She’d prayed Simon would decide not to sell Hell and still insist on marrying her. But she had received no note or any other contact from him since arriving home. The pain she felt was unlike anything she could have imagined. Doing the right thing was far too difficult, but she refused to be a burden on him. He deserved better than a life of poverty married to her and raising children in the shadow of a gaming hell. She couldn’t do that to him.

“Davis, is my mother home?”

“Yes, miss. She is having breakfast in her room.”