Duke of Decadence (Lords of Scandal 9)

“I’ve got a few plans forming.” Eliza looked at Isabella, her gaze intent. Then she turned back to Emily and Abigail. “Would you two please fix Isabella a breakfast tray? She’s yet to eat and she must be hungry.”

“Whatever you’re going to discuss, we should all be part of.” Abigail brought her hands to her hips.

Emily shook her head. “Perhaps we should just tell Uncle Malcolm the truth. He might be easier on us if we do.”

“Perhaps.” Eliza gave Emily a wink, her features relaxed as though she didn’t have a care in the world. “Would you fetch the tray please?”

Abigail looked as though she might argue but Emily nudged her and the two left the room.

Once the door had closed, Eliza turned to her sister. “You and I are the oldest.”

“I know that already,” Isabella answered as her gut churned. “I’m aware of the family’s birth order.”

Eliza sat straighter. “Then you are aware that it is our job to protect Abigail and Emily.”

“Yes,” Isabella said in a much softer voice. Eliza had taken the brunt of that burden since their mother’s death. Isabella shouldn’t be so snappy. “I know it’s been difficult for you.”

Eliza waved her hand. “It’s been fine. The only problem I seem to have run into is I don’t know how to proceed without dragging you into it too.”

That made Isabella’s chest ache. “What does that mean?”

“It means we don’t have many options.” Eliza drew in a sharp breath. “I’ve tried to convince father’s solicitor to release funds to us. Saying that father would want us to have it. But the man’s a stickler for the rules. Hence why father hired him in the first place.” Eliza drew in a sharp breath. “Nor will he identify father’s partner. If I knew the man, perhaps he’d give us a loan. Or information. I am stuck, Isabella, and I don’t know how to move forward. I can gain a bit more time with our uncle but he’s about to discover our ruse. That’s a fact.”

Isabella nodded. It was the truth. “I know you’re right.”

“I could marry a man like Mr. Taber.” Eliza gave a tiny shiver. Mr. Taber giggled in the strangest way whenever he saw Eliza. “He would see that the three of you are launched into society.”

“You can’t,” Isabella whispered, her own hands clasping tight. “His hands are shaped like claws. I feel like he’d rip you apart. There is something evil in his eyes.”

Eliza shook her head. “I’ve tried to find another match, but I haven’t been successful.”

Isabella gasped. She’d had no idea.

“I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I won’t marry. It’s why I’ve begun taking so many risks. There is no need to preserve my reputation. My only goal now is to provide a future for Abigail and Emily. I wanted to give you one too but…”

Isabella didn’t gasp. Because suddenly it all clicked into place. What they were actually discussing. “You need me to take that job so we can afford to live without this house. Without Uncle Malcolm.”

“More than that,” Eliza said shakily. “That man. Bash. His Grace. Do you think he’s a duke?”

“I don’t know,” Isabella whispered, her body now trembling.

“He’s protective of you, Isabella. He’ll keep you safe while you’re there and, if he is a duke, he has the power to keep Abigail and Emily safe from Malcolm too. He could give them a glittering future.”

Isabella touched her forehead as her eyes fluttered closed. Eliza had been willing to risk her entire future to save her sisters. She already had, with that stunt with the baron’s son. The problem was the real opportunity had fallen into Isabella’s lap. And she understood probability. An opportunity like this would not present itself again. It was statistically impossible.

But only one Carrington sister would give up her future.

She thought for a minute about the life she’d envisioned last night. The one she’d assumed she would have. One with a husband. Babies of her own.

A little pang of regret filled her. She was going to give it all up, wasn’t she?

Her head dropped into her hands. She’d miss that life. The one that had always been assumed. The one she’d never given much thought to until it began to slip away. But, if she didn’t go through with Eliza’s plan, there was a good chance she wouldn’t get that future anyhow. Uncle Malcolm would not see her well matched. She’d be miserable and her sisters…

If she did do this at least her sisters had a chance at a real future. “There’s no way out of it. I need to work at the Den of Sins, don’t I?”

“Yes.” Eliza looked away, her voice wavering for a moment. “I’

m sorry.”