Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

As quickly as he could, Menace explained about John’s appearance and his request for a meeting.

Bash grimaced. “And she agreed, didn’t she?”

“Worse.” Menace cleared his throat. “She asked me to attend with her.”

Bash’s eyes narrowed. “When did you start speaking so intimately with my wife’s sister?”

Menace held up his hands. “She approached me tonight. Frankly, I tried like hell to avoid her and, I swear, I am courting another woman.”

“Who?” If anything, Bash looked even more incredulous.

“Lady Carmella Dumbly.”

Bash’s brows flew up. “Why?”

Dylan sighed. “You know why.”

“You don’t need her. She’s damned annoying for one. But honestly…you’ll get there on your own. Financially speaking. It just takes time.”

Dylan shook his head. “You don’t understand.” Dylan had never stuck with anything in his life. He remembered his parents’ disappointment when he’d failed out of Eton. He had to admit, he’d wanted to get kicked out. His parents never approved of anything he did. Why should he strive for their affection? Except, that had been the first in a string of failures that had become a self-fulfilling prophecy until he wondered if they were right. Perhaps he failed because he’d never been good enough. Not because he wanted to spite them. Now, he didn’t trust himself to take the long way to financial success.

Bash gave him a long look. “I understand far better than you think. The club is digging you out of the hole. And you love it there. You’ll stick with it. We’ll make certain that you do. That’s what the rest of us are there for. We’ll help you.”

Menace looked down at the plush carpet under his feet. Nothing like his own rundown townhouse. Grim determination steeled his spine. He’d make it great again. “I appreciate your confidence.”

“It’s fact.” Bash said. “Now go upstairs and get a few hours of sleep. You and I will be attending that meeting.”

“And Eliza?” Menace raised his head again. A bit of regret tickling down his spine. She wanted to do this. She would be furious in general and with him, specifically. He imagined she was formidable when angry and likely glorious.

“She stays here. Even with both of us there…” Bash shook his head. “Isabella has hinted at some of the things Eliza has done to keep them safe. She needs to stop taking risks.”

Menace raised a brow. “I’m not sure that’s who she is.”

“Well, regardless. She can’t come with us to this meeting. It’s just too risky.”

Menace shook his head. He’d have to tell her himself what he’d done. If she was going to be angry, she might as well find out from him.

Eliza had changed out of her formal entire and into a riding habit. The sky was still black. But she and John had agreed to meet before the first rays of sun so that she’d have time to return undetected.

His words had sent chills down her spine.

Her uncle was just a small part of a group stealing from her father. No wonder the thefts had remained undetected for so long. But that still didn’t explain why her father hadn’t returned.

Her heart ached in her chest.

In her heart, she’d felt abandoned by her father. He’d left her for months at a time to help her mother throughout her childhood. And then, Eliza had had to care for her while she was ill, and finally, prop up her sisters when they were all alone.

His lack of care hurt, but it also made her angry.

What if she’d been hurt, or ruined, or…?

But she hadn’t. She’d been able to carry the burden, and for that, she was grateful.

But if he could come back now, she’d be free.

Able to start on the life that would just be hers.

She thought of Menace and the way it felt when he wrapped his arm about her waist. Her eyes fluttered closed.