Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

Bash actually chuckled next to him. “Bested by a woman.”

“What is funny? She’s at a clandestine meeting at dawn.”

“It’s not clandestine. I’m her family. And he’s…” He waved toward the lone rider. “A man who saved her life once already.” And then Bash glared at Eliza. “And you should have stayed home.”

She ignored Bash entirely and looked at Dylan. “He stuffed me rather unceremoniously into that very carriage.” She pointed back. “I told you I wasn’t missing this.”

Then she lifted her hand as though she expected him to offer his elbow. Which he did. As her hand slid against the sleeve of his coat, he leaned close to her ear and whispered so that Bash could not hear, “I swear that if I ever get you alone, I’m going to spank—”

Why did the idea of him lifting her skirts and touching her behind fill her with…wicked longing?

She ached and throbbed deep inside. She should be furious with him. He’d attempted to lock her in her room… To keep her safe.

He’d learn that it was a useless endeavor.

Then again, he likely wouldn’t. He was off to woo another woman while she…she was off to do whatever she wished.

But she didn’t want to think about the future now. First, she had to find out what John knew.

They approached the man on horseback who climbed down from his saddle. “This isn’t the sort of meeting I’d had in mind.”

Bash stood taller. “This is the only one you’re going to get.” His lips thinned over his teeth, stepping in front of his sister-in-law. “We have to keep Eliza’s safety in mind.”

The other man stepped forward. “You’re implying I didn’t consider her safety. I assure you, I did. A lover’s tryst, at least that’s what it would have looked like, doesn’t arouse much suspicion among thieves and criminals. But a summit…” He grimaced as he waved to the four of them.

Bash grunted in acknowledgement, but Dylan was not ready to give the man any ground. “We’ll get to the danger in a moment,” Dylan bit out. “Let’s start with a name. Yours.”

“It’s better that you don’t—"

“He’s Menace,” Eliza answered. “A name of his own creation. And he goes by Decadence,” Eliza pointed at Bash. “When he doesn’t want others to know who he is.”

The other man gave a quick nod. “In that case, call me…Dishonor.”

“I don’t like it,” Menace returned, pulling her a touch closer.

“Stop,” she softly replied before turning back to Dishonor. “How long have you been my father’s partner?”

“Three years,” he answered. “After he caught your uncle skimming from the books, he decided he needed help. Someone he could trust to help run the business.”

“And how did he know he could trust you?” She asked, glad to be holding Dylan’s arm. His muscles flexed under her fingers.

“I’m the son of an old friend.”

“All right.” She inhaled a deep breath. “So what happened then?”

“Just as I joined the company, your father tigh

tened up the books. He began going through all the ledgers and what he found scared him.”

Eliza wanted to ask what and why, but she waited for him to continue instead.

“On the surface, they appeared perfect. But when he crossed them with actual deposits, he found large sums of money were missing. Had been for a while. What was more, they continued to be missing after your uncle was cut out of the business.”

“Oh,” Eliza breathed. “Was someone else stealing from father besides Uncle Malcolm?”

He shook his head. “I think initially these people were skimming off the profits with Malcolm’s help. As far as I can tell, Malcolm owed them money, and this was his way of repaying them. And in case you’re wondering, he still owes them. Part of his behavior now is out of desperation and not just cruelty.”

“He’s trying to sell me into marriage,” she snapped back then checked herself. She wasn’t angry with this man. “Sorry,” she murmured. But she felt Dylan draw her closer again.