Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

“Don’t apologize. I wanted to help you from the first. I’m sorry I’ve left you alone. I’ve been watching though, to make sure you didn’t get into too much trouble. There were a few times I nearly interceded.”

She swallowed as Dylan let out a soft groan. “She’s got a penchant for trouble.”

That was beside the point. “Who are these men and where is my father?”

“Your father…” Dishonor drew in a long breath. “As near as I can tell, is gone.”

“Gone?” she whispered, her throat closing. Something in the way he said it implied he wasn’t just missing but…

“His secretary returned a few months back to report that…” Dishonor hesitated, “to report that your father has passed on. He was killed, I’m afraid.”

Eliza’s breath stalled in her chest and she clutched Dylan’s arm. In her heart, she’d hoped he’d return. And she realized something else. She’d missed him. She’d been so busy being angry, she’d forgotten how much she cared. Sadness rose up, making her chest ache. “But he’s supposed to come back and take care of my sisters and—” She couldn’t keep going before her voice broke.

Dishonor shook his head. “I’m sorry. I had to tell you because I knew you’d be strong enough to hear it…” He paused when Dylan let out another deep growl of disagreement. “It turns out your father isn’t the only man this group is stealing from. He did travel to the Orient but not to secure a new contract. He was investigating; though, for my protection, he didn’t give me all the details of what he’d discovered to send him that far away.”

“Who?” Bash asked. “Who else are they stealing from?”

Dishonor pinched the bridge of his nose. “The Crown.”

“Bloody fucking bullocks,” Dylan ground out.

“The only reason I’m still alive is because the crime ring responsible doesn’t know who I really am. And the only reason the girls have been left alone is because they don’t know anything.”

“Didn’t,” Dylan added. “They didn’t know anything.”

“Hence the secrecy.” Dishonor pointed around the garden. “But there is good news.”

“What?” All three of them asked at once. She’d been fighting back tears but now…

“Your uncle had your father declared dead, remember?”

“Of course,” she answered. How could she forget?

“Well, I own ten percent of Carrington Shipping. Each of you now holds twenty. We’re partners.”

“Shut the…” Dylan started but Bash hit his arm.

“You’re one of the richest women in England.”

“Oh.” Eliza’s finger tightened on Dylan’s arm. She was likely leaving marks her fingers were digging so tightly into his flesh. She had the money to do as she wished. Why didn’t that make her happy?

“Is this good news?” Bash asked. “Doesn’t that put them in jeopardy? If they’re part of the business, will these criminals try to hurt them? Should I hire guards?”

“As long as everyone assumes they are in the dark about the theft, they should be fine.” He cleared his throat. “I’d cease trying to wed your sisters for now. I’m worried some of the suitors might actually be part of the crime ring responsible and pose more danger than they’d do good.”

“Oh,” she said again. Where had her words gone? Eliza considered herself able to handle most anything. Perhaps it was the night without sleep, but this turn of events was making her head swim and her eyes burn from unshed tears.

“Eliza?” Dylan’s voice was achingly gentle as he slipped his arm about her waist. Her knees grew weak and though the sky was getting brighter, darkness descended over her eyes. She fought the weakness, but she was afraid she might faint.

Chapter Six

Eliza’s knees buckled and Dylan pulled her tight against his side, both arms wrapping about her middle. “When was the last time you ate anything?” he asked close to her ear.

She pressed a hand to her cheek, disoriented. “I don’t know.”

She didn’t know a lot of things. How was she going to keep her sisters safe if they didn’t marry?

How would she ever leave England, her uncle, and the repulsive Mr. Taber behind if her sisters were still in danger? The simple answer was she couldn’t. They were hers to protect and always had been. But she wasn’t likely to leave England anytime soon. And how was she going to tell her sisters that their father was gone forever?