Duke of Decadence (Lords of Scandal 9)

“Why?” The single word popped out of her mouth before she could hold it back. “Why should you make one more of my problems your problem if I am not even dealing at the club?” She didn’t add that it made her nervous to be indebted to him in such a way. He could leave at any time and then where would she be?

His jaw tightened. He stared at her, but no words came from his mouth.

She shook her head. “I have to go back, Bash. This whole arrangement hinges upon me dealing. The bargain falls apart if I don’t.” She didn’t want it to be true and she knew that he didn’t either.

But it was.

They had no relationship beyond an exchange of favors. Clearly defined. No room for feelings.

The carriage drew up to the alley by her house. She began to slip off the seat. But his arm tightened. “I’m walking you inside.”

She gave a stiff nod. He’d never been to her home before.

He pushed off the seat and snapped open the door, climbing down so that he could hand her out. Then, like he’d done it every day, he tucked her hand in his and entered into her kitchen.

They found the family in the first-floor sitting room.

Bash knew they’d been left on their own. But even he hadn’t considered that they could no longer afford staff. Ridiculous, that it hadn’t occurred to him sooner. They weren’t dressed for the evening. They weren’t playing cards or practicing their pianoforte. They were polishing the family’s silver.

Bash frowned. Were they going to sell it?

Damn but he hated the way his stomach rolled at the idea. These women had become instant sensations at the party they’d attended. He was certain they’d had callers the next day. How had they served tea to their guests? Who had attended the door?

His eyes closed for a second.

“You’ve gone quiet again,” Isabella said next to him.

He placed a hand over hers. The one she had tucked in his arm.

Isabella stripped him of his defenses, and he hated that. But she also plucked at some of the better parts of him. The one that wanted to protect and nurture. He still worried about what he’d become if he surrendered to his feelings for her. But he was also beginning to wonder what it meant if he didn’t.

He’d hate himself just the same if he allowed her and her family to continue on like this. But how much more could he do without actually some sort of formal arrangement?

The girls all looked up at the sound of his voice.

He cleared his throat. “Did you ladies have many callers after last night?”

“Oh yes.” Emily smiled at him, her look excited and open. Had Isabella mentioned that she already had a serious suitor? “Thank you again for all your help.”

Abigail nodded. “We’re hopeful at least one of us will get an offer very soon.”

He swallowed down a lump. How much would they tell that man? Would he become responsible for all four sisters? It made his skin prickle to think of some other man telling him whether or not he could see Isabella. It made him even more irritated to think of that same stranger denying the other sisters’ care.

Bash was well and truly stuck. “I’m glad to hear it.” He gave them both a return smile. “Do you think that Isabella and I could speak with your sister, Eliza?”

The smiles slipped from all three of the sister’s faces.

“Why?” Abigail asked.

At the same moment, Emily stood. “Of course.”

“Abigail,” Eliza said. “Go on.”

Abigail huffed her hands coming to her hips. “I am going to marry the first purse that offers. If I’m old enough for that then I am old enough for this conversation.”

Bash had to smile at that. She had a point. “Isabella?”

Isabella jerked her chin in agreement and then she pulled the bag of coins from her pocket and tossed it in the center of the silver where it clanked loudly.