Baron of Clubs: Lords of Scandal Read online

Edge winced. “I suppose you’re right on that account.”

  “I’ll see to her future. And I’ll put that promise in writing. She’ll have enough money to live a comfortable life should anything happen to me. I would never leave a woman in my charge to fend for herself.” He could not say that emphatically enough. He knew with intimate detail what could happen to a woman who wasn’t protected financially. His chest ached to think of anyone hurting Lizzie.

  He ached when he remembered what had happened to Mary when his father had denied his own daughter protection.

  Edge shook his head. “You should have come to me instead of running off.”

  Maybe. But he’d already answered that charge and he wouldn’t again. “You’re here now. What do you want to do? Should I have some documents drawn up? Financial declarations?”

  “What I want is to return to London and go about this whole affair in a proper fashion.”

  Colton’s head snapped back. Return to London? When they were so close to Gretna Green and their wedding?

  He hated the idea. “If we’ve documents in place…”

  “Lizzie deserves a season. That carriage ride she mentioned. She should be courted and not just by you. I heard what she said. She did this for my benefit, didn’t she? So I could wed Arabella?”

  The air whooshed from his lungs. “She did.”

  Edge shook his head. “I can’t sacrifice what is right for her with what is good for me…”

  Colton winced as he considered those words. He understood them. After this journey with Lizzie, he’d begun to understand. That was what it meant to give to family…to love family.

  And he did love her.

  He could feel it already. Despite not knowing how, he’d managed to fall in love anyway. It was her warmth, her charm, the way she understood parts of life he did not.

  But when a person loved someone, they did what was best for them, not themselves.

  What was best for Lizzie?

  Edge’s words cut through him like a knife. Having a real season had to be in her best interest. He could see that.

  With a nod of his head, he took a step closer to Edge. “If you think returning is best…”

  “I do.” Edge stood straighter. “And I’d like her to have the most options possible, which is why I need to know if there is any possibility she is with child.”

  Colton grimaced. “No.”

  Edge gave a quick nod. “Good.”

  Was it? He wasn’t so sure…

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  On the other side of the carriage, Lizzie stared at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “What are you trying to ask me?”

  Arabella swallowed, and for the first time since Lizzie had known her, the other woman looked uncomfortable. “Well. Did you…have you allowed…have you and Clubs…”

  “Clubs,” she repeated wrinkling her nose. She’d nearly forgotten his nickname from the illegal club he helped to run. That detail she categorized with his blank stare and distant expression.

  They belonged to the other man. The one who was distant and cold. Not the man she’d come to know. The one who rode with his head in her lap and who held her close all night. Not the man who told her about his father or listened to her stories with rapt, albeit quiet, attention.

  “Yes. Clubs.”

  “His name is Colton, or if you’d prefer to be less intimate, Baron Purewater.”

  “Is he quitting the club?”

  “I don’t know. But this is not a conversation about the club, it’s a far more personal one, so that name doesn’t really apply.”

  Arabella smiled at her. The sort of look that held quiet pride and secret knowledge. “Look at you, all grown up.”

  Did she sound older? How? “I don’t think I understand what you mean.”

  Arabella reached out and touched her arm. “A week ago, you would have never corrected me like that.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened as she heard the truth in those words.

  “It’s all right. We’re going to be sisters after all.”

  Despite, her anger, Lizzie smiled. “He asked…”

  Arabella grinned. “And I accepted. But let’s get back to you by asking a different question. How do you feel about…Colton?”

  Lizzie nipped at her lip. The truth sprang to her lips before she’d even had a chance to think through all the factors. “I…” She drew in a deep breath. “I might have fallen in love.”

  Arabella gave a low, rich laugh. “He is very handsome and very mysterious. Tell me, though, has he opened up to you? Shared other parts of himself?”

  “Yes,” she answered, though inwardly she winced. He had shared a great deal, but she got the impression that there was a great deal more he’d yet to say. Lizzie drew in a breath. She didn’t mind. He was the sort of man who’d take time to tease out his feelings, she knew that. What bothered her was the closed expression she’d seen come over his face again. They’d never get anywhere if he wasn’t open.

  Arabella nodded. “So, it’s a love match then.”

  At least on her part. Then again, he had agreed to elope without hesitation, and he did spend a great deal of time snuggled up with her, and he had begun to open up and share. He must have some feelings for her.

  He’d also insisted leaving her maidenhead intact for her benefit. Surely a man who didn't care would take what she’d offered without hesitation?

  “Yes,” she said, biting her lip even harder.

  Arabella nodded. “And intimacy? Have you allowed him liberties?”

  The answer to that was yes, but Lizzie knew what Arabella meant. “Some.”

  Arabella’s brows rose. “We don’t know each other well enough for this conversation, do we?”

  “I suppose not.” She wished they did. Lizzie had missed having a woman around that she could ask questions. But perhaps, there were a few Arabella could answer. “Colton has done a great deal to protect me on this trip, including waiting to be together as man and wife.” Had that even made sense? “I think that means that he feels the way I do, but I’m not entirely certain.”

  Arabella nodded. “I have to confess, that I don’t know Colton that well. He’s a new partner and a quiet one at that.”

  Lizzie nodded. “He is reserved, yes.”

  “But I can say, I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and the man is smitten.”

  Lizzie smiled, relief loosening her muscles as she sagged against the carriage. If he cared, then she could certainly find that warm man again.

  Her brother appeared, his conversation with Colton clearly done. “We’ll tie the horses to the back of the carriage and ride in the interior with Lizzie and Purewater.”

  Lizzie frowned. She wasn’t quite certain what she’d expected but all of them piling into the carriage together had not been it.

  And when the driver snapped the reins, pulling the carriage forward while they still stood on the side, her brow crinkled. “What’s he doing?”

  “Turning the carriage around.”

  “Around?” she cried, Colton coming into view as the vehicle pulled forward. “But we’re nearly at the border.”

  Colton didn’t look at her, his expression still shuttered.

  It was her brother who answered. “We’re going back to London.”

  “London? Why?”

  “Because.” Reginald gave her a hard stare. “You can be properly courted and—”

  “Isn’t the purpose of courting to marry? Why would we participate in such an endeavor when we’re already decided?”

  “To preserve your reputation.”

  “I’ll be a baroness.”

  “You can still be a baroness if you don’t change your mind.” Reginald said, looking down at her as though she’d gone daft.

  She blinked up at him, sure he was the one who’d lost his senses. She’d travelled all this way to marry. Didn’t he even wish to ask what she wanted? What she thought?

  She loved her brother.

  He’d put her welfare above his on many occasions, she knew that. But he’d forgotten that she was a person with thoughts, and feelings, and strengths. He treated her like a little girl still.

  And part of her wished to sit on the ground and throw a tantrum just as she’d done as a child. Her arms crossed over her chest. “I’m not returning to London.”

  Reginald let out a huff of a breath. “Don’t be ridiculous, Lizzie. I’m your guardian and you’ll do as I say.”

  “Elizabeth.” The name burst from her lips. “I’m not a child, don’t call me Lizzie. I’m a woman and my name is Elizabeth.”

  Reginald blinked. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “I’m not being ridiculous. I’m nineteen, nearly twenty. You can’t continue to shelter me like a child. I don’t want it and I don’t need it. You’ve no idea what I’ve been capable of on this journey.”

  “What’s happened? Were you in danger?”

  She let out a heavy sigh of frustration. She wasn’t getting through to her brother.

  But his mouth hardened into a thin line at her sigh. “If you’ve been in trouble, that’s all the more reason to go back. We can discuss the particulars of our relationship after we return to London.”

  So that was it? They were going to go back and then what?

  Would she and Colton court? Her brother’s answer had been vague at best. If you choose…

  When had he ever given her a choice?

  The carriage came rumbling back down the road, having managed the turn. Across the road, she looked at Colton, his gaze trained toward the carriage, his face set in hard lines. He’d not offered a word of support. How could he not see how wrong her brother was, stealing her away without considering her feelings?

  She could toss herself onto the ground, refuse to get
into the vehicle.

  Honestly, she had a vague sense that Colton cared about her, but he’d agreed to return to London, follow her brother’s plan without much argument, and without consulting her either. “Do you agree we should go back to London?”

  He frowned, his jaw tightening. “It’s not my choice.”

  Her mouth fell open at that. It was their future. Of course, it was his choice. Maybe he didn’t care for her as she hoped he did. No caring man would let his bride-to-be return to London and have a season.

  Tears pricked behind her eyes, but she refused to allow them to fall. The carriage stopped within ten feet of their party and lifting her skirts, she walked back toward the door, yanked open the door, and climbed the steps.

  There was nothing else to say.

  For three hours they rode in near silence.

  Colton rarely spoke anyway, and Arabella attempted to make conversation, but Lizzie—Elizabeth—had not uttered a single word.

  Which spoke louder to him than anything she might have said.

  He couldn’t explain. Not in front of her brother and his fiancée. He wished for the best for Elizabeth and if that wasn’t him…

  Pain pulsed in his chest.

  He’d hate to give her up. She’d been a source of warmth in what had become a dark, grey world and he’d not even realized how dingy his existence was until she’d shined a light on the dark spaces within.

  But as he sat across from her, she wouldn’t even meet his eye. In fact, her gaze had been trained out the window since they’d entered the carriage.

  He tried to make eye contact. Communicate something, anything to her.

  He should have said more when her brother had declared they were returning to London, but he didn’t actually have any rights over Elizabeth. He wasn’t her husband.

  And if he were honest, she’d likely be better off with another man. One who didn’t have secrets, one who understood a happy family and could give her one of her own.

  He scrubbed his face, wishing that he knew how to tell her all of this.

  As night fell, they arrived at the very inn where they’d spent the night last evening. The one where he’d claimed they were travelling as husband and wife. “Edge,” he mumbled. “Elizabeth and I need to have adjoining rooms.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  He shifted in his seat. “It’s a matter of preserving her reputation. Everyone here thinks we’re married already.”

  “I’ll not allow you further access—”

  “Edge,” Elizabeth called, her voice sharp and hard. Colton had never heard her use the nickname. Apparently, her brother had never heard it either, because he sucked in his breath. “Don’t be a hypocrite.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You and Arabella are not married yet, correct?”

  Edge swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

  “Do you plan to share to room with your future wife?” Elizabeth asked, her voice ringing with an authority he’d never heard. He was watching her rise and it was spectacular.

  Colton attempted to hide his smile. Edge had an entirely different view of how his fiancée, also an unmarried woman, should act, from his sister.

  “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.” But Edge’s voice had gone soft. Not only was the volume quiet, but it rang with uncertainty.

  “I know you’ve broken all the rules you expect me to follow with Arabella so don’t pretend piety now.”

  “Arabella is a different sort of woman.”

  Elizabeth sucked in their breath at that.

  At the same moment, Arabella asked, “What does that mean?”

  Edge spluttered. “You’re worldly and sophisticated.”

  “And I’m innocent and immature,” Elizabeth fired back, bitterness dripping from her voice. “Glad to know where we stand in your estimation.”

  “Really,” Arabella huffed. “Elizabeth is right. You’ve created an entirely different set of rules for her that are more restrictive than even society, and that’s saying something. You’ve not even allowed her the freedoms that most women her age enjoy.”

  Colton ducked his head as he covered his smile with his hand. This was why he didn’t talk most of the time. Edge was digging himself a grave with both women.

  Edge spluttered. “You’re siding with her?”

  Arabella didn’t respond and neither did Elizabeth, both women glaring at Edge.

  Colton finally mumbled around his hand. “I’m glad I’m not you.”

  “I’ll call you out,” Edge growled back, clearly looking to express his anger at someone.

  Colton didn’t know how to proceed with Elizabeth. He’d no experience to guide him on any emotional relationship, let alone a marriage.

  But he knew precisely how to combat male aggression. He turned to Edge, glaring with every ounce of malice he possessed. “Go ahead. That will end well.”

  Edge glared back but didn’t say more.

  Instead, he snapped open the carriage door and held out his hand to escort Arabella out. The other woman didn’t take his offered hand and neither did Elizabeth. Instead, the pair started inside, their heads high as they walked away side by side.

  They traversed the stairs and then waited on the large covered front porch.

  Colton followed, wondering if he’d made an error as egregious as Edge’s. Should they go back to London? Was he losing Elizabeth with the very act meant to protect her?

  Was he doing the right thing in letting her go?

  He raked a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. Who could he ask?

  Certainly not Edge.

  Arabella looked back at him.

  She was part owner of the same club that he and Edge also owned. His business partner of sorts. He’d never shared anything personal with anyone he’d worked with, but perhaps it was time to make another change…

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Colton stared at the connecting door in his room, willing Elizabeth to knock.

  She didn’t.

  In fact, the silence on the other side of the door had been deafening.

  He lifted his hand, contemplating knocking, and then dropped it again. Christ. He’d been reduced to an insecure ninny. Afraid of the rejection he faced from one smallish woman.

  Then again, in his life, no one loomed larger.

  He let out a sighing growl. Did he go in and plead?

  Demand she listen? He might be tough to others but he’d never be able to keep up such a façade with her. He’d wind up on his knees begging.

  Spinning away from the door, he stomped out of his room and down to the common room, determined to find a different way to reach out to Elizabeth.

  Coward. His own thoughts contradicted him.

  He’d maintained that he wished to court Elizabeth correctly. He’d failed every relationship in his life, and by following the rules, he’d have an opportunity to do right by Elizabeth. But a small voice deep inside acknowledged that he might just be afraid.

  Afraid to be hurt by opening himself up too much. Afraid when she had all the choices in the world, he might be the last.

  Frightened that she might reject him. If she did, he’d know the truth. He was unlovable.

  Was the answer to give her space or move closer? Share even more of himself?

  With a shake, he pushed those thoughts aside as he entered the common room. He needed to speak with the one person who might be able to help him. Arabella.

  He found her easily.

  She sat next to the fire, nearly every man in the room giving her one or both of his eyes. She was uncommonly beautiful.

  He also knew she was more than capable of defending herself.

  A business owner and skilled with knives, no man took advantage of her, ever.

  Privately, he understood why Edge might have different standards for Arabella than he did for any other woman, especially his sister, but he’d not share that out loud. Let Edge dig himself out of his own grave.

  He crossed the room, clearing his throat to warn her of his approach.

  Arabella turned to him, a small smile touching her lips. “How does it fare upstairs?”

  Did she mean with Elizabeth? “The silence continues.”

  Arabella’s brows lifted. “Who can blame her? If men attempted to dominate me like that…”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to repeat what Edge had said about them being very different women, but the truth was, Arabella was likely right. Elizabeth was tired of being coddled. She wished for independence. And he’d sided with her brother without even asking her what she wanted.