Page 82 of How to Tempt an Earl

“I’m not sure Ian’s easygoing demeanor is due to me. We have our differences,” Grace said.

“She must be talking about the place,” Olivia said to Ellie.

“What place?” The hair rose on Grace’s nape.

Ellie looked at her with a grave expression. “There’s something else you need to know about our brother.”

Grace tried not to laugh. “You mean the Raven Club?”

“You know about it?” Ellie asked.

Grace nodded. “I do. He escorted me there once.”

Olivia’s green eyes shone with excitement, and she set her teacup down with a chink. “He did? What was it like?”

Exciting. Thrilling. Sinfully tempting—just like its owner. It could also be a doom for some. She could never describe it as such to Ian’s sisters. Grace cleared her throat. “It’s interesting. Unlike any other place I’ve ever been.”

“We told Ian we know about it, but we also know he intended to keep it a secret from us. He’s wrong. I want to go,” Ellie said.

Grace shook her head. “It’s not a place for proper ladies.”

“You went,” Ellie said.

“Ian escorted me as his wife.”

A determined expression crossed Ellie’s face. “Well, he can escort me as his sister.”

She had a point. And a right. If Ian was going to insist on keeping his casino, then his sisters did have a right to see it. Ian believed there were no consequences to his family if he kept the title and the club. He needed to learn differently, and he was clearly mistaken if he thought he could keep it from his sisters.

“Why do you insist on seeing it?” Grace asked.

“It offers a lady freedom.” Ellie’s face beamed with eagerness, then turned into a frown. “All this talk about my debut. What I have to wear. To whom I can speak. What dances I can dance. With whom I must partner. Who is a proper suitor, and whom should I avoid? It’s all so constraining. It’s like we live only to obtain a husband and then our lives are over.”

“She just married.” Olivia pointed out Grace’s state like it was an illness she didn’t want to contract.

“I’m sorry.” Ellie’s smooth brow furrowed. “I didn’t mean to suggest your life was over. I’m merely suggesting that a lady needs to have a bit of fun, even after she is married. Gentlemen are permitted to attend their clubs after matrimony and no one says a word. Why not women? If they are discrete, what is the harm? Especially when my own brother owns one of the most exciting establishments in all of London.”

Yes, he did. And if Grace protested, he’d send her packing to the country. Was that still his plan? He’d never mentioned it since she’d overheard the rude remark on her wedding day. Had things changed between them now that they were sharing a bed? Perhaps in his mind they had.

Or perhaps she was reading more into their fragile relationship.

A dull ache of foreboding settled in her gut.

Was it settled then? Had Ian won? Had he achieved everything he’d wanted?

He’d kept the club and slept with his wife each night.

Had she so easily sacrificed her principles regarding the evils of gambling? Had her heart overruled her head?

Her thoughts were jagged and painful. Thank goodness, she’d never told him she loved him. She couldn’t make herself that vulnerable.

She was aware of Ellie and Olivia staring at her, waiting for her response. “I understand how you must feel, Ellie, but I have come to the conclusion that a young lady’s life is not over after she weds. If she marries the right man, it will be the beginning of a grand adventure, not the end.”

Grace wanted this to be true, even though her own marriage was far from perfect.

“How do I know if I marry the right man?” Ellie asked.

A most important question. How did a woman know? The answer came to her. At least, for Ellie. Grace squeezed her hand. “You must marry for love. We will not settle for anything less.”