Page 23 of How to Best a Marquess

A half hour later, the items arrived, and the furnishings were carried inside—a settee, numerous chairs, end tables with clawed feet, and a chest of drawers.

The four-poster bed arrived last and needed to be assembled. She directed Brooks and the burly men to the private room.

Brooks touched her sleeve. “A bed, my lady?”

She shrugged and stepped away. If she could have arranged everything without Brooks’s knowledge, she would have. “I thought it would be nice for the ladies to have a place to rest if needed.”

His brow drew downward. “You mean a place to spend the night with a lover?”

“No!” Why did men immediately leap to the same conclusion—that she intended to turn the club into a brothel?

“Ah, I see. You intend a lady to spend an evening away from a spouse?”

He was much closer now. Her fingers tangled in her skirts. She didn’t know if the truth was more damaging than his initial assumption. Looking into his black eyes, she knew it was best if he was on her side.

“You know?”

“I do.”

“You will not tell the marquess?”

“You’re worried about Deveril? What about your brother?”

This was a tricky question, and she was unsure how to answer. “It’s only for one night. Nothing more. Ian will understand. Grace will make him.” She wasn’t sure about this. In fact, she doubted her brother would support her, but it was critical that Brooks didn’t see or hear the wavering in her voice.

Besides, Ellie considered this Ian’s doing. Unbeknownst to her brother, Ian had ignited this passion in Ellie. He had helped Ellie’s friend, Mary, and allowed her safe refuge in the Raven Club. He’d also delighted in denying her husband membership to the Raven. If only it had been enough.

Brooks stared down at her. Whether he knew the truth, he stayed silent. Several tense seconds of silence passed, and Ellie feared he could hear the pounding of her heart. At last, his fierce expression softened, and his lips curled into what was the closest thing Ellie had seen to a smile from him. “How can I help?”

“I need help arranging the furnishings, especially the four-poster bed.”

Brooks took off his jacket and tossed it on a chair. “Anything else?”

She let out a breath. “Please keep it from the marquess.”