Page 29 of How to Best a Marquess

Chapter Eight

Outside the baker’s shop stood a boy selling warm rolls to morning passersby from a tray hanging around his neck. Ellie purchased two rolls, then headed for the alleyway between the baker’s shop and the Cock and Bull tavern.

Violet’s carriage appeared soon after, and Ellie crossed the street to join her inside the conveyance. The courtesan wore a blood-red cloak with a hood, and wisps of blond hair framed her heart-shaped face.

Ellie handed her one of the hot rolls. “Lady Willoughby has agreed.”

Violet took a small bite, then nodded. “Good. I will arrange for a conveyance to take her to Kent.”

“Kent? I thought you would send her to Scotland, as you did with the other lady.”

Violet swallowed before answering. “I cannot send everyone to Scotland. Besides, Lady Willoughby is a difficult matter. Her husband will not stop looking for her.”

“So? Eventually, he will cease his efforts when he cannot locate her. He will assume she ran away with a lover.”

Violet tapped her lip with a forefinger. “It won’t work with the baron. He will never cease searching for his wayward wife. He may even hire investigators to find her. We can never be truly certain of her safety from the man. We have to do more.”

“Such as?”

“Fake her death.”

Ellie blinked in surprise. They’d never attempted something so dangerous in the past. “How? We’ve never accomplished such an undertaking.”

“An accident.”

Ellie’s mind spun with possibilities. “It must be believable. Witnesses would be preferable.”

“I will think upon it and send a missive to meet with you before the end of the month. Until then, do not whisper a word of our conversation, not even to your sister. Everything must be kept secret.”

“Of course. But what about Lady Willoughby?” Ellie asked.

“I’ll leave it to your judgement. If she needs time to decide, then she should be told. Meanwhile, continue to invite her to the Raven Club and befriend her.”

…

The second time Lady Willoughby appeared at the Raven Club, Ellie was waiting for her on the casino floor. It was a busy night, and all the tables were crowded with gamblers hoping to have a streak of luck. The gentlemen were dressed in dark-colored coats and trousers. Beside them, the women looked vivid and colorful in gowns of satins and silks and elaborate spangled and feathered masks. Lady Willoughby was dressed similarly in a green gown, but she was careful not to remain long near any one person. If one looked closely at her, it appeared as if her nerves twitched with a restless energy.

Ellie watched the woman, her own nerves prickling. She wove through the crowd and stopped by one of the macao tables. Careful not to look directly at her, she edged closer. “I’m glad you came.”

Lady Willoughby kept her gaze fixed on the players’ hands but nodded once. “I thought about what you said.”

“And?”

“May we speak in private?”

Ellie turned and walked away, aware that Lady Willoughby followed her. If anyone were watching them, it would appear that they both tired of the game and headed off to seek different entertainment.

Rather than go to the paneled door that led to her unfinished women’s gaming room, Ellie decided to take Lady Willoughby elsewhere. Ever since Hugh had burst in and found Ellie alone in the room, she didn’t want to risk being caught again. He was observant, and if she was truthful to herself, his presence had disturbed her in too many ways.

Ellie had been certain he’d wanted to kiss her again, but he’d simply left. It’s what she’d wanted, wasn’t it?

So why did she still feel disgruntled?

She had been so sure her heart was guarded from his charms. After all these years, she’d convinced herself she was immune to him. Her heart might be guarded, but not her treacherous body.

Despite what she’d told him, she had relived their kiss. Many times.

Do not think of it!