Page 66 of How to Best a Marquess

“The one I wore to the Raven Club the first night. The baron found it, and he knew I’d lied about my whereabouts. His temper was the most volatile I’ve ever seen it. If not for Lady Ellie and Miss Lasher, I don’t know what will become of me.” She wrung his handkerchief. Another one ruined.

Lady Willoughby’s whimpering pierced his haze of anger. If the baron had found the mask, then the woman was in danger. His eyes met Ellie’s, and the desperation in her blue gaze tugged at his chest. He’d help them carry out their plans, no matter how insane they had first sounded to him.

His voice softened a bit. “Tell me your plans and I will help you.”

Ellie remained still while Violet explained everything. They were to drive outside the city and meet another coach, which would take Samantha to the country. Several changes of drivers and coaches would make it difficult to follow her.

“It’s a solid plan except for one flaw,” Hugh said.

“What?” Violet asked.

“Lady Willoughby said the baron found her mask and he knew she’d been at the Raven that night.”

“Yes,” Violet confirmed.

“Then the Raven is the first place he’ll search for his wife, and Ellie is the first person he will question. She lied to him.”

Ellie stiffened beneath his hard glare, but she refused to look away. She sat straight. “I realized this may come to pass and the baron would seek me out, my lord, but I’ll deny all knowledge of his wife’s whereabouts. I do not fear him.”

“You should.”

“I can handle—”

“From what I recall, you could not handle the man the first time,” Hugh snapped.

Ellie squirmed on the padded bench.

Good. She needed to see the danger she risked to herself.

He tore his gaze away from her and turned his attention back to the other women. “Let us complete your planned arrangements. Thereafter, I will deal with Ellie myself.”