Page 67 of How to Best a Marquess

Chapter Nineteen

Violet sighed. “Lady Willoughby will be safe now.”

Hugh had kept his word. Ellie watched as the coach carrying Samantha rattled down the road and was swallowed by darkness. “Let’s hope she finds happiness,” Ellie said.

“Let’s hope Lord Willoughby doesn’t come looking for you,” Hugh said, his tone short, then he stalked away.

Violet touched Ellie’s hand. “Be aware. He will not be easily handled.”

Ellie dug a toe in the dirt. She was still reeling from the shock of finding Hugh inside Violet’s carriage. It had taken every ounce of self-control not to flee, but to bravely sit across from him and meet his angry gaze. “I will deal with him.”

Violet’s gaze held hers. “I know men well. The marquess is angry and determined to possess you. A volatile combination.”

She swallowed. She wouldn’t give up now, not after all they’d been through tonight, and all she’d been through with the club. “He will lose.”

Violet eyed her coolly. “Remember what I said. The heart is a tricky organ.”

“My heart is safe.”

Mostly.She feared she was a horrible judge of men. She had made the same mistake with Hugh twice. She would not be fooled again.

Hugh returned. “We need to go back before you are missed.”

“My family understands I will be out late tonight; they suppose I am overseeing the opening of the women’s gambling room,” Ellie said.

“My coach will take you both back to the Raven Club,” Violet said.

“We will travel with you until we are back in town. Then Ellie and I shall hail a hackney,” Hugh said.

The implication was clear.

“I understand why you do not wish Lady Ellie to be seen in my carriage, my lord, but neither is it proper for her to travel alone with a bachelor.”

“I will take precautions. Besides, she should have thought of that before carrying out this conspiracy.” A muscle ticked at his eye.

Violet nodded. “As you wish, my lord.” The courtesan caught Ellie’s eye, and the unmistakable message was clear. Take care. He is angry and determined to possess you.

He would fail.

Ellie swallowed any protest of the arrangements. What good would it do now?

They rode in silence in Violet’s carriage until the distant toll of a church bell sounded as they entered the city. Ellie said her goodbyes to Violet, then Hugh took her arm, his fingers banding around her, as they walked down the street in search of a hackney.

As they passed a tavern, drunken revelers stumbled outside. One took a look at her and slurred, “Where’d ye find such a pretty piece, guvnor? I’ll offer a coin fer her.”

“This one’s taken.” Hugh pushed the man aside, and the drunken man stumbled to the street then promptly vomited.

Good lord.Ellie grasped her skirts to keep them clean as Hugh quickly led her away to a waiting hackney. She settled on the bench, and he took the seat across from her. His jaw was tense.

“You’re angry,” she whispered.

“You’re right. I am.”

“You think I should not have offered to help Lady Willoughby.”

“Little fool. I’m not angry for your desire to aid the lady, but for your recklessness at putting yourself in danger.”

She believed he would criticize her motives more than the risk to her person. “We had everything planned. Nothing untoward would have happened tonight,” she argued.