Page 83 of How to Best a Marquess

Brooks had watched, hadn’t said a word. Damned bastard. The man looked at him as if he knew the truth and he didn’t like—or worse, respect—what he saw. He was right.

Ellie would suffer because of him. She’d be sent to the country, never to return to town again, never to experience another season or the excitement of the Raven Club. Her dreams of financial independence shattered.

The blow caught him off guard, and he landed on his back. He struggled to his feet, wanting more, wanting the punishment he deserved, when a loud shout halted Bear.

“Stop!”

The crowd booed but parted and fell silent as the Earl of Castleton, the formidable former owner of the Raven, stepped in the ring himself and hauled Hugh to his feet.

“Have you lost your mind?” Ian growled in his ear.

“Sod off.”

“I would, but you’ve done it yourself. Get yourself together, Deveril. You are the owner of this establishment.”

At the wave of Castleton’s hand, Bear stepped out of the ring and the crowd dispersed.

Ian dragged Hugh to a wooden stool and reached for a metal cup and dipped it in a bucket of water. Hugh reached out for the drink, but Ian didn’t hand it to him. He threw it into his face instead.

Hugh sputtered. “What the hell!”

“You need to sober up. You have standards to uphold. Christ, if I knew you’d act like this, I would have given the place to Ellie.”

Hugh glowered. “Maybe you should have.”

“Don’t be daft. Brooks told me you’d been acting like an ass.”

Brooks. He should have known. The man’s loyalty would always lie with Castleton.

“Stop drinking. If not, you will find yourself robbed blind by your workers or patrons,” Ian said.

“I’ll be fine.” Hugh dragged a hand across his forehead, wiping the water away. “Has Ellie left town?”

Ian glared at him, his dark eyes watching him. “No. Not until after the birth.”

Hugh wanted to see her. Desperately. Ever since he’d won, he kept telling himself that the outcome was right. Even if things had not ended up the way he’d liked, the country was safe. The club only held danger for Ellie. The baron still posed a risk, and Hugh had no doubt that she would have continued where she left off with Violet Lasher if she had won. It was a mantra he kept repeating to himself.

“Why are you here? Because of Brooks?” Hugh barked.

“No. To warn you. I’ve had men watching Baron Willoughby. Word is the baron knows that someone at the Raven Club is responsible for his wife’s disappearance. You need to be on guard.”

Hugh sat upright, suddenly alert. “Where’s Ellie now?”

“Safe at home.”

Hugh sagged in relief. She was in Castleton’s home, away from the club and danger. Brooks appeared in the doorway. “Castleton, there is a message for you.” He handed the earl a missive.

Ian unfolded the foolscap and his face paled a shade. “My God. It’s time.”

“Time for what?” Hugh asked.

“The birth. Summon my carriage!”

“Wait! We should tell Ellie,” Hugh said. “To make her aware of the baron’s knowledge until she leaves town.”

Ian’s fingers tightened on the missive. “Come along then. You tell her. I’ll be with my wife.”

Hugh was by Castleton’s side as they left the club and traveled to the earl’s townhouse. As soon as they stepped into the vestibule, the earl took flight up the stairs to where his countess was in labor.

Hugh caught a glimpse of his reflection in a gilded mirror on the vestibule wall and cringed at what he saw. His normally immaculate attire was disheveled. His cravat was loosely tied. His hair was mussed from repeatedly running his fingers through it. He had the growth of stubble on his face.

In short, he looked like a wastrel.

He should have been satisfied with his win. Instead, he was miserable.

He glanced up the winding staircase in hopes Ellie would make an appearance. Just a glimpse of her would suffice to satisfy the ache in Hugh’s chest. She may want nothing to do with him, but Baron Willoughby was a threat, and he had to see her, to warn her. Hugh didn’t waste another second.

“Where is Lady Ellie?” he asked the butler.

“She is out shopping with her sister, Lady Olivia.”

This was not what Hugh wanted to hear. If Baron Willoughby knew the Raven Club was involved with the disappearance of his wife, then he knew Ellie was involved in the subterfuge as well.

“Where did they go?” His voice was tense.

“I’m not certain, my lord. I would guess they’d frequent the shops on Bond Street.”

Hugh was down the porch stairs before the butler could blink. He had a bad feeling in his gut. If Ellie wasn’t safely within her brother’s home, then she could be in trouble.