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Boxby sat forward in his chair, his attention rapt as Ace shared what he knew. “And what’s to stop me from taking this and starting my own club?”
Ace swallowed his growl of protest. “My brothers and I will work the club full time. No effort on your part is required. Will you get that with your own club?”
Boxby gave him an appreciative glance as he rubbed his chin. “All right. You’ve convinced me. I’m your first partner.”
Ace pulled up straighter. He’d done it…
With Emily’s help.
“I know that Upton and Somersworth are interested as well. I’ll tell them all that you told me, but I think they’ll both want numbers.”
“Somersworth?”
Boxby raised his brows. “He is one of my closest friends. I know you only approached Upton and myself but…”
Ace waved his hand. “He’s exactly the sort we’d be interested in partnering with.” He stopped. How did he explain that the idea of having to see Emily with another man was like a dagger to the chest?
“Except?”
Ace pressed his lips together. He didn’t dare answer.
Boxby chuckled. “I understand. But rest assured, Somersworth will not marry my sister.”
Ace jolted, unable to contain his surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’re surprised?”
“He’s an earl.”
Boxby shook his head. “He’s also far too jaded for someone as gentle as my sister.”
Ace ought to give a silent prayer of thanks. But as he looked at Boxby, he wondered if any man would be good enough for the baron’s sister. “If I might overstep—”
“You may not.”
Ace ignored him. “Be careful not to keep your sister too confined. It’s tempting. I know. Trust me, I do.”
Boxby opened his mouth to answer but then snapped it closed again. “I’ll keep that in mind.” The man waved his hand for a drink. Immediately a footman came over with a tray holding a decanter and two glasses. “Shall we toast?”
Ace nodded. “Definitely. But first, would you give me a moment?” He just needed a second to himself. His normally ordered thoughts were a jumble of feelings. Somersworth would not marry Emily. Not that he had any chance either, but still.
Knowing that the earl wouldn’t have her mattered.
He left the dining room and started down the hall, knowing that he had to stem the flow of feelings coursing through him. They changed nothing.
And he needed his control now more than ever. It was what had gotten him this far and he was so close to completing the task that would secure his family.
But surely his distracted state was the reason that, as he turned a corner, he didn’t see a slender beauty standing in front of him until he ran directly into her.
Emily’s small hands reached for his biceps as her feet tangled in his.
Automatically, he grabbed her waist, bringing her against him to keep her from falling.
But the moment her body pressed to his, he knew he was lost. She was achingly soft in all the right places and his body clenched in awareness.
He’d been trying to avoid thoughts of Emily. Calm the feelings she brought out in him. Instead, he found himself tangled in her arms.
Would he ever find himself free of the confusion Emily had created in his once clear mind?
Did he wish to be?
