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The Earl of Easton, Ace’s half-brother, was just behind him. Ken pushed up to his feet.
“My lords.”
East waved one hand while the other raked through his blond hair. “Sit. This is an informal visit to discuss a highly unusual problem.”
“Problem?” Ken asked, not sitting at all. In fact, his fists remained clenched at his sides as he looked between the two men. “Another problem?”
Ace shook his head. “More like a development with the current situation. After our visit yesterday, East started poking around the solicitor who brokered the sale of the Den of Sins.”
“And?” Ken felt his muscles tightening again.
“Well.” East winced as he sat in the chair across from Ken. Ken followed suit, attempting to relax. “It turns out, he doesn’t exist.”
“What? How can a solicitor be pretend?” Ken’s head sank into his hands as he realized how much more complicated these problems might be than he’d initially believed. That adventure he’d been seeking, he’d found. It made him even more certain what he most wanted was just to settle with Mirabelle.Thatwas all the excitement he’d need.
“He’s a real man. He just doesn’t have the name he claimed.” Easton’s hand tightened into a ball, thumping on his thigh. “Which, if I’m not mistaken, makes the sale of the Den of Sins null and void.”
Ken blinked in surprise. “I see.”
“He’ll still own the other club. Palmers. And Carters too if I’m not mistaken.” Ace grimaced. “I highly doubt the criminals who sold it to him care that he is a fraud.”
“We still don’t know if those are the only two be purchased or if there are more.”
Ken looked between the two men. “So that’s it? You just get the Den of Sins back?”
Ace grimaced and a muscle in East’s jaw ticked. “I doubt this is it. In fact, I’m fairly certain this is just a beginning.”
“Of what?” he asked, but he knew. The solicitor had swooped in, paid cash, and was trying to buy up multiple clubs under an assumed name. He was up to no good.
Did he work for someone? And why had he been so threatening to Mirabelle?
“Of war,” Ace answered with a tired sigh. “We just finished fighting one. Why are we doing this again?”
“We bought an illegal business that makes a fortune. It invites trouble,” East answered with a quick shake of his head.
Ken nodded. It was all true. But it didn’t change the fact that the women were not safe here in London. “What next?”
Ace shifted. “Are you still pursuing Mirabelle?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
“How soon until you’re wed?” Ace leaned forward, his eyes intent on Ken’s.
But it only made Ken more frustrated. He raked a hand roughly through his hair. He’d wanted to give Mirabelle time. “She wants a season.”
“Out of the question.” Ace slapped the arm of his chair. “She and Anna are in danger here. Today proved that.”
Ken grimaced. “I’m going to allow you to tell her that. My whole strategy is a long game where she gets to have both my affection and the joy of a season. She’s not much for compromise, I’m finding.”
Ace’s brows rose and East chuckled. “I see our sister has inherited the Easton stubborn streak.”
Ace shook his head. “Smart as hell too, with a penchant for winning. She’s a force to be reckoned with in a tiny body.”
East’s grin grew. “And you intend to marry her, Boxby?”
“I do, if she’ll have me.” He’d just determined to give her time. Then again, she’d not seemed to want much space in his lap this evening.
Perhaps the best thing to do was ask how she’d like to proceed.
