Marquess of Fortune: Lords of Scandal by Tammy Andresen

Author:Tammy Andresen
Language: eng
Format: epub

When the last course was served, Emily left, retiring to the music room, and leaving him and Boxby to converse.

This was why he’d come. This conversation. And yet, he hated to see her go.

Her brother had been right.

She’d barely touched her meal, picking at her food all night. But he’d also seen her features tighten at Boxby’s words. She was feeling henpecked by her brother. And her issues with speaking her mind became clearer.

Her brother loved her.

But Boxby smothered her with that affection. Emily needed a bit more room to find herself and her voice.

Not that Ace would bring up any of that. He had his agenda and that was the reason he was here but part of him wished he could advocate for her. She’d helped Ace so much, he’d like to return the favor.

Boxby’s voice pulled him out of his reverie. “So, you’d like to discuss the club again.”

“That’s right.” He forced his attention back to the conversation.

“And you used my sister’s affection for you to gain this meeting?”

Damn. He should have seen that barb coming. “Your sister has an affection for me?”

Boxby’s jaw tightened. “Tell me more about your plans.”

He drew in a breath. “They’re simple really. The Den of Sins is popular because of its connection with wealth and power. And it amplifies that connection by having lush furniture, posh alcohol, attractive dealers.”

Boxby’s eyes lit with understanding and he sat up straighter in his chair. “Of course.”

“I want to reproduce those results but I need money and better connections to do that.”

“And the numbers?”

Ace grimaced. “So far I’ve not been successful on that front.”

Boxby frowned. “Too bad.”

Ace rattled off several of the profit margins he knew from being in the club and helping with the count. He could only hope they were enough.

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.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.