“A duke bought that
property?” It was a nice enough house, but it was located in Cheapside. Not exactly ideal for the most elite in their ranks. Why would a duke want it?
“He did,” the other man sneered. “So it’s gone, and I’ll find a way to exact my price from the rest of the estate. Mark my words. Your supposed marriage won’t protect them.”
Bash shook his head. With startling clarity he knew that this man was Isabella’s tormentor the way his father had been his. He’d never been able to ask his father this question, but he found himself asking Pennington. “Why?”
“Why?” The other man reared back. “I already told you. They didn’t deserve all that and what they had they could have shared with their own family. But my brother-in-law had to cut me out. Treated me worse than a stray dog.”
Bash’s mouth dropped open. He thought of Isabella’s insistence that she give as much as she gave in every bargain. This man had no shame. “They don’t owe you anything.”
The man thumped his cane on the floor. “I married the eldest daughter. The business should have been mine and it damn well will not be yours.” He raised his cane again. “You’re about to pay, duke. Get ready.” Then the man spun and left without a word of goodbye.
Not that Bash cared.
And he didn’t care about the business either. But there was no way, he’d allow Pennington to hurt Isabella or her sisters. Ever.
Isabella woke with a sick feeling that settled deep in her stomach. She’d experienced a fantastic rush last evening followed by a crushing low. She’d also come to a decision.
She had to end her relationship with Bash. He had too much power to hurt her. But how? He was literally the only thing that stood between her sisters and the streets.
Perhaps one of the other men at the club would protect them?
With a wave of her hand she dismissed that idea. They’d want her to go back to dealing at the club.
The mystery man?
But she had no idea who he even was let alone what his motives might be.
Their best bet was to get one of the sisters married quickly.
A merchant…Thomas Gerhart had seemed quite taken with Emily. He’d come calling yesterday as well. And he’d mentioned a party tonight. Perhaps their best chance was to make a match quickly.
Rising from bed, she quickly dressed, then hurried to the breakfast room where she found her sisters already eating. Taking a seat, she told them her plan.
Eliza gave her a sideways glance. “I agree that a quick marriage will be our best move. Always have. But I don’t think it’s Emily and the merchant.” Her brows went up. “Your duke is—”
“Not an option. You heard him last night.” Isabella’s voice was rising. She wouldn’t tell her sisters about Bash’s visit, or his past, but if she’d been certain before, she knew now that she couldn’t continue with him like this. It was breaking her heart.
“I heard him,” Eliza fired back. “He’s a man. They are often…resistant.”
Isabella shook her head, her hands twisting together. “But I’m not sure I’m strong enough to push past his defenses, which are powerful and rather high, and I’m afraid I’ll just end up grieving again like I’ve been with Mother and…” Her words tapered off.
Abigail reached over and touched her arm. “We’ll go tonight. There is no reason we can’t all keep trying to marry.”
“Absolutely. The burden shouldn’t be on you alone,” Emily added from across the table.
Eliza cleared her throat. “I’m not the warm and fuzzy sister. You all know that. But I just want you to think for one moment. You are the woman who has been posing as a man. You are the woman who controlled crowds of drunk men. You are the woman who has a duke close to caving and asking for a merchant’s daughter’s hand. Isabella, you are the woman.” Eliza leaned forward, her gaze filled with an intense admiration. “You’re strong enough to do anything you set your mind to.”
Isabella stared at her sister, surprised and pleased. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Eliza shrugged. “I wasn’t being nice. I was being truthful.”
Some of the ache inside her eased. Was Eliza right? Instead of giving up should she be pushing harder to win her duke? She’d been so afraid of losing him because she didn’t think herself able to withstand the loss. “You think I’m strong?”
Eliza looked down at her hands. “I am ashamed to admit that I think you might be the strongest of us all. Even stronger than me. So don’t give up. Go out there and get your duke.”
She sat back in her chair. Should she do as Eliza suggested?