“So what?” Rush asked, slicing his hand through the air. “We could buy a new club, pocket the profits, and start over.”
“With more competition?” Ken asked, shaking his head. “I don’t know.”
All three men looked at him. “Good point.” Ace nodded. “What else are you thinking?”
“Well.” He rubbed at his chin. “Not knowing his identity makes me question his motives. But also, on a more practical note, is the Den of Sins his first purchase or has he bought other clubs? Because that matters tremendously.”
“Why?” Gris asked, pushing off the mantel.
Ken’s mouth twisted. “It’s like with anything. The more real estate you own, the more you control the market, command it. If you own all the farmland, you set the wages, the price of the crop, etcetera. If he’s buying all the clubs in London…”
“He’d control the entire market.” Ace’s hands smacked on the table. “Good thinking, Boxby.”
Ken shook his head. “I don’t know anything. But there are questions that I think could use some answers before any decisions are made.”
Ace nodded, standing. “Let’s go talk to East.”
“Me?” he asked. He needed a bath, a real one. And his bed.
Ace gave a quick nod. “I don’t fancy the idea, either, but neither of them”—he pointed at Rush and Gris—“is really on speaking terms with East and I don’t think their presence will do nearly as much good as yours.”
Rush gave him a single jerk of his chin. “I agree. In this regard, you have much more knowledge on the questions that should be asked. You’re a fellow lord of the realm and far less inflammatory to Easton, as you’re not one of his bastard brothers.”
He stood, drawing in a deep breath of air. “Can you drop me home after?”
“Yes,” Ace answered, starting for the door.
He followed. At least he’d have Ace alone long enough to ask about Mirabelle. They made their way out of the house and to the waiting carriage.
The moment the door to the carriage snapped shut, he sat forward, his elbows landing on his knees. “Before we arrive at East’s, I’ve something else to ask you.”
Ace flicked his gaze to Ken, his face half hidden in the shadows. “Yes.”
That hadn’t sounded like a question. “I’m sorry?”
“My answer to your question—may you court Mirabelle—is yes.”
He sat back again, eyes going wide. “How did you…”
“I know when a man is interested, and honestly, you haven’t tried to hide it at all. Not even a little.”
He supposed that was true. “So you would allow Mirabelle to marry me?”
Ace chuckled. “Honestly, Boxby, I can’t think of a better man for our Mira.”
His chest tightened as he stared at Ace. Did the man really think him the best choice for his sister. Some deep satisfaction filled him to know that Ace felt that way. “Good. That’s settled then.”
“You’re not frightened off by my brothers?”
“I’m not afraid of any one of them, if that’s what you’re asking. The group together, however…”
Ace let out a small grunt of agreement. “They’ll mellow in time. My father groomed me in ways he didn’t the other boys.”
“And the girls?”
“Mirabelle is more than capable of being a baroness. She does understand a fair bit more about the other side of life, if you know what I mean.”
“I do. It’s one of the things I like about her.” Ken meant every word and he held Ace’s stare to prove it.