Eliza reached for Emily’s hand, ignoring Abigail’s comment. “Your duke is already here talking with Bash. Do you think he’d be willing to settle for less shares in the marriage contract?”
Emily inwardly winced. Even her sister realized that if Brandon did come to an agreement with Bash, he’d be marrying her for the business gain and not because he held an affection for her.
Everyone knew she wasn’t enough on her own. And the worst part was that she cared for him so deeply she ached with it. Her heart beat wildly in her chest.
And then a new idea occurred to her. A very good one that made her insides twist in tight sickening knots. “We all have equal shares, correct?”
“Yes,” Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
She nibbled at her lip as a new thought occurred to her. She ignored the heavy dread that pulled at her chest. “Well. Bash wanted him to marry me because he’d ruined me. Only he didn’t ruin me, inadvertently, he ruined Abigail and—”
“Emily,” Abigail huffed. “Are we going to get to the point?”
Emily dipped her head. She wanted to help save Abigail. She absolutely did and she did not wish for her sisters to see how much these next words hurt. She was infatuated with the man, had been for months. “You’re a good match for him too. The king took most of his wealth so double shares in the business will allow him to grow his fortune and return his status.”
“What?” Eliza huffed. “It doesn’t work like that. You’re the one who was alone with him. And he was the one who dragged you out onto a busy street.”
“We had to get away,” she said as her head snapped up. “And Bash suggested the match to save my reputation only…” Pain lanced through her chest. “Only it turns out I am not the one who needs saving.”
A hush fell over the room as the women realized what she meant.
Because her duke, the one that she’d been fantasizing about for weeks, the one whom she was fairly certain she’d fallen in love with, was going to propose if Bash got his way. And she had to say no. And then she’d have to…
She covered her racing heart. She’d have to suggest that he offer for Abigail instead.
Brandon stared at the other duke wishing it were later in the day. He could use a drink.
He’d told Bash everything he knew about Lucas Carrington’s disappearance, which honestly, wasn’t as much as he’d like to know. “I already said. He told me he’d discovered thieves. He told me he believed they originated from the Indies and that he’d travel there to investigate. I was to keep an eye on the girls but not make myself known to them. For my benefit and theirs.”
“And you never heard from him again?”
“No. Not even a sales or trade route update for months.” Brandon ran his hand through his hair. “Not for over a year now. I was losing hope anyway, and then his personal assistant returned without him, having witnessed his death.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. How long were you partners?”
“Three years. He brought me in when he realized that he couldn’t trust Malcolm. Said for his girls’ sakes, there needed to be a second in command.”
“And in all that time, you never met any of his daughters?” Devonhall sat forward.
Brandon hesitated. “He worked a great deal. I don’t think even he saw them all that much…” But now that Devonhall mentioned it, his lack of involvement in his family was odd. “But I was to remain silent. In that way I was protected from Malcolm but also the business had a layer of secrecy that made it more difficult to penetrate.”
“And what were your dealings with Malcolm?”
Brandon sighed. He’d answered all these questions multiple times. “None. I just told you, I was a secret, a silent partner.”
“And why would he hire a man so out of favor with our king?”
“Because.” Brandon shook his head. “At one time, he and my father were friends.”
Bash grimaced. “That’s the part that troubles me.”
“Why?” he asked, but Brandon knew the answer. He’d felt the same trepidation.
“Because your father was a spy.”
Brandon swallowed. “I don’t think it was like that. They knew each other from childhood. They were old friends.”
Bash nodded. “And as to a match with Emily?”
“Match,” he snapped back, tired of the interrogation. “Are you insisting or asking?”
“I’d like to say that I am asking. Very politely.”
“Then I must refuse.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Bash fired back. “She’ll not be ruined. I won’t allow it.”
“If it comes to that, then I will marry her, but if no one is the wiser then there is no need.”
But Bash no longer looked at him, averting his gaze to glance over Brandon’s shoulder. Brandon turned too and his heart stopped in his chest. Emily stood behind them.
“Forgive me,” she softly said, but her eyes didn’t ask for forgiveness. In fact she looked as though she felt…betrayed. “I should have knocked. It’s just the door was open, and I was in such a hurry.”
“Hurry for what?” Bash asked standing.
Brandon stood too. Emily didn’t meet his gaze. Damn, she’d certainly heard his comments. That wasn’t how he wanted to tell her. He hadn’t meant it like that. He didn’t wish to marry her because she was everything wonderful in this world. Things he’d never had before. And he’d done nothing but betray that beauty.
“It’s Abigail.” Emily’s hands fluttered even as her voice trembled. “Rumors—”
“I know,” Bash replied. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Emily blinked, taking a half step back. “Did you tell him?”
Brandon looked over at Bash who was frowning. “Why would I?”
“Tell me what?”
Emily still didn’t look at him. “People saw us yesterday. All of society knows we were alone.”
“All right.” He moved toward her wanting to touch her. He’d been resisting the match for her sake. Did she really want to be married to a man
