Page 64 of Saving a Scoundrel
Lucius shook his head. “Nothing I can say on the street.”
Hartwick reached a hand down. “Come on. Let’s go get a drink.”
When they were settled in the duke’s study, Hart filled Lucius’s glass with aged brandy. Lucius filled him in on the day’s events.
The duke settled back against his leather chair and grimaced. “How did Rosemary know about the bet, I wonder?”
“I have no idea, but Rosemary is resourceful. Perhaps she quizzed Pierson when he was in his cups. He surely heard Comstock and Danvers talking about it at some point.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Ellie just stared at me in horror. She didn’t even look at me like that when I walked into the private room at the Birdcage. She said she couldn’t bear to share me with women like that.”
“Wait.” Hartwick held up a hand. “Miss Spencer was at the Birdcage?”
Lucius’s lips quirked up for the first time that afternoon. Ellie had been bold and so beautiful last night. “She hired me for the night.”
The duke’s jaw fell open. “Pardon?”
“You might as well know. Rosemary will be telling everyone now that I refused to do her bidding. I have been working twice a month at the Birdcage on ladies’ night. I am the Lord of Sin.” He gave a salute and took a long swallow of brandy.
“For fuck’s sake man, I knew you were hard up this year. Why the fuck did you refuse my offer of help? I assumed you were earning enough at the Termage to get by. You could have come work for me. I would have created a position for you, you bullheaded arse.”
Lucius shrugged. It was a similar rebuke to Lady Dearborn’s but with more cursing. In hindsight, perhaps he should have set his pride aside. But he had been doing all right, hadn’t he? Remembering the hurt in Ellie’s eyes this afternoon made him reevaluate that thought.
“Let me get this straight,” Hartwick said. “Miss Spencer hired you for the night at a brothel?”
“Yes, then she slapped me, told me she loved me, and turned my world upside down with her kisses. This girl that I have known forever is the key to turning everything in my life back right side up.”
“So, you love her?”
Lucius nodded.
“And you spent the night with her?”
“Yes.” Lucius frowned. What was Hart getting at?
“Then you’ve won the bet.”
“What?”
“You’ve won the bet. Eight thousand pounds.”
“I only joined the bet to be able to deflect the others from getting near her. I’m not going to collect the winnings for being the one to debauch Ellie.”
Hartwick leaned forward and placed his forearms on his knees. “You are looking at this all wrong. You want the girl. You love her. Who cares what the others think? Take the money and open that brewery you want to start. Use it to build whatever life you want.”
Lucius sat back in his chair. Could he? Eight thousand pounds was a small fortune. Could he start his own brewery? Maybe not here in London, but at home in Marbury, maybe. The idea took root. Lucius began to see possibilities. “I don’t know. The start-up costs, plus a home to bring a new wife to, money to live on until the business turns a profit. I don’t know if it would even be enough.”
The duke smiled. “I think you could find investors for your business. I happen to know a couple of wealthy peers who would find you to be a good investment.”
Lucius stared at his friend and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. It was time to set aside his pride and his anger at his parents. Time to accept help from his friends and build a life he could be proud to share with the woman he loved. He held out a hand. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ellie read throughthe letter she’d received from Lucius again.
Ellie,
I know you are still upset about the events of the other day. And I fully understand your reluctance to bind yourself to me when I have made so many mistakes. I hope that you believe my sincerity when I say that I love you. I have made a plan for our future. I only hope that you can give me some time to work things out so that I can offer you the life you deserve. I will write again soon.
Lucius
