Duke of Decadence

by Tammy Andresen

  Isabella inwardly winced. Their mother’s third sister lived in Scotland. She had barely responded to the girls’ missive that her sister had died. And she certainly hadn’t offered any help. Their mother had once told her daughters that her marriage to their father had saved her life and her heart. Isabella believed her. Both of her aunts were cold and hard. But that was beside the point currently.

  Isabella and her sisters had lied to their uncle…again…and told him that Aunt Mildred had come to stay to avoid having to move in with him.

  “Exactly.” Eliza gave their uncle a bright smile. “Shopping.”

  They had to keep up this ruse otherwise it would feel as if they’d given up on their father. And if their uncle discovered the truth, he’d take over everything. The business, their mother’s money, their home. They’d be at his whim. And their parent’s money…it would suffer the same fate as their aunt’s dowry.

  Even worse, they knew for certain he’d use them to collect even more funds for himself. He’d already hinted he wanted to match Eliza with an odious man, Mr. Taber, who made Isabella’s skin crawl. Likely Mr. Taber had offered a large sum for Eliza’s hand.

  And they’d never see a penny of it.

  He’d swindled their father once that they were aware of, stealing from the business through their former solicitor. Uncle Malcolm likely didn’t know that they knew. But it was one of the largest reasons their father had had to leave in the first place.

  “How is it that I’ve come here five times and never once seen the old lass?” He gave them a hard look. “Are you girls lying to me? It’s not a situation you’ll want to find yourself in. Telling me lies. If you are you will pay—”

  “Papa,” Avery started, raising her hand.

  “Not now, Avery.” He bit out in a snarl and the girl dropped her hand and her chin.

  Avery was as sweet as they came and rarely spoke out of turn. Isabella had often wondered how a man as cruel as her uncle had created such an offspring.

  “We’ll have Aunt Mildred come see you,” Eliza volunteered with another large smile.

  Isabella started. The woman was a country away and barely spoke to them. How were they going to do that?

  “Good.” Uncle Malcolm’s lip curled. “I am looking forward to her visit. But know this. If she doesn’t arrive at my door in the next few days and confirm there has been some communication with your father, you girls are coming to live with me and then I will decide your future and the future of the business and of this house.” His gaze swept the room.

  “But this is our home,” Emily cried, twisting her hands.

  “And it will sell for a nice price. While it’s outdated, the neighborhood is excellent.” A satisfied smile touched his lips as he turned and began striding out of the room. “Come, Avery.”

  Avery shot them a glance of sympathy as she hurried to follow her father.

  The sisters sat in silence for some time, no one daring to speak. Because several key points had become apparent. One, they had no aunt to visit their uncle. Two, their fears were correct. He had every intention of dissolving their life and collecting the funds for himself. And three. Despite their best attempts, there was little they could do to stop him.

  “Well.” Abigail finally looked at Eliza. “I hope you’ve got a plan for how we’re going to furnish an aunt in two days’ time.”

  “I’ve got a few plans forming.” Eliza looked at Isabella, her gaze intent. Then she turned back to Emily and Abigail. “Would you two please fix Isabella a breakfast tray? She’s yet to eat and she must be hungry.”

  “Whatever you’re going to discuss, we should all be part of.” Abigail brought her hands to her hips.

  Emily shook her head. “Perhaps we should just tell Uncle Malcolm the truth. He might be easier on us if we do.”

  “Perhaps.” Eliza gave Emily a wink, her features relaxed as though she didn’t have a care in the world. “Would you fetch the tray please?”

  Abigail looked as though she might argue but Emily nudged her and the two left the room.

  Once the door had closed, Eliza turned to her sister. “You and I are the oldest.”

  “I know that already,” Isabella answered as her gut churned. “I’m aware of the family’s birth order.”

  Eliza sat straighter. “Then you are aware that it is our job to protect Abigail and Emily.”

  “Yes,” Isabella said in a much softer voice. Eliza had taken the brunt of that burden since their mother’s death. Isabella shouldn’t be so snappy. “I know it’s been difficult for you.”

  Eliza waved her hand. “It’s been fine. The only problem I seem to have run into is I don’t know how to proceed without dragging you into it too.”

  That made Isabella’s chest ache. “What does that mean?”

  “It means we don’t have many options.” Eliza drew in a sharp breath. “I’ve tried to convince father’s solicitor to release funds to us. Saying that father would want us to have it. But the man’s a stickler for the rules. Hence why father hired him in the first place.” Eliza drew in a sharp breath. “Nor will he identify father’s partner. If I knew the man, perhaps he’d give us a loan. Or information. I am stuck, Isabella, and I don’t know how to move forward. I can gain a bit more time with our uncle but he’s about to discover our ruse. That’s a fact.”

  Isabella nodded. It was the truth. “I know you’re right.”

  “I could marry a man like Mr. Taber.” Eliza gave a tiny shiver. Mr. Taber giggled in the strangest way whenever he saw Eliza. “He would see that the three of you are launched into society.”

  “You can’t,” Isabella whispered, her own hands clasping tight. “His hands are shaped like claws. I feel like he’d rip you apart. There is something evil in his eyes.”

  Eliza shook her head. “I’ve tried to find another match, but I haven’t been successful.”

  Isabella gasped. She’d had no idea.

  “I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I won’t marry. It’s why I’ve begun taking so many risks. There is no need to preserve my reputation. My only goal now is to provide a future for Abigail and Emily. I wanted to give you one too but…”

  Isabella didn’t gasp. Because suddenly it all clicked into place. What they were actually discussing. “You need me to take that job so we can afford to live without this house. Without Uncle Malcolm.”

  “More than that,” Eliza said shakily. “That man. Bash. His Grace. Do you think he’s a duke?”

  “I don’t know,” Isabella whispered, her body now trembling.

  “He’s protective of you, Isabella. He’ll keep you safe while you’re there and, if he is a duke, he has the power to keep Abigail and Emily safe from Malcolm too. He could give them a glittering future.”

  Isabella touched her forehead as her eyes fluttered closed. Eliza had been willing to risk her entire future to save her sisters. She already had, with that stunt with the baron’s son. The problem was the real opportunity had fallen into Isabella’s lap. And she understood probability. An opportunity like this would not present itself again. It was statistically impossible.

  But only one Carrington sister would give up her future.

  She thought for a minute about the life she’d envisioned last night. The one she’d assumed she would have. One with a husband. Babies of her own.

  A little pang of regret filled her. She was going to give it all up, wasn’t she?

  Her head dropped into her hands. She’d miss that life. The one that had always been assumed. The one she’d never given much thought to until it began to slip away. But, if she didn’t go through with Eliza’s plan, there was a good chance she wouldn’t get that future anyhow. Uncle Malcolm would not see her well matched. She’d be miserable and her sisters…

  If she did do this at least her sisters had a chance at a real future. “There’s no way out of it. I need to work at the Den of Sins, don’t I?”

  “Yes.” Eliza looked away, her voice wavering for a moment. “I’
m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” She waved her hand even as her chest continued to ache. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it last night. Sorry I was selfish. “

  “You weren’t. Preserving your reputation is natural,” Eliza said. “But now I need you to put that person aside. I’m sorry it has to be you.”

  “You’d do the same for me if you could.” The truth made her throat close with emotion.

  “He wants to protect you. That is completely obvious. I’m certain you’ll be safe at least.” Eliza whispered; the lines of her face set deeper than usual. Was it regret?

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” she replied, her fingers twisting together. She didn’t want her sister to worry now. It was time for Isabella to do her part.

  “Isabella.” That’s when she heard Eliza’s voice break. “I’ll help you.”

  Isabella shook her head. “You absolutely will not. Only one of us is going to be ruined. My one stipulation for taking all of this on is that you never set foot in the Den of Sins again.”

  Chapter Six

  Bash sat at his desk at home reviewing several ledgers. Some for the club and some for his dukedom.

  He could give his father credit on one account. He’d put in place a system of excellent property managers, solicitors, and barristers. His dukedom was thriving.

  A few of his friends had joined the club because they needed the funds. Not him.

  He just wished to behave in the most undukely way possible. Was undukely a word? He scratched his chin.

  Menace had likely been sent to his office last night by the others. Blasphemy, otherwise known as Blackwater, and Menace both had less successful titles. They saw potential income in Isabella that they likely needed.

  He scrubbed his face. Still, he wouldn’t put her or himself at risk by having her at the club.

  He rose from his chair to stare out the window of his townhome. Snow had begun to fall, making the January sky bleak and grey.

  “Your Grace,” his butler spoke from the door. “You have a visitor.”

  “Visitor?” he asked, turning back. “What sort of visitor?”

  The man frowned. “A lone female, Your Grace.”

  “What does she look like?” But his body had already begun to tense in anticipation.

  “Brown hair, brown eyes, tall.” Williams didn’t ask why he’d been instructed to give a physical description. Which was for the best.

  “Send her away,” Bash replied, his throat tightening on the words. He didn’t want to, but he needed to. She did funny things to his mind. How had she even known where he lived?

  The other man cleared his throat. “She comes with a missive sealed with the Earl of Baxter’s seal, Your Grace. She asked me to give it to you.”

  Damn it all to bloody hell. Why was his brother getting involved? He should have realized that’s how she’d known where he lived.

  The man held out a tray with the note. Bash sliced it open. Only three words graced the page.

  * * *

  Hear her out.

  * * *

  He ran his fingers through his hair, scrubbing at his scalp. Why had he rescued his half-brother anyhow? All the man did was meddle. “Fine,” he finally grunted. “See her up.”

  The butler turned and left while Bash paced.

  He hated pacing. His father had been a pacer. Of course, he usually yelled as he walked back and forth. Bash had received daily lectures in such a fashion.

  Lectures about being smarter, tougher, living up to the family name. Bash’s fists squeezed into tight balls and he hit his outer thigh as he moved. No matter how many times he’d attempted to live up to his father’s standards, he’d never done it.

  Another knock made him freeze in place and then twist toward the door.

  His breath stopped as Isabella stepped past his butler and into the room. “Miss Carrington.” Williams announced. She dipped into a curtsy her eyes cast to the floor.

  “Your Grace,” she murmured.

  His insides twisted. Her voice dipped and rose in a lyrical fashion that danced over his skin. “Please have a seat.”

  The door closed as she slipped into a chair on the other side of his desk.

  Rather than sit himself, he crossed to the mantel and faced the flames that crackled in the hearth. “What can I help you with, Miss Carrington?”

  She didn’t answer.

  The silence stretched out until he finally turned away from the flames to look back at her. Her head was bowed, her fingers laced tightly together in her lap.

  Whatever ill feelings lingered from thoughts of his past disappeared as he witnessed her tension. “Isabella?”

  She raised her head until her eyes met his. He took a few steps toward her easily crossing the room in two long strides. Reaching her chair and, without thought, he cupped her cheek in his palm. His hand nearly engulfed half of her face.

  She swallowed, her muscles working under his fingers. “I’ve come with a proposition.”

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. “Proposition?”

  He could see the faintest tremble in her lower lip. His heart hammered in his chest.

  “Yes. You see…” She paused, drawing in a deep breath.

  He didn’t mean to, but he noticed the way her chest pushed out, highlighting her bosom. It had been bound the night before. Not overly large. Just right. But his gaze snapped back to her face as she spoke again.

  “My sisters and I…we are in trouble.”

  Her admission made his breath stall. He believed her. Why else would they have taken such a risk coming to the club? “What kind of trouble?”

  She stood too and suddenly she was close. He hadn’t let go of her cheek and it brought her body within a few inches of his until he could feel her heat through her clothes. She smelled of violets and fresh winter air. “My mother died last spring,” her voice warbled. So vulnerable. “My father is a merchant. He runs Carrington Shipping.”

  Carrington Shipping? Bloody hell. He knew it well. One of the richest and most profitable businesses in England. “All right. Tell me more.”

  “Nearly two years ago he left for the Orient to gain a new contract. The business was hemorrhaging money, but he couldn’t seem to discover why.”

  “That’s odd for a man who’d been so successful.”

  She nodded. “I can tell you that a previous solicitor had been stealing money on behalf of my uncle. The solicitor was prosecuted but my father didn’t have enough evidence to have a baron convicted. So he cut my uncle out of Carrington Shipping entirely. But then large sums began to disappear.”

  Bash’s heart was thumping in his chest. “Your father suspected your uncle?”

  “Yes,” she nodded. “I don’t know for certain, but he said he had a powerful friend who would help him investigate. Meanwhile, he left to gain additional profits for the business. He said that if he didn’t, Carrington Shipping might lose its foothold.” She drew in a shaky breath.

  His hand flexed on her skin. He was tempted to ask her to continue but he waited as she collected her thoughts.

  “It’s not uncommon for my father to be gone for long stretches. It was part of his business. But after my mother died, we wrote to him begging him to come home.”

  “He didn’t?” Bash’s chest tightened as the first inklings of where this story was going filtered through his thoughts.

  “Not only has he not come home but he hasn’t even written. It’s been over nine months now since we’ve had any communication from him which is strange. He always wrote regularly and…” Her voice trembled as her chin notched higher, her eyes pleading with his.

  He grimaced. “You’re afraid he’s dead.”

  “He can’t be,” she whispered. “If he is, everything will go to my uncle. Including us. He’s the nearest male relative. He’ll control our estate and by the time Eliza is five and twenty it will all be gone.”

  The thief. “I see the problem.”

  She shook her head, her thi
ck silky hair grazing the tips of his fingers. He loved that hair. He wanted to bury his fingers in it. “You don’t. He didn’t just steal from my father. He’s already made a match for Eliza. An awful one. The man is vile, but he’s willing to pay a high price. My uncle’s auctioning her off to the highest bidder.”

  Bash frowned, straightening. He could see why Eliza would be first. Her classic beauty made her very marketable. “And you don’t want your sister to take such a match?”

  “She would.” Isabella placed a hand on his chest then and he brought a hand to her hip, pulling her closer. The intimacy was not lost on him but he couldn’t quite stop himself either. “She would do it in a second if she thought it would keep us safe. The problem is Uncle Malcolm would likely do the same for each of us in turn. We’ll be one more item he uses for his own profit.”

  That created an anger he hadn’t allowed to the surface in a very long time begin to bubble inside. Like lava, it began to press to the surface. “You don’t know…”

  She shook her head, her fingers tightening in his shirt. “He’s already planning to sell our home, take over the business. Please. You have to understand. Without the protection of a powerful man we’ll be at his mercy.”

  And then Bash understood. He took a step back, dropping both his hands. He was the powerful man from whom they wanted protection.

  Isabelle had made a mistake.

  She didn’t know exactly what she’d done wrong, but now her gut twisted to think of letting her sisters down.

  He’d pulled away. The more frustrating part was that she didn’t know what she’d said or done wrong. Eliza was so much better at charming men than she was.

  “What is it exactly you want from me?”

  Isabella drew in a steadying breath. She wished he’d hold her again. The thought surprised her, but his touch made it much easier to speak with his strength seeping into her skin. “A job,” she whispered back.

  “A job?” He furrowed his brow. “That entire story was the lead up to a request to be a what exactly? What job are you hoping to do for me?”