Diana gasped. “Why?”
“He fears this business may impact your reputation and social standing,” Sophia explained.
“I would never ask him to do that,” Diana said, upset that Sebastian would think he needed to give any of this up for her.
Malcolm took a sip of brandy. “My brother has always had the stigma of being born out of wedlock hanging over his head. Even though we grew up with much love, society still judged him because my father chose to openly embrace him and his mother. I think he is trying to make up for the fact he can’t change that.”
Diana took a large gulp of her wine. Anger emanated through her. Did Sebastian really think she would care? She loved him. Both Malcolm and Sophia studied her. She raised the glass to her lips again, attempting to control her emotions but they wouldn’t calm. “That daft man.”
Her hosts’ eyes widened in shock, and they burst out laughing. Sophia smiled at her kindly. “You don’t care if he keeps the club?”
“Of course not. I’m insulted that he would think I don’t accept him wholly. I didn’t choose Sebastian with demands he should change. It isn’t that I don’t care. I do care. I want him to keep this club.”
Relief filled Malcolm’s face, and Sophia gave him a knowing, triumphant grin. The marquess smirked. “My wife believed you would say something to that effect.”
It almost made her burst into tears that Sebastian would give this up all for her, but it also made her sad that he thought he needed to. “When is he planning to do this?”
“After the Ball of Sin,” Malcolm answered.
Diana shook her head. She would not let the man she loved so much think she had shame for any aspect of his life. “This will not do. When is the Ball of Sin?”
Sophia looked at her curiously. “In two days, but Sebastian will not be attending.”
“Can you get him there?” she asked Malcolm.
He nodded and asked, “What is your plan?”
*
Celeste finished explainingthe entertainment for the Ball of Sin. It appeared everything was ready to go for the scandalous event taking place tomorrow evening. Sebastian had done his best to stay hands-off, knowing he would not be a partner in the club for much longer. The Ball of Sin started the season, and the Ball of Misdeeds ended it. If Sebastian had to pick one, the Ball of Sin was his favorite. “Great job, Celeste. This year’s ball will be the most elaborate yet.”
Malcolm nodded. Celeste smiled. “Thank you. I know you will not be in attendance, but can I have your reassurance that if something is amiss, we can have a staff member fetch you?”
He frowned at his brother. Their other partner, Miller, wasn’t at the meeting. “You and Miller will be there, won’t you?”
“Of course, but sometimes you are the one the staff needs.”
Sebastian nodded, knowing that if they needed him, he would be there. “Send word to my townhouse and I will come straight away.”
An attendant stuck his head in the door, motioning that he needed Celeste. She excused herself. Malcolm frowned at him. “Do you really want to give this up?”
“It doesn’t matter. I want my soon-to-be wife to be happy. I want her to not lose her place in society because she is married to me.”
“Times are changing, Sebastian.”
He scowled. “Not fast enough.”
The Duke of Wescott had implied the same thing. Yet the lords and ladies of thetonappeared to be moving at a much slower pace. Those untitled and who earned money were still viewed distastefully from the higher echelons of London society. His soon-to-be stepson would be one of those lords someday. People would always question why his mother married a bastard and the owner of a gentlemen’s club. He couldn’t fix one of those things, but he could change the other.
“Have you mentioned your plans to your betrothed?”
“Leave it alone,” Sebastian bit out.
“I think the lady loves you enough that none of what you are worrying about will ever matter to her. You are not the first untitled person or bastard to marry someone who is considered above their station.”
“I don’t need the club. I have plenty of money and other investments to live without it.”
Malcolm shook his head. “This business holds a piece of your heart and if your lady loves you, she will want you to not lose it.”
