“Why couldn’t our income be my gambling club instead of your pay?” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could talkherself out of it. Uncle Bertie might have forbidden her, but she would soon answer to her husband, not her guardian. And Eli had already proven himself to be more understanding. “We turn a good profit, and I know we could do better. If we rented rooms to expand our membership and added more games, we could make enough to support ourselves without your pay. I know we could.”
“Jane…” The regret was thick in his voice. Jane knew what he would say before he even said it: that it was his job to support them. That this was a fine little hobby for pin money, but not a real business. She steeled herself for the condemnation to come.
But Eli didn’t say any of that. He stroked his hand along her arm, firm and reassuring.
“You know I believe in your idea, but if we’re to stake our livelihood on it, we need a large sum to invest in the expansion you’re planning. We don’t have that.”
If she hadn’t already promised to marry Eli, she would do so again just for that. His faith in her.
“Della and I have earned nearly seventy pounds from the club this season, and there’s another four hundred in Edmund’s bank account that are all our savings since our parents died. I’ve been contributing here and there over the years.”
“Would he agree to invest some of it in your club? Four hundred should be more than enough to rent rooms, buy tables, and hire a few dealers to get started.”
If Della wished to remain an equal partner, she might match their contribution. They wouldn’t need much at first. The most important thing was a good location, not the size. They could start scouting now and be ready to open by next season.
“I don’t see why he shouldn’t. The money was supposed to be for his studies, but he won’t need all of it upfront. We could repay him after we’re established.”
At least some was her rightful share. Jane could lay a claim to half without any guilt, though she would take less if it meant obtaining Edmund’s blessing.
Even a hundred pounds would make all the difference.
“All right then.” Eli’s voice was full of wonder, as though he couldn’t quite believe what he’d agreed to. Before she could ask if he was sure, he leaned over and brushed his lips over her brow, the heat of his breath lingering after the kiss ended. It felt like a benediction. “If you’re up for the challenge, so am I.”
“What about the navy? Will they allow you to leave?”
He hesitated now. “I’ve seen them grant men my age an honorable discharge when there was some good reason to cut short their service. But they might just as easily decide to issue a dishonorable discharge as punishment if they aren’t satisfied with my answers tomorrow. You understand what that could mean for us? It would follow me for the rest of my life, and you’d be tarnished by association. I can’t know how the judges are inclined until I have a chance to speak with them. That’s why I wanted you to have the chance to release me if things take a bad turn.”
“I’m not sure the reputation of the proprietress of a ladies’ gaming hell needs much protecting,” Jane returned. “We’ll be a well-matched pair. Scandalous together.” Eli was tense beneath her touch. Her words hadn’t reassured him as she’d hoped. After a pause, she added softly. “I still want to try, if you do. Unless you don’t believe the club can turn a profit?”
“No. It will work.” Eli drew a long breath. “I feel it. But even if I’m wrong, I’d rather know we tried everything to build a life we could both be happy with than accept defeat without a fight.”
Jane kissed him with everything she had. She would never forget how lucky she felt in this moment.
“Tell me what you need to begin,” Eli murmured, as though itweren’t the middle of the night and he didn’t have a court hearing to threaten his future in the morning.
A million details spread over Jane’s thoughts like a spiderweb. It would take days to examine each one—what neighborhood was the best to set up shop, whom they would hire to deal and serve refreshments, what games should be offered, how to price entry and membership—but for the moment, she had all she needed. A good idea, and someone who believed in her.
Twenty-Seven
Jane went to see Della directly the next morning.
“OfcourseI’ll remain an equal partner,” her friend assured her, bouncing in her seat as Jane laid out her intentions. “This is so exciting! Iknewyou wouldn’t really bow out. I’m sure I can persuade my parents to free up a portion of my dowry for an investment if we go to them with a plan in hand. We should secure a lease straight away, preferably one that needs to be snatched up before it’s gone. They respond best to a little urgency. Do you suppose we could find something on Saint James’s Street, to match White’s?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves until I have a chance to speak to Edmund about withdrawing my share of the money in his account.” Jane was a little taken aback by how rapidly this plan was unfolding. A lease on Saint James’s Street would bankrupt them! But then, Della had a tendency to get carried away. It often fell to Jane to bring her back down to earth. “We can start looking for premises after I know how much he’s willing to part with.”
“But shouldn’t half the inheritance be yours? I’m sure your brother won’t refuse you. Why don’t we just take a little carriageride over to Pall Mall and see if we spot any vacancies along the way?”
“I need to be back home before Eli’s inquiry ends.” Jane shot a glance at the clock on the mantel. It was only a quarter to ten. Had they begun the proceedings yet? She had no idea how long it might take, but she couldn’t risk missing his call. She’d only ventured as far as Della’s because she knew it would be quick, and she needed to distract herself. “I’ll talk to Edmund about the funds as soon as I return.”
“Of course, of course,” Della amended. “We’ll begin our hunt tomorrow then, once all this other business is settled.”
Like as not, she’ll go without me the moment I’m out the door.But Jane had neither the time nor the energy to argue. There was no real harm in Della’s enthusiasm, so long as nothing went wrong.
And thingscouldn’tgo wrong. She’d convinced Eli to risk everything on this plan. It had to work.
Della saw her to the door, still humming with excitement. “If Edmund gives you any trouble about the investment, might I suggest a spot of blackmail? It works wonders when I need a favor from Peter or Annabelle.”
“I…don’t think I have the same type of relationship with my brother as you have with your siblings.”
