Page 41 of The Theory of Earls (The Beautiful Barringtons 1)

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Tony leapt from his carriage and walked into Elysium, shrugging out of his velvet-lined cloak before handing it to the waiting attendant.

“A pleasure to see you this evening, my lord.”

“Thank you, Johnson. How are your wife and little girl? Was the physician I sent to tend them sufficient?”

Johnson’s eyes widened at Tony’s words. “More than sufficient, my lord.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Tony and Leo had a habit of collecting strays. Men and women whom life had tossed to the winds, in dire need of someone in their corner. Like Johnson. Johnson lacked a right arm, the limb having been caught beneath a cart while filching food from a baker’s stall one day to feed his small family. He’d barely survived the loss of his arm, and would not have if the cart and the driver involved hadn’t worked for Elysium. Johnson had been brought to the club where Leo immediately had him tended and cared for. Hearing the man’s story, Leo had hired Johnson, who had now been the doorman at Elysium for several years.

“Ida is much improved?”

Johnson beamed, showing an uneven row of teeth, flattered Tony remembered the name of his daughter. “She’s much better, my lord. The fever is gone and she’s mending fine. I thank you again for sending the doctor to us. My wife keeps you in her prayers for doing so.”

“I am pleased to hear little Ida is better.” Tony patted him on the shoulder. “And my thanks to Mrs. Johnson. Though I fear her prayers are wasted on me.”

Johnson nodded. “Doesn’t hurt none, though, my lord.”

“No, indeed not.”

Tony and his brother believed, strongly, that treating their employees with respect fostered loyalty. As a result, the employees of Elysium rarely left their employment and couldn’t be poached by competing establishments. The club and its employees were a family. They took care of their own.

As he walked into the plush interior of Elysium, a rush of pride filled his chest. Technically, Leo was the proprietor of Elysium, but thetonknew Tony was his brother’s partner in the club. Society’smain objection to Tony’s involvement seemed to be centered on Leo’s status as the bastard son of the Duke of Averell. Not that such a thing hurt business. Elysium was packed day and night with patrons, and the waiting list for membership stretched into next year.

Leo handled the day to day operations while Tony often used his cache in thetonto draw patrons from their old haunts to Elysium. At least he had in the beginning. What had started as a way to piss off their father, the duke, had made Tony and Leo incredibly wealthy. When the duke had threatened to cut Tony off without a cent if he didn’t marry, Tony had ignored him. He didn’t need the duke’s money or anything else his father peddled.

Elysium, from top to bottom, was as elegant and luxurious as Tony’s velvet-lined cloak. He’d picked out many of the furnishings himself by raiding the homes of the impoverished nobility. It was amazing the things a titled gentleman would part with when he needed to pay a gambling debt. The club was housed in the former home of a rather eccentric merchant. The merchant, long dead, had built the home at the very edge of one of the most respectable neighborhoods in London, as close as he could get to society without marrying into it, though he’d tried. At the time, the construction of the mansion had caused an uproar. Thetonhad been outraged a man of such low breeding would live so near their own fine homes or worse, his equally low bred family would be walking their streets or stealing into their gardens.

But the merchant had prevailed. Hehadbeen horribly wealthy.

What he’d left behind was a monstrosity. A mansion so large and haphazard many had called for the building to be torn down. Parts of the home had been added at different times, depending on when the previous occupant had been flush with money or between wives; he’d had three. The result was a warren of rooms that led into each other and three floors with more false endings than the maze of the Minotaur.

Tony loved every winding curve. Leo had won the mansion from the man’s son in a card game, but it was Tony who had suggested turning it into Elysium. A place where paradise could be found. At least for a few hours and with enough money. The first floor housed the gaming tables. On the second floor, pleasures were offered which catered to a variety of tastes. The third floor was reserved for Leo and Tony exclusively. Leo lived at Elysium, but Tony only spent some of his nights upstairs, mostly for convenience’s sake.

Taking a turn in the direction of the faro tables, Tony caught the scent of feminine perfume and the rustle of skirts from his left side.

“Lord Welles, how lovely to see you this evening.” Lady Masterson stood in a shimmering gown of sapphire blue, cut so low the tops of her breasts pushed out over the silver thread lining her bodice. The gown would create a stir, as she’d meant it to. Georgina adored thumbing her nose at London society; she had since arriving on England’s shores as a terrified seventeen-year-old girl, destined for marriage to an earl more than twice her age.

“You’re looking stunning,” he said in greeting, taking her hand. “As always.”

She settled herself in the chair next to him and winked, gesturing to the dealer.

“Please tell me you didn’t come unescorted.” It was obvious she had, though she’d been expressly askednotto. Although if anything were to happen to Georgina, it wouldn’t be at Elysium. She was probably safer here than anywhere else in England, even her own home.

“I don’t need an escort.” She smiled brightly. “I do as I please.”

“Think of the talk it will cause for thetonto see the merry widow out and about. You’ll be butchered in the press tomorrow.” He inclined his head. “Especially in that dress. Christ, even I can’t help looking.”

“Don’t tease, Welles. Thetondoesn’t give a fig about me nor I, them. Did you enjoy my party? I thought it was quite a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, though the cost was staggering. Lord Masterson and his wife werebesidethemselves at the expense. I heard him muttering about the cost of the champagne and spirits I served.”

Tony was sure Lord Masterson did more than complain of the expense. “You should be careful with him. He means you ill.”

“I reminded him thatmymoney paid for the party, not his or my late husband’s estate, which he now controls. You’d think Harold would find it in his cruel little heart to thank me for not leaving him and his wife with a bankrupt earldom. Did you notice he didn’t even bother totryand dress appropriately?” She gave him a pointed look. “Nor did you. Spoilsport.”

“I had no inclination to dress as a tree or a rock to please you, Georgina. Wherever did you get such an idea?”

“I felt like doing something frivolous.”

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