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The next day, Caleb entered the breakfast room. Derry and Devons were the only two there. Last night’s ball had gone very late. He imagined most of the guests were still asleep.

“I tried to get her to stay, but she was adamant she had to see to something at the club,” Devons muttered to Derry.

“She works too much,” Derry said, frowning.

Disappointment flared in Caleb, suspecting they were speaking about Celeste Hathaway.

He went to the sideboard and selected something to eat before joining them.

Devons grinned at him. “Are you enjoying your new life as a titled gentleman? Your brother told us last night that you spend most of your time out west in America.”

Caleb sat and laughed. “Yes, my brother is quite amused that I ended up with this title out of all of us. He certainly would have been more suited. Our other brother, Cory, and I visit New York City only once a year. While there, most consider us barely civilized, especially compared to Cordell.”

Derry chuckled. “This Season shall be quite interesting.”

He frowned. “Honestly, if I could skip all the festivities, I would. The countryside suits me more. But I promised my mother I would try to integrate into London society.”

A snort escaped his host. “Mothers can be pushy. I’m sure she also hopes you will find a bride.”

A bark of laughter escaped him. “I suppose all mothers are the same.”

“They aren’t happy until we are wed,” Devons agreed.

Caleb’s mind flashed to Celeste. Was she truly gone? “Were you speaking of Miss Hathaway when I entered?”

The men glanced at each other, frowning, and then turned back to him. Devons said, “Yes, Celeste is a close family friend. She is our partner in our gentlemen’s club, the Den. She returned to London to deal with an issue there.”

“Why do you ask?” Derry asked.

Their friendliness seemed to disappear. Caleb could change the subject, but decided against it. He wanted to see Celeste again. “I enjoyed speaking with her. I want to call on her.”

Derry’s frown deepened. “Outside of hosting at our club, she doesn’t bother with peers.”

Annoyance flared in him that this man was brushing him off.

He didn’t give a damn what Derry said. He would spend time with her again.

An amused expression filled Devons’ face.

“Don’t mind, Derry. We are just protective of our partner.

She, unfortunately, won’t be returning for the rest of the week. ”

“She works too much,” Derry muttered.

Devons slapped him on the back. “But if you want to see her again, she will be at the Ball of Sin.”

Derry’s gaze darted to Devons. “Don’t do it.”

He laughed. “What? I’m doing nothing.”

Caleb frowned at them, confused. Derry added, “She will be furious.”

“I planned to attend,” he verified.

Derry sighed, but Devon grinned at him. “That is a fantastic idea. You will have a grand time.”

Later in the afternoon, Caleb joined his brother and sister on a horse ride across Derry’s land. His estate was spectacular, making Caleb antsy to travel to the Haven property.

“I think I will take a detour to the family estate before returning to London.”

Courtney's brows shot up, surprised. “Mother will be upset.”

“I have to see it,” he said quietly.

Both Courtney and Cordell nodded, understanding his desire to see the land their father had spoken so fondly about during their childhood. All their parents’ memories before arriving in America were centered around the estate Caleb now owned.

Cordell said, “I will join you.”

He smiled at his brother, grateful. Courtney let out a sigh. “Mother has been apprehensive about returning. I will stay with her in London.”

“Are you sure? I want you there if you desire it?” he questioned.

His sister shook her head. “While I want to see it, I think I would like to be with Mother the first time, and she isn’t ready.”

Cordell frowned. “I wish she weren’t so afraid of missteps. Mother is a force in New York City. Here, she always seems to be apologizing. She owes London society nothing.”

His brother was right. As much as she would deny it, their mother was terrified about being back in England.

“Will you be back for that scandalous ball?” Courtney asked in a mock whisper.

Cordell frowned at her. “You shouldn’t know anything about that event.”

Their sister snorted. “Of course, I know. I also am aware that Caleb may fancy one of the owners.”

Caleb glanced at his sister, who grinned back at him. Cordell chuckled.

“Miss Hathaway does interest me.”

Courtney's eyes widened. “You must like her a good deal to be so open about it.”

“I would like to get to know her.”

“To marry her?” his sister wondered.

“Perhaps.”

Courtney and Cordell looked at him in shock. He blushed. “I’ve only just met her, but Mother wants me to marry.”

“I doubt she is planning for it to be the owner of a gentlemen’s club,” Courtney mused.

Cordell laughed. “When have you known Caleb to do anything that was expected of him?”

“I like her,” his sister said.

He frowned. “Unfortunately, she and a few others have told me that she has no interest in titled gentlemen.”

Courtney grinned. “But you really aren’t one.”

He smiled back at his sister. “That is what I was thinking.”

“Damn it. If you marry, Mother will be after me next,” Cordell groaned.

***

Celeste sighed as she sat in a wingback chair in her apartment at the Den. She was exhausted but would return to the Den’s floors momentarily. The festivities for the night were still in full swing, and she wanted to be there in case any issues arose.

She’d told a white fib to Devons and Derry.

There was no emergency at the Den that needed her.

Still, Celeste found plenty to do once she arrived at the club.

She frowned, acknowledging that she’d fled because of her growing feelings for Caleb.

The man intrigued her more than anyone else had in a long time, but she would not break her vow.

Celeste didn’t involve herself with gentlemen.

Her cat, Heathcliff Fitzsimmons, the Second, hopped into her lap, letting out a demanding meow. She sighed and stroked his back. “Did you miss me, Heath?”

The cat purred and nuzzled deeper into her. She laughed. “You are awfully demanding.”

A knock on her apartment door caused the cat to bolt under the bed. Heathcliff didn’t like many people besides her.

“Come in,” Celeste said.

The butler, Donahue, entered. “Miss Hathaway, the gentleman you like to be kept apprised of is here.”

Her eyes widened. “It has been a long time since Lord Burrows visited us.”

Donahue nodded. “He is with his son. They are enjoying a drink in one of the quieter rooms.”

She smiled at the butler. “Thank you. I will be down soon.”

It was strange when she’d first started living and hosting events at the Den; anytime she’d see Lord Burrows, Celeste would be on the cusp of falling apart. Time and success had changed that. Now all she felt was cold fury.

She made her way back down the stairs into the great room of the Den. As Donahue had said, Lord Burrows wasn’t in the mix of the singing and revelry. He’d never been that type of Den attendee.

She smiled at a guest who greeted her with excitement and mockingly scolded another who was spilling a drink as he told a dramatic story. This grand room was the heart of the building. Men gambled, celebrated, and mourned in this space.

When she’d been younger, Celeste could never have fathomed being part-owner of a gentlemen’s club, but desperation had driven her to beg for a job at the Den.

She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.

Derry had been the person she’d pleaded with.

He’d quickly given her a job and never once, since then, brought up how desperate she truly was.

Since then, Derry and Devon had become like big brothers to her.

Still, she kept some of her secrets from them.

There were some things she would never tell anyone.

Celeste wandered into a smaller room of the Den, where men went to drink and enjoy a level of privacy that didn’t exist in the great room.

She smiled as she walked, but didn’t interrupt any of the conversations at the various tables.

Her gaze flitted to Lord Burrows and his son.

They sat laughing and smiling. Her heart clenched.

Not once had he ever acknowledged her. She’d sent countless letters, both when she was desperate and in anger, when she succeeded without him.

Celeste worked on arranging the glasses on a table, helping the staff.

She knew they would eventually shoo her away, but right now it gave her a way to spy on the man who would never claim her as his own.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Lord Burrows was her father but made it clear early on that he wanted nothing to do with her.

She clenched her jaw, allowing the cold fury that always came when he showed up at the club to settle in the pit of her stomach. The destruction the man had caused by not caring and being indifferent had nearly destroyed her and most certainly driven her mother to her death.

Caleb flashed in her mind, but she pushed away any warm thoughts of him. She did not spend time with lords and would certainly not allow herself to fall for one, ever. Celeste knew all too well the devastation a titled man could cause a woman like her.