Daring leaned his fists on the table. “We’ve been friends for four years and you’re just telling me this now?”
“I didn’t know you then.” Jack remained seated, his hands out. “At the time the affair happened, I had no idea she was involved with anyone else. I thought we were in love. I thought we’d marry.” Jack closed his eyes. “I didn’t know she was engaged. Hell, no one did. For all we know she was engaged to you and Abernath at the same time.” He scrubbed his face. “She cleaned out what little money I had. Emptied my coffers and left me with a mountain of debt.” Then he drew in a long breath. “But that isn’t all of it. I know for certain that she was also involved with Lord Pennington when she was with me. The day after I ended it, I found them walking in the park together and followed them until I saw…” Jack stopped, his head dropping as he pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes.
Daring slumped over, as though that name took all wind from his sails. “Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. Harry looks just like Pennington.”
“He does,” Jack answered. “I noticed it the moment I saw him.” He leaned closer. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t put it all together until recently and then I wasn’t sure if it was wise to tell you what I’d learned. We were already friends. Hell, we’d started a business together. You’d moved on with your life and I thought it might hurt you more to know.”
Daring looked down at the table for so long, the men began to shift in their chairs. Finally, he looked up. “The honest truth is catching you in bed with her saved my life.” His fists wrapped on the tabletop. “You should have told me. But I do believe she managed to hurt you worse than she did me. She really cleaned you out?”
Jack nodded. “It’s why I came to you to start the club in the first place.”
Daring scrubbed his face. “We’ve got a much larger problem now. The women who have been dutifully keeping our secret are in danger. You’ve each agreed to keep one safe. You’re going to have to double your efforts.”
Exile drew in a long breath. Diana rose in his thoughts. What had started as a simple task had already begun to feel complicated, his attraction to her the largest of them all. “Circumstances have changed since we first made that agreement. Originally we were just supposed to make sure the ladies didn’t share our secret. Now we’re trying to protect them from a woman who’s unhinged.”
“The Chase women have proved more than loyal and Lady Abernath is insane.” Daring looked around the table. “You’re right, Exile. It’s a difficult task to be certain.”
“I don’t give a bloody bullocks about the task. What’s the story with all of you marrying?” Vice took a long swig of his drink. “Makes a man damn nervous.”
Exile looked down at the man who appeared to be an angel but was devilish to be certain. “We’ll all have to marry eventually.”
“Not you too,” Vice sneered. “Are you thinking about offering for that dark-haired beauty, Diana?”
“No,” he bit out, crossing his arms over his chest. But excitement zinged through his veins just thinking about her. Bloody hell, that did make things complicated.
Diana sat between Minnie and her sister, Grace.
“What do you think they’re discussing?” Emily wrung her hands together. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Jack has been so worried and that makes me anxious for him.”
Diana cleared her throat. Emily had always been the most nervous of the Chase girls. “I appreciate your concern, Em. But I think you owe us an explanation before we delve into what’s happening with Jack.” Emily and Jack’s relationship had been filled with bumps.
Ada poked Diana in the back, whispering in her ear, “Be nice.”
Diana let out a long breath. “I am being nice.” Wasn’t anyone going to call Emily out on the fact that she and Jack had eloped with barely a word, leaving them all very worried?
Emily stopped pacing, her face twisting in pain. “I’m sorry for that. When we were at the family party, I got a surprise visit from Lady Abernath.”
The girls all sucked in her breath. Grace clutched Diana’s hand. “Did she try to steal you away?”
Emily shook her head. “Cordelia gets that honor. But she did threaten me. Said that if I didn’t expose Daring, she would tell the world about Jack and his club. She also said…” Emily flushed a bright red.
“What?” Minnie asked, standing to cross to Emily, then wrapping her arms about her. Diana frowned.
A tear slid down Emily’s cheek. “She somehow discovered that I was pregnant with Jack’s child. She threatened to expose the baby as a bastard. I know Jack would have married me anyway but we were worried Mum and Dad might cancel the wedding after they learned about Jack’s club.”
Diana stood, any irritation with Emily burning away at the fire in her belly over what Lady Abernath had done. “So you ran away before Mum and Dad could stop the wedding?”
Emily nodded. “Even if she ruined Jack, at least we’d be wed and the baby would be safe.”
Emily shook her head. “She knows something about Jack. Something that could send him to prison. We married and we transferred much of his funds into my name, anything not entailed, which is most of it because of the club.” She swallowed. “If Lady Abernath does strike against him, he wanted both me and the baby provided for.”
Diana stepped to Emily’s other side, her hand touching Emily’s arm. “So you ran before she had a chance to strike and you’ve returned now that he’s secured your future.”
Emily nodded, her hand rubbing her stomach. “I didn’t mean to make you all worry. I’m sorry. We just wanted to protect our child.”
Cordelia stepped in front of them, wrapping her arms about everyone. “Of course you did the right thing. Your child comes first.”
“Do you know what Jack wanted to discuss with all of them?” Ada asked, joining the hug.
Emily nodded. “I have an idea. Jack had an affair with Lady Abernath years ago.”
Minnie gasped. “Does Daring know that?”
Emily shook her head. “He’s wanted to tell Daring for years, but he’s afraid of the consequences. I love Jack, but his past is full of dark twists and turns and he isn’t always open about them.”
Ada gave a bright smile. “If anyone can help him to see straight, it’s you.”
Emily’s shoulders slumped. “I feel as though we should help him now. I’m worried how Daring will react to the news.”
Minnie winced. “Tag can have a temper. Perhaps the married among us should go to the club and intercede. Make sure the men don’t kill each other.”
Diana straightened. This was her chance to listen in. “I’m coming too.”
“You are not,” Minnie shook her head. “Your mother will never forgive us if you’re ruined.”
Diana made a face. She didn’t dare tell her sisters that her fall had already come to pass. Or that she may as well be the one to face Abernath because she had the darkest future of all the Chase women. Her chest ached. She’d miss having a child of her own but she’d do whatever was necessary to keep her sisters safe. “I’m unlikely to marry so it’s of no consequence.” She waved her hand. “I doubt any of you will be able to stop me, anyhow.”