Duke of Daring (Lords of Scandal 1)

“Isn’t it?” The other woman sneered. Then she looked at Minnie again. “Woman to woman, stay away from him. He’ll bring you nothing but heartache.”

Minnie felt her mouth tremble. She pressed her lips tight together to keep the vibration from showing. “Forgive me, but I do n

ot need advice from you.”

“Oh?” The countess steepled her hands. “Well, a warning then. I’m going to tell all of London about Daring’s little club. My current plan is to share your visit there.”

Minnie felt the blood drain from her face. She wouldn’t marry Tag or any man in England if it meant her cousins and sister would likely experience the same fate. No, Minnie couldn’t let that woman ruin their future. She had to protect them.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Tag growled. “It’s bad enough that you nearly destroyed me, now you’re bringing several innocent parties into this.”

“I nearly destroyed you? Have you met my husband? I was forced to marry that odious man because of you.” Her lips curled over her teeth.

“Perhaps you should have considered that before you took a lover during our engagement.” Tag fired back.

Minnie could feel him tremble. Was it anger or hurt? Inwardly, she shivered as she looked at his face. He was as pale as she felt, though his shoulders were pulled back straight.

“A mistake.” The countess waved her hand. “A good man would have married me despite my indiscretion.”

Minnie’s mouth hung open before she snapped it closed. “You’ve lost your mental faculties,” she said without realizing she’d spoken out loud.

Lady Abernath sneered, her lip curling up on one side. “And you’re about the lose your reputation. I knew you’d go racing to that club just as I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist my invitation tonight. When I tell the world, that I saw you at his establishment, no one in London will touch you.”

Minnie didn’t take kindly to threats. Never had. Her back went straight as an arrow. She’d not allow the countess to intimidate either of them. It was time to fight back.

Tag wanted to throw himself in front of Minnie. Unfortunately, though not close enough for anyone to hear them, they were in plain sight of the party. Surely the crowd would notice if he bodily covered Minnie.

Perhaps he didn’t care. Part of him wanted to marry her, keep her by his side. With one twist he could silence the voices of doubt that said she’d never love him.

Amazingly, he could barely focus on the Countess of Abernath. She’d angered him in this discussion, in that she threatened Minnie, and he was worried on Minnie’s behalf but looking at her, he felt nothing. Not even anger at their past. Of course, he’d like for Lady Abernath to disappear forever, but that was the extent of his feelings.

“I don’t care,” Minnie said next to him. “Do your worst.”

What? He looked at her then. “Minnie,” he growled.

The countess let out a cackle. “I know him, dear. He’ll not marry you to save you. Don’t say that thinking he’ll stage a rescue.”

Minnie didn’t bend. In fact, she appeared to grow taller. “I don’t need him to rescue me. Not from you. If you try and out the club, I shall tell everyone that you’re lying. That in fact we went to Jack’s home. I had a chaperone.”

Surprise, gratitude, warmth spread through him. She was going to lie to protect his club. His mind could barely process the details, a sluggish haze making thoughts difficult. “You will not fabricate the truth for me.”

Lady Abernath’s lip curled. “You can say what you want. The seed of doubt will be planted. No man of worth will touch you.”

Minnie shrugged. “Spinsterhood suits me. Now if you’ll excuse me, my family is waiting.”

Then she slipped her arm from his and started across the room. Tag turned to follow her, but suddenly Lady Abernath was in front of him. “Feisty, isn’t she?” She gripped his arm with a strength Tag wouldn’t have thought possible. “That’s how you like them, isn’t it? Then they’re strong enough to withstand all the hurt you rain down on their heads.”

Tag stared at the woman he’d once thought he cared for. Cristina was as deep-down angry with him as he’d once been with her. “I don’t understand what you get from this. You wronged me.”

“Yes, I made a mistake, but you left me with your child.” Her fingers dug in even harder.

“My child?” This time it was his lip that curled. “I know you weren’t a virgin. Were you already carrying that baby? Or did you and your lover conceive after I proposed?”

She barred her teeth. “How dare you. Do you have any idea what it was like to be alone and pregnant?”

“Do you have any idea what it was like to find the woman I loved cavorting with another man?”

She let go of his arm as suddenly as she grabbed it. “You don’t understand. You never did. After I ruin your precious Minnie, she’ll see things my way. You might slip through the noose this time but once she agrees to help me, you’ll suffer.” She stared at him with hatred oozing from her eyes. “That, I promise you. One way or another, you’ll suffer as I did.”