Marquess of Malice (Lords of Scandal 2)

“His eyes are intense and his features so…strong. He reminds me of a hawk who swoops down and eats little birds in the garden.” Ada gave a small shiver.

Grace shrugged from her seat across from Cordelia. “I think he’s handsome.”

Minnie, who was next to her, poked Grace’s arm.

Grace cringed in pain, then reached over and patted Cordelia’s knee. “But obviously a cad.” Then Grace straightened. “What did he say to disturb you so?”

Cordelia pressed her lips together. This was tricky. Did she share with them that the Marquess had proposed? If her mother or aunt found out, she might find herself hastily engaged. Both had an eye for an eligible man who was titled. “Well, that’s an interesting question.”

Diana ceased her rhythmic comforting motion. “How so?”

Drat. Cordelia pressed her hands together. “Well, he said that I was suitable, and that he needed a wife for childbearing.”

Her family reacted to her words with complete silence. Licking her lips, she went on. “Then he asked for my hand in marriage. When I refused, he confessed that he’d had the wrong impression of me, he’d thought me less intelligent and more docile.”

“That man is a piece of horse’s dung,” Diana said, her lips thinning over her teeth. “What sort of proposal is that?”

Grace straightened her skirts. “Dreadful.”

Cordelia sighed with relief. “Don’t tell mother, or anyone else, especially not auntie.” She looked over at Ada. “You know how your mother can be about a perceived good match.”

Ada nodded. “I certainly won’t.”

“Still, Corde, you can be glad for one thing.” Grace shifted in her seat. “You managed to get a proposal, even a bad one, before either me or Diana.”

Cordelia shrugged. Grace was trying to help, which she really appreciated. “When you get a proposal Grace, it will be because some man is so taken with you, that he’ll wish to sweep you off your feet. For me? I got one because I am suitable.” The word tasted bitter in her mouth.

“Well, that is interesting to know. The next time I propose to a woman I’ll shall make sure to leave that word out of it entirely.”

Cordelia froze. Just her eyes moving so that she might look at the door. Of course, the Marquess of Malicorn stood in the entry of the room, his back straight as an arrow as he assessed her. Drat. He’d heard every word and what was worse, they’d likely need to talk about it.

Chapter Three

Malicorn squeezed the outside of his thigh. How had this day gone so wrong?

Cordelia slowly stood from her spot on the couch, folding her hands across her stomach. “Wise choice, my lord.”

“I didn’t mean to offend,” he said as one by one the ladies stood. “I only meant that you have the

qualities I am looking for in a wife.”

Daring was just behind him and Malice drew in a deep breath to keep his face from heating. Did this conversation have to be witnessed by so many people?

She gave a small curtsy. “I appreciate your explanation. I only wish to respond that while it is a very generous offer, I believe that I am looking for different qualities in a match than you are.”

Her face turned a lovely shade of pink as she looked at the floor. His body tightened in awareness. How had he not noticed how creamy her complexion was? “Do tell, Lady Cordelia. What are you looking for in a husband?” He closed his eyes wondering why he’d just asked that question. He only meant to apologize.

Then he opened them. Which was a mistake because she was doing that thing with her tongue again. The one he liked. He had a sudden picture of following the path along her lips with his own tongue.

She stepped forward. “It’s not important.”

He lowered his chin, studying her. Their first meeting, he had liked her deference in these situations. But now, it appeared to be more of a deflection. She didn’t speak because she didn’t want to talk to him. “Your wishes are important to me.”

He heard a woman gasp. He didn’t look to see which one, it didn’t matter to him if the lady wasn’t Cordelia.

She fluffed out her skirts, staring at the floor. “I suppose I want a man who shares my interests and—”

He raised a finger. “To be fair, I asked you what your interests were. You gave a very vague answer.”