“How are we going to confront a problem if the problem isn’t in attendance?” Diana placed her hands on her hips.
Malice cleared his throat. “Perhaps, in this case, it’s best to just let things be. You know, see if our actions have already solved the issue.”
Diana waved. “Mark my words. She’s a strong woman who has just been threatened by a group of men. She’s plotting revenge.”
He quirked a brow. Diana and Cordelia couldn’t be more opposite. Diana boldly declared her feelings, a challenge in her eye. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”
“I do not.” Diana stepped closer to him, standing face-to-face. “If I were bent on revenge, I wouldn’t sit idly by.”
“You’re comparing yourself to her?” Cordelia asked, her fingers flexing on his arm. He wanted to lean down and brush a kiss along her brow in comfort. “That’s silly.”
“It isn’t.” Diana shook her head. “From what I can tell, the countess and I are a great deal alike. We’re strong, outspoken women. The difference is what life has delivered us. In different circumstances, I could be as damaged as her.”
Malice tightened. Or as damaged as him. Diana was far more right than he cared to admit. “For certain people there is no hope, is there?”
Cordelia slid her hand higher on his arm. “That isn’t true. I have no idea what happened in her past but I can tell you this. She had the opportunity to marry a fine man in the Duke of Darlington and she squandered that chance. I know she’s bitter at how her life turned out but that mistake was hers, whether she wants to admit to the facts or not. It isn’t just her past that gets in her way, but her choices too.”
Malice stared at her. Was that the truth? His heart thudded in his chest.
Cordelia slipped her hand from his arm and he nearly pulled it back. She should be touching him now. Inside, he wanted to be close to her, ask her to explain again. Was there hope for him after all? But he straightened instead. He was acting absurd. One kiss and he’d allowed himself to go completely mad.
“Sometimes our lives dictate our choices. We can’t help that we’ve been damaged.” Surprise rippled through him. Had he really just said that out loud?
Diana stared at him, then looked at Cordelia. She didn’t say a word, but her eyebrows rose and her lips pressed together.
“What does that look mean?” he demanded, crossing his arms.
Diana gave him a half-smile. “Nothing.” Then her eyes drifted over his shoulder.
Malice turned too. An exceedingly handsome man was striding toward them, his walk purposeful, his eyes trained on them.
He had the sort of looks that suited the stage. Dark hair and hazel eyes that were fringed with long dark lashes, almost as though he outlined them with charcoal. His lips were nearly oversized and his cheekbones strong. Malice didn’t like him. Something about his swagger spoke of arrogance rather than confidence.
“Look at this,” Diana said, her voice soft. “Do you think he’s coming over for me?”
“Most likely,” Cordelia answered, stepping next to her sister and further from Malice. He had that same urge to pull her against him again. He dug his fingers into his thigh. He was damaged enough and couldn’t get attached to Corde now. He needed to put some distance between himself and Lady Cordelia Chase.
* * *
Cordelia took a steadying breath as she stepped next to her sister. Breathing, the most natural occurrence in the world, suddenly felt odd. She would have sworn that her own lungs had fallen into rhythm with Chad’s.
She blinked, staring over at him. He was gripping his thigh in a way that made her wonder if he was having the same trouble she was? Somehow, she doubted it.
But Cordelia did feel a certain inspiration to write. She’d only written children’s stories, but now…perhaps she could finally tackle a romance.
She didn’t know how her story might end, but she did have a clear vision of the beginning. And in her story the hero would propose because he’d fallen madly in love. And her heroine would say yes, and then they’d share a magical kiss.
Then she bit her lip. Stories were only interesting if they had a few complications. Troubles to overcome. What would her characters suffer from? Surely not a botched proposal and an illicit kiss?
Those thoughts actually made her smile before she frowned again. This wasn’t a complication in a happy story. The man’s name was Malice. He wasn’t her Prince Charming she’d dreamed of, she had to remember that fact.
Except as she studied the lines of his face, her heart sped up again, thrumming in her chest.
“Hello, Lady Cordelia. Lady Diana, good to see you,” A female voice called from their right.
Cordelia turned to see the hostess of the event, Lady Wilson. “My lady.” Cordelia dipped into a quick curtsy. “Thank you so much for having us.”
“Thank you for coming.” The other woman grinned. “How is your sister faring in her new marriage?”