“Bloody hell,” Bad spit out between his teeth. “You’re not falling for a Chase woman, are you?”
“Don’t be so dramatic, it doesn’t suit you.” Malice grimaced over the table. The truth was, he began to wonder if he had fallen in love with her. The past three days without Cordelia had been…miserable. He’d moped about like a lovestruck lad with his first crush. But that couldn’t be true. How could he have any heart left to give and what would he do when Cordelia realized he wasn’t worth loving in return?
Bad smacked the table. “Thank God. I thought you’d been laid low by a clumsy, four-eyed bluestocking who isn’t even that pret—”
He surged to his feet in a second, his chair hitting the floor with a thud that echoed about the small room. “Finish that sentence and I’ll hit you so hard that you won’t wake for a fortnight.”
Bad tipped his chair back, taking a long pull from his cigar before he plucked the smoking stick from his mouth. “I thought insults might draw out the truth. You’ve fallen in love.”
Malice’s chest was still puffed out and he drew back his chin. “How I feel has little regard in the matter. I’m marrying her.”
“When will you take her to the country?” Exile asked, moving a neat stack of coins next to the others.
He hesitated, dropping his arms a bit. “I’m not taking her at all. She’s staying here with me. We made a deal.”
Exile raised a brow. “So you are in love then.”
“I’m not.” He cut his hand through the air. “I can’t be. I’m not capable of the emotion and even if I was, I wouldn’t want to feel it. It’s nothing but trouble. A hinderance that leaves you open for hurt.”
Exile nodded. “I agree. I feel the same.”
Bad shrugged, bringing his cigar back to his lips. “We
are all of the same mind, but I think you might be of a different heart. You can’t marry her, live with her every day, and not develop an attachment. It’s impossible. You either have to resign yourself to emotional involvement, marry her and send her away, or not marry her at all.”
Malice grimaced as he reached down to pick up his chair and then sat back down in the seat. “I’m afraid you’re right about that.”
Exile started a new stack. “You can’t back out of the wedding. She’d be ruined, which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid. Out of sheer spite, she might very well share that we are owners of the club.”
Malice ran his hands through his hair. “She wouldn’t accept the proposal without a promise that she stay in London.”
Bad coughed. “And you conceded? Why?”
Malice scrubbed his face. He knew why. He loved her. He bent his head, staring at the floor. When had this happened and how had he not realized. He wanted nothing more than to stay by Cordelia’s side forever. “This other fellow, Lord McKenzie, was sniffing about her. He only wants her dowry and I—”
“McKenzie?” Bad growled. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“What do you mean?” Malice sat up straight as an arrow.
“He’s in my boxing club. Dirty fellow, never fights fair. He gambles here too. A great deal. In fact, he owes us a sizable debt.” Bad leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “But worst of all, I’ve seen him on several occasions with the Countess of Abernath on his arm.”
“The Countess of Abernath?” His heart thudded in his chest. “She was supposed to be at the ball the other night.”
“So?” Exile sat straighter. “You were with Cordelia and Diana. The countess never came.”
“Yes, but McKenzie did. And he made his way directly to Diana and Cordelia. When Diana refused his dance, he immediately went to Cordelia and he’s been hanging about her ever since.” His hands shook. “It can’t be a coincidence that the Countess of Abernath’s lover is now sniffing about a Chase girl.”
“Bloody hell, it can’t.” Exile was on his feet too. “We need to warn the girls.”
But Malice didn’t answer. He was already shrugging on his coat as he sprinted for the door. He needed to see Cordelia right this moment. He just wanted to know she was safe.
* * *
Cordelia had sat for hours in her room alone. This time, her mother and both of her sisters had attempted to visit but she’d sent them away. She’d said too much. Or not enough. She wasn’t certain.
Perhaps she was to blame. They’d pay her more mind if she were funnier, or more sociable.
That was likely why Chad had stayed away. He’d decided she’d make a suitable wife and that’s what she would always be to him. Nothing more. Or perhaps, now that she’d agreed to marry him, he was no longer interested in making her feel special. Either way, she was worried she’d made a terrible mistake.