Marquess of Malice (Lords of Scandal 2)

A tear trickled down her cheek and she swiped it away. They only fogged up her glasses. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t marry a man who barely noticed her. His indifference would crush her.

Another knock sounded at the door. “Please. I don’t want visitors.”

“Very well, my lady,” the butler answered. “Should I tell Lord McKenzie to come back another time?”

“Lord McKenzie?” She sat straighter. “Here now?”

“Yes, my lady,” the butler replied. “Though it’s nearly five, it is technically still your calling hours. Should I fetch Mary to sit with you or should I ask Lord McKenzie to return another time?”

She licked her lips, standing. She likely shouldn’t see him after the way he’d acted. “I don’t think it’s wise.”

“Very well, my lady. Can I at least deliver his gift to you?”

“Gift?” she asked, crossing the room. “What gift?” Then she opened the door. Mr. Bradley didn’t bother to answer as he handed her a large bouquet of white orchids. “He sends his sincerest apologies.”

“He shouldn’t be giving me gifts.” But heat filled her cheeks. No man had ever attempted to give her a trinket or flower. It was a promise of sorts and her stomach flopped at the idea of a man being so bold.

“I misspoke. He said it wasn’t a gift and shouldn’t be taken as such but an apology for his behavior. He wishes to know that you are well after your fall.”

She set the flowers on the table and turned back to Mr. Bradley. “I suppose I can see him for a bit to allow him to apologize. Fetch Mary, please, and request tea and biscuits.”

“Very good, Lady Cordelia.” He nodded as he turned to go do as she’d requested.

She made her way down the sitting room, relieved to find none of her family there. Her cousin, Mary, however, had already stationed herself in the corner. Mary was a lovely woman with dark hair and eyes. Not the first time, Cordelia wondered why she’d never married. “Good evening, Mary.”

“Cordelia.” The other woman smiled back with a wink. “You won’t even know I’m here.”

She gave Mary a nod as she took a seat on the settee. Her movements were ginger to say the least. Her arm had been wrapped in strips of cloth and a sling had been formed to keep the hand from moving but it still ached a bit this time of day.

Not two minutes later, the door opened again and the butler entered with McKenzie. He immediately held out his hands. “Is that a sling? I am so sorry. Please don’t get up.” He held out his hands as he crossed the room to her. “I am a complete boar. Say that you’ll forgive me.”

She pressed her lips together, remaining in her seat. What had seemed like a reasonable idea in her room, suddenly felt off. Wrong. She’d been desperate for a bit of company that didn’t feel strained, but McKenzie should not have been the answer. If anything, he was far meaner than her family or Chad. “Of course I can forgive you. I hope you’ll forgive me, I can only visit for a short time. I find I have very little energy.”

He waved. “Certainly. I understand completely.”

The butler gave a quick bow and turned to go just as the tea service arrived. The maid set it on the table next to the settee. Cordelia grimaced as she realized she’d have to rise. When she’d ordered the drink, she’d forgotten she’d need to serve it to a guest. It was going to be challenging with one hand.

“How delightful.” McKenzie beamed. “I was going to request tea. Long day. So thoughtful for you to have ordered it already.”

“Were you?” She crinkled her brow, trying to decide why this entire visit seemed strange. Placing her good hand on the seat, she started to push up when he held out his hands. “Please allow me. You shouldn’t get up on my account.”

He stood at the table, arranging cups and pouring liquid. Cordelia wasn’t certain she’d ever seen a man serve tea before and her eyes narrowed. “Are you certain I can’t help you?”

“You could help me by looking away.” He turned back to her giving her a large smile that showed all his teeth. “I feel odd. Not that I’m not happy to help, but I’m afraid this doesn’t come naturally to me.”

Cordelia nodded and looked across the room. Something was wrong with this meeting. He was too smiley, too helpful. Did he really feel that guilty or did he want to change her mind about marrying Chad?

“Here you go.” McKenzie said but his voice was further away.

Cordelia turned her head to see that he’d served Mary a cup of tea. The other woman crinkled her brow in confusion as she accepted the cup.

Cordelia opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, but then closed it again. She didn’t want Mary to feel badly for accepting the cup. “Lord McKenzie,” she asked instead. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m grand.” There it was again. That toothy smile. But he set a cup of tea down on the table in front of her holding a second in one his large hand. “I’m thrilled you agreed to see me after what happened. I have to confess that I can be a bit of a jealous man. But I went too far and I’m so glad to have this opportunity.”

She nibbled at her lip, deciding this was an even larger mistake than she’d first supposed. She didn’t want to spark any negative behavior by telling him that she’d accepted Chad’s offer and she doubted McKenzie could provide much clarity on whether or not she should retract from the match. Instead of saying anything, she took a sip of her tea.

Immediately, she realized it tasted funny. Sweeter than normal. She set the cup down. “Don’t drink that, my lord. Something’s wrong with it.”