Marquess of Malice (Lords of Scandal 2)

His face went pale. “What do you mean?”

Her own eyes narrowed. “It tastes odd. I’ll have to ask the cook what…” Her voice tapered off as she tried to rise but her head swam. She sat back down instead. “Mary. Did you taste anything off?”

Cordelia turned to look back at Mary. The other woman was slumped over in her chair. “Mary!”

Her own voice made her head pulse and she brought her good hand up to press against her forehead. “Lord McKenzie, I don’t feel well.”

She closed her eyes to try and clear the cobwebs but jolted them open again when large hands circled her shoulders. Her vision was cloudy. “I know you don’t, but don’t worry. You’ll be asleep very soon.”

“Asleep?” she asked but her voice came out funny. Like her tongue was too large for her mouth.

She tried to clear her mind, but the harder she worked the worse it became and suddenly the world went black.

Chapter Fourteen

Malice jogged up the steps to the Chase townhouse as the sun dipped lower in the sky, his stomach sinking with the setting sun. His fist clenched as he raised a hand to bang the knocker on the front door. Somehow, he just needed to see Cordelia and know for certain she was safe.

Bloody bullocks, he was failing her already. He’d stayed away to protect her. His insides twisted. That wasn’t true. He’d stayed away to protect himself. And in doing so he’d put her in danger.

He took a deep breath. He didn’t know that. In fact, he was likely letting his worries run away with him. Someone would answer the door soon

and show him upstairs. She’d be lying in bed and likely miffed that he hadn’t been to visit her in person for three days.

He smiled, relaxing a bit. He’d have to beg for her forgiveness. He was fine with that. Then, he’d tell her how he felt. Which was to say, he’d tell her that he loved her, was in love with her and…he paused. What was taking so long?

He raised his hand and knocked again. Louder.

After several more seconds he heard hurried footsteps crossing the foyer and then the door jolted open. The butler looking pale and shaken stood before him. “My lord,” he cried the moment he saw him. “Thank goodness it’s you.”

“It’s me,” he answered stepping inside. “Why are we giving thanks for that?” But the sinking feeling he’d had all day returned. He pulled his shoulders straighter as though bracing himself. “What’s happened?”

The man grew more pale. “Come with me and I’ll explain.” Then he turned and started up the stairs. “Lady Cordelia had a visitor,” he said over his shoulder as they walked.

“Who?” He quickened his pace, not wanting to miss a word.

“Lord McKenzie,” the butler answered, stopping on the steps. “It was during calling hours. They were chaperoned.”

Malice placed his hand on the man’s back giving him a small push forward to keep him going. He needed to get upstairs and see Cordelia. “I’m sure it was all very proper. What’s happened. Is she all right?”

“Mary’s still asleep so I’m not entirely sure what’s happened, and Lady Winthrop has fainted, and Lady Diana has sent a servant to find her father, but…”

His gut knotted in fear as he drew up to his full height. “Where is Cordelia?” Anger and fear were making his voice rise louder.

The man made it to the top of the stairs and stopped again, turning to face him. He swayed on his feet. “That’s just it, my lord. We don’t know. She’s gone.”

“Gone?” Malice stopped too, gripping the banister so tightly, he thought it might break. “What do you mean she’s gone?”

The other man swallowed. “Well. I left her and Mary in the sitting room with Lord McKenzie. When I returned, Mary was laying on the floor. Lord McKenzie and Lady Cordelia had disappeared.”

“Where are they?” He knew he was being obtuse. But the idea that Cordelia could be anywhere in London or even out of the city by now made his head spin. “How long ago did you discover this?”

“Just an hour ago, my lord.” The man took several shallow breaths. “What are we going to do?”

He didn’t know for certain and he scrubbed a hand along the back of his neck. He wanted to curl into a ball and cry like he hadn’t since the age of five when his nanny had left. Instead, he twisted his neck, giving it a crack. “We’re going to find her and then we’re going to kill Lord McKenzie.” He let go of the banister and started down the hall. “Show me the sitting room.”

“Yes, my lord.” The butler came to life, moving down the hall. “How did you know to come here?”

He shook his head. “It was just a feeling.” It wasn’t any old feeling. It was the most powerful emotion he’d ever experienced. And now that he had found love for the first time in adult life, he was not losing Corde. She belonged to him now and forever and he needed to find her.