Marquess of Malice (Lords of Scandal 2)

How did the other woman know her nickname? “But I’ve learned a great deal about you and your habits. Cross me and I will find you. And this was just a taste of what I will do to you.”

Cordelia hugged her arm to her chest as the burning pain radiated along her skin. “And if I don’t agree?”

The countess gave her that toothy smile as she leaned closer. “Then we’ll have to convince you with some more wax.” The other woman reached for her arm again and without meaning to, Cordelia let out another scream.

Chapter Sixteen

Malice flexed his arms trying to remain calm as the carriage rumbled down the street. Inside, however, he was a frantic ball of nerves. He wanted his woman back and he wanted to make the countess pay.

“I can’t believe she would go to this length.” Daring shook his head. “I knew Cristina was deep down dark, but I didn’t think she’d take innocent girls.”

Malice squeezed his eyes shut. Apprehension curled in his stomach, spreading a nauseating sensation through his body. “Will the countess hurt Cordelia?”

Daring sighed, staring at the ceiling. “I don’t know. I thought I knew her but I was proven wrong a long time ago.”

“What happened between you?” Malice wasn’t sure why he asked other than he needed something to pass the time and, perhaps if he understood the woman better, he’d better be able to fight her.

“I was courting her. Our relationship, at least the physical part, progressed. She was rather adventurous and I found it exciting.” Daring looked out the window into the dark night. “When she became pregnant, I offered for her hand.”

Malice nodded. He’d known most of this already. “How did it end?”

“I found her in bed with another man.” Daring scrubbed his face. “I never learned who he was and I don’t care. At the time I did, but now I realize that bloke did me a favor. I ended it with her and never looked back. She married Abernath a month later.”

“And the child?” Malice asked.

Daring shrugged. “She lost the baby.”

Malice scratched his chin. “By all accounts, you should be angry with her. Why does she hate you so much?”

Daring shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. Looking back, I wasn’t sure she ever even liked me. She seemed to hate me at times, and not just me. She didn’t like men in general.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “She sent me several letters. In one of them, she accused me of ruining her future. Like I was to blame for ending our engagement. I suppose I was but…”

Malice let out a long breath. “She doesn’t want to take accountability for her own actions.” That made his gut tighten. A person like that was dangerous.

“Try not to worry.” Daring looked over at him. The sun was just beginning to brighten the sky. “She must want Cordelia for a reason and it isn’t just to hurt. How would that make me pay for my supposed sins?”

Malice scratched his head. “Why would she want Cordelia?”

Daring frowned. “I have no idea. Unless she thinks that Cordelia could ruin me?”

Malice’s eyes widened. Of course. “She wants Cordelia to share what she knows about the club.” Then he paused. “But why doesn’t she share that herself?”

Daring shrugged. “She doesn’t have a lot of sway left in society. She likely thinks a woman as pure as Cordelia could do far more damage.”

The carriage began to slow. His insides contracted as he stood, opening the door before the carriage had even stopped. “I’m going to go in and pretend to be McKenzie. Follow in a few minutes and have your pistols ready.”

Daring gave a terse nod. “Be safe.”

“My safety isn’t that important. But if something happens to me, see that Cordelia is married. To a nice man who reads her poetry and captures stars for her.” Then he jumped from the carriage, making his way down the alley.

Daring stuck his head out the door. “So the opposite of you then?”

Malice bit back a smile. He likely was all wrong for Cordelia. But she had his heart now and he’d tell her come hell or high water. Hell, he’d die just to have the chance.

He made his way through the back gate and followed a path to a door at the back of the house. Entering by the kitchen, he heard one of the servants call out. “Hurry, she requested that tray five minutes ago.”

Malice pulled the cloak tighter about his face. A servant came rushing from the kitchen and practically sprinted toward the back staircase. Only the mistress of the house could inspire that sort of fear and so he followed being careful to stay far enough back that he wouldn’t be seen.

The servant went up two flights and disappeared in the third. Damn, maybe he’d left too muc