Marquess of Malice (Lords of Scandal 2)

h space because by the time he made it up the stairs, all the doors were closed. How would he figure out which room the woman had gone in? At the end of the hall were some curtains, he worked his way to the other end, and hid himself behind them. The window overlooked the street. Any more light outside and someone could look up and notice him standing in the window, but at least the fabric hid him from the hall.

Carefully, he peeked out of the one side and watched as the servant left from the third door on the right.

He let out a breath. He was assuming that was the countess’s chamber but how to make certain? And from there, how would he find Cordelia?

He crept out from behind the curtains and slowly made his way down the hall, listening for any sound of voices or any other clue as to the occupants in the room. All was quiet as he reached the door. Slowly, ever so quietly, he turned the knob. When the latch finally gave way, he pushed the door the tiniest bit open. Then leaned over to peek inside, holding his breath. Was Cordelia here? His answer came not a second later as a blood curdling scream pierced his eardrums. Without another thought, he threw open the door.

* * *

Cordelia sat on the bed, her eyes wide as she watched Cristina bring the candle toward her arm again. Why was she so weak?

She opened her mouth to scream again when the door banged against the frame causing both women to start.

But before Cordelia could even register what had happened, the candle went flying across the room, landing on the floor.

“What the—” The Countess stood, letting go of her arm. “You!”

“Me,” Malice rumbled. “You’ve taken something of mine and I want it back.”

Cristina’s mouth curled into a sneer. “So like a man to think he owns a woman.”

Cordelia began to push off the bed, trying to get to Chad. If she were in his arms, she was sure to be safe. He bent down and in one movement, scooped her up with one hand, holding out a pistol in the other. “I’m letting Daring deal with you.”

Cristina let out a primal cry, hitting her own chest with her fist. “He will never come anywhere near me again. I’d rather die.”

Cordelia blinked. She was half standing but mostly leaning against Chad, his strong arm supporting her. “What happened to you?”

“I don’t want your pity.” Cristina flung her arm back out. “You’re a traitor to all womankind.”

Cordelia tucked her head into Malice’s arm. She didn’t care what she was. She’d never been happier to be next to someone than she was here with Malice. Then her nose caught something funny.

Glancing over she realized the candle had caught the drapes on fire. “Chad!”

“Damn,” he yelled and holding her still, crossed the room and yanked the drape from the rod, attempting to stomp it out. It nearly caught her dress on fire and she screamed, barely able to stay out of the way. Even worse, he didn’t put out the flames, instead, they spread to the wall. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

He turned to swing her in his arms.

“The Countess of Abernath is gone,” she gasped as he cradled her against his body.

He leaned down and kissed her head. “We’ll deal with her later.” Then he started for the door.

Reaching the hall, he started for the back stairs.

“We have to warn everyone about the fire,” she called as smoke began to fill the hall.

“We’ll tell the staff about the fire in the kitchen if the countess hasn’t already.” He pulled her even closer. “My first priority is you.”

His words made her insides go soft. For a man that claimed to have a cold heart, she realized their courtship had been straight from a story and now culminated with a daring rescue. A smile formed on her lips. If only he could declare his undying love. The smile slipped away. she’d have to content herself with a lovely fantasy.

A knocking noise from their right caught Cordelia’s ear. “Chad. Did you hear that?”

“What,” he kept sprinting toward the stairs.

She heard it again. “Stop.” Cordelia hit his shoulder with all the strength she had left. “Someone’s in there.”

“Cordelia.” He slowed. “I need to get you out—”

“Help,” a tiny voice cried. “Please help. There’s smoke.”