Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal 7)

Daring cleared his throat. “The Baron of Blackwater.”

Penny nodded next to him. But his entire body tensed. Blackwater. The boy who’d made his life a living hell. But then his brow scrunched again. This was not the future baron he’d attended school with. The eyes were different. The nose. This was a different man. A younger brother perhaps? What had happened to Sirius? The boy who had tormented Logan day in and day out while he attended Eton?

The new Baron of Blackwater glared back.

Logan looked back at Penny as he pushed these thoughts aside. They were here for a purpose. Yet, he’d never wanted to work with men less.

And that was saying something because he preferred being a lone wolf as a general rule but if they kept looking at Penny like that, he’d tear them limb from limb.

He drew in a deep breath.

He was rapidly losing sight of the goals he’s set forth for himself.

The club was what he wanted. These men were the path he was supposed to take. There would be no deal without them.

When had he started caring more about Penny’s needs then his own?

“And last.” Daring pointed to the most affable on the men in line. He had warm brown eyes and a kinder smile. Somehow that disconcerted Logan even more. “The Earl of Ingrashire.”

“Miss Walters,” his deep voice rumbled through the room. “It is truly a pleasure.”

Penny’s hand relaxed. Which made Logan see red. The last thing he wanted was some other man attempting to take advantage of Penny.

Because these men would be exactly what she feared. They’d come in disguised under a cloak of help and then try to steal her favors.

Or kisses in a carriage.

He shifted his stance. Damn it. He’d taken advantage.

His chest tightened as Penny gave the other earl a smile. “The pleasure is mine.”

Daring swept his hand out, inviting them all to follow him to the sitting room just to the right of the entry. “Tell us, Miss Walters, how many orphans do you have in your care?”

Penny carefully sat on a nearby settee, Logan taking the spot next to her.

She delicately cleared her throat. “Just four, Your Grace, but I’d very much like to add more. Funding is what I need, which is why I wrote to you.”

The duchess gave Penny a kind smile. “Four is a lot. Especially if you are caring for them alone.”

A murmur went through the men.

“Alone?” Devonhall’s sharp looks sharpened.

Ingrashire gave Penny a sympathetic glance. “How difficult.”

Logan strai

ghtened, the hair on the back of his neck bristling. “Miss Walter’s difficulties would be greatly relieved if she had sufficient funds to purchase her necessary supplies and secure adequate lodging.”

Daring grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Goldthwaite is going to negotiate on Miss Walter’s behalf.”

Finally, the crowd of men looked away from Penny and at Logan. They’d mostly pretended he didn’t exist up until this moment.

“Him?” Someone murmured, hostility nearly dripping from the single word.

Penny looked at him too, a rush of air blowing across his cheek even as her brows drew together in question.

Daring waved his hand. “Forgive me. It’s too early for such conversation. For now, let’s get to know one another. After all, this is just the beginning.”