Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal 7)

But a niggle of doubt was clouding that feeling.

Logan was buying into a club of some sort. The kind that made a lot of money. And the rest of these men were going to contribute the same amount of money with barely a word from her.

Because they wished to buy the same club from the Duke of Darlington.

So Logan had never wanted to help her. Disappointment stabbed at her chest. She’d been a means to an end. No more. He didn’t care about her or the children. She held her hands tightly together on her lap, forming a tight ball. “Your generosity is stunning. Thank you. I’ve no words…”

The duchess gave Penny a glowing smile. “Your generosity is stunning. Ours is barely tolerable.”

“You are stunning,” Blackwater said, giving her a wink. “Truly.”

Her brow drew together as she blinked. What was that about? The man had looked so cold just a few minutes ago.

Logan stood, his chest thrusting out. “Enough.”

Blackwater stood too, lightly brushing one of his long blond hairs back from his face and tucking it behind his ear. “Enough of what exactly?”

“I saw you wink.” Logan’s finger came up. “Miss Walters is a woman of position and deserves your respect.”

“You mean, Penny.” Blackwater slowly grinned. “Don’t think I didn’t catch that, Goldthwaite.”

“Hold your tongue.”

Logan’s voice had grown louder, his fists clenched. Penny swallowed a gasp. She reached out a hand and lightly touched Logan’s sleeve. His temper was getting the better of him and somehow, she had the feeling everything was about to slip away.

“Gentlemen.” Darlington stood as well, his voice sharp. “There are ladies present.”

Logan rolled his neck, ignoring Penny’s touch. “We can take this outside.”

“Fine with me, Earl of Gold,” Blackwater sneered. “Everyone knows you only care about one thing. And we all know why you’re feigning interest in Miss Walter’s cause: money.”

Penny rose too, the words reverberating through her. They sounded so cold. As frigid as the man she’d first met. The words rang with a truth that made her ache. “Earl of Gold?”

Blackwater gave her a sympathetic glance. “He’s as cutthroat as they come.” He looked over at Darlington. “Cruel. Violent. Which is why he shouldn’t be here. He doesn’t belong here.”

Darlington took a step in front of his wife, and before he’d uttered a word, he had Blackwater by the collar, dragging him across the room toward a double set of doors. “Follow me, gentlemen. We’ve got some business to attend to before dinner.”

Penny covered her stomach with her hands. This should be the happiest moment of her life, but somehow it was all wrong.

Logan started after the duke without glancing back in her direction. She sat back on the settee with a hard thump. Did Logan get in fisticuffs often? This was the second time today.

She steepled her hands in front of her face. Had she been wrong about everything she thought she’d known about Logan.

Earl of Gold.

What sort of man had she allowed into her home and into the lives of her orphans? Would he hurt them? Because he’d already managed to damage her heart. She cared for him and he’d only ever wanted gold.

Chapter Eight

Logan’s fists itched, and he knew how to scratch that itch. Plant his hands in Blackwater’s face. He knew why Blackwater had singled him out. And it wasn’t because of Penny. These men still saw Logan as the outsider.

The one who didn’t belong.

It had been the same since he’d been sent to Eton as a youth. They’d jeered him, despite being the son of an earl.

His father was already in debtor’s prison at that point. So he’d been accepted on merit, having earned a scholarship rather than his family buying his spot.

His high marks on the entrance exam might have proven his worth, but he was treated like he was less. Without money, he was less in the other student’s eyes.