Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal 7)

Baxter nodded. “Fine.”

“Might be a while.” In fact, Logan might keep him waiting an excessively long time. Penny deserved time to make her decision and Baxter deserved a lesson in patience. And good business. He doubted that Baxter would be as serene as Penny had been. But then again, Penny was an exceptional person.

Baxter pulled several bags of coin from his purse. Slowly, he set each bag on the table next to his chair. “Since you’re about to speak with Miss Walters, perhaps you could pass these along to her.”

Logan’s eyes quickly scanned the eight bags of coin, one considerably larger than the others. “The buy-ins.”

“Yes,” Baxter gave a single nod. Then he pulled a sheet of paper from his coat. “And the contract for the house.”

“Miss Walters and I shall return shortly.”

“Very good.” Baxter winked.

“My lord,” a feminine voice called from the door. “Have you seen Penny?”

Logan’s head snapped up. Clarissa stood in the door, a look of concern marking her brow. “I can’t find her anywhere.”

He cleared his throat. “She’s in my study or should be shortly.”

“Who is your friend?” Baxter asked from behind him. His voice had gotten deeper, more menacing, losing its jovial tone.

Logan looked at the other man to see what had caused the change, but Baxter’s gaze was fixed on Clarissa. His visage was suddenly pale, his hands clenched in front of him. The man looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

Logan looked back at Penny’s friend and ally. With her shoes on and her hair neatly coiffed, she appeared far older than Logan tended to think of her. She was tall and willowy with thick blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. How had Logan not noticed?

But he’d been too busy looking at Penny, he was sure.

“Clarissa, this is the Earl of Baxter,” Logan said through clenched teeth. Then he turned to Baxter. “Clarissa is one of Miss Walters’ charges who is now under my protection.”

Baxter didn’t look away from Clarissa as he gave a single nod, his jaw tight with tension and his eyes filling with an intensity that Logan did not understand. He cocked his head to the side as he assessed the other man.

But Baxter’s only response was to quietly repeat her name. “Clarissa.”

Clarissa curtseyed in return, her gaze casting to the floor as color flooded her cheeks. “I shall…check on the children.”

Logan walked toward the door, escorting her out. “I’ll send Penny up as soon as we’re finished.”

Clarissa let her eyes stray back into the room and Logan held his breath. The Earl of Bastards was no one that he wanted this young innocent to trifle with. Her voice dropped low. “On the table. Was that what I think it is?”

Logan slumped in relief. She hadn’t been looking at Baxter but at the money. “Yes, it is.”

Clarissa raised a hand to her mouth. “Oh my.”

Logan chuckled. “Indeed.” He hoped this would be a day filled with many oh my moments.

Penny entered Logan’s study. It was a room she’d never been in and she was embarrassed to admit, she’d gotten lost…twice…attempting to find it.

A maid stood next to a tea service and bobbed a quick curtsey. “Tea, miss?”

“Oh please,” she answered gratefully.

The maid quickly poured her a cup and then curtseyed again. “His lordship had another visitor, but he said to tell you that he will be right back.”

Penny nodded and as soon as the woman left, she began slathering jam on a biscuit. She was ravenous. Belatedly, she realized they’d never eaten dinner and then she’d overslept.

Eating one biscuit, she took several sips of tea and then made another.

From the second-story study, she could see the back garden and she rose from her chair, nibbling on her breakfast as she made her way to the window.