Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal 7)

“I shall make my way toward the unsavory section of town. If I find her, I’ll return here.”

“Good,” Logan said. “I’ll begin searching the gardens and streets nearby. She’s been on foot for half an hour. That should give you a good idea of how far she might have travelled.”

Baxter nodded, shrugging on his coat. “I’ll see you again soon.” And then he strode out the door toward the barn.

Logan shrugged on his own coat as he stepped outside, the wind smacking him in the face.

It was too cold for her to be out like this. Real fear trickled down his spine. He didn’t blame her for needing a moment to be alone.

If he thought she’d marry another… Jealousy pressed his fists into tight balls.

But this was plain dangerous. She needed to be tucked inside away from the cold. And then he’d explain everything, and finally, after she was warm and cozy, he’d ask for her hand in marriage.

He drew in a deep breath. He’d only just found his heart and he couldn’t lose it now.

But as he climbed on his horse, he wondered how he might actually find her. It was a large city and she walked a great deal.

Fear beat in his chest like a drum. What if something happened to her? Snapping the reins, he started down the drive toward the gate. He saw Baxter seated on his horse, not moving but staring at a carriage. The other man looked back and gave Logan a wink.

That’s when Logan realized, the carriage held the Duke of Darlington’s crest. And as the door snapped open, Penny climbed out.

His first feeling was relief. His shoulders slumped and his breath rushed out in the cold, creating a cloud of vapor. She was safe.

But his second was red-hot jealousy. He sat back up again, stiff and straight in the saddle. Had she been alone with the duke?

Penny sat with the duchess as she dabbed her eyes. “And then I found a letter from a marquess inviting Logan to attend a party with the express interest of courting his daughter.”

Despite herself, she sniffed again.

Minnie’s mouth pinched. “The problem is that we have no idea when he began a correspondence with the marquess. Could have been yesterday or weeks ago. We just don’t know.”

Well that was an interesting point. Penny’s chest tightened

as she realized that she might have made a mistake. Perhaps, rather than running, she should have simply asked… But she was still afraid. Worried that Logan would leave her as everyone she loved did. “I think I jumped to conclusions because of last night.”

“What happened last night?” Minnie’s brows went up as she leaned forward.

A flush of heat, despite the cold air, filled Penny’s cheeks. “It’s…um…I…”

Minnie waved a hand. “I am the oldest of five girls. I’ve talked several women through the early days of a blossoming relationship.”

That might be true, but Penny was not her sister. “The problem is that I had no mother when I came of age and I’m not entirely certain what exactly happens—”

“Say no more.” Minnie lifted up a hand and scooted to the edge of her seat. “You are like a flower.”

Penny blinked. Not the beginning she’d expected.

“And he has a…” Minnie looked up at the ceiling of the carriage. “A rod or staff which he uses to plant his seed into your bloom. The seed may or may not take, but if it does, it creates life.”

Penny swallowed as she too edged out further on the bench, her voice dropping. “Are we speaking metaphorically?”

“No.” Minnie smiled shyly. “Though by flower, I do mean lady parts. And by staff, I mean the matching male ones.”

Penny’s brow scrunched. “Oh, I should have known his parts would have to be involved in order for a baby to be made.”

“Were his parts not involved? Did he, for example, remove any part of his pants?”

Penny shook her head, unable to believe she was actually having this conversation with a duchess, no less. “No. Only my…er…flower was involved. His staff…”