Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal 7)

The three other girls sat about the table in the corner, working on their letters.

“May I interrupt?” he asked.

They all rose, bobbing curtseys as they lined up in front of the table. He smiled to see them. Soon enough, he’d outfit them in proper clothing.

“Please sit back down. May I join you?” He gestured toward the table.

As they nodded, he crossed the room and folded himself into one of the tiny chairs.

“Do you need to learn your letters too?” Natty asked as she handed him one of the journals they worked in.

“No, I’m fairly good at them already,” he answered with a smile. “I came here to ask you girls for permission.”

“Permission for what?” Ethel asked, straightening. She cocked her head to one side, looking rather grown up.

“Permission to ask for Penny’s hand in marriage.”

The room was silent for a moment and

then Natty jumped up letting out a cry of joy.

Fran followed suit and the two of them danced about.

But Ethel didn’t move.

“What’s wrong, Ethel?” Clarissa asked as she reached out to stroke the child’s hair.

“Nothing.” Ethel tapped her chin. “I am just wondering what would happen to us if Penny marries the earl.”

Logan grinned, relieved. “That is an easy question. You’ll stay here with us.”

“All of us?” Clarissa asked quietly. “Even me?”

Logan looked at Clarissa’s bowed head. “If you choose to do so. Yes. It will be your choice if you decide to run one of the orphanages or launch into society.”

“Society?” she shrieked, her hands coming to her lips. But when she dropped her fingers, her features were drawn into thoughtful lines. “I could never. But I’d like to work at one of the orphanages. I wish to help people.”

His brow creased. Clarissa was a beauty and now had an earl as a guardian. She ought to consider his offer, but that was a conversation for another day. “So do you all agree to my proposing to Penny?”

“What’s proposing?” Natty asked, scratching her chin.

“Asking someone to marry you, silly.” Fran’s hands coming to her hips. “And I vote yes.”

“Oh, me too,” Natty answered. “I like it here.”

“I like you here too.” Logan pointed to their journals. “I’ve got an idea, but I’ll need your help. Why don’t you girls have a seat again?”

Penny walked down the hall, wondering where everyone had disappeared to. The house had been quiet for hours.

She’d spent the afternoon in a study that Logan had set up for her to use. She’d met with the seller of the Mayfair house and a barrister. The day had been productive but exhausting, and what she wished for now was a nice hug from any member of her family, but none seemed available.

Finally, she found all of them in the nursery.

Logan, Clarissa, and the three girls sat around the table chatting with open journals in front of them.

“What’s this?” she called, stepping into the room.

The little girls jumped up, Fran holding up her hands. “Don’t come any closer!”