Baron of Blasphemy (Lords of Scandal 12)

Abigail nodded and Vanity muttered under his breath.

“Is he your servant?”

Vanity’s head snapped straighter. “I’m her husband’s friend. Doing both of them a favor.”

Abigail nibbled her lip. “These auctions. What happens at them?”

Gabriella wrapped her arms about her body once again. “I’ll be sold to the highest-paying man and married first thing in the morning by the very man who sold me.”

Vanity muttered what Abigail could only assume was a curse. “When does this happen?”

“In a few hours.”

Abigail reached out a hand and Gabriella slowly unwrapped her arm to reach for Abigail’s hand. “I’ll find a way to help you.” She looked at Vanity. “Can Chad stop this?”

He winced. “Maybe. The priest will not want to anger your husband.” Vanity stepped closer. “But where will she go after that? Will she live with you?”

Abigail didn’t let go of the other woman’s hand, but she understood Vanity’s point. Abigail knew men found her attractive, but this woman…she was stunning. A rare beauty. Did she move her into her house with a new husband when they’d yet to consummate

their marriage? She wasn’t seriously worried about Chad’s actions, but then again, he’d all but said that he had every intention of returning to his rakish ways. Did she invite this beauty into their new home? Fear made the blood rush in her veins. Their relationship was still so fragile, so new.

Still. She’d not allow that worry to keep her from doing what was right. “We’ll figure that out after we stop the auction.”

“You need to return to your husband’s house. I will…” He paused raking a hand down his face. “I will come up with an answer for Gabriella.”

Both women drew in a sharp breath.

“You?” Gabriella asked.

“Van—” She always called him Vanity. But in this moment, the name didn’t seem appropriate.

His grey eyes met hers. “Austin Melrose.”

“Austin,” Gabriella repeated, her voice trembling.

Vanity looked back at the other woman, his face hard and unreadable. “I have to return the baroness home, but I’ll be back for you very shortly.”

Gabriella straightened and for a moment Abigail thought the woman might argue, but with a quick nod, she let go of Abigail’s hand. “Thank you, Austin Melrose.”

Abigail reached for Vanity’s arm. “Let’s hurry.”

* * *

Chad drew in a deep breath of air, marveling at how beautiful the day was. He was on his way to the village, walking along the wooded road, to meet his wife for lunch. After they’d dined, he’d like nothing more than to have her show him all the pieces she bought, perhaps model a few of them for him.

Desire rumbled through him, and just thinking of her in a partial state of dress made his stomach tighten.

The rumble of a carriage on the road made him straighten. It seemed to be moving quickly. The vehicle came into view and he realized that it was in fact going very fast and that it was his carriage.

Fear skittered along his spine. Was something wrong with his wife?

He raised his hands, flagging the carriage, and the driver pulled the vehicle to a stop.

Before he could even ask, the door opened, and Vanity jumped out. “Your wife has volunteered me to save an orphan.”

Abigail stuck her head out too. “Orphan makes her sound like a child. She’s a woman.”

Chad stepped up and reached his hand in to help his wife out. “I’m afraid you’ve lost me.”