Except for Clarissa, of course.
Was he in love with her?
He couldn’t say. Most likely. She was one of the few people who’d managed to make him ache with joy at a simple touch.
But all that he’d accomplished didn’t make her want him, apparently.
He’d change that, however. Very soon, in fact. It wasn’t love. Not yet. But he could offer her everything in this world she’d ever wanted. All she had to give him in return was her hand.
As if in an answer to his thoughts, a knock sounded at the door.
“Baxter.” A dark-haired man named Keyworth opened his door. “There’s a Goldthwaite here to see you.”
“Send him in,” Mason answered.
The man’s only response was to chuckle. A few seconds later, a Goldthwaite did in fact enter the room, but it wasn’t Lord Goldthwaite but Lady Goldthwaite who entered the room. Penny.
Surprise widened his eyes as Mason stood. “My lady,” he asked, cocking a brow.
“My lord,” she answered. “Thanks for seeing me.”
“Well to be fair, Keyworth didn’t actually tell me that it was you.”
She smiled. “My fault. I asked him not to say.”
“Tricky,” he murmured, gesturing for her to take a chair.
She shrugged and then sat. “I was afraid you might not see me if you knew.”
“Sincerely that isn’t true.” He gave an easy smile, recognizing an opportunity to get more information about Clarissa. “I’m delighted that you’re here.”
Penny cocked her head to the side. “I didn’t expect you to be charming.”
He laughed at that. “Funny. I’m rather known for it, actually.”
Penny gave a slow nod. “Logan says that you’ve been more successful at gaining entry into society than he has so it makes sense that you would have such a skill. It’s just that…” She paused, looking up at the ceiling.
“Just that…?” he prompted.
She looked back at him, a small grin curving her lips. “That you didn’t choose to use any of it on Clarissa yesterday.”
He blinked, sitting back in his chair. “I suppose you’re right.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s just that she stripped away all my usual tools and tricks. I found myself rather…” He had been about to say raw.
“Is that the reason? The real reason you were so gruff yesterday? It’s not because you are threatening her?”
His heart began to speed up in his chest. “Threaten her?” He sat forward. “I need you to understand. She is the only reason I am alive today. I would do anything to repay that favor.”
Penny drew in a deep breath as she reached into her reticule. “So you did not send her these?” She pulled three letters from the bag and slid them across the desk.
His brow furrowed as he picked one up and scanned the contents. White-hot anger coursed through him as he read them one after the other. Someone was attempting to hurt his Clarissa after all. “I would never…”
Penny gave a tight nod. “It’s coincidence then that you arrived at the same time as these letters?”
He shook his head. Thoughts of fate were
swirling about his mind again. “She shared these with you?”
“No. I found them tucked under her pillow.”