Earl of Baxter (Lords of Scandal 8)

She drew in a breath. Her whole life she’d tried to help the people around her, but inevitably her sins outweighed her good deeds. Were those ruffians connected to her past? To the letters? She should have told Penny and Logan but she’d been so ashamed. Closing her eyes, she chastised herself for being a fool. Was she hurting them by keeping her secrets? Would she do harm to her friend and the children?

And the Earl of Baxter. He was better off remembering her as the girl who saved him. He’d only be disappointed by who she’d had to become to escape the horrid priest.

He was the one person she wanted to remember her as good and right and…someone to be admired, not hated.

Her fists clenched as Logan’s carriage drove up to the house. Logan stepped out and then handed out Penny. Their heads bent close together as they talked. But the conversation didn’t appear to be one of lovers. Their bodies were tense, their mouths pressed in firm lines.

Penny looked up at the window and grimaced when she saw Clarissa. Clarissa pushed back, her own body growing tense. What was wrong with Penny?

After standing, she started for the door. “I’ll be back shortly, girls,” she called as she made her way out the door and then down the hall.

They entered the house when she was halfway down the stairs and she didn’t bother with greetings. “What’s the matter?”

Penny stopped too, her frown deepening. “I think we should talk.”

Clarissa started down the stairs once again. “I agree. Hence why I asked what was wrong.”

“Let’s step into the sitting room.”

Clarissa’s stomach twisted. Clearly, whatever Penny needed to say was serious. “All right.”

She followed Penny into the other room, not bothering to sit but crossing back to the window. Somehow, watching the world made her feel less frightened.

Penny cleared her throat. “There’s no point in hiding anything from you. I found your letters and I spoke with the Earl of Baxter.”

The window was forgotten as Clarissa spun back around. Blood rushed in her ears. What had they pieced together? They knew? Both of them? “You did what?”

“How could you not tell me someone was threatening you?” Penny’s chin notched higher.

Clarissa curled into herself. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

Penny shook her friend. “You are my family. I will always help you.”

Clarissa ducked her head. “I’m not the person you think I am.”

“You are exactly the person I think you are. Strong and loving. And you deserve the best future you can have.”

Clarissa’s chin snapped up. “What does that mean?”

“Did you know he’s quite charming?”

“I know I don’t give a fig,” she fired back.

Penny nibbled at her lip. “He says he wants to marry you.”

Her heart began to pound in her chest, her hands covering it in an attempt to make the organ slow. Had he said that before or after he’d read the notes? The words accusing her, correctly, of being a petty thief. “He doesn’t even know me.” She clenched her hands into the folds of her dress as the world seemed to spin in a dizzying fashion. Because her first reaction had been excitement, not dread. “And what I know of him I don’t like.” Lie. She liked him so much, she ached inside.

Penny cocked a brow. “Really? He’s handsome and singularly focused on…well…you.”

Clarissa let out a huff. “That doesn’t concern you?” She took a step toward Penny. “He dove into my carriage. Logan had to pull him bodily out. Or, at least, he tried.”

“All true.” Penny rubbed her chin. “I did just marry. I’m seeing everything with a romantic flare. But still. He’s an earl. I’m not saying you should agree to marry him just that perhaps, you should get to know him.”

“No.” The single word cut through the air like a hot knife slicing through butter.

“Why?”

Clarissa gave her head a shake. “I’m not like you. Good things don’t come to me. Especially when they’re offered by men. They fall apart in my hands and—” She stopped talking.