Earl of Baxter (Lords of Scandal 8)

Penny stood. “That isn’t true. I would have never made it through the last six years without you. You’re one of the best things to happen to me.”

Clarissa shook her head. “Logan is the best. I’ve hardly been able to help at all.” To her dismay, tears pricked at her eyes.

How could she explain that she’d love nothing more than to accept Baxter’s proposal? But he needed to be protected…from her. From the choices she’d made. How could a thief become a countess?

Penny crossed the room, wrapping her arms about Clarissa. She tried to resist the touch but as her friend’s warmth wrapped about her, she collapsed into it. “Don’t say that. You’ve been wonderful. All the love you give the children. The help you gave me. I was supposed to rescue you the d

ay I took you from the church, but I sometimes think you saved me. Gave me hope and direction when I had none.”

Clarissa squeezed her back. The words soothed some of her hurt. “Thank you for saying that. But you don’t understand. So many times I’ve tried to help people and failed. I don’t know if I’m good—”

Penny shook her head so vigorously that Clarissa pulled away for fear of getting knocked in the chin. “You’re the best, Clarissa.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do,” Penny started.

“No.” Clarissa bit back. “You don’t. And he doesn’t either. But I can tell him that he needn’t bother pursuing me. Where is he?”

Penny dropped her arms biting her lip again. “I don’t think—”

“Tell me,” Clarissa said before her friend could finish. “I need to speak with him. It’s too hard…” She didn’t finish. Because what she might have said was that it was too difficult to be this tempted by a future that included a husband and a man who didn’t hurt her, or leave her, or tell her she was worthless.

Penny flinched. “You know that building near our old home? The strange one with the red door and the emblem with a W?”

Clarissa gasped. She knew it exactly. “I’ll be back soon.”

Penny shook her head. “You can’t go alone. I’ll come with you.”

“I’ll bring a maid.” She waved her hand. She had no intention of bringing anyone. She and the Earl of Baxter needed to have a private conversation.

Chapter Six

Mason paced back and forth, trying to decide how best to proceed. His conversation with Penny had solidified his feelings.

This was what he’d been working toward. Clarissa.

He winced, his head dropping into his hands. He’d ruined their first meeting yesterday. Like a fool.

He heard the door of his office slowly open, the wood giving the faintest creak. Turning he drew in a sharp breath as Clarissa peeked into the room. “Is this a bad time?”

“No,” he said simply. “How did you get in here—” Then he paused. “Never mind. I already know Keyworth let you in.”

She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. Then she drew in a deep breath. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as her hands twisted together. “I suppose I should start with a confession.”

He took two steps toward her until she held out her hand. He stopped but his fingers itched to touch her. “Confession?”

“I lied yesterday,” she whispered. “It was me. We met in the church.”

His chest was so tight he could hardly breathe. “Did you lie because I frightened you?”

She shook her head. “You don’t frighten me.”

He couldn’t hold himself back and he took another step. “Then why lie?”

She drew in a ragged breath. “You know about my father. And now you know that someone is…” She looked at the wall to her right, averting her gaze. “You know where I came from and how I got there and…” She stopped, her chin dropping.

He couldn’t hold back anymore. Closing the gap between them, he reached up and touched her cheek with the tips of his fingers “Are you worried that I won’t keep your secrets?” As far as secrets went, it wasn’t much of one. His father had said and done far worse. It wasn’t until he’d met Clarissa that he’d been able to let that go.