He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “As a marquess there are certain duties that I need filled.”
“Duties?” Oh dear. There was only one reason a lord wished to speak to a lady about his duties and that was when he wanted her to fulfill one of them for him by giving him a child. Cordelia cleared her throat, pressing her hand to her stomach.
“Yes.” He stepped a bit closer and she moved back. The frown lines on his forehead deepened. “I am in need of a wife and child to ensure that my line and legacy continue. I think that you’d make an excellent candidate. Not only would you be helping me secure my future but I, in turn, could protect you from any scandal.”
“Scandal you’re creating now by the two of us being here alone?” she asked, taking another step back. The Marquess of Malicorn was not a suitable candidate for her. Not only was he mysteriously dangerous, but he engaged in questionable pastimes.
He scoffed, the smell of the cigar he’d surely just smoked filling her nostrils. She’d always liked the scent. It was earthy with a bit of cherry. “I mean you coming into a part of town you weren’t supposed to be in and then stumbling into the back room of a gentleman’s club.” He lowered his head. “The countess knows sensitive information about you.”
Cordelia placed her other hand over her heart. “Are all your friends going to propose to my sisters and cousin?” Point in fact, Minnie had just married the Duke of Darlington and the Earl of Exmouth had seemed quite interested in her sister, Diana. Was this a group plan?
He raised his hands up. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m just trying to determine your motivations. Your sudden proposal is quite a surprise.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and two fingers. “Perhaps my first impression of you was incorrect.”
“Oh, this should be interesting. Tell me, what did you think of me?” Butterflies flitted in her stomach exposing her lie. She wasn’t entirely certain she wanted to know.
He dropped his hands. “That you’d be a suitable wife. I wished to speak with you to ask you to marry me.”
“But you no longer wish to ask?” That was beside the point. She didn’t want to marry him either. “And what about me precisely seemed suitable?” Even the word suitable made her heart sink. Diana was bold and daring. Minnie was strong and fiery. Grace was beautiful beyond compare and Ada was angelic. But Cordelia, the word burned in her brain. She was suitable. It wasn’t that she hadn’t known her entire life she was the least of all her cousins and sisters. But she’d hoped, perhaps foolishly, to find a man who thought her more. In fact, it had been the one dream that had carried her through a childhood where she was often unseen, surrounded by so many beautiful women.
“You’re not so loud and brash. You have manners, you seem quiet and—”
“Please, Lord Malicorn. That’s enough.” She held up her hand. “Much as I appreciate your offer for a suitable match. I simply must decline.”
“What?” He reached for her arm again, but she was quick enough to step back this time. She wouldn’t be caught by him again.
Taking a breath, she notched her chin as Diana or Minnie would do. “You heard me, my lord. My answer to your proposal is no.”
Chapter Two
The little imp spun about and raced down the path leaving Malice to stand there with his bloody mouth gaping open. “She said no,” he repeated to no one in particular. A garden bird answered, calling merrily as though to mock him. He was a marquess, for Christ’s sake. Women didn’t say no to marquesses, did they?
Recovering his senses, he stalked after her. Did he want to catch her? He wasn’t so certain. Actually, he was beginning to regret his proposal entirely.
He supposed he should have gotten to know her better but that was the point. Malice didn’t want to know her. He wished to bed her and then ship her off. Complete his duty without ever feeling a thing.
The very fact that she’d poked at his motivat
ions and then fled told him what he needed to know. She wasn’t the woman for him. A little disappointment made him rub the back of his neck. Part of him had been looking forward to the bedding.
Which was ridiculous. He could find another woman that was little and blonde with a small pink tongue and…he slashed his hand through the air. He didn’t need a replacement for Cordelia. He didn’t need her at all, well except for the part where she conceived an heir.
But if she didn’t want the position, he’d find another woman to fill the role. One who didn’t ask so many bloody questions.
He stormed back up the steps and through the front door of the Chase home. He’d say goodbye to his friend, Daring, the Duke of Darlington, and leave this place, never to return. He didn’t need Lady Cordelia Chase, he’d been doing her a favor, after all.
But he didn’t have a chance to return to the wedding breakfast. Daring was standing in the foyer with his arms crossed over his chest. “What the bloody hell do you think you are doing?” Daring had a deep voice and it echoed up the vaulted ceilings, reaching the intricately painted cherubs that graced the entry. The Lord of Winthrop was an earl and a rich one at that.
Malice stopped, assessing his friend. “Coming to say goodbye.”
“And where were you just now?”
Malice let out a groan of frustration. “What is it with all the questions today?”
Daring took a step closer, his body tensed like a bear or a wolf. His chest was puffed out and his teeth showed in the morning light. “Just one more question. Were you alone in the garden with Cordelia?”