“You’re serious?”
“I’m afraid so. Local thugs as far as I can tell, though they’ve been annoyingly persistent. I’m beginning to worry there is a larger force at work.” He rubbed his head, hating where his thoughts had taken him. “Do you know Blackwater at all?”
“I do. I know you had an altercation this evening, but he wouldn’t stoop that low. He’s a good man.” Baxter crossed to the chair that Penny had just vacated. “You’ve obviously had a trying evening. Let me get down to business. First, I’ll match the donation to the orphanage. I plan to be a less active owner of the club so I feel I should contribute.”
“All right.”
“But I’d like you to reconsider joining our venture in the Den of Sins.”
Logan should have known. “I’m sorry, but as I told Daring, the answer is no.”
Penny clapped her hands over her mouth to keep from gasping then wondered if they’d heard the sound of her gloves smacking against her flesh.
But the conversation continued.
She knew she shouldn’t be listening but as she’d walked away, she’d realized they were discussing…well…her. Then they turned the conversation over to the club and she’d distinctly heard Logan say that he wasn’t taking part in the Den of Sins and something soft and warm melted inside her.
Because he was most definitely still helping them.
And not getting a thing in return.
She was sorry she’d been so angry and so grateful that he’d brought them here where they were safe.
She leaned against the wall as the conversation continued.
“Why?” Baxter asked. “It’s a fabulous opportunity. You know it.”
“I do. But I also know that I don’t need it. And furthermore, helping Miss Walters is far more important than any business endeavor. I’ve made my final decision.”
Tears stung at her eyes and she had to blink several times to clear them. He was giving up gaining more money to focus his energy and time on her cause.
Baxter was silent for a moment. “I’m going to level with you. We know that you have the golden touch…”
Penny inhaled a sharp breath, steeling herself for Logan’s response given he loathed the nickname. That much was evident earlier this evening during dinner.
“And?” Logan’s voice could have frozen the Thames.
“Blackwater will come around. The rest of us believe you are a vital element to the success of the venture,” Lord Baxter said. “We’re willing to reflect that need in your share of the business.”
It was Logan’s turn to stop speaking. The silence stretched for so long that Penny found herself standing on tiptoe, leaning closer to the door. She nearly forgot to breathe as her hands clasped together.
“I don’t have a reputation for playing nice with others,” he said finally.
Penny shook her head. Yes, sometimes he blew in like a storm and occasionally he pummeled men in the street. But he stood up for what was right, and he protected children and… She covered her mouth again to keep from speaking when she wasn’t even supposed to be listening.
Why was she listening? She shouldn’t and it wasn’t like her, but from outside the door, Logan was coming into focus. And he was the man she’d hoped he’d be.
Baxter chuckled. “My reputation is far worse than yours. I know what Blackwater’s brother was like, the first heir apparent. I caught his wrath at Eton and I had a brother who was a duke in my corner. I’m going to trust you to try your best to make nice with the new Baron of Blackwater. He’s nothing like his brother was…he’s just…feeling guilty.”
He scrunched his brow. What did that mean? Penny tamped down the urge to find out. It didn’t matter.
Logan let out a grumble. “I’ve made my decision. I’ve got rooms upstairs filled with orphans who need a home.”
Tears once again filled her eyes. Her cheek pressed against the wall, cool under her heating skin.
“I might have a solution for that. There is a building near Mayfair that is available.”
This time she couldn’t hold in her gasp. Mayfair? Her orphans would be so much safer and happier in such a place. Penny hadn’t realized she’d closed her eyes until someone touched her arm. Then they snapped back open.