Duke of Daring: Regency Romance (Lords of Scandal Book 1)
Page 9
Perhaps he didn’t care. Part of him wanted to marry her, keep her by his side. With one twist he could silence the voices of doubt that said she’d never love him.
Amazingly, he could barely focus on the Countess of Abernath. She’d angered him in this discussion, in that she threatened Minnie, and he was worried on Minnie’s behalf but looking at her, he felt nothing. Not even anger at their past. Of course, he’d like for Lady Abernath to disappear forever, but that was the extent of his feelings.
“I don’t care,” Minnie said next to him. “Do your worst.”
What? He looked at her then. “Minnie,” he growled.
The countess let out a cackle. “I know him, dear. He’ll not marry you to save you. Don’t say that thinking he’ll stage a rescue.”
Minnie didn’t bend. In fact, she appeared to grow taller. “I don’t need him to rescue me. Not from you. If you try and out the club, I shall tell everyone that you’re lying. That in fact we went to Jack’s home. I had a chaperone.”
Surprise, gratitude, warmth spread through him. She was going to lie to protect his club. His mind could barely process the details, a sluggish haze making thoughts difficult. “You will not fabricate the truth for me.”
Lady Abernath’s lip curled. “You can say what you want. The seed of doubt will be planted. No man of worth will touch you.”
Minnie shrugged. “Spinsterhood suits me. Now if you’ll excuse me, my family is waiting.”
Then she slipped her arm from his and started across the room. Tag turned to follow her, but suddenly Lady Abernath was in front of him. “Feisty, isn’t she?” She gripped his arm with a strength Tag wouldn’t have thought possible. “That’s how you like them, isn’t it? Then they’re strong enough to withstand all the hurt you rain down on their heads.”
Tag stared at the woman he’d once thought he cared for. Cristina was as deep-down angry with him as he’d once been with her. “I don’t understand what you get from this. You wronged me.”
“Yes, I made a mistake, but you left me with your child.” Her fingers dug in even harder.
“My child?” This time it was his lip that curled. “I know you weren’t a virgin. Were you already carrying that baby? Or did you and your lover conceive after I proposed?”
She barred her teeth. “How dare you. Do you have any idea what it was like to be alone and pregnant?”
“Do you have any idea what it was like to find the woman I loved cavorting with another man?”
She let go of his arm as suddenly as she grabbed it. “You don’t understand. You never did. After I ruin your precious Minnie, she’ll see things my way. You might slip through the noose this time but once she agrees to help me, you’ll suffer.” She stared at him with hatred oozing from her eyes. “That, I promise you. One way or another, you’ll suffer as I did.”
He stood straighter. “Cristina, I’ve already suffered at your hand. More than I could ever say.” Pointing his finger, he paused, adding weight to his words. “But you’ll not hurt Minnie. I’ll see to that.”
She let out a loud, cold laugh. “You won’t. When it comes to your feelings, you’re a complete coward.”
Tag clenched his fists. Of all the words Cristina had thrown at him, those hit the mark. He hadn’t been a coward with her. He’d given Cristina his whole heart. But with Minnie, he hadn’t been brave at all. What did he intend to do about it?
First, he needed to find Minnie and make sure she was all right. He pushed through the crowd, to the spot her family had carved out earlier but they were already gone.
Not wasting a moment, he called for his carriage but he didn’t return home. It was a bold move, but he made his way straight for the Chase residence. A man did not arrive at a woman’s home late in the evening if he didn’t have intentions, but he didn’t care.
His carriage rumbled up to the door and he didn’t even bother to wait for the footmen. He dashed out of the carriage and up the steps, banging the knocker several times.
The butler opened the door and ushered him inside. “Your Grace.” He gestured to the drawing room. “How can I be of service?”
Tag stopped. He hadn’t thought this through at all. “I would like to speak with—”
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Chase called from the top of the stairs. “Is that you?”
“Yes,” he answered relieved. “I was delayed and when I returned to your party, you were gone. I was concerned for Miss Chase. I…” He didn’t know what else to say.
Mrs. Chase started down the stairs, smiling indulgently. “Of course you were worried. I told her we shouldn’t leave, but she didn’t feel well. Sudden headache.” Mrs. Chase reached the bottom of the stairs. “I do hope she’ll be well enough to sit through her calling hours tomorrow.”
Tag nodded. “I’ll be certain to come.” He desperately needed to speak with Minnie.
Chapter Thirteen
Minnie sat by her window, her hands wrapped about her stomach, Ada and Diana splayed across her bed.
“Why did you agree to fall on your sword for him?” Diana asked, her voice rising with each word.
Minnie shook her head, her hands tightening on her waist. “We were both going to be ruined. It was the only thing I could think of that would save one of us.” She turned back to them. “But you’re all in danger. The countess knows all of us were at the Den of Sins.”
Her words were met with silence, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ada and Diana slowly rise to sitting. “She knows.”
Minnie looked over at them. “She must have followed us. She said she knew that we would go to the club. She was playing us the entire time.” Minnie felt like such a fool. Why had she not realized that the night they’d stormed from the ball and went headlong into a seedy part of London to a club no respectable woman should be at?
“What are we going to do?” Ada whispered.
“Marry. Quickly.” Minnie answered. “Or don’t and prepare yourself for spinsterhood as I am.” She stood then. “I’ve already amended myself to my fate. And if I can, I’ll take the fall for all of us. I’m still thinking. But you won’t change my mind about Lord Darlington so don’t try.”
Diana let out a short laugh that held little humor. “I wouldn’t dream of changing your path. I know better than that.” Diana stood too and crossed to Minnie. “You make a habit of tossing yourself in harm’s way to help those you love but are you sure you want to do this for him?”
“Of course, she does,” Ada answered. “She’s fallen in love.”
“Ada,” Minnie huffed. “Would you stop announcing that?”
“Tell me it isn’t true.” She stood too, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re my sister. I know you and I know when you deeply care about someone.”
Minnie’s shoulders fell. “It’s true.” Her head dipped down. “But I need you to know he’s been nothing but clear that he doesn’t want to marry. He hasn’t misled me in any way.” She looked out the window again into the dark night. She couldn’t blame him at all. It was her own foolish heart that had gotten her into this situation and she doubted she’d be able to extract herself from it.
“Do you think he’ll change his mind? Knowing that you were willing to sacrifice yourself?” Diana touched her arm.
Minnie shook her head. “I can’t explain it, but he’s not the marrying kind. Lady Abernath knows it too. She said nearly those words.” Minnie spun then, and grabbed Diana pulling her in for a hug. She knew what she had to do and she was prepared to do it, she just needed a little comfort first. “Diana, I need you to help me puzzle out how we’re going to keep Grace, Cordelia, and Ada safe. My head isn’t as sharp as it normally is and…” She buried her face in her cousin’s shoulder.
Diana wrapped her in a tight hug. “Of course, we’re going to keep them safe. Nothing’s happened yet. What you need is some sleep. Tomorrow, all the answers are going to come to us.”
Minnie nodded and Diana let her go, rubbing Minnie’s arms as she backed away.
Suddenly, Minnie’s door banged open. “You won’t believe it.” Her mother rushed in, her cheeks a dark shade of pink. “The Duke of Darlington just stopped by to make sure you were all right.”
“Mother.” Minnie’s head gave an actual throb. “You’re getting your hopes up. I’ve told you he’s not going to offer.”
Her mother sniffed. “You’re wrong.” Then she paused. “What’s your back-up plan if he isn’t?”
“Mother,” Ada called. “Minnie doesn’t feel well. We should discuss this in the morning.”
Her mother nodded. “Fine. But His Grace said he would return tomorrow, see that you’re ready.” Then she turned to go back out the door.
Minnie sighed with relief. Her mother was just too much tonight. “I will.”
At the door, her mother looked back over her shoulder. “And Minnie. Come up with another suitor. I meant what I said. You’ll be settled before the season begins.” Then her mother left, closing the doors behind her.
Minnie looked over at Ada. “She is going to be so disappointed.”
Ada nibbled her lip. “Forget about her. It’s you I’m worried about.”
Minnie was concerned too. She’d just ruined her future, burned it to the ground without even a puff of smoke. What would she do with the rest of her life?
Tag jogged down the steps of Minnie’s home and approached his carriage. “Home, sir?” The driver called.
“No,” he answered. “Take me to the club.”
The drive was short because the streets were nearly empty. As Tag stared out the window, he thought about Minnie and what she’d done this evening. Scrubbing his head with his hands, he squeezed his eyes shut.
He wasn’t as quick with his words as she was, but that didn’t stop his gut from filling with guilt. He’d left her to defend him.
Granted, she was the strongest woman he’d ever met, but still. The countess was his battle to fight, not hers. The problem was he hadn’t a clue how to do it.
He supposed the only answer was to allow her to tell all of London about his club. Perhaps, it was time to retire from his secret occupation. He thought back to what Jack had said, about how he was ready for a different life.
Tag pushed his fingers into his eyes. Gambling, women…they suddenly sounded hollow, empty of real meaning and feeling.
The carriage pulled to a stop and he once again jumped out without waiting for the footmen. They’d pulled up into the alley and Tag knocked on the back door meant only for him and his fellow owners. They had a distinctive knock that allowed the guards to quickly discern who was trying to gain entrance.
The guard opened the door, ushering Tag inside. He made his way down the narrow hall where he could already hear the male voices of his friends, likely counting the night’s earnings. Stepping into the room, he closed the door firmly behind him. “I need to talk with you.”
Four sets of eyes turned back to him.
Malice was the first to speak. “You look like hell.”
Tag narrowed his gaze. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“He’s not pissed,” Exile added. “But he looks like he’s been drinking.”
“And after that, dragged through the streets,” Vice said with a smirk.
“What are you all bloody talking about?” he growled, annoyed they weren’t getting to the heart of the matter.
Bad cleared his throat. “Daring, your hair is a mess. Your eyes are red and puffy and your shirt front is all wrinkled.”
Tag looked down at himself. Well, they’d arrived at the issue after all. “I’ve had a rough night.”
“I’d never have guessed,” Malice said with a curl of his lip.
Tag shot him a wicked glare. “But I haven’t been drinking, just so you know, when I swing at your face, I won’t miss.”
“Of course you haven’t been drinking,” Vice tipped back in his chair, his blond hair perfectly arranged to wave back from his face. “Your trouble tonight is of the female variety.”
Tag clenched his fist at his side. “It’s not what you think.”
“How do you know what I think?” Vice raised one eyebrow.
“Stop fecking teasing him.” Exile banged his hand on the table. “Tell us what happened already.”
He did. All of it. Well, he left out the kiss with Minnie. Somehow, he didn’t want to share that with them. What happened between himself and her wasn’t any of their business. But he told them about the countess’s threats and about how Minnie had defended him.
His story was met with absolute silence. Not one man spoke as he finished talking. “Well,” he snapped. “What do you think? What should I do?” When had he become so damn indecisive?
Malice spread his hands across the table. “Just so we’re clear. Not only is the Chase woman hiding our secret, but she’s going to risk her own reputation to protect us?”
His shoulders hunched. “I can’t let her do that, you all understand that, right?”
No one answered. Which Tag took as a sign of agreement.
He scrubbed his scalp again. “You’ll have to replace me, or not. Buy out my shares.” With the words, the hectic feeling inside calmed. “I’m going to marry her. I need to keep her safe. I can’t allow her to ruin her entire future for a fecking gaming hell.”
Exile nodded. “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said since this entire affair began.”
“What does that mean?” Bad growled out, his dark brow pulling low over his eyes.
Exile, a massive Scot, didn’t even blink. “It means that the woman is willing to give up her entire future to protect that lug over there. He’s a duke. He has to marry. Can you think of a better woman to raise your children?”
Again. Silence.
Tag smoothed out his dark hair. “Exile’s right. It’s my duty to beget children, I can’t deny that she’ll make a loyal wife.” He also couldn’t deny that she was nothing like Lady Abernath. Strength aside, she wasn’t selfish and mean. Minnie was…kind, caring, loyal. The question that plagued him was, could he avoid the sins of his parents? For her sake, he had to be brave and try.
“There’s another issue we have to discuss.” He cleared his throat. “With Jack married to Emily, at least that’s what we assume they are doing, and my marriage to Minnie, I doubt the ladies will share our secret. They’re not just protecting us but their own kin.” He drew in a deep breath. “But in keeping us safe, they put themselves in danger.”
“Damn it all to bloody hell,” Bad growled out. “I’m not marrying the chit.”
Vice put all four legs of his chair back on the floor, the clunk of wood on wood filling the room. “Me either.”
“It might not come to that.” Daring stepped up to the table. “But you’ll protect your assigned lady’s reputation and safety or you’ll face me.”
Malice waved his hand. “Relax, Daring. We’ll figure all of this out. Anyone kill a woman before?”
If they touched one hair on a Chase’s head...“I’ll kill you first.”
Malice blinked. “I’m not talking about Cordelia. I already said I wanted to marry her, you egit. I’m talking about Lady Abernath.”
That made Tag’s head snap back. “We can’t go around killing ladies of society, no matter how terrible they are.”
Malice nodded. “You’re right, of course. I was just testing the theory out loud. Seemed the simplest option.”
Vice curled his fingers around his glass. “We can, however, fight fire with fire. The lady has a great many secrets, most of which she would not want her husband to know. And we own a club that services many of the men who likely keep those stories. We could threaten her with her own ruin should she try to hurt us or the Chase women.”
Daring relaxed, the knot of tension in his chest unfurling. “That’s a bloody good idea. We’ll start first thing tomorrow night.”
“Bonus, you don’t have to marry if you don’t want,” Bad said, standing and slapping Tag on the back. “No need to retire.”
“Loyalty?” Bad shrugged. “That’s one of the least interesting reasons for marrying I’ve ever heard.”
The men all laughed. Even Tag. He was sure there were parts of being married to Minnie that were going to be quite interesting indeed. The only problem. He hadn’t actually asked her yet. But surely she’d welcome his advances. He was rescuing her, after all. Surely, she’d appreciate his request for her hand. But his gut niggled with doubt. He’d already hinted that he’d marry her and she had not been all that eager. Would she refuse his offer?
Chapter Fourteen
Minnie patted her cheeks, then touched the bags that were surely present under her eyes. She’d hardly slept.
Her mother had insisted she attend her calling hours, and as Minnie hadn’t yet plucked up the courage to tell her mother she might be ruined, she had no choice but to do as she’d been bid.
Footsteps outside the door made her shift in her seat. Tag was supposed to come visiting this morning. Not that they could discuss anything of any importance with her cousin in attendance.
But somehow, seeing him might make her feel better. Or worse. She didn’t know yet. On the one hand, she’d gotten the impression that if she said the word, he’d marry her. That would certainly make her mother happy.
Minnie’s own heart jumped. Marrying Tag would make her happy too. At least for a while. But she didn’t want him to marry her because he was obligated to do so. Or because she’d coerced him into it. She wanted a man who wanted her.
Even Lord Charleston had granted her that grace. Until he hadn’t, of course. Perhaps that was her issue. She didn’t want a man who was soft about his feelings for her. Not after the last time. He either wanted her or he didn’t. She’d not accept anything less.
The door swung open and her butler gave a slight bow. Minnie held her breath as she waited to see Tag.