Marquess of Malice: Lords of Scandal Book 2

by Andresen, Tammy

  “Bloody hell, it can’t.” Exile was on his feet too. “We need to warn the girls.”

  But Malice didn’t answer. He was already shrugging on his coat as he sprinted for the door. He needed to see Cordelia right this moment. He just wanted to know she was safe.

  * * *

  Cordelia had sat for hours in her room alone. This time, her mother and both of her sisters had attempted to visit but she’d sent them away. She’d said too much. Or not enough. She wasn’t certain.

  Perhaps she was to blame. They’d pay her more mind if she were funnier, or more sociable.

  That was likely why Chad had stayed away. He’d decided she’d make a suitable wife and that’s what she would always be to him. Nothing more. Or perhaps, now that she’d agreed to marry him, he was no longer interested in making her feel special. Either way, she was worried she’d made a terrible mistake.

  A tear trickled down her cheek and she swiped it away. They only fogged up her glasses. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t marry a man who barely noticed her. His indifference would crush her.

  Another knock sounded at the door. “Please. I don’t want visitors.”

  “Very well, my lady,” the butler answered. “Should I tell Lord McKenzie to come back another time?”

  “Lord McKenzie?” She sat straighter. “Here now?”

  “Yes, my lady,” the butler replied. “Though it’s nearly five, it is technically still your calling hours. Should I fetch Mary to sit with you or should I ask Lord McKenzie to return another time?”

  She licked her lips, standing. She likely shouldn’t see him after the way he’d acted. “I don’t think it’s wise.”

  “Very well, my lady. Can I at least deliver his gift to you?”

  “Gift?” she asked, crossing the room. “What gift?” Then she opened the door. Mr. Bradley didn’t bother to answer as he handed her a large bouquet of white orchids. “He sends his sincerest apologies.”

  “He shouldn’t be giving me gifts.” But heat filled her cheeks. No man had ever attempted to give her a trinket or flower. It was a promise of sorts and her stomach flopped at the idea of a man being so bold.

  “I misspoke. He said it wasn’t a gift and shouldn’t be taken as such but an apology for his behavior. He wishes to know that you are well after your fall.”

  She set the flowers on the table and turned back to Mr. Bradley. “I suppose I can see him for a bit to allow him to apologize. Fetch Mary, please, and request tea and biscuits.”

  “Very good, Lady Cordelia.” He nodded as he turned to go do as she’d requested.

  She made her way down the sitting room, relieved to find none of her family there. Her cousin, Mary, however, had already stationed herself in the corner. Mary was a lovely woman with dark hair and eyes. Not the first time, Cordelia wondered why she’d never married. “Good evening, Mary.”

  “Cordelia.” The other woman smiled back with a wink. “You won’t even know I’m here.”

  She gave Mary a nod as she took a seat on the settee. Her movements were ginger to say the least. Her arm had been wrapped in strips of cloth and a sling had been formed to keep the hand from moving but it still ached a bit this time of day.

  Not two minutes later, the door opened again and the butler entered with McKenzie. He immediately held out his hands. “Is that a sling? I am so sorry. Please don’t get up.” He held out his hands as he crossed the room to her. “I am a complete boar. Say that you’ll forgive me.”

  She pressed her lips together, remaining in her seat. What had seemed like a reasonable idea in her room, suddenly felt off. Wrong. She’d been desperate for a bit of company that didn’t feel strained, but McKenzie should not have been the answer. If anything, he was far meaner than her family or Chad. “Of course I can forgive you. I hope you’ll forgive me, I can only visit for a short time. I find I have very little energy.”

  He waved. “Certainly. I understand completely.”

  The butler gave a quick bow and turned to go just as the tea service arrived. The maid set it on the table next to the settee. Cordelia grimaced as she realized she’d have to rise. When she’d ordered the drink, she’d forgotten she’d need to serve it to a guest. It was going to be challenging with one hand.

  “How delightful.” McKenzie beamed. “I was going to request tea. Long day. So thoughtful for you to have ordered it already.”

  “Were you?” She crinkled her brow, trying to decide why this entire visit seemed strange. Placing her good hand on the seat, she started to push up when he held out his hands. “Please allow me. You shouldn’t get up on my account.”

  He stood at the table, arranging cups and pouring liquid. Cordelia wasn’t certain she’d ever seen a man serve tea before and her eyes narrowed. “Are you certain I can’t help you?”

  “You could help me by looking away.” He turned back to her giving her a large smile that showed all his teeth. “I feel odd. Not that I’m not happy to help, but I’m afraid this doesn’t come naturally to me.”

  Cordelia nodded and looked across the room. Something was wrong with this meeting. He was too smiley, too helpful. Did he really feel that guilty or did he want to change her mind about marrying Chad?

  “Here you go.” McKenzie said but his voice was further away.

  Cordelia turned her head to see that he’d served Mary a cup of tea. The other woman crinkled her brow in confusion as she accepted the cup.

  Cordelia opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, but then closed it again. She didn’t want Mary to feel badly for accepting the cup. “Lord McKenzie,” she asked instead. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “I’m grand.” There it was again. That toothy smile. But he set a cup of tea down on the table in front of her holding a second in one his large hand. “I’m thrilled you agreed to see me after what happened. I have to confess that I can be a bit of a jealous man. But I went too far and I’m so glad to have this opportunity.”

  She nibbled at her lip, deciding this was an even larger mistake than she’d first supposed. She didn’t want to spark any negative behavior by telling him that she’d accepted Chad’s offer and she doubted McKenzie could provide much clarity on whether or not she should retract from the match. Instead of saying anything, she took a sip of her tea.

  Immediately, she realized it tasted funny. Sweeter than normal. She set the cup down. “Don’t drink that, my lord. Something’s wrong with it.”

  His face went pale. “What do you mean?”

  Her own eyes narrowed. “It tastes odd. I’ll have to ask the cook what…” Her voice tapered off as she tried to rise but her head swam. She sat back down instead. “Mary. Did you taste anything off?”

  Cordelia turned to look back at Mary. The other woman was slumped over in her chair. “Mary!”

  Her own voice made her head pulse and she brought her good hand up to press against her forehead. “Lord McKenzie, I don’t feel well.”

  She closed her eyes to try and clear the cobwebs but jolted them open again when large hands circled her shoulders. Her vision was cloudy. “I know you don’t, but don’t worry. You’ll be asleep very soon.”

  “Asleep?” she asked but her voice came out funny. Like her tongue was too large for her mouth.

  She tried to clear her mind, but the harder she worked the worse it became and suddenly the world went black.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Malice jogged up the steps to the Chase townhouse as the sun dipped lower in the sky, his stomach sinking with the setting sun. His fist clenched as he raised a hand to bang the knocker on the front door. Somehow, he just needed to see Cordelia and know for certain she was safe.

  Bloody bullocks, he was failing her already. He’d stayed away to protect her. His insides twisted. That wasn’t true. He’d stayed away to protect himself. And in doing so he’d put her in danger.

  He took a deep breath. He didn’t know that. In fact, he was likely letting his worries run away with him. Someone would answer the door soon
and show him upstairs. She’d be lying in bed and likely miffed that he hadn’t been to visit her in person for three days.

  He smiled, relaxing a bit. He’d have to beg for her forgiveness. He was fine with that. Then, he’d tell her how he felt. Which was to say, he’d tell her that he loved her, was in love with her and…he paused. What was taking so long?

  He raised his hand and knocked again. Louder.

  After several more seconds he heard hurried footsteps crossing the foyer and then the door jolted open. The butler looking pale and shaken stood before him. “My lord,” he cried the moment he saw him. “Thank goodness it’s you.”

  “It’s me,” he answered stepping inside. “Why are we giving thanks for that?” But the sinking feeling he’d had all day returned. He pulled his shoulders straighter as though bracing himself. “What’s happened?”

  The man grew more pale. “Come with me and I’ll explain.” Then he turned and started up the stairs. “Lady Cordelia had a visitor,” he said over his shoulder as they walked.

  “Who?” He quickened his pace, not wanting to miss a word.

  “Lord McKenzie,” the butler answered, stopping on the steps. “It was during calling hours. They were chaperoned.”

  Malice placed his hand on the man’s back giving him a small push forward to keep him going. He needed to get upstairs and see Cordelia. “I’m sure it was all very proper. What’s happened. Is she all right?”

  “Mary’s still asleep so I’m not entirely sure what’s happened, and Lady Winthrop has fainted, and Lady Diana has sent a servant to find her father, but…”

  His gut knotted in fear as he drew up to his full height. “Where is Cordelia?” Anger and fear were making his voice rise louder.

  The man made it to the top of the stairs and stopped again, turning to face him. He swayed on his feet. “That’s just it, my lord. We don’t know. She’s gone.”

  “Gone?” Malice stopped too, gripping the banister so tightly, he thought it might break. “What do you mean she’s gone?”

  The other man swallowed. “Well. I left her and Mary in the sitting room with Lord McKenzie. When I returned, Mary was laying on the floor. Lord McKenzie and Lady Cordelia had disappeared.”

  “Where are they?” He knew he was being obtuse. But the idea that Cordelia could be anywhere in London or even out of the city by now made his head spin. “How long ago did you discover this?”

  “Just an hour ago, my lord.” The man took several shallow breaths. “What are we going to do?”

  He didn’t know for certain and he scrubbed a hand along the back of his neck. He wanted to curl into a ball and cry like he hadn’t since the age of five when his nanny had left. Instead, he twisted his neck, giving it a crack. “We’re going to find her and then we’re going to kill Lord McKenzie.” He let go of the banister and started down the hall. “Show me the sitting room.”

  “Yes, my lord.” The butler came to life, moving down the hall. “How did you know to come here?”

  He shook his head. “It was just a feeling.” It wasn’t any old feeling. It was the most powerful emotion he’d ever experienced. And now that he had found love for the first time in adult life, he was not losing Corde. She belonged to him now and forever and he needed to find her.

  They rounded a corner and he stepped into the sitting room. Diana paced near the window, her hands clasped. The moment she saw him, she stopped pacing. “Thank goodness.” She tossed her hands in the air.

  He didn’t say a word as he picked up an abandoned teacup and sniffed. “Opium,” he said, his voice ruff. He’d recognize that sweet scent anywhere. No wonder Mary was a puddle on the floor.

  “Opium?” Diana crossed over to him. “You’re sure?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut. Cordelia had been drugged and now she could be anywhere. “What do we know?” He scrubbed his face. “We know she’s asleep and that she could remain that way for hours. We know she’s with McKenzie, or she was, and we know…” He hesitated, opening his eyes to look at Diana. He thought back to her comments about Lady Abernath wanting revenge. “We know that McKenzie and Lady Abernath are in a relationship.”

  Diana gasped, her hand covering her mouth. “Where would they take her?”

  He shook his head. “That’s what I don’t know. But I know someone who might.” He turned toward the door. “I’ll send a missive as soon as I know anything.”

  “I’m coming with you.” She straightened and began to follow.

  “No,” he said as he turned back to her. “Your reputation.”

  Diana pulled herself taller. “I don’t care about that.”

  Malice paused. He didn’t have much time but he appreciated what Diana wanted to do. “You’ll slow me down. I’ll be faster on horse on my own.”

  Her shoulders sagged a little. “I have to help her.” A tear slid down Diana’s cheek. “We take her for granted sometimes. She gives so much and asks so little.”

  He reached out and patted her shoulder. “I’ll bring her back to you and then you can apologize in person. Now take care of your mother and tell your father what’s happened. He needs to report McKenzie to the Bow Street Runners so that we have more men looking for them. Do you understand?”

  Diana gave a tight nod. “Of course.”

  Malice turned toward the door and made his way down the hall and to the steps. As he passed under the ceiling painted with cherubs, he said a silent prayer that he was able to keep his promise to Diana. If he lost Cordelia now… He refused to finish the thought. He’d find her. For all their sakes, he had to get Cordelia back.

  * * *

  Cordelia woke in a dark room. The bedding was comfortable enough and the bed was large and quite fluffy, but the room smelled wrong. This wasn’t her bed. Her head pounded and her mouth was pasty with thirst. “Hello,” she called.

  “You’re awake,” a voice called out of the darkness. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d sleep all night.”

  Cordelia scrunched her brow. The feminine voice was oddly familiar, high and cool in its tones; it made her shiver even under the covers. “I’m quite thirsty.”

  “Oh yes, I can imagine so. You’ll need food very soon too.”

  Cordelia heard the sound of metal scraping wood and the fire jumped to life, casting shadows all about the room as it faintly illuminated the interior. She squinted her eyes, a statuesque figure standing next to the hearth. “What happened?”

  The woman turned away from the flames and moved toward her to the table next to the bed. She lifted a pitcher and poured a glass of water. “You don’t remember Lord McKenzie’s visit?”

  She raised a hand to her head. Vague memories of drinking very sweet tea came to mind. “What was in the tea?”

  “Oh, I didn’t ask that.” The woman bent down with a glass of water in hand. “The less I know the better.” Lady Abernath’s face came into view and Cordelia gasped, recoiling on the bed. Some of the fog lifted from her brain but her head throbbed terribly.

  “But if I were to guess by the way you were talking in your sleep, I’d say opium of some sort.” She pushed the glass closer. “Now drink. You need your strength.”

  Cordelia swallowed, her lips sticking together. Her mouth tasted like she’d eaten wood but after what had happened, she didn’t think she should drink something offered by Lady Abernath. “I’ve changed my mind.”

  The other woman sighed and then brought the glass to her lips, taking a long swallow. “It’s fine. I can assure you.”

  Cordelia stared at the liquid. It must be all right and she was unbelievably thirsty. She took the glass and brought it to her lips, taking a small sniff. The liquid smelled fine. Then tipping the glass, she took a small sip and then another. It slid down her throat, cool and refreshing, dulling the pain in her head.

  “Better?” Lady Abernath crossed the room and pulled a cord. “Let’s get a snack too. I’m terribly peckish after staying up all night.”

  Cordelia blinked. What exactly was happ
ening here? Had she been stolen out of her home for a sleepover? Lady Abernath was acting as though they were friends. She clamped the blanket tighter to her body. “Why am I here?”

  Lad Abernath pulled the cord. “Drink more water. You’ll need it.”

  Cordelia stared at the other woman for a moment before she obeyed. With every sip, her headache lessoned. She didn’t ask again, assuming she’d find out soon enough.

  Lady Abernath gave instructions to a servant to prepare a tray and then returned to Cordelia’s bed. Settling herself in a chair next to Corde, she leaned back, folding her hands over her knee. “You’re here because I need your help.”

  “Help?” Cordelia struggled to sit up straighter. Between her arm, her head, and the glass of water, she made quite a mash of it. “You’ve abducted me and now you want my help?”

  “I didn’t abduct you. Lord McKenzie has that honor. I simply want to strike a bargain.”

  Cordelia gripped the glass tighter. “What sort of bargain?”

  “It’s simple enough. You want to return to your family, preferably without anyone realizing you were ever gone.” Lady Abernath gave her a large smile that curled her lips, but nothing else on her face moved. Her eyes didn’t crinkle, her cheeks didn’t plump. It was the coldest smile Cordelia had ever seen. “I want all of England to know that the Duke of Darlington isn’t the wholesome picture he presents to the world.”

  Cordelia drew in a sharp breath. She was beginning to understand “You want me to out Daring as the owner of the Den of Sins?”

  Lady Abernath gave a small clap. “What a clever girl you are.”

  Cordelia shook her head. Lady Abernath was playing nice but this woman had most certainly orchestrated this entire event. “And if I refuse? Do I stay here as your guest?”

  “Oh no. Certainly not,” Lady Abernath gave a high trill of laughter. “But, I will make certain that all of London hears that you spent the night with Lord McKenzie. And as he is on a boat headed for France, he won’t be available to save you from your fate.”