Malice stared at her. Was that the truth? His heart thudded in his chest.
Cordelia slipped her hand from his arm and he nearly pulled it back. She should be touching him now. Inside, he wanted to be close to her, ask her to explain again. Was there hope for him after all? But he straightened instead. He was acting absurd. One kiss and he’d allowed himself to go completely mad.
“Sometimes our lives dictate our choices. We can’t help that we’ve been damaged.” Surprise rippled through him. Had he really just said that out loud?
Diana stared at him, then looked at Cordelia. She didn’t say a word, but her eyebrows rose and her lips pressed together.
“What does that look mean?” he demanded, crossing his arms.
Diana gave him a half-smile. “Nothing.” Then her eyes drifted over his shoulder.
Malice turned too. An exceedingly handsome man was striding toward them, his walk purposeful, his eyes trained on them.
He had the sort of looks that suited the stage. Dark hair and hazel eyes that were fringed with long dark lashes, almost as though he outlined them with charcoal. His lips were nearly oversized and his cheekbones strong. Malice didn’t like him. Something about his swagger spoke of arrogance rather than confidence.
“Look at this,” Diana said, her voice soft. “Do you think he’s coming over for me?”
“Most likely,” Cordelia answered, stepping next to her sister and further from Malice. He had that same urge to pull her against him again. He dug his fingers into his thigh. He was damaged enough and couldn’t get attached to Corde now. He needed to put some distance between himself and Lady Cordelia Chase.
* * *
Cordelia took a steadying breath as she stepped next to her sister. Breathing, the most natural occurrence in the world, suddenly felt odd. She would have sworn that her own lungs had fallen into rhythm with Chad’s.
She blinked, staring over at him. He was gripping his thigh in a way that made her wonder if he was having the same trouble she was? Somehow, she doubted it.
But Cordelia did feel a certain inspiration to write. She’d only written children’s stories, but now…perhaps she could finally tackle a romance.
She didn’t know how her story might end, but she did have a clear vision of the beginning. And in her story the hero would propose because he’d fallen madly in love. And her heroine would say yes, and then they’d share a magical kiss.
Then she bit her lip. Stories were only interesting if they had a few complications. Troubles to overcome. What would her characters suffer from? Surely not a botched proposal and an illicit kiss?
Those thoughts actually made her smile before she frowned again. This wasn’t a complication in a happy story. The man’s name was Malice. He wasn’t her Prince Charming she’d dreamed of, she had to remember that fact.
Except as she studied the lines of his face, her heart sped up again, thrumming in her chest.
“Hello, Lady Cordelia. Lady Diana, good to see you,” A female voice called from their right.
Cordelia turned to see the hostess of the event, Lady Wilson. “My lady.” Cordelia dipped into a quick curtsy. “Thank you so much for having us.”
“Thank you for coming.” The other woman grinned. “How is your sister faring in her new marriage?”
They’d managed to keep Emily’s elopement a secret. All of London believed she’d married as planned. “Very good, my lady.” Diana answered. “They’re off on a celebratory journey.”
“How delightful. Your parents must be looking forward to matching the rest of you in equally advantageous marriages.”
Cordelia nibbled at the inside of her cheek to keep from answering. Her sister had only just married. Why were they talking about the next match already? “It was a pleasure to see you, my—”
“Hold on.” Lady Wilson winked. “I’ve someone I want to introduce to Diana.”
Cordelia inwardly groaned on Diana’s behalf. She was a beauty, which meant her company was highly sought after. There were times when Cordelia could confess to being jealous but others in which she was grateful. Diana spent a great deal of time talking to men she had absolutely no interest in.
“Of course,” Diana said. Her lips formed a smile but Cordelia could see her teeth were clenched underneath.
“Lady Diana, this is Lord McKenzie.”
A large man with black hair and eyes so dark they looked black as well, stepped up from behind Lady Wilson. “Lady Diana, a pleasure,” he said.
Diana dipped into a curtsy. “And you as well.”
He was classically handsome with a straight nose and high cheekbones. Tall with broad shoulders, he could have been a statue, he was so well-shaped. Cordelia tilted her head to the side. His one flaw was that his lips were a bit thin and they gave him a hard edge. Then he turned his gaze to her and she shivered, there was something cold in them, perhaps it was just the dark color.
“And this is Lady Cordelia.” Lady Wilson gestured toward her. “Lady Diana’s younger sister.”
He stared at her an unnaturally long time. She held still but the urge to shift made her insides hectic as she balled her hands in her skirt.
“Two sisters at the same party.” His mouth turned down and Cordelia ducked her head. Generally speaking, only one sister took part in society at a time. A married woman held a higher social status so sisters came out in birth order.
Lady Wilson waved. “They are close friends and this is an informal affair.”
This would be Diana’s year to be a debutante. Cordelia would not come out until after her sister got married.
Diana cleared her throat. “We’re honored to be here, Lady Wilson.”
“And I am honored to meet you both.” He gave another bow. “Could I perhaps request a dance?”
Diana straightened. “My apologies, my lord. My card is full.”
He turned to Cordelia again. “And you Lady Cordelia? Is your card full as well?”
She swallowed a lump as her gaze travelled to Malice. His expression had grown positively stormy. “No, my lord. It isn’t.”
His lips pulled tighter, making the lines of his face even harder. “Excellent. May I request a waltz?”
Cordelia heard Malice make a noise deep in his throat as he stepped closer to them. Cordelia couldn’t refuse. It would be rude beyond belief. “Of course,” she managed to stutter.
“I’ll see you at the next waltz then.” With a final flourish, Lord McKenzie turned and left.
Lady Wilson stood next to them watching his departure. “How curious. I thought he was interested in—” Then she looked at Lady Cordelia and stopped. “But you, my dear, may end up the belle of this ball.”
Cordelia drew in an unsteady breath. That didn’t seem right at all.
Chapter Six
Malice stared at Lord McKenzie’s retreating back and contemplated how he might dismantle the man. He’d start with the fingers…
He squeezed his fist together, cracking a few knuckles. It wasn’t just that the man had asked Cordelia to dance. That was likely a lie, but he ignored the truth. Mostly, he objected to the look in the man’s gaze. Reminded him of a wolf. Malice grimaced. Did he have that same look?
Inwardly, he winced. He might. Cordelia brought out something both emotional and yet primal within him.
If that man thought he’d steal his own garden kiss, Lord McKenzie had another thing coming. Malice didn’t know where he stood on his proposal, or his future with Cordelia, but he knew some upstart wasn’t coming in and stealing her away before Malice could reason it all out.
“Lady Cordelia,” he said with far more force than he’d intended.
She jumped as her gaze turned to him. “Yes?”
“May I request the next dance?”
Her brow scrunched. “But we just—”
He didn’t allow her to finish before he began leading her back onto the dance floor. He doubted he could pull her from sight again, not without incurring Daring’s wrath, but he cou
ld warn her.
She followed him without further complaint and, as he found a spot on the floor, he brought her into his arms, closer than was really proper; she fit into his embrace as though she belonged there. They began the steps without a word, moving in the crowd and yet, somehow, in a world of their own.
He finally broke the silence. “I don’t like the look of that man.”
“Which man?” she asked, letting him swing her about, his hand snug in the crook of her back. He’d like to slide his palm lower, trace the curve of her buttocks.
“McKenzie,” he pushed out between clenched teeth. “You shouldn’t dance with him.”
Her body tensed under his grasp. “I can’t refuse.”
“You can,” he answered. “Who cares what other people think?”
“My mother does, for starters,” she answered straightening. “And if I hope to marry eventually, then I have to as well.”
He gripped her tighter, as though that would keep her here by his side. “He’s dangerous. I feel it.”
She leaned in. A glint of concern flickered in her eyes. “Dangerous how? Do you think he holds a secret that could possibly ruin me?” Then she paused before continuing, “Oh wait. That’s you. In fact, if we’re keeping score, you now have two secrets that could make me a spinster for life.”
“You have one on me too,” he answered defensively.
She shook her head, her whisper barely audible. “You’d survive your club becoming public knowledge.” Then she straightened away. “The man here who poses the most danger to me is you.”
Well that was a bloody good point.
And something he considered for the rest of the dance. He didn’t attempt to talk to her again, he wasn’t sure what to say. And she didn’t speak either. But he held her in his arms until the last notes had died out and they had to return to her family.
This time, it wasn’t Diana who met them but Minnie, Daring’s wife. The picturesque redhead stood staring at the crowd. “What is it?” Cordelia hissed as they returned. “Is Lady Abernath here?”
Minnie shook her head. “No, but the Earl of Exmouth is and he’s asked Diana to dance.” Minnie nibbled at her lip. “Actually, he rather stole the dance from her intended partner.”
“Try not to worry.” Daring squinted in the same direction as Minnie. “He’s just looking out for her.”
“You don’t give me that same confidence,” Malice grumped, keeping Cordelia’s hand tucked into his.
“He’s more upstanding than you are,” Daring answered without looking.
“Lady Cordelia,” another man called. “Are you ready for our dance?”
Every muscle in Malice’s body tightened at the sound of McKenzie’s voice. Malice looked at Daring. “Can I sweep her on the floor and steal her from her partner too?”
Daring narrowed his eyes. “Definitely not.”
Cordelia patted his arm. “I’ll be back momentarily.”
“I don’t like this at all,” he answered. That was an understatement. He wanted to shove the other man away and tuck Cordelia close to him. But it wasn’t his right. He’d already asked her to marry him, she’d said no.
But she was already slipping away, sliding her hand from his arm before she stepped around him. “Lord McKenzie.” She curtseyed.
A small low sound rumbled in his throat. Everything inside him screamed to pull her back. Instead, he watched as the other man led Cordelia away.
“Lord Malicorn,” Minnie said as she tugged on his jacket.
He turned to Cordelia’s cousin, hating to take his eyes off Cordelia even for a second. “Yes?” His voice came out gruffer than he’d intended.
“I don’t like the look of him.” Minnie leaned closer. “I know that you’ve been tasked to keep an eye on Cordelia to ensure she doesn’t spill the secrets of your club but would you be so kind as to watch over her this dance? Something doesn’t feel right to me.”
Malice pulled his head back in surprise. “With pleasure,” he answered as he nodded to Minnie. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t move a finger out of place.”
Minnie gave him a warm smile. “Thank you.”
There was no need for her thanks. He had every intention of keeping Cordelia in his sight. He might be afraid of his own feelings but he was even more wary of this dandy pursuing the woman he’d marked for his own.
* * *
Cordelia drew in a deep breath, wishing she’d had a bit more time between sets. Lord McKenzie danced as she would expect, with clean, crisp lines that spoke of beauty but they left little room for rest. And there was nothing intimate or soft in his embrace. Unlike the Marquess she’d rejected.
She caught Chad stalking through the crowd of bystanders to her right, his eyes on them even as Lord McKenzie spun her around so that she lost sight of her not-quite suitor.
By all accounts, McKenzie would be cast in the role of hero. But for her, the sight of Chad helped her relax a bit. He was the one who made her feel safe.
“Lord McKenzie, I’ve not seen you at many events. Do you attend often?”
He shook his head, staring down at her. “I’m not one to participate in society.” He pulled her just a touch closer and she found herself resisting the tug, attempting to keep space between them.
“I understand. Society can be…”
“Exhausting.” He filled in with a chuckle.
“Most definitely,” she replied. “So how do you find yourself here tonight?”
His dark eyes glittered in the candlelight. “I intend to marry soon. One rarely finds a proper bride anywhere else.”
“Oh,” she whispered, heat infusing her cheeks. “Then I am doubly sorry that you ended up with me as a dance partner rather than my sister.”
“I’m not,” he replied quickly. “But tell me why you say that.”
“She will be at many events this year. With my sister Emily newly wedded, it will be Diana’s first season.”
He quirked a brow, spinning her again. “Will your parents insist that you wait to marry until she’s made a match?”
Cordelia’s blood froze. This was a rather intimate conversation for a first dance. Why was that stranger so interested in her? She swallowed. Hopefully by the end of the night she’d find out. “I have no idea. I don’t think they’ve considered the possibility, to be honest.”
“And Lord Malicorn. Is he also a contender for your hand?”
Contender? “I don’t…that is to say…I’m not entirely clear…” She ceased talking. Had Lord McKenzie noticed Chad’s gaze upon them?
“I’ll take that as a yes. Coupled with the fact that you danced with him twice and your stumbling answer, he must have expressed some interest.”
Cordelia licked her lips, a nervous habit she often indulged in. She was not certain if she should confess that Chad had already proposed. Somehow, she didn’t think she should.
“May I call upon you, Lady Cordelia?”
“Of course,” she answered, her breath catching in her throat. This had to be a mistake. She didn’t actually have two suitors, did she?
As Lord McKenzie escorted her back to her party, her hand slipped around his elbow. He was leaner than Chad, and she had to confess that she rather liked Chad’s muscles. Still, she was wanted for the first time in her life by not just one man, but by two. Her head was light with giddiness.
She already knew that neither was likely a good match. Lord McKenzie lacked a warmth that she’d need and Chad…despite his offer, he held back from her. She knew what she wanted. A man that would be her knight in shining armor. Chad Malicorn wouldn’t be that for her, he only wanted a suitable bride.
She was fairly certain she hated that word.
She looked at the precise lines of Lord McKenzie’s face. She frowned, assessing his profile. Was there hidden depth to this man waiting under his cold surface? “So will I see you at my calling hours tomorrow?”
He slowed his pace, looking down at her. His cold, hard gaze nearly made her reg
ret her words. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
She swallowed a lump, had she just made a mistake? Her first instinct had been to avoid this man. Of course, that had been her first thought with Malicorn as well. Would her feelings about McKenzie change as well?
She considered asking the man next to her but held back. She could say one thing for certain. From the start, she’d been comfortable sharing herself with Chad. Deep down, she didn’t think she could do the same with this man. “Thank you for the dance.”
“I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” He stopped in front of her family. “A pleasure, Lady Cordelia.”
She started to reply but he had already turned. With a shrug, she started toward her mother. Diana would likely want to stay, but so much had happened already, she wished to go home. Cordelia required quiet and solitude and perhaps the scratch of her pen to work through some of her feelings.
Because right now, they were a jumbled mess.
Chapter Seven
Malice watched as Cordelia left the room, heading for the foyer. He followed.
What had happened on the dance floor that made her leave?
Had McKenzie been awful to her? His gut clenched in anger. He’d knock the man flat on the floor. Then a new thought occurred to him. What if McKenzie hadn’t been awful at all; what if he’d been charming?
What if Cordelia had decided she’d preferred the other man’s company to his?
His collar felt tighter around his neck. He couldn’t blame her if she chose McKenzie for marriage. Malice had proposed, telling her she was adequate, or some such nonsense, he’d shared sordid details of his past, and he’d engaged in inappropriate behavior in the garden. Damnation, he was a plague on the woman.
He needed to speak with her again to apologize, or at least make certain that he hadn’t offended her. Or that McKenzie hadn’t been untoward. Maybe he needed to work harder to woo her. Or, demand she marry him after their kiss. If marriage was what he really wanted from her.
Marquess of Malice: Lords of Scandal Book 2 Page 4