Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal #7) - Tammy Andresen Page 0,15

finally, they’d delivered him water and bread with cheese.

The little one, Natty, who he’d seen doing math, looked so proud to offer him the plate that his chest had actually grown tight.

“Would you like some `freshments, my lord?” She gave him a large smile as she sighed, clearly pleased to have gotten out the words. He didn’t have the heart to tell her the word was refreshment.

“Of course, my lady. Thank you.”

Penny had looked back at him then, from her perch in the garden, the smile on her face, shining through her eyes.

He’d nearly choked on his cheese. Because she looked stunning like that. And because no woman had ever looked so pleased with him before.

Why did that matter?

He didn’t need a single woman’s approval. He was working toward acceptance from the crème de la crème of society. He wanted…

She shyly looked down as she brushed some dirt from her dress. Penny’s cheeks were flushed with color and her lips soft and so inviting.

Why did his goals suddenly seem less important? Money…who cared?

Society…let them all go to the devil.

A good match for marriage…bloody boring.

This woman. Her approval suddenly meant more than any of it and he took a half step back.

Natty frowned at him. “Was the cheese not good?” She lowered her voice, her little brow drawing together. “I ate bad cheese once. It was awful.”

And just like that, something in him shifted. Well, something else. This little girl was darling and working so hard to have a good life. His sink or swim attitude suddenly held less grit.

His stomach flipped as he thought about the cold cruel things a world like this could do to a child.

“The cheese was excellent. I was astounded by the deliciousness.”

Natty gave him a glowing smile, bouncing on her heels. Penny stood and crossed over to them, the gate creaking as she opened it. “Well done, my sweet,” she whispered as she leaned down close to Natty’s ear. “It’s time for your rest now.”

Natty nodded and leaned up on tiptoe to kiss Penny’s cheek. “I love you,” she whispered before turning back to head toward the house.

“I love you too.” Penny answered, watching the child leave.

“How old is Natty?” he asked, more to break the silence that suddenly seemed awkward. Or perhaps it was just him who felt uncertain. Watching the little girl toddle up the stairs made him shake inside. She was so small.

“I’m not certain,” Penny said. “She looks about four or five, but she might just be short from malnutrition. Her intellect makes her seem more like six.”

Those words rumbled in his chest. He wanted to ask a hundred questions. Who would starve such a baby? How could no one even know when she was born? But the questions stuck in his throat. “How long has Natty been under your care?”

“A year,” Penny answered, turning back to him. “She’s come a long way already. But she still suffers from terrors at night.”

That made him wince. And suddenly, the six thousand pounds didn’t seem nearly enough. He had more money than he could spend in a lifetime. And another endeavor he was about to embark on. But he never got the chance to say the words as a male voice rumbled behind him.

“You’re back, are you?”

The voice grated behind him and he didn’t need to turn to know it was one of the men from last night. That altercation had ended in a stalemate, he doubted this one would. Luckily his jacket was already off. “I’m back.” He swiveled, placing himself in front of Penny once again. “Inside with you, sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart, is it?” The man sneered. “Who are you to be calling her that?”

Logan recognized him from last night. In the light of the day, he looked even more unkept. Missing teeth, dirty clothes, untrimmed hair jutting out from under his hat.

“Who are you to be asking?” he snarled, standing straighter.

“My lo—” Penny started.

“Just Logan,” he said, interrupting her. This wasn’t about titles, this was about men. And a woman and how these ruffians were going to leave her be.

“Logan,” she said, stepping closer to his back. “There’s no need to respond to this man. He’s just trying to goad you into a fight.”

“I am.” The other man spit on the ground. “This isn’t a place for you. You reek of the West End and you don’t belong here.”

Two other men stepped out from the alley across the street and began crossing over to them.

Logan knew it would be tough to fight