goals he’s set forth for himself.
The club was what he wanted. These men were the path he was supposed to take. There would be no deal without them.
When had he started caring more about Penny’s needs then his own?
“And last.” Daring pointed to the most affable on the men in line. He had warm brown eyes and a kinder smile. Somehow that disconcerted Logan even more. “The Earl of Ingrashire.”
“Miss Walters,” his deep voice rumbled through the room. “It is truly a pleasure.”
Penny’s hand relaxed. Which made Logan see red. The last thing he wanted was some other man attempting to take advantage of Penny.
Because these men would be exactly what she feared. They’d come in disguised under a cloak of help and then try to steal her favors.
Or kisses in a carriage.
He shifted his stance. Damn it. He’d taken advantage.
His chest tightened as Penny gave the other earl a smile. “The pleasure is mine.”
Daring swept his hand out, inviting them all to follow him to the sitting room just to the right of the entry. “Tell us, Miss Walters, how many orphans do you have in your care?”
Penny carefully sat on a nearby settee, Logan taking the spot next to her.
She delicately cleared her throat. “Just four, Your Grace, but I’d very much like to add more. Funding is what I need, which is why I wrote to you.”
The duchess gave Penny a kind smile. “Four is a lot. Especially if you are caring for them alone.”
A murmur went through the men.
“Alone?” Devonhall’s sharp looks sharpened.
Ingrashire gave Penny a sympathetic glance. “How difficult.”
Logan straightened, the hair on the back of his neck bristling. “Miss Walter’s difficulties would be greatly relieved if she had sufficient funds to purchase her necessary supplies and secure adequate lodging.”
Daring grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Goldthwaite is going to negotiate on Miss Walter’s behalf.”
Finally, the crowd of men looked away from Penny and at Logan. They’d mostly pretended he didn’t exist up until this moment.
“Him?” Someone murmured, hostility nearly dripping from the single word.
Penny looked at him too, a rush of air blowing across his cheek even as her brows drew together in question.
Daring waved his hand. “Forgive me. It’s too early for such conversation. For now, let’s get to know one another. After all, this is just the beginning.”
Penny stared at the men around her. There was a subtext to this conversation that she didn’t understand but she was going to. Before the evening ended, in fact.
What was this the beginning of?
And when had Logan been declared her voice?
She’d wished for help, that was true. But she’d also learned to stand on her own two feet. She’d only wanted a crutch, not to have her legs removed. She felt very much like a pawn in this room, and she didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“I’d prefer to discuss this now, actually.” She smiled, realizing she might be overstepping. She drew in a deep breath, calming her racing heart. “I hope you’ll forgive me, Your Grace. I won’t be able to properly relax until—”
The Duke of Darlington waved his hand. “I understand completely.”
Logan gave her a sharp look. “Penny,” he whispered but not quietly enough.
Several sets of brows rose at the use of her given name. She ignored Logan and the brows. He’d protected her, that much was true, but one day he’d leave her life. Now that the kiss was over, and she’d had a moment to catch her breath, she realized there had been no promises. He was still an earl and she was…an orphan.
And just as clearly, she realized, she’d wanted him to be part of her future. To help her in her life’s work. Which was absurd. He was an earl and a man with duties and obligations all his own.
He was not going to leave his world behind to join hers.
She’d allowed the fairy tale to slip over her like a veil. But it was time to clear her vision.
Straightening her spine, she said, “I have one older girl, though she has become an assistant to me of sorts.” Clarissa was her everything. “And then I have three girls under the age of ten.” She cleared her throat. “Natalie, we like to call her Natty, was born without a birth record and sold to an innkeeper’s wife who had her cleaning their inn—”
Logan made a choking noise and she stopped looking at him. His jaw was locked, and his face had turned to granite.
“My goal,” she continued, “is to