Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal #7) - Tammy Andresen Page 0,3

were too small, I can’t abide them any longer.”

Penny grimaced, her smile falling from her face. Clarissa’s father had lost every shilling the family had on a bad investment. He’d taken his own life and left Clarissa to face the world alone. “I’m sorry I couldn’t buy new ones for you sooner.”

“Don’t be.” Clarissa shook her head, a small jerk before she wrapped her arm about Penny’s shoulders in a quick hug. The gesture was given so rarely that Penny blinked in surprise. “Natty, Fran, and Ethel needed food and books before I needed new shoes. You did what was right.”

Penny sighed again, a much smaller sound as her head hung low in momentary defeat. It was difficult to find benefactors. Despite the opulence that graced the West End streets of London, here on the East End that sort of generosity was in short supply.

“So why are you meeting this new man?”

Penny gripped the table as Clarissa pulled again. She’d hoped that the Duke of Darlington would aid in her cause. This three-bedroom house fit the six of them, but she could hardly bring more children here. She needed a bigger space, more staff, and supplies for schooling if she really wanted to make a difference. “His Grace regretted to inform me that he could not personally contribute but that he had a friend that might be able to help.”

Clarissa made a pishing sound as she pinned in the final curl. “So you’re going to meet a man you don’t know at all, and have no introduction to, alone?”

Penny’s teeth clenched. “I have an introduction.” She paused, seeing Clarissa’s eyes harden in the mirror. “I don’t have a choice.” The truth was, not only did she need a benefactor to move them up in the world, they were dangerously low on funds. Acid spread in her stomach. She needed this man to agree to help her just so that they might continue to eat, and the children needed coats and…

“I could come with you.” Clarissa stepped back, assessing her work. “Much better.”

Penny looked in the mirror, noting that neat coif coiled in twists at her nape. Only a few pieces floated around her face to soften her features, accentuating her high cheekbones. “My hair is much better and thank you, but no. You should stay here. Natty and Fran need you.”

Clarissa frowned. “We could all go. Wait in the carriage.”

Penny looked down at the floor. She didn’t plan to take a carriage. The address the duke had given her was on the west side, of course, but she’d walk. A hack would take valuable shillings they didn’t have. Inside, she sighed again but she didn’t allow Clarissa to hear her this time. Life was often difficult these days. And Clarissa was too young to help her bear that burden. “I’ll be fine, Clarissa. Keep working with the girls on their letters. And put on your shoes.”

“Why?” Clarissa sniffed, turning back toward the door.

“I’ve told you why. You need them to move on from us and live your life and—”

Clarissa wrinkled her nose. “I already have a job and a life. I educate the little ones. And I’m not getting married. You need me too much.”

And just like that, Clarissa was gone again.

It would be easier if that girl weren’t right so often. And how did Clarissa know she wouldn’t marry? Penny, despite the independent steps she’d taken, still sometimes wished for a husband to share her burden and provide a family of her own. But then she shook her head. That was never going to happen. She was already a spinster and her life was entrenched in these children’s needs. Still, sometimes she dreamed…

Penny rose and left her room, almost conceding and taking Clarissa. The company would be nice. She had a hard exterior, Clarissa, but underneath that was a soft heart. And Penny loved her for it.

Putting on her pelisse, she ignored the threadbare appearance as she buttoned it against the sharp fall wind. Then she set off, exiting her home and starting down the street. It would be a long walk. She looked at the slip of paper that held the name and address of the potential benefactor. The Earl of Goldthwaite. What an interesting name.

She could only hope he was the sort of man with a generous spirit and giving nature and that was why the duke had sent her to meet him.

Shadows were falling about the London streets when Logan finally returned home. He’d spent the