Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal #7) - Tammy Andresen Page 0,42

blood going cold.

It lay in plain sight, exactly where he’d left it. The bold lettering legible from some distance. Did Penny think he planned to court another?

Well, he had planned that, actually.

But it felt like the Den of Sins all over again. He’d withheld information. This time, not intentionally. He’d simply changed his mind. He’d reached out to that other candidate to help move on and forget Penny. It had seemed right at the time but now…

And without context, she’d have no idea that he planned to wed a beautiful orphanage owner…

He groaned, scrubbing his face. While he still didn’t know exactly where she’d gone, she likely hadn’t set out with a plan either. It was unlike her to not put her charges first. Had she left upset and had marched off into the snow? Had she even worn enough clothing? His insides twisted again. “Have my horse saddled. Immediately. How long since she was last seen?”

“It can’t be more than half an hour.” Mr. Winters spun on his heel toward the door. “I’ll have your horse readied.”

“Thank you,” he said as he followed Winters out the door. That made him feel slightly better. She hadn’t frozen to death in a half hour. He stopped at the sitting room where Baxter waited.

Stepping into the room, the man was slung low in his chair. Was he asleep? “Baxter?”

The other man sat up, his eyes sharp, a frown on his face. “Is everything all right? You sound odd.”

Logan frowned. He wasn’t used to confiding in people. Nor did he like to ask for aid. Ever. But much in his life was changing. He didn’t like confessing to Baxter but another man searching would make his job far easier. “Penny saw some of my correspondence and has the mistaken impression I plan to marry another woman.”

Baxter’s smile returned, the serious look he’d worn a few moments before, disappearing. “How very interesting.”

Logan grimaced. He’d not feed the man’s interest any further. “She’s left the house and it’s begun to snow. I’d like to collect her before she freezes to death.”

Baxter’s smile slipped. “Say no more. How may I be of service?”

Logan gave a single nod of thanks. “I assume you ride?”

“Of course.” The other man was already rising. “Let’s begin.”

Logan gave a quick jerk of his chin. “Thank you.” He scrubbed his scalp again. “I’m of two minds. She either is ambling about with no real direction or she headed for Adderley Street.”

“Adderley Street? Near the Den of Sins?”

“Precisely,” Logan grimaced as they made their way down the back stairs toward the kitchen.

“I shall make my way toward the unsavory section of town. If I find her, I’ll return here.”

“Good,” Logan said. “I’ll begin searching the gardens and streets nearby. She’s been on foot for half an hour. That should give you a good idea of how far she might have travelled.”

Baxter nodded, shrugging on his coat. “I’ll see you again soon.” And then he strode out the door toward the barn.

Logan shrugged on his own coat as he stepped outside, the wind smacking him in the face.

It was too cold for her to be out like this. Real fear trickled down his spine. He didn’t blame her for needing a moment to be alone.

If he thought she’d marry another… Jealousy pressed his fists into tight balls.

But this was plain dangerous. She needed to be tucked inside away from the cold. And then he’d explain everything, and finally, after she was warm and cozy, he’d ask for her hand in marriage.

He drew in a deep breath. He’d only just found his heart and he couldn’t lose it now.

But as he climbed on his horse, he wondered how he might actually find her. It was a large city and she walked a great deal.

Fear beat in his chest like a drum. What if something happened to her? Snapping the reins, he started down the drive toward the gate. He saw Baxter seated on his horse, not moving but staring at a carriage. The other man looked back and gave Logan a wink.

That’s when Logan realized, the carriage held the Duke of Darlington’s crest. And as the door snapped open, Penny climbed out.

His first feeling was relief. His shoulders slumped and his breath rushed out in the cold, creating a cloud of vapor. She was safe.

But his second was red-hot jealousy. He sat back up again, stiff and straight in the saddle. Had she been alone with the duke?

Penny sat with the duchess as she dabbed