Page 97 of Almost A Scoundrel

“How does Avondale feel about all this?”

Warrick shrugged. “Since he is the one who helped her walk out with the book, I’d wager he’s chosen his heiress.”

“Avondale helped? Is he bloody crazy?” For the first time in his life, he had no words for his friend. Did Avondale understand the consequences of what they’d done?

Of course, he did.

The man wasn’t a fool. No wait, he bloody well was a fool. Men turned into fools for the women they wanted. Just look athim. He’d turned into a fool the moment he’d set eyes on Phaedra, so he couldn’t completely blame Avondale. However, he only hoped his friend had considered the impact because he’d just made things a whole lot more difficult for Deerhurst.

Warrick dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m telling you because it’s only a matter of time before she tells the other women on the list.”

He’d gathered as much.

“How is Lady Selena fairing?” Deerhurst asked to change the topic. He needed to think about how to redeem himself to Phaedra but not with Warrick present. “You’ve been keeping an eye on her?”

Warrick sighed. “Only because the chit does everything Saville tells her not to do. She doesn’t suspect me of keeping account of her whereabouts. She’s going to kill Saville when she finds out. Why did he have to appoint me to be her bloody babysitter?”

Because you lost the damn list.“How is Avondale’s search for his family treasure coming?”

“Dunno, haven’t heard anything yet. Where is that little puppet of mine?”

“Stop calling my daughter a puppet. It’s poppet. And she is shopping for ribbons.”

“You haven’t sent her back?”

Deerhurst shook his head. Abigail didn’t want to go back yet, and he didn’t have the heart to send her. He would in the next few days. Perhaps tomorrow. Soon, all eyes would turn to him and Phaedra, and it would be wise to keep his daughter out of the spotlight until she was older, and he could introduce her to society as his distant niece.

“I heard Saville say you and Lady Phaedra have formed an attachment. Good match. Does she know about our little puppet?”

“Poppet, and yes, Phaedra knows.”

“The woman is a saint.”

A beautiful, delicious one. He couldn’t wait to see her again. He’d make love to her until she was breathless with pleasure, and then he’d tell her about the list. And then he’d make love to her again.

Yes, yes. The perfect plan.

The only one he had.

“I’m happy for you.”

Don’t be happy yet.

A racket outside Deerhurst’s study drew both the men’s gazes to the door, which slammed open.

“My lady, you can’t—”

“Deerhurst, you bastard!” Lady Phaedra exclaimed, cutting off the butler’s protest. The blood in his veins froze. So did Phaedra when she spotted Warrick.

“Well, well, if it isn’t a gathering withtwoof the bastard earls. Where are Saville and Avondale? They should be here for the whipping you’re about to receive.”

Warrick’s horror-filled gaze shot to Deerhurst. He ignored his friend, eyes only on Phaedra as he slowly rose from his chair.

“I can explain.”

“So it’s true then. The list. The book. You.”

Deerhurst clenched his fists. “It’s not what you think.”