Page 26 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
A man, yes, she could just make out that it was a man, covered from head to toe in brown, disgusting smelling muck, was walking with head held high and the swagger of a duke. He was dripping brown muck all over the grass.
He stopped several feet away from where she was standing, her gown now covered in brown… “It would appear your dog is in season. I have gallantly tried to protect her virtue, but it would seem Bella purposely went searching for admirers.”
Charlotte tried to stop the laughter tickling the back of her throat, but when one large blob of mud slid down the side of his face, a giggle escaped. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t notice.” She turned to Bella before she dissolved in fits of laughter at the sight of him. “Bella, you naughty girl.”
“She ended up romping with her male suiters in Mrs. Miggins pig pen. I’m sorry to report that by the time I retrieved her, I’m afraid you may expect little Bella’s in a few months’ time.”
That could be wonderful, she thought. Little puppies, little Bella’s. “Thank you for your gallant efforts. Perhaps you should see to your… that is the smell is quite pungent. A plunge in the horse trough before entering the house may be advised. Or we could bucket you down with Bella.” And she giggled.
“I am not forfeiting my turn in this game. I shall be back within the hour.”
With that, he turned on his heel and made his way toward the house, back ramrod straight, but brown muck slipped down his back and they could hear Lord Sinclair’s boots squelching with each step. Charlotte couldn’t hold the laughter in. She burst out laughing along with everyone else and she laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes.
Burton had organized the capture of Bella, but the game would have to be postponed while the women changed and Lord Sinclair and Lord Devlin bathed.
ChapterNine
Sin’s pride had taken an absolute beating today. No one enjoyed being laughed at, especially when covered with mud. His clothes were so bad he’d instructed his valet, Wilton, to throw them away. They would never get the stench out. As for his hessians… Wilton advised he would try, but Sin thought it hopeless.
Now freshly bathed and dressed, to say his mood was not the best, was an understatement. One thing was for sure, he would win this contest. He wanted another liaison with the lovely hostess if only to pay her back for her laughing today. He’d got covered in mud to save her dog. Sin deserved a reward.
An image of kissing her until those blue eyes filled with heat flashed in his head. Hardly a punishment, he mused to himself, but certainly a pleasant reward for him.
Besides, Bann thought he had this game sown up, and he disliked the man. He did not know why, but if there was one man Charlotte would not marry, it was Bann. If it couldn’t be Devlin, then Toobury was the next best.
The ladies were all seated under the trees once again and as he approached, he could see them all holding back a giggle. “I can actually see that it’s you,” exclaimed their hostess, followed by another giggle. He would not rise to the bait.
“Ladies, I believe they completed the first round before Bella’s interruption. Who is to play next?”
Flora took out a piece of parchment. “It is Lord Toobury, Lord Hapley and Lord Sinclair.”
Sin rubbed his hands together. “Right, gentlemen. To battle.”
The game was over in just under an hour. Sin silently thanked his mother for insisting he play with his sisters. One game they could all play was Pall Mall. He’d become quite the expert, as he refused to be beaten by a girl.
He took Devlin’s place standing behind Charlotte’s chair while Devlin, Canthorpe and James, who were standing in for Travis, played. Devlin won.
Sin, Bann and Devlin would play the final. That put Sin in a quandary. He should let his friend win. Let him spend the time he needed alone with Charlotte.
He began the game with that intention until Bann sent Devlin’s ball into the never, never. Devlin would take too many shots to get back and if Sin didn’t lift his game, Bann would win the much desired outing with their hostess. That would not happen.
Because Sin had been playing so badly, Bann had forgotten to check his ball in relation to where Sin’s ball sat. Sin walked up and took a long time to line up his shot. If he hit this at the right angle, his ball would roll towards the wicket and Bann’s would go left into the trees. He would win if he got it through. If not, Bann would have a chance to knock his ball away.
One perfect shot and he could win.
“Come on Sinclair. I’d like to finish before the sun sets.”
He ignored Bann’s goad. Bann had suddenly seen the error in his pursuit of Devlin without checking on Sin’s play.
He glanced across to where Charlotte sat. She was leaning forward, her lip between her teeth as if willing Sin to win. She, too, didn’t want an outing with Bann. That was all the encouragement he needed. He returned his gaze to the ball and looked toward the wicket, then walloped the ball with his mallet.
Instead of looking at the hoop, Sin watched Charlotte’s face. The play of reactions made him swallow hard. Her face was beautiful when lit up with emotions. Excitement, disbelief, disappointment, gratitude, and then something akin to fear as her eyes met his. His ball had gone through the wicket and he’d won the game.
Why did she fear another outing with him? Disappointed because it wasn’t Devlin, but grateful it wasn’t Bann?
Sin made his way over to her and bowed over her hand, ignoring the polite clapping from the other opponents. “As it’s so late already, I suggest a private outing after a brief supper. In the music room.” He couldn’t tell if his idea pleased her.
“Are you expecting me to sing for you, Lord Sinclair?”
