Page 34 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
He swooped, caught her to him, drew her upright as he steadied her within his arms. Her lungs seized. She looked up, met his eyes, and caution flew away. She didn’t care who might be watching.
This must be what desire felt like, Charlotte thought restlessly. Hot waves of tingles swept her skin. Her heart pounded deep in her chest. Moisture gathered between her thighs. How did he make her feel so fragile, vulnerable,… yet still intensely feminine?
He saw it too. Saw the flare of attraction, of heat, of fragrant desire and somehow she just couldn’t seem to care.
He turned her protectively, using his back, hiding her from the view of the others in the dunes, before his lips trailed down her cheek, making her shudder. “I see you, Charlotte. I see a woman brave and resilient and intelligent. A woman any man would be proud to call a wife. Sometimes a relationship built on friendship lasts longer than love, which I believe is a fleeting emotion.”
But you don’t want me.She wanted to yelldon’t pity me. “I seem to have found my feet,” she gasped breathlessly, and he reluctantly let her go. “Thank you for your kind words. But—
—“Cooer, I say, Lady Charlotte.”
Charlotte turned and wondered if this day could get any worse. Lady Serena and her spoiled daughter approached across the sand, almost tripping on their gowns in their haste.
“Lady Serena, how nice to see you.” It wasn’t nice at all. She could see the question and suspicion in Lady Serena’s eyes and worse still, she had her daughter Delilah with her. The young woman had just experienced her first come out and thought the world would fall at her feet just because society noted she outshone the stars. What unsettled Charlotte was the truth that the world had indeed fallen at her feet. She could have her pick of any man, but for some reason, Delilah had not yet made her choice.
But Delilah was not payingherany attention. She had her eyes trained on one thing and one thing only: Lord Sinclair. Her mother eagerly remarked, “Aren’t you going to offer introductions?”
“Lord Sinclair, may I present Lady Serena Calthorpe and her daughter, Lady Delilah?”
Delilah stepped around Charlotte, basically pushing her out of the way. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting His Grace in London recently at Lady Skye’s ball.”
Charlotte had to bite her lip so as not to laugh because she noted Lord Sinclair’s puzzled frown and his polite response. “Of course. I didn’t stay long that night.”
He can’t remember meeting her.Charlotte wanted to laugh, but she had more manners than Delilah ever would.
“You danced the Cotterill with me.” Delilah seemed oblivious to Lord Sinclair’s disinterest.
To fill the awkward silence, Lady Serena gazed up the beach to where the others were picnicking. “Where have all these gentlemen come from? Are you holding a house party?”
Charlotte felt her face flush with heat, but before she could answer, Lord Sinclair said, “Lord Clayton has invited a few of us to Ivy Close for a fishing trip and Lady Charlotte is most kindly accommodating us.” He spoke the lie with no hesitation.
She could have kissed him. “Unfortunately, Lord Clayton has been delayed and left me to fill the void.”
Lady Serena, never one to miss an opportunity, said, “Now dear, you’ll need some help, I would assume. Perhaps I should call on you tomorrow to help organize some entertainments.”
“Thank you, but Lady Battling and her husband have arrived, and between us ladies of the house, I’m sure we can cope,” Charlotte replied.
“Besides, some of us will leave on the morrow. Matters of state wait for no man nor fish, it would seem,” Sin beamed.
Charlotte noted the anger scoring across Delilah’s lips. “I’ve always thought fishing was decidedly boring. I prefer strolling along the sand in the fresh sea air. Would you care to join Mama and I as we walk to the end of the cove?” The invite obviously didn’t include Charlotte as Delilah turned her back on her.
“What a lovely idea. A stroll would be perfect.” Sin turned slightly, held out his arm towards Charlotte and pronounced firmly, “Lady Charlotte, would you care to join us? I’m sure Bella could do with a long run and the rocks at the end of the cove look interesting.”
Charlotte felt the daggers in Delilah’s eyes being thrown her way. She tried not to read too much into his gallant gesture of including her in the walk. Surely he merely needed her to protect him from Delilah?
Lady Serena held her daughter back as they strolled, whispering something in her ear. “Using Bella and I as protection, are we,” she whispered to Sin.
“Hardly. I didn’t like the way she’d pushed you aside. I cannot abide anyone with bad manners.”
She laughed, which drew more daggers from the two women walking behind them, trying to catch up. Whispering again, she asked, “I assume thetonknows you are looking for a wife? Delilah believes finding you here was an opportunity not to be missed. You are a treasure to pursue.”
Tightly squeezing her hand resting on his arm, he implored, “A young chit like her would not be on my list.” Charlotte’s mouth fell open, but his manner was clearly serious.
“You’ve also made a list? We are not so different in our pursuit of a spouse.” She felt his muscles grow taut under her hand.
“I disagree. We both are looking for different things from our next marriage. You just won’t admit what you truly want for yourself. At least I’m being honest.”
She could hardly reply because the ladies had caught up to them. But even if she could, she wasn’t sure what she’d say because he just might be right.
