Page 42 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
Damn it. He liked Sanders. They made their way back towards Sanders’ bedchamber. This time, Sin wasn’t quiet. He smashed open the door and moved quickly to pull the bed-curtains back, only to find a very sleepy and confused Lord Sanders cuddled against a frightened woman—who, if Sin was not mistaken, worked in the kitchen—Cook.
“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” Lord Sanders tried to protect Cook’s identity.
“Dreadfully sorry, my Lord, but we appear to have an intruder and I thought I saw someone going into your room.”
That took the wind out of Sanders’ anger. “Yes, well. I can assure you there are no intruders in here.”
“So it appears. I shall leave you to your sleep. Once again, apologies.”
Once he was back in the hall, John said, “It’s none of them. Could it be one of the men who has left? Could he be staying nearby?”
Sin had not considered that. “It would appear that could be so.” Or was it one of these three men and he had someone working for him? Toobury was lured to the clifftop by a note from a man no one could place.
Or was one of the staff helping Bann? Who was this milkmaid? Was the ‘meeting a milkmaid’ a ruse, and he was indeed meeting his co-conspirator?
“Stay here and watch Lady Charlotte’s door.” Sin once again made his way down the stairs and out into the night.
Bann said he was going to the cowshed, so that’s where he headed. The fog made it difficult to see more than three feet in front of him. He didn’t need to see. His nose guided the way. The shed was up ahead and then squelch. Sin cursed under his breath. A second pair of Hessians were covered in cow pat.
The shed appeared deserted. Bann had carried a lamp, so why was the shed in darkness? It only took one step inside to realize no one was here except the milking cows, who were now stirring at his presence.
As he stomped back to the house, trying to wipe the excrement off his boots, Sin vowed to catch Bann. It had to be him. Milkmaid indeed.
He stepped out of the fog as he neared the house and stumbled straight into someone solid.
“Devlin! What the blazes?”
“I could say the same about you. Where have you been sneaking off to?” Then Devlin sniffed. “And goodness, what is that smell?”
“If you must know, I was out searching for Bann.”
“In the cowshed?” Devlin uttered on a laugh.
“He told me he had a liaison with a milkmaid,” Sin countered.
“I suspect even milkmaids have beds. They don’t live in the cowshed.” Devlin shook his head. “Toobury’s death really has you rattled.”
“It should have rattled you, especially as we painted a target on your back at dinner tonight. Speaking of which, why are you out at night on your own with no protection? I promised Charlotte you’d be kept safe.”
Devlin looked away as they walked into the foyer of Ivy Close. “I needed some air. Clear the head. I need to think about my options.”
Sin grabbed Devlin’s arm, stopping him from walking up the stairs. “Are you considering making this betrothal real?” For one minute, his stomach clenched tighter than Devlin’s empty purse. He tried not to care. He tried and failed to forget that Devlin would be the best husband for Charlotte.
Devlin looked at where Sin’s hand still gripped his arm. “That’s the second time you’ve acted as the jealous dandy. You seem to have feelings for Charlotte, so why don’t…” His words died out for a few seconds. Devlin shook Sin’s hand off his arm and softened his tone. “That’s the problem, isn’t it? You care for her and it scares you witless. She’s not Arianna. Surely you can see that?”
Sin dropped his hand to his side. How did he explain to Devlin he would never in a thousand years have thought Arianna would betray him—let alone with his brother? He thought she loved him. “How do you know that? People surprise you in the most horrid ways. Look at Toobury. Who would have thought he’d be murdered at a house party?”
As Devlin’s eyes filled with pity, he added, “Do you really ever know anyone? Does anyone really share who they truly are? Love is about faith. It is a risk. But we both know that with risk comes substantial reward.”
“Or you’re ruined.”
For a moment Devlin looked as if he was about to say something profound. Instead he said, “It’s late. I’m going to get some sleep.”
It wasn’t until Devlin disappeared across the upstairs landing that Sin remembered Devlin had not answered his question. Was there significance to that? His body hummed with tension.
Exhaustion tried to strangle him as he lay down on his bed, yet he could not sleep. It was his mind that was tired, not his body. His body remembered vividly the soft curves of Charlotte as he’d held her in his arms.
But a war raged deep within him, his heart punching at his brain. He couldn’t bring himself to let loving feelings penetrate the fortress he’d erected around his heart. The defenses were solid. It appeared he wasn’t brave enough to risk the savage pain of betrayal or loss again.
