Page 44 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
“I told you. I needed moral support to do what must be done.”
“You didn’t need me for that.” He took a deep breath. “You knew what you were going to do. I think you wanted me here because you knew Charlotte would intrigue me.” Devlin hung his head as Sin continued, “You wanted me to—to what—claim Charlotte for myself, or simply turn her head so she would decline your offer?”
Devlin looked away as he said, “Both, I suspect. I know it’s not honorable to hold her to her promise while I look for an alternative, but,” he swung to plead with him. “I have a family to think of.” He stayed quiet for a moment. “The trouble is you do like her. More than you want to.”
“She has made a promise to you, so this conversation can’t go anywhere good.”
Devlin grabbed his arm as he tried to move past him. “I am working on an alternative. I hope to know which direction I must go soon.”
Sin frowned. “I can’t see what has changed in the past few days…” Then narrowing his eyes, Sin guessed, “Lady Dharma. You favor Lady Dharma.” He’d laugh if he didn’t want to cry. “Lady Dharma is aware of your arrangement with Charlotte. It’s unlikely to endear you to her. She may even think Charlotte wants you for her next husband.”
“I am well aware of Dharma’s feelings. Just like she is well aware of my family’s plight. I had hoped that if she learned I had a promise from Charlotte that she’d understand I am pursuing her because of my admiration for her. But for some reason, that is not enough. I just need more time to persuade her.”
“And if Lady Dharma doesn’t fall madly in love with you and declines your offer, what then?” Devlin turned away. His silence told Sin all he needed to know. “You will call on the promise Lady Charlotte made with you.”
“I’ll have no choice.”
“She’ll honor it too.” Sin’s stomach clenched.
“I know.” Devlin swung to face him. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for dragging you down here. I’m sorry you have developed feelings for her. I wish—I wish a lot of things.”
Sin should be angry, but he thought about what he’d do in Devlin’s position. “Then best you win fair maiden’s hand in marriage.”
Devlin nodded. “I don’t believe she would let Charlotte marry me. But I’m hoping she marries me because she desires it. I couldn’t bear it if she married me out of pity. I best go check on Vernonte.”
Sin watched his friend walk away with a heavy heart. He’d be a bloody fool to let himself fall further for a woman who wasn’t free. He bent to see to his fishing rod, praying that Lady Dharma was like most women in this world and could not resist the handsome Lord Devlin.
Sin cast his line into the water slightly downstream from the other men. He wanted to watch them from afar while he thought about his problem regarding Devlin. James walked over. “I’m going to ride past the Calthorpe estate and see if Bann is there. I want to know what he’s up to.”
“Good idea,” he responded. “If he’s not there, head back to the house. I don’t like the ladies being without one of us if Bann is up to no good. Remember, we asked them to search the men’s rooms. I’d hate Bann to catch them.”
“That leaves you and Devlin to watch the other two. If one leaves, one of you must accompany them. I don’t care if it means they are on to us.” James left, following the river south towards the sea and Lady Serena.
Sin’s mood brightened as the fishing progressed. He’d even landed a few trout. He’d wracked his brain for a solution to his issue with Devlin and the only idea he’d come up with was to talk to Lady Dharma and see if he could plead Devlin’s cause. He liked the young lady. She was intelligent and kind. Surely Devlin could win her heart.
He was just unhooking his latest catch when a cry went up and he saw one of Lady Charlotte’s grooms galloping toward them.
* * *
Bann’s room revealed nothing, just like Sanders and Vernonte’s. Flora and Charlotte had searched the three bedchambers for an hour and found nothing to help identify the killer.
The two women had waited for the men to head off fishing, and Dharma to depart with her escort. She was well guarded.
Now the ladies sat drinking tea in the drawing room, trying to evaluate the three men still under their roof. One had to be the killer or the person who organized the killing. Charlotte desperately tried to forget Sin was still under her roof. After the kiss last night, she’d had more than a restless night. Sheets tangled and bedclothes on the floor from tossing and turning.
Most women her age had already experienced desire, but Sin was the first man to set her blood pounding—the first man to kiss her as if she were Aphrodite herself. Flora had tried to describe the feeling, but no words could do so. At the moment, she couldn’t imagine letting any man do more than kiss her—except Sin. Which was not ideal, considering he’d made it clear he was not here to offer for her.
Flora took a sip of tea and then said as casually as if Sin wasn’t who filled Charlotte’s thoughts, “Funny how Lord Sinclair has stayed.”
Charlotte knew to what she was alluding. “Don’t be ridiculous. He stays for Devlin. To protect Devlin.” But she hoped that wasn’t the only reason he stayed.
“Rubbish. If he cared nothing for you, he’d have advised Devlin to pack his bags and leave.” Flora sat looking at her. “When you first mentioned this idea of a male only house party to select a husband, I was horrified. But I came around to the idea, because most marriages in thetonare based on money and status. This having a house party to see how well you were suited with someone was at least a way to see if a friendship could grow or if together you’d have common goals in life. I also wanted to help you achieve your dream. I’m so pleased I helped, because now I understand it’s made you realize a child is not the only thing you want. Children are the greatest joy in a woman’s life, but so much more so when they are made in love. I think this disastrous weekend has proven you’d rather stay a widow than marry the wrong man—again.”
Charlotte swallowed. “You’re right. I want more this time around and it’s because I see how happy you and James are, and how James waited years for you. But unlike a man, I can’t wait years. Not if I want a child.”
Flora leaned forward. “Then you need to come to London instead of hiding in the wilds of Cornwall. James and I will introduce you to society. There are good men, friends of James, who would love a mature woman as a wife. Especially if we let your secret be known.” Flora held up her hand. “I know that will be shocking and you’ll be the talk of theton,but the scandal may actually bring the men out to meet you.”
Charlotte didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. Flora thought she was helping, but she wasn’t. Charlotte wouldn’t be looking for a husband soon, because a certain duke with eyes that held her spellbound had captured her heart. It would take a long time to get over him, and she’d only kissed him. There was no way she would let herself indulge in more, because that might permanently ruin her for any other man.
