Page 21 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
Sin shrugged. “Please don’t rush toward Toobury until at least considering Devlin. He needs you more than you need him, but he’s a fine man and I hate seeing the situation his father has left him in. He doesn’t deserve to lose everything.”
Loyalty, thy name is Lord Sinclair. He really cared for his friend. She had to admire that.
“I shall hold off deciding until the end of the house party. If Devlin does not show any signs of wanting a match, I shall pick Toobury.”
He let go of her hand. “Fair enough.”
Her eyes narrowed at his innocent look. “And you will do nothing to sway my decision or disrupt this week. Or try to influence the outcome.”
“I shall behave,” Sin stated regally with a bow.
His manner meant Charlotte questioned his resolve, but she didn’t push for more clarification. As she walked away to change her food splattered gown, Charlotte wondered if the reason she hadn’t pushed was because a small part of herwantedhim to disrupt her week. Wanted him to look seriously at her as an option.
That was a pipe dream, yet she could not afford to follow that tune.
* * *
Sin sat in the rose garden and tried to get the predicament of Charlotte and this marriage game out of his mind. Devlin needed this woman. But no children… Was that too high a price to pay to save the Devlin estates? What advice should he offer his friend?
The servants scurried around cleaning up the mess and collecting the rugs and tea things, but still he sat. His inner war waged, and he tried desperately to win. To push the feelings he didn’t want to have for Charlotte right away and drown them under his experience of betrayal and lies.
Devlin needed her more than he did. Hell, Sin didn’t need her at all. Couldn’t afford to need her. He needed an heir.
There was movement to his right, and he looked up to find Lady Flora sitting next to him on the rose garden bench.
“Deep in thought, Your Grace, or just enjoying the garden?”
He didn’t answer for a moment. Taking his time, thinking about why Lady Flora was here with him. Was she hoping for a match between himself and Charlotte? Why? More secrets, or more lies?
“I find this house party most confusing.”
“I think Lottie is seeing the mistake she has made. She wants a marriage different from her first but,” and Lady Flora waved her hand towards the house, “This is not the way to go about it.”
“You are wrong. This is a sensible way to go about it. To see who is interested and then to ascertain if they are suited.”
Lady Flora shook her head. “I thought you’d understand. Once you’ve experienced true love, how can you settle for anything less?”
He swallowed back an instant retort that would sting her ears. “It’s not me we are trying to find a husband for. Maybe Lady Charlotte is not as enamored of love as you seem to be.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s starving for affection. She lived with a man for five long, lonely years without as much as a…. ” She stopped. “Without so much as affection.”
What was she about to say? With a light sniff Sin replied, “Tis’ really none of my business. I’m simply here to assist my friend.”
“One wonders why Lord Devlin asked you to attend with him and why you accepted, given it appears you have an interest in a Mrs. Mason.” At his questioning look, she added, “My husband, James, Lord Battling, arrived this afternoon. It surprised him to learn of your attendance, given the rumor of you pursuing a match with the young widow.” When he refused to answer, mainly because he didn’t want to, she continued, “Don’t hurt her. Don’t encourage her if you have no intention of vying for her hand. Don’t give her false hope,” Flora softly voiced.
“I admire her. Her life wasn’t her own until now. She’s decided to go after what she wants. I have a mind to help her.”
A very ladylike snort issued from Flora. “Help? How do you propose to do that?”
He stood and offered Lady Flora his arm. “I know these men better than Lady Charlotte. I intend to see she is fully briefed on any man she is considering.”
“Well, that’s a start, I suppose. I don’t want her marrying someone who would mistreat her. But James knows most of these men, too. So, once again, I ask you, why stay?”
Persistence, thy name is Lady Flora. “I made a promise to Lord Devlin.”
She nodded, her lips pursed. “Lord Devlin would be Charlotte’s first choice, too. So why would Lord Devlin need you?”
His shoulders tensed. This line of questioning was not to his liking. He did not wish to offend Lady Flora. He could hardly say,I think Devlin deserves a woman with money and a fertile womb.“That is not for me to share. I’m staying. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get cleaned up before dinner.”
