Page 25 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
“Perfect.” He leaned over and grabbed a fresh scone off the table, then followed the excited dog. He turned to her before slipping outside. “By the way, you look radiant this morning. The color of your gown emphasizes those beautiful blue eyes.”
She stood looking after him with her mouth open. Did he just flirt with her? After telling her yesterday he had selected Mrs. Mason as his bride to be, what was he up to? Did he expect her to ‘entertain’ him at this house party because there were no other women here? Her hands rose to her hips. Well, he would be in for disappointment. She wasn’t looking for a lover, she was looking for a husband.
As she went in search of Dharma and Flora to ensure they stopped interfering, she prayed that any of her male guests won the Pall Mall except for Lord Sinclair. She could not bear another outing with him. Nor could she afford one. She needed time with the other men to see if any suited.
* * *
Two hours later, after luncheon had finished, there was quite the crowd under the oaks trees. The game of Pall Mall used the natural alley between the rows of trees. Burton ensured the metal hoops were the correct distance apart.
“Goodness. It will take the men days to hit to the first wicket and back to the second.” Dharma took the seat next to Charlotte as they surveyed the course.
Lord Bann puffed out his chest. “It’s not as far as you think. I could easily make the wicket in two shots. It’s the gettingthroughthe wicket in one shot that takes skill.”
Lord Travis mopped his brow. “I’m thankful for the shade of the trees. It’s a sultry afternoon.”
“There are plenty of refreshments on the table,” Charlotte offered with a smile. “Perhaps you could sit this game out.” Lord Travis was a bit of a sop. He was definitely under his mother’s thumb, and Lady Travis was desperate for him to marry well. The coffers were running bare. But Charlotte, as soon as he’d arrived, had removed him from her list. She wanted to be a mother, but not to a man of four and thirty. Nor did she want Lady Travis as her mother-in-law. She took pity on him. “Perhaps you could explain the nuances of the game as the men are playing,” and she indicated the seat next to her. She wasn’t being that kind. She didn’t want Lord Sinclair to arrive and sit near her. Her nerves couldn’t take it.
The first three men were preparing for the first round of play. Jackets had come off, and the men swung their arms in circles, stretching them out. “I say, where is Lord Sinclair?” Dharma asked.
It suddenly occurred to Charlotte that Bella was missing, too. “At midday he offered to walk Bella. I hope he hasn’t got lost.”
“Wasn’t he lost the day he arrived?” Flora asked. “Perhaps we should send a groom out to search.”
“Bella knows the way home.”
Lord Devlin arrived and bowed to her. “Sorry I’m tardy, but I seem to be missing Lord Sinclair. I do apologize.”
“No need, my lord. His Grace offered to walk Bella, but he isn’t back yet. Should I be worried?” Charlotte wished she’d kept the seat free now. Devlin looked back toward the house.
He shrugged. “He’ll find his way back, eventually. Or Bella will.” Then he smiled at Charlotte. “Less competition. I’m determined to win today. I’ve already thought of an appropriate outing.”
Charlotte’s mood brightened. Perhaps she’d been mistaken about Lord Devlin’s reluctance to set a match with her. “I shall cheer you on.”
Vernonte, Bann, and Sanders played. Bann spoke the truth. He was very good at this game. Devlin stood behind her chair and she couldn’t relax. What was he looking at? She wished she could read his face. To take her mind off the handsome man standing behind her, she whispered to Dharma, “Are you feeling well? You can’t seem to sit still.”
“I’m perfectly fine. I’m simply worried about His Grace.”
Charlotte cast a gaze right. Did Dharma have feelings for Lord Sinclair? She inwardly scoffed. What woman wouldn’t? “I am worried about Bella.”
Dharma looked at her in horror. “Bella, what about”—
“I love Bella. His Grace is big enough to look after himself.”
“I just thought you might be more concerned about a guest.”
“You seem concerned enough for the two of us,” Charlotte responded.
There was a discreet cough behind them. “Perhaps I should instruct a groom to search.”
Charlotte was about to reply that would be a good idea when she heard Bella barking. The barking was drawing closer. And soon she could also hear some choice cursing. She leaped to her feet. “Oh, no. I have a bad feeling.”
Then, bounding through the trees, came Bella. You could almost smell her before you could see her. This brown monster, smelling like a week old chamber pot that hadn’t been emptied, raced down the Pall Mall alley straight towards her and Dharma.
Men scattered in all directions as the smelly animal ran on. Bits of mud, Charlotte hoped it was mud, went flicking off.
Devlin saw what was about to happen and gallantly dived for the dog, but Bella was so covered in mud, she slipped right through his arms and stopped at Charlotte’s feet. Before Charlotte could move, Bella shook herself, spraying Charlotte, Dharma and Flora with what she hoped was mud, but was obviously a mixture of something much worse.
Dharma and Flora’s scream of outrage filled the air. Charlotte wiped a blob of something she didn’t want to look at off her face, and realized the men playing pall mall were laughing. She looked up.
