Page 2 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
“Might?” she squeaked out, but Charlotte obeyed.
She lay like a stone. Sweat gathered under her riding habit, and she squeezed her eyes shut. It felt like an eternity, the pain and the heat of the sun making her feel faint, but it must have been mere moments later that she heard a cultured curse. Her eyes refused to stay closed at that, and they opened just in time to see the man dart forward, grab the snake by the tail and fling it into the bushes.
“That was too close for my comfort. Are you very much hurt?” and a rather large, gloved hand swam into view to help her rise.
Charlotte allowed the man to pull her to her feet, but she could not help the small cry of pain as her weight came fully onto her ankle and her elbow straightened.
“Let me see,” and to her horror, the stranger ran his hands over her arms, shoulders, sides, and head.
Holy hell!She slapped at his hands and hobbled away. “I’m well enough, thank you. Please keep your hands to yourself.”
“Nothing broken, it would seem.” His laugh made her feel even stupider.Manners be damned. He deserved a telling off, but then flicking her skirts as she turned, she finally got a look at his face.
Holy, holly, hell,His Grace! Marcus Roberts, the Duke of Sinclair, known simply as Sin to his closest friends, was standing before her in all his glory. What on earth was he doing in Cornwall? His estate, well his family seat, he had three other estates in the north of England, was in Kent.
“Forgive me such liberties without an introduction. I’m Sinclair, the Duke of Sinclair.” He turned from her and added, “I seem to have lost my hat in the commotion.”
Oh, she knew who he was.Sin.Over the long, lonely years of her marriage, she’d spied him across the room at many a ball. Her eyes had drunk him in, the view, making her more intoxicated than any beverage could, while he’d obviously never noticed her.What a surprise he does not know me.He’d married the belle of thetonnot long after Charlotte’s marriage.
Charlotte had always thought the Duke of Sinclair the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. And her opinion had never changed.
Her eyes traveled over his thick, walnut brown hair that glinted with strands of gold in the sunlight. Why was it that men looked distinguished as they aged, whereas women merely—well, aged? Although unfashionably longer than she would have liked, his curls fluttering in the wind called to her fingers. She clenched her fists to stop her fingers from reaching up and running through the silky, soft locks. His lips were full, and just like in her night-time fantasies, she imagined them kissing her—everywhere. But best of all, he was tall—well over six feet, she thought. Taller than her. For once, she could look up into the face of a man.
And his face revealed—nothing of the sorrow he must carry. He’d lost his wife a little over two years ago. Rumor was, he was now ready to remarry. He needed an heir without delay.
Interesting.
“I’m Lady Charlotte Clayton. I must say it is a pleasure to meet you, especially as you have saved me from a nasty snake bite.”
His smile dazzled.Oh, he is so handsome.Lord Sinclair was a man who society loved to gossip about. They talked about his recent conquests, his money, and his title—the oldest title in the Kingdom. Who would become his new Duchess was the current topic of conversation, given his only living male heir, his uncle, had died three months ago with no issue.
Even more interesting.
Sin was an apt name if rumors were to be believed, but Charlotte had never set much store on gossip. She knew that gossip spread about her was far from the truth, so she never judged a person until she got to know them.
She doubted she’d ever have the opportunity to know His Grace very well. He did not circulate within her social circle—her tiny social circle and never would. Widows like her, childless widows who were considered barren, were not at the forefront of any man’s mind when looking for a wife—more a dalliance, perhaps? Her imagination took flight at the idea before she clamped her mind shut to such a notion. A woman seeking—no—a womanneedinga husband, could not be dallying with any man. Especially so prominent a man; any liaison would become fodder for the gossips very quickly.
“My thanks, Your Grace,” she offered the man who had just saved her life, before glancing around, looking for Sir Galahad. Charlotte was extremely sore now and she rather thought she’d not be able to walk the three miles back to her home at Ivy Close.
“No thanks are necessary. Especially from the beautiful widow herself. I’m heading to your house party and lost my way. I hope my carriage carrying my valet and luggage fares better. They will stick to the road, I am sure. I went inland and rode along the coast. It’s such a beautiful countryside.”
Her mouth fell open. This scandalous house party she’d organized was supposed to be a secret. Only a select few knew of the event, and she had invited even fewer. She was risking her reputation holding such a house party, but needs must. She’d sat back long enough and let others determine the outcome of her life, but not anymore.
Her house party was starting, and guests would arrive from today and over the next few days. Men she knew needed money, but men she knew would make good fathers. Some were already fathers, and she wanted to see if they would be suitable to father her children.
His Grace, however, was definitely not on the guest list. She should know. She and her widowed friend Flora, now newly married, had handpicked every man attending. Men she knew would stay quiet, due to the fact they wished to keep their own disastrous circumstances out of theton’seyes, too. All except Lord Toobury. He’d given her the idea for the house party and fully supported her idea.
“I am most grateful for your assistance with the snake, Your Grace, but may I enquire how you learned of my house party?”
“Lord Devlin suggested I attend. I hope you don’t mind having an extra guest. He’s probably already at Ivy Close, damn it.” At her raised eyebrow, he added sheepishly, “A race, if I am honest. First to arrive wins. I thought I was taking a shortcut.”
“Well, I’m pleased you lost the race. I’m very thankful you took the coastal route and could come to my aid.”
His smile widened, and seduction entered his gaze. “I am too. I’m suddenly very much looking forward to this house party. I owe Devlin my thanks for suggesting I attend.”
He is not for you. A dalliance is not for you. A husband. Children. That’s what you want. She had trouble believing a man who only wanted to marry to beget an heir would pick a woman considered barren for his wife.You could always tell him.
Why, oh why, would Devlin invite His Grace, knowing why she had invited Devlin in particular? He must have known what sort of house party this was. Did Lord Sinclair know? She’d given up her pride, and risked her reputation, for this one chance to find a husband, and now a man who made her heart thunder longingly in her chest would know how pathetic she really was.
