Page 31 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
She fell asleep dreaming of Sin’s lips on hers and wondered if any man would ever live up to the feelings Sin evoked in her.
* * *
He crept back along the corridor and slowly approached Lady Charlotte’s bedchamber. He thought he’d been quieter than a field mouse, but as he reached her door, a snarl could clearly be heard.
“Damn the dog,” he said under his breath. He was a patient man. He could wait.
ChapterEleven
Day three of Charlotte’s list of events was a trip to the seaside. Sin would have preferred to be riding with the other men, but Devlin was so hung over he’d needed his support, and here they were sitting in the carriage on a hot, stuffy day—with a hound for company. Devlin looked as if he wanted to be sick and he hoped his friend could keep his stomach under control or it would be a smelly and messy short lived ride. At least Charlotte was in their carriage, along with her maid.
Dharma was in Flora's and James’s carriage, while the rest of Charlotte’s male guests rode alongside. The staff brought up the rear in two more carriages with the food and picnic comforts.
The estate was ten miles west of Truro, only a mile from the sea, and Charlotte’s property ran down to the cliffs by Perranporth beach.
“I love this beach. The vast expanse of sand and sea is ideal for horse riding across the golden stretches. The waves are fun too, when the weather is warm enough to swim, like it is today.”
Sin stared at Charlotte as her enthusiasm for the picnic grew. Her words were a promise if ever Sin had heard one. He’d love to swim with her—naked. To see Charlotte’s long, naked, slender limbs wrapped around his waist and see her luscious hair floating in the water all around him. He crossed his legs as his imagination took hold, especially as her sweet, melodious tone filled the carriage.
“There are also plenty for wildlife lovers to discover, with a plethora of beautiful butterflies and lizards to spot. Dharma loved the seaside when she was a young girl.”
There was that sadness he associated with the widow whenever Dharma or children were mentioned. That yearning for a child... The one thing she could not have. He wished he were a wizard, so he’d be able to conjure a spell that would fulfill her wish.
“Did you love the seaside when you were young boys?” she asked.
Devlin finally contributed to the conversation. “You know our estate goes down to the Devon coast, too. So yes, I loved the seaside. I love it on stormy days when you can feel the sea’s power.”
“And you, Your Grace?”
“Of course. I swam whenever I got the chance. George and I used to love dunking each other under the waves.” It suddenly occurred to him that this was the first time he’d had a pleasant memory regarding his brother since he’d died. Would he ever be able to forgive George?
Devlin cleared his throat and glanced at him when Charlotte leaned forward and patted his knee.
“I think a dip in the ocean is just what Devlin needs.”
Charlotte laughed. “He looks a little worse for drink. I’m sorry if my party is not to your liking.”
Devlin’s face turned greener. If that was possible. “My apologies, Lottie. I’m enjoying your house party. It’s just…”
She held up her hand. “There is no need to explain. I don’t want to marry you either. But I would, to save your family from poverty, just as I know you would marry me if you had to. But that is not the marriage that either of us desires, is it?”
Sin couldn’t believe Devlin. His friend was going to turn down his best hope of saving the Devlin estates when Lady Charlotte had much to recommend her.
“How much time do you have to name a fiancée?” Charlotte asked directly as she looked up from patting Bella.
Charlotte’s question was impertinent but vital in this situation. Sin had been trying to find out about this for months. So it surprised him when Devlin answered dispassionately, “I have until just before Christmas, so a little over four months.”
“Well, I’ll make you a deal. I won’t marry until Christmas day. So that if, by that time, you are still facing ruin, I will cry off any match I may form, and marry you instead. I could not bear to see your family ruined. Your mother and sister… I can’t let that happen after all they have done for me.” The carriage slowed as they neared their destination. When it came to a stop, Charlotte waited for her footman to open the door. She hesitated before stepping out. “And as we are finally being honest with each other, I’ll share something that may make the option of my hand in marriage more palatable. I am not barren, that is, I don’t know for sure, because Clayton never came to my bed.” With that cannon ball dropped, she ascended the carriage while the two men sat there like brainless statues. Absolutely stunned.
“Bloody hell,” Devlin muttered.
“She’s a virgin,” Sin whispered into the face of Bella, who was now prancing on the opposite squab excitedly wanting out of the carriage, the smells of the sea reaching her nose. Sin opened the opposite carriage door to let the hound out, and without looking at his friend, he said, “Does that news make a difference?”
Sin held his breath, not looking too closely as to why Devlin’s answer mattered to him. “It makes the last resort option more palatable, as she indicated, but Charlotte deserves more from a second marriage than a man who doesn’t love her. She is not who I want.”
“Then best you pull your head out of your arse and find who it is you want. Stop this pity party, it’s not conducive to attracting a woman. You have four months left.”
Devlin slowly turned to face him. “One wonders why you are so concerned regarding me finding an alternative to Lottie. Perhaps I should ask if her revealed secret is more of import to you?”
