Page 32 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
He shook his head, not in denial, but to clear it.Was her secret of interest to him?His uncle married but never had a child. Some women did not conceive. The pressure built in his gut, remembering his oath to his father to not let the title die. “Mrs. Mason is a safer option. She already has a son.” With that, he slipped from the carriage, turning to help the staff unload cushions and chairs and tables. He was such a coward. Mrs. Mason was safer because it would protect his heart. A woman like Charlotte… Already he was getting too close.
All the while, her words echoed in his head. Why would a woman like Charlotte set up this ‘auction’ week when… Because no one would believe her? Or she was embarrassed to make the information public? Either way, he saw her problem and why she had thought up this mad cap idea to achieve her driving goal—a child. A chance at having her own child. Given how untrusting he was, it surprised him how easy it was to believe she was a virgin. She had nothing to gain by lying.
He stood for a moment, searching for her in the distance. She and Bella walked on the beach with Lord Travis.
“I thought you weren’t interested in our rich widow?” Lord Bann’s question, while impertinent, was fair, given how desperate the man was for money. Sin learned that money made a man dangerous, but at least predictable.
He swung to face Bann. “Why are you still here? You must know by now that Lady Charlotte has dismissed the idea of a marriage with you.”
Bann’s lips curled as he snarled with an outraged growl.
“This is a two horse race and you know it. Toobury or Devlin. You’re wasting your time here.” He walked off, leaving Bann steaming with fury behind him.
The question he would not ask himself was why he was still here? Devlin had her word. She would save him if it came to it. His friend had his savior and no longer needed his assistance. Sin could grab a horse and ride back to the house, pack up his belongings and leave. But his feet stayed planted on the sand and his gaze continued to drink in the lady in question as she walked along the beach.
“The view is delightful,” Lady Flora murmured as she swept past him and made her way to where the waves caressed the shore.
He had to agree. He stood on top of the dune, watching as the rest of the men descended to the beach, their quarry in sight. How did a woman as intelligent, kind, and honest as Lady Charlotte find herself in this position? Really, his sex were a ridiculous bunch. Why Lady Charlotte would want to marry any of them defied reason. Although, a child was the only reason he was remarrying. So he could hardly blame her for wanting the same.
One thing was for sure, he would not partake in this current task she had set. Collect the most amazing shell or driftwood token! Grown men shouldn’t have to sift through sand for nature’s treasures to appeal to a lady. Diamonds and jewels were more appropriate. A sparkling bauble that set off a woman’s eyes or creamy complexion. He immediately pictured Charlotte standing before him dressed only in diamonds, and his whole body smiled, until he remembered she was not for him.
She’d agreed to wait to see if Devlin needed her. He couldn’t wait that long. Mrs. Mason had several suitors.
Sin’s gaze swept the beach in front of him. Those desperate for a one-on-one outing with Charlotte were scouring the sand like little crabs.
“Still here, I see.” Toobury’s words were said with no menace. “She’s quite the thing, isn’t she? Not a physical beauty, but beauty radiates from her. I admire her while I also pity her. A woman such as she should not have to find a husband this way. We men are such idiots. Beauty before all else, but then we miss out on something infinitely better. A woman who thrills us in other ways.”
“Yet you love your mistress, who I believe is a rare beauty.”
“True. But my wife was exquisite as well. Nevertheless, she could not tear my heart from Vivienne. My mistress stimulates me in other ways, with her mind, with her personality.” He sighed. “Beauty fades. Beauty hides flaws, which I’m sure you’ve learned if gossip is to be believed. A fair heart with an intelligent mind is worth everything I own.”
“Then why not simply marry your mistress? Stare down society’s scorn.”
“Because I’m not strong enough. That is my flaw, and Vivienne accepts that. I have ensured she will always be financially secure, no matter what happens to me.” He kicked the sand at his feet. “Besides, once my children are all safely married, I shall spend most of my days with Vivienne.”
Sin’s heart clenched in his chest. “And will you be sharing that information with Lady Charlotte?”
As Toobury walked off, down the sand dunes, back to the picnic, he called softly, “I already have.”
If she accepted Toobury, did Charlotte understand that in her old age she would likely be alone? The idea of that saw him rubbing his chest.
But wouldn’t he be alone too? If he married Mrs. Mason as an arrangement, what would he end up with? A woman now and then to satisfy his urges was not the marriage he’d envisioned for himself. With Arianna, he thought he’d found a true love, a partnership.
There is no greater pain than being betrayed by the woman you love. Hell, maybe there is. Finding out it was with your brother. Two betrayals.
He’d been fooled. And it had cost him more than anyone would ever know. It cost him his faith in love, faith in honor, and faith in his own judgement. He’d been at sea ever since, wondering if he saw people clearly at all.
Did he see Charlotte clearly? Was she playing a game, or could he believe her statement of innocence?
As he stood trying to breathe through the terrible memories, he spied Charlotte playing fetch with Bella.
Time to have a straight talk with the lady. He set off to rescue her from Travis, who was excitedly waving some big stick in her face, wanting her to throw it for Bella.
“If you wouldn’t mind, Travis, I’d like a private word with Lady Charlotte.”
His words were polite enough, but held an edge that made Travis reluctant to argue back.
“Please excuse me, my lady. I shall look forward to finishing our conversation over a cup of tea at the picnic.”
