Page 37 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
“Some of my guests are leaving. I thought it best.” She stopped a servant and ask for the missives to be dispatched to Toobury’s sister and Lord Dalgety as quickly as possible.
“May I have a word in private,” Sin said as James arrived in the foyer behind him.
“Can it wait…” Her words died as she took in the look on the two men’s faces. “Let’s talk in the library.”
Sin said nothing until the door was firmly closed and the three of them stood in the middle of the room. “We don’t believe Toobury’s death was an accident.”
Charlotte stumbled and lowered herself into a chair. “I thought something was up by the look on Devlin’s face at the coast.” Her bottom lip wobbled. “I can’t believe any local would rob any man, let alone an earl.”
James coughed into his hand, while Sin replied, “I don’t believe it was a robbery.”
Before he could say more, the door opened and in walked Flora. She took one look at their faces and closed the door, before walking to James’s side and slipping her hand in his. “What is a foot?”
Almost under her breath, Charlotte uttered, “Toobury’s death wasn’t an accident. Nor was it a robbery.” No one spoke. “It’s my stupid contest, isn’t it?”
Flora walked to kneel at her feet. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Toobury may have enemies we do not know of.”
Charlotte looked Sin in the eye. “But that is what you are thinking, isn’t it?”
He would not lie to her. “It’s definitely a possibility. Bann was missing this morning, and I know how desperate he is. But so is Vernonte—desperate, and I didn’t notice his movements. Have any of the men decided to stay?”
“Bann told me he’s unwell, so will stay. Vernonte says they expected him in Kent after the house party and he doesn’t want to go all the way back to London or his estate in Warwickshire, only to head south again in a few days. And finally Sanders asked to stay a few more days because—well, he said he had no-where else he needed to be and he liked the quietness and the opportunity to fish. I could hardly throw him out when Bann and Vernonte are staying.”
“At least you’ll have James, Devlin and I to help.”
Her heart did a quick flicker. Sin was staying. “Do you think I should insist on them leaving, given this wasn’t an accident?”
He shook his head. “I think we should tread carefully. If it was one of these men, we don’t want them to know we believe it wasn’t an accident.”
“That’s a dangerous game to play,” James said, and both Flora and Charlotte looked at each other.
“True, but it might be the only way to get justice for Toobury. Besides, I hate the idea of sending the murderer into the world because he could do it again. I’d feel ashamed of making it someone else’s problem.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. He’ll do it again here. You do realize you and Devlin will be targets.”
Sin wished James hadn’t said that in front of Charlotte. Her face grew paler. Frowning at James, Sin replied, “That’s what I’m counting on. I’m more than happy to be bait, and I’m hoping the culprit will oblige me.”
“I cannot have you do that. You have too much to lose. You don’t have a son or any heir.” Charlotte spoke quietly, but her words hit him like a cannonball.
He struggled to deny her statement.
“Devlin. We can use Devlin.” James spoke as if he’d just volunteered Devlin for a ride in Hyde Park. “Don’t look at me like that. He has three brothers. Besides, we won’t let anything happen to him.”
“Why don’t we let the magistrate and his men look into this?” Flora was right, but Sin didn’t want to leave Charlotte unprotected. She’d agree to wait until Christmas to select a husband and that left four months where a desperate man could do anything—like kidnap her and force her to wed. Once wed, with a certificate in hand, a man like this could simply dispose of her—accidents did happen.
Sin ignored Charlotte and addressed James. “I’ll talk to Devlin on his return. We will take the men still in residence fishing tomorrow, and I suggest we have an early supper tonight. I want you ladies as far away from your guests for as much of the day as possible. And you need to lock your bedchamber doors at night. In fact, you should be accompanied at all times. Can your maids sleep in your rooms? When out and about, Flora has James, Devlin can escort Dharma, and I’ll escort Charlotte.”
The idea of anything happening to Charlotte made his heart race. Just then she looked up at him with trusting eyes that said, ‘you’ll keep me safe’. He prayed he could, and the devil on his shoulder told him exactly how. If he married her, this threat would go away.
He almost laughed out loud. It struck him as ridiculous that he feared marriage to Charlotte more than a man who might kill him. He could never give her what she desired—his heart. He would not risk that pain again. The pain of betrayal, or worse still, the pain of loving Charlotte, only for something to happen to her. To lose love again. He wasn’t that strong. Loss felled even the strongest of men. Safer for all if she married Devlin, and he married Mrs. Mason. Looking sternly at Charlotte, he emphasized, “You need to be protected.”
“I have Bella. She’s an excellent guard dog if I issue a command to protect. She won’t let anything happen to me. It’s Dharma I’m concerned about. She will be as much of a target for this man as I am. She has a considerable dowry.”
“I agree. James, we need to see to her safety. She can’t stay here.” Flora’s concern only made Sin more determined to protect Charlotte.
“I’ll send Dharma home to her brother. Tobin will look after her welfare.” Charlotte turned to James. “Perhaps you could write to him and explain the situation.”
James nodded. “I’ll ensure she has an appropriate escort.”
