Page 40 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
Only Sin remained silent.
Charlotte couldn’t understand why he remained at Ivy Close in such danger, given his family situation. Was it because he felt obligated to protect her? She admitted that there was—what would she call it—attraction? Friendship? Comradery? Definitely desire—between them. She liked him. She almost choked on her thoughts. Like! She thought him the most desirable man she’d ever met. Her heart ached for what he had gone through with his brother and wife. She wondered how any woman would do that to a man, especially a man the likes of Lord Sinclair. Yet, did she really know him?
If she were honest, he was merely an acquaintance, one she was attracted to. She was probably the same for him. He did desire her. She’d felt the evidence more than once. That in itself would appear a miracle, given her age and lack of beauty.
Which brought her right back to why he stayed.If I ask him, will he tell me?She took a drink of wine. He would tell her because he was honorable. He wore his honor like a crown. Learning of his private hell and his brother and wife’s betrayal, he clutched his honor to him as if to make up for the lack of theirs.
That’s why a tingle of unease crawled up her back and stroked the skin of her neck when it became obvious Sin was about to say something.
“I’d like to raise a glass to Toobury. He was a fine upstanding gentleman who will be sorely missed.”
Charlotte released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding at the tame toast. But she should have known better. As soon as they finished drinking, Sin added, “And while it’s brought a sudden end to Lady Charlotte’s house party, it’s wonderful to learn that she has accepted the proposal of Lord Devlin, my friend. So, a second toast to Lord Devlin and his exquisite taste in women.”
The only people to raise their glasses this time were Devlin and Sin.
The bastards.They had obviously come up with this plan without discussing it with her. And she knew why. They had just put a target squarely on Devlin’s back. And she’d never have allowed that. How could they trap her so? If she denied his words, the killer would know they were on to him.
The deafening silence lengthened.
Finally, she lifted her glass in salute and smiled. “Lord Devlin was very persuasive and friendship is indeed a sound basis for marriage. I won’t be far from my beloved Ivy Close, either.”
Now it was Bann sending dagger sharp looks her way.
The sound of a chair scraping back made her glance down the table to where Dharma was now standing. “If you’ll excuse me, gentleman, I have a dreadful headache.” She looked at Charlotte and added, “I should also continue my packing. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
She wanted to jump up and follow Dharma and explain it was all a ruse, but with three potential killers sitting at her table, she thought it best to wait until later. Dharma expected so much more from her, but for Charlotte, to wait for love would mean hurting Devlin and his family. Charlotte was realistic. Spending more time looking for love was a luxury long gone for a twenty-nine-year-old widow. Time did not wait for you to find the love of your life.
Her attention turned back to Sin. While she smiled broadly, she hoped her eyes told him exactly what she thought of their plan.
As if a fist had reached in and squeezed her heart, she wanted to rub her chest. This was why he had stayed. He wanted to protect Devlin, who would obviously set himself up as a target to ensure Toobury’s killer was caught. Sin staying had nothing to do with—what had she thought—their mutual attraction or friendship? This was about men and their honor once again. Men and their pride. Men and a challenge to find a killer.
The food went from coal to ash in her mouth. How she sat through the rest of the meal, she had no idea. She fed the last of her meat to Bella under the table.
Finally, she could push back her chair and take her leave. Bella, who had sat quietly next to her chair, seemed to understand the atmosphere. The dog stood by her side and glared at the men as if she understood the threat hanging in the air.
Faithful. Bella would always love her, just for being her. Bella would be by her side because she didn’t want to be anywhere else. Unconditional love.
“I shall leave you to your port and cheroots. I believe you are going to be fishing in the morning, so I will see you at dinner tomorrow night.” She paused as the men all rose to their feet. “And Sir Ryder, thank you for taking care of this terrible accident so thoroughly. I, for one, will certainly be more careful around the bluff in the future.”
“Thank you, my lady. Don’t you worry about anything. I have it all in hand, and these men can help if I need anything.”
“Goodnight, then.”
Once she reached her room, she dismissed her maid and collected a book and took a seat by the fire, which was blazing. Bella stretched out on the rug in front of the fire. The dog loved the heat. Charlotte slipped off her slippers and tucked her feet up under her and settled in to wait. She wondered how long it would be before her visitor arrived?
Quite a while later, longer than she thought, the doorhandle on her bedchamber door turned. Bella rose, sniffed the air, then lay back down as if no one of significance was about to enter.
Oh, but hewassignificant. She looked up to watch Sin slip into her room and close the door behind him. He wore no jacket and his cravat was gone. His fine linen shirt hung open at the top, revealing glimpses of dark chest hair and shadows of sculptured muscle. She swallowed down the desire to lick her lips.
He moved towards her and with each step; her pulse pounded louder and faster.
“I knew you’d wait up for me. I’ve come to apologize for concealing our plan from you. You handled the announcement with complete aplomb.”
She didn’t move. She stayed curled up on her chair, scared that if she stood, she’d try to touch him and her anger would dissolve. “I could hardly deny it or our villain would realize it was all a ruse. Then we would all be in danger instead of just Devlin.”
“And you. You’re still in danger. He could decide to simply abduct you.”
“I have Bel—”
