Page 60 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
She was quite right. He wasn’t her husband, and she was perfectly capable of organizing some grooms to help. However, he would worry about her if she wasn’t with him.
“You make an excellent point, madam. You may accompany myself and Devlin, however, please stay between the two of us.”
“I’m a very competent horsewoman, even though you found me thrown from my horse. I can keep up,” Charlotte scoffed over her shoulder.
He prayed she could because they had a lot of ground to cover before dark. “Ensure you bring a warm cloak.” With that, he walked off to organize all they would need. He’d ask some men to check further toward Truro. The rest of the men he’d have spread out along the cliff and on the beach while the three of them would check the caves.
He didn’t want Charlotte to come with them because he feared what they would find. If Bella was dead, Charlotte would be inconsolable. He didn’t want to see her go through that pain.
If Bella was alive, he would find her because he realized that he’d do anything for the woman who had pried open his heart and made him feel again.
He’d do anything for the woman he wanted to marry.
ChapterNineteen
It was late afternoon as they set out for the ride to the cliffs and caves along the coast at the edge of Charlotte’s property.
“Why are you so certain they used the cave at the southern end of the cliffs?” Sin asked Charlotte as they galloped east.
“The locals think the caves are haunted, so stay well clear. A young boy fell into a cave when playing up the top. He landed on a ledge halfway down a type of cave blowhole. By the time the other children brought an adult back with rope, the sea had risen higher than the ledge. The boy couldn’t swim and drowned as the cavern filled up. I remember telling Sanders the story at dinner one night.” She flashed him a panic filled look. “That’s why we have to get there before high tide. If he’s put Bella in there….”
Sin kicked his horse to go faster. He could see the tide coming in and he would not let Charlotte’s Bella die.
They could hear Bella’s pitiful howls before they even dismounted. Charlotte ran to the hole in the cliff top. Bella was still on the ledge, but the water was crashing around her feet. Soon, the force would knock her in.
Charlotte stood and removed her jacket.
“What do you think you’re doing?” shouted Sin.
Charlotte kept undressing. “Neither of you will fit through that hole. If you lower me down, I can grab her and then you can pull me up.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The water is far too violent. It’s a churning cauldron.”
Devlin walked past Sin and tied a rope around her waist. She looked at him and smiled, and something dark squeezed Sin’s chest. “She’s not about to let her beloved dog die and I won’t stand by and let that happen. Unless she goes into the hole, Bella will die.”
Devlin’s words hit home. “No.”
“You’re not my husband, so stop acting like one. You want to marry Mrs. Mason, so if you are not here to support me, go back to London and live your life.”
Her words hurt more than a barbed arrow through his heart. She pushed past him and called down the hole to Bella to soothe her, but the dog was frightened, and she jumped into the water.
“There’s no time to argue. Lower me in.”
Devlin helped her squeeze through the opening, and Sin heard the splash as she hit the churning water. He quickly made his way to help Devlin hold the rope tied to her in the churning water below.
Shouting above the roaring waves, Charlotte cried, “I’ve got her! Pull us up.” Quickly pulling strongly, the men had Charlotte and Bella near the top.
“You’ll have to take Bella first. We can’t both fit through the hole.
Sin moved forward and grabbed Bella’s collar, hauling her up and onto the grass. The poor dog lay exhausted on her side, shaking. He rubbed her down with his jacket and laid it over Bella, who licked his hand in thanks. He turned to find Devlin lifting a shivering Charlotte through the hole. Devlin pulled her to him, covered her with her cloak, and Sin heard him whisper, “Well done, Lottie. You are very brave.”
She cupped his cheek and pressed a kiss to his face before she raced to see Bella. Bella licked her face. “She can ride with me,” Charlotte said.
Sin had to turn away from the tender, and familiar exchange before he launched himself at Devlin. He had no right to be jealous. She’d given him no promises, and he’d certainly never told her he could never marry Mrs. Mason now. Not when his heart was full of feelings for Charlotte.
Holding her horse, Sin responded. “I’ll lift Bella onto your lap after I’ve helped you mount.” As he helped her into the saddle, she put her hand over his.
“Thank you, Lord Sinclair. Thank you for staying and helping me. I do appreciate it.”
