Page 10 of The Seduction of Lord Sin
“We know why you are here, Toobury? But I heard you were smitten with a certain actress in London,” Devlin asked, a frown on his face. “Does Lottie know?”
Sin picked up on the undercurrent in Devlin’s voice. He inwardly slapped himself. Bann was here for Charlotte, too. Bann had two sons already from his first wife, so her being barren was no obstacle. Devlin need not worry about the competition from Bann. Devlin was handsome and a true gentleman. Unless their host listened to gossip about Devlin’s father. But then why invite him?
They waited while Toobury took his turn at the table. He stood and said, “While you can never have too much money, I simply want a mother for my children. My three sons. The fact Lady Charlotte is intelligent and wealthy is a pleasant bonus. It occurred to me that a woman who can’t have children might want to be a mother to my youngest boy in-particular he won’t ever remember his mother.”
“Am I the only man here who is not trying to win the hand of our hostess?” Sin asked laughingly. No one else laughed, and he took in the three serious faces, looking at him as if he’d just said something rude. He put down his cue. “You are all here for Lady Charlotte? Well, this will be an interesting week and leaves the field clear for me with the other ladies attending.”
Toobury merely smiled like a jester.
Before he could say more, the butler arrived. “Lord Bann, your room is ready and the carriage with your luggage and valets has arrived. Dinner will be early this evening at seven, with drinks in the drawing room from six because guests may be weary from travel.”
Sin glanced at the clock. It was five, and he needed to bathe and change, too. He stunk of horses. “Would you mind organizing a bath for me?” he asked Burton.
“Your valet has already organized one for you, Your Grace, and one for Lord Devlin, and they should be ready shortly.”
“Grand. If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I shall see you at six.” With that, he nodded to the competent Burton and headed to his room in the west wing.
* * *
Dharma stepped out from behind the alcove curtain as she watched the Duke of Sinclair stride past her hiding spot. She’d been eavesdropping at the billiard-room door, not an accepted young lady’s activity. However, she may as well start as she meant to go on. In this patriarchal world, women needed every advantage to succeed.
His Grace was more handsome than her friend Isabella had described in her letters. But what Dharma inherently wanted to learn was if Lord Sinclair was good enough for Lottie.
The sinful duke was all the talk amongst the young ladies in thetonlooking for a husband. The gorgeous, wealthy, widower duke. Tall, broad shouldered, hair that reminded you of autumn chestnuts, an aristocratic face that was so handsome; most debutantes saw him as the catch of the season. Lord Sinclair was every woman’s dream. All ladies dreamed too, of mending his broken heart. They knew it wouldn’t be easy. So far, he’d shown no preference at all.
Except for his paramours. He had plenty of those, but that role was not what Lottie needed. Or perhaps she did? She needed some joy and pleasure in her life instead of duty and loneliness. But why settle for pennies when you could grab the crown? His Grace becoming her husband would set thetonalight with envy.
Handsome was a bonus; she would give her friend that. However, she wondered what kind of man he was. Arrogant, powerful, and wealthy were a given for a duke, but was he kind? Had he got over his wife? Could he learn to love again? Would he be the type of man to make Lottie happy?
She would reserve judgment until she’d studied him further, but Dharma would do everything she could to manipulate His Grace into falling in love with Lottie. Why? Because he was the only man here who was not after Lottie’s money.
In Dharma’s eyes, that made him the only worthy candidate at this ridiculous and demeaning house party.
ChapterFour
“Shall I announce you, my lady?” Burton asked as Charlotte stood fidgeting with the long strand of pearls at her neck outside the drawing-room door. Biting her bottom lip, she was summoning the courage to enter and decide her fate. When she faced the sudden realization, she’d gone absolutely mad.
Flora stood by her side. “Courage, Lottie. Any of these men would be lucky to have you. Remember that.”
“At least one of them is quite nice,” Dharma called from the landing above. “And remember, you could simply send them all home.”
She nodded. “Quite right, thank you, Dharma.”
But if she did that, she’d be alone, and she could not stop time from progressing. She was getting older with each tick of the clock, even as she stood here like a dithering ninny. Squaring her shoulders, she nodded regally to Burton.
Charlotte barely heard Burton’s announcement before she swept into the room with a warm smile upon her face, and Flora in her wake. It took all her courage to move forward into a sea of gentlemen, all primped and primed like the most beautiful peacocks in her back garden. Her head lifted. That’s right, they needed her, possibly more than she needed them.
“Gentlemen, so lovely to see you here—” her voice cracked. All the men stood and turned to face her. A sea of men all looking confused. She inanely added, “I hope your accommodations are satisfactory?”
Of course it would be Lord Hapley who pushed forward to be the first to greet her. He was a large, older man with grown children in need of funds.
“Lady Charlotte.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her gloved knuckles. “I have been looking forward to this—engagement for weeks. The weather looks as if it will be perfect for a bit of hunting.” Oh, he was hunting all right. Her purse. He was about to be thrown into debtor’s prison. Still, he had a lovely estate that with her money could be made profitable once again.
Lord Canthorpe elbowed Hapley out of the way, posturing himself before her. This week was going to be very trying and already she regretted this madcap scheme.
She pulled her hand free. “May I present my friend, Lady Flora Battling?”
“Will your husband be joining us?” Devlin asked.
