Page 35 of Sinfully Mine
But,” she raised her head to his, prepared to do whatever was necessary. “Would you consider buying Blackbird Heath from Sinclair? Make me your land manager? I know you mean to go into business with him. Perhaps you would consider—”
“Mrs. Black.” he held up a hand.
“Discussing the subject further in my chambers,” Hester said in a rush before her courage failed her completely. “Where I believe I can better explain the benefits to you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Hester and Worthhad left the dining room at least half an hour ago, an agonizing stretch of time in which Drew’s jealously conjured up a host of scenarios between the pair. The front door had opened and closed. Footsteps sounded. But neither returned to the dining room.
Drew’s fingers curled into a fist.
He should have made things clear to Worth upon arrival. Don’t expect to be waited on by an army of servants. Don’t disparage the simple fare that would be served for dinner.
And notouchingMrs. Hester Black.
Of course, Drew hadn’t anticipated he’dcare. Or that Hester would be shockingly lovely in the candlelight and attempt the seduction of Worth. He’d thought Hester would be uncomfortable. Awkward. Instead, she’d charmed his friend and was probably tupping him.
“Andrew.” Constance pinched his arm. “You’re ignoring me.”
He hated when she did that. Whined and pinched his arm. The reasons why he’d ended their affair became clearer with every minute spent in her company.
“Are you even listening?” The seductive, cajoling tone had left her words. A tiny scowl flitted across her mouth. “Worried about your little farm girl and Worth?” Constance boldly ran a finger along his chin. “It was my understanding you had to get rid of her so you can sell this lump of manure.”
Drew glared at her.
“What?” She gave him an innocent look. “Worth told Grout who in turn, told me. I suggested to Worth that if Mrs. Black was the least attractive, he could make her his mistress for a time. You know Worth. He’s always liked women far beneath him, and I don’t mean that in the crass sense. There was that chit he nearly wed. A dull nobody. But I’m not supposed to speak of her.” She shook her head. “At any rate, you know Worth. He likes the lowborn. Farmhands, milkmaids, governesses, actresses—”
“You mean like my mother.” Constance had always been disdainful of Drew’s mother. Yes, she’d been an actress. And his father’s mistress before they wed. It was the entire reason most of society looked down on the Sinclairs. But she’d also loved Drew and his siblings fiercely. Adored his father. Mother was so much more than a bloody actress. Her death at Dunnings haunted him.
“You’re a snob.”
“Andrew Sinclair,” Constance teased. “Of course, I am.” A pout formed on her perfect lips. “I don’t blame you, of course. You can’t help it that your mother was an actress. I’m told she wasn’t a very good one,” she giggled.
Drew turned away, afraid he might do Constance bodily harm.
He thought of Mother, weeping at the death of his father. Her beautiful features contorted with grief. The pitiful violets he’d pressed into her hands after they’d all been banished to Dunnings, hoping to see her smile once more. How she’d hugged he and Malcolm to her chest, trying not to cough as her life ebbed away.
“I was speaking of actresses in general as being low born. At any rate, I only meant that Worth isn’t very picky. He enjoys women of all classes.”
The floor above them creaked with footsteps. A door shut.
He better not be enjoying Hester.
“I don’t think he’s ever bedded a farmer,” Constance’s words slurred just a bit. “I think for the most part because farmers tend to be male. Mrs. Black is unique in that respect. The only thing interesting about her.”
“Stop speaking, Constance. I insist.”
“You’ve become incredibly boorish, Andrew. Perhaps I should retire.”
“Perhaps you should.”
Drew stared at the dining room door, willing it to open and Worth to step inside, all the while ignoring Constance’s fingers trailing over him when he wanted Hester’s hands on him.
The entire evening had been spent watching Worth attempt to wedge himself beneath Hester’s skirts. Flirting and whispering. Making her blush. Asking her questions about farming and Blackbird Heath while pretending great interest. Worth had poured her far too much wine, deliberately getting her foxed so that he could—
“Andrew.” Constance pressed herself into his lap. “I apologize and beg your forgiveness for whatever it is that has distressed you.”
Drew stood abruptly, nearly toppling Constance from his lap. She flailed about for a moment, before falling back into her own chair. “You don’t even know what you are apologizing for.”
