Page 29 of A Kiss Of Lies

Why?

The question burned in his brain, and yet he could think of no one who’d take such umbrage with him that they’d deliberately destroy an innocent man, or rape a young woman in order to dishonor him.

He lowered his eyes against the glare and ran a hand over his nape. It wasn’t as if he were a saint; he’d had his differences and confrontations with various men, usually over women. Sometimes he wondered if it could be a woman who’d set him up, perhaps a jealous lover. God only knew he’d broken enough hearts in his time. But once the extent of his injuries became common knowledge, all his discarded lovers counted themselves lucky.

He sighed into the breeze. No, it wouldn’t have been a former lover.

He pulled his pocket watch from his breast pocket. He was impatient to see Sebastian. Perhaps he’d heard more of what had occurred. What news would he bring from Grayson?

He stood straight and froze in his tracks. What if his friends thought him capable of such a crime? Would they think he’d finally succumbed to the evil of his father’s influence? After all, his father’s blood flowed through his veins.

He scowled down at the gently lapping waves. Suddenly his impending meeting with Sebastian assumed a different urgency. What reception would he receive? Would Sebastian’s reaction be to advise him to stay in Canada?

He then caught Sarah’s scent on the humid breeze a moment before she appeared beside him. He recognized her scent in his dreams. The fresh scent of flowers—lilies—always announced her presence.

She stopped several feet away from the rail. The bonnet on her head was tied tightly under her chin, obscuring most of her face and hiding her fair hair.

“Good morning, Sarah,” he said softly. “It’s a hot day in paradise.”

She gave a small smile. “Good morning, my lord.”

“Christian,” he uttered in exasperation.

“I agreed to such informal address when we are alone, but in company I would prefer formality. I don’t wish your friend to get the wrong impression.”

Christian laughed. “Lord Coldhurst is one of England’s finest rakes, so I’m afraid he’ll take one look at you and form the wrong impression anyway.” He shook his head. “Unlike me, if he were ever in the position of hiring a governess, your beauty would be the only qualification he’d be seeking.”

He watched her luscious lips tighten. “I see. Then perhaps Lily and I should stay on board the ship,” she replied in steely tones. “I’d rather not expose her to such behavior.”

He raised an eyebrow. Perhaps he should think about her suggestion. Sebastian’s blood would without a doubt rise upon seeing the beautiful, widowed Sarah Cooper, and he would definitely want her for himself. There was an unwritten rule among the Libertine Scholars: a woman was fair game no matter whom she supposedly belonged to—unless, of course, one of them was married to her. Wives, like sisters, would be safe from their seductive intentions. But lovers, mistresses—were all to be wooed and won away from their original masters. It was the fun of the game.

“Perhaps that would be a wise idea.” He noted her surprise at his agreement. “I’m not even sure what type of accommodation Lord Coldhurst has here, or even what he is doing in Jamaica.”

Sarah hesitated for a second before saying resignedly, “No. Lily will be disappointed not to get off the ship. It’s hot and stuffy. Plus it’s going to be a long voyage, and perhaps it would be fairer to let her disembark.”

Their conversation was halted abruptly by a commotion on the dock below. Christian moved to the railing on the other side of the ship and peered down. A carriage sat on the dock at the bottom of theDoreen’s gangway, and a man with rich mahogany hair was striding up it, yelling for Christian.

Sebastian Hawkestone, the Marquis of Coldhurst, had arrived.

Sebastian spied him as soon as he reached the deck and moved forward to hug him tightly. “Christian, you old sod, how are you?” Sebastian pushed him back and held him at arm’s length. “I must say, you’re looking very well for a man sent to purgatory.”

Relief swept over Christian. Sebastian was the same old lovable, nonjudgmental rogue he’d always been.

“Come, I’ve brought some of my servants. They can organize your trunks. I thought we’d go to the local tavern and drink our sorrows away.” He dug his elbow into Christian’s ribs. “And see if we can get the scarred war hero bedded without being accused of rape.”

Although the words were spoken in jest, there was an underlying tone of anxiety. Sebastian looked tired. There were fine lines around his eyes, and his mouth showed hints of strain.

The two men were interrupted by a loud but feminine cough behind them. Both men swung around and took in Sarah standing tall and proud behind them, holding Lily’s hand.

Sebastian let out a low whistle. “I see you have more news to tell me.” His eyes began sweeping over Sarah’s luscious figure, taking in her pert breasts and the slender waist that flared to hips that were made to welcome and cradle a man between her thighs.

Then, instantly, Sebastian’s demeanor changed. He stepped forward and bowed low before Sarah. “Forgive me, madam. May I present myself? The Marquis of Coldhurst, at your service.” He took Sarah’s hand in his and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

Christian’s fists clenched as he watched Sarah’s hand tremble under the force of Sebastian’s looks and personality. Christian had never known any woman to be immune to Sebastian’s charms.

A flare of the green-eyed monster rose deep within him, and he only just prevented himself from stepping forward and tearing her hand out of Sebastian’s grasp. Thankfully, Sarah gently but determinedly pulled her hand free.

She dropped a curtsey. “My lord, greetings.”

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