Ten Ways to Ruin

As soon as she was on two feet, she moved away from him. “This is beautiful. I wish I had brought my sketch pad with me.”

“This would be lovely but done in watercolors, not charcoal.”

She walked closer to the edge of the water. “I suppose. Sometimes, seeing a sketch will leave more to the imagination of the audience, which can be even more beautiful.”

He tied the horses to a branch. “I suppose.”

He watched her stroll near the pond and then loosen her bonnet, exposing her golden curls. The sunlight glittered on her hair, creating a halo effect, reminding Simon of just how angelic and innocent Emma was. They shouldn’t linger, or devilish thoughts would make him imagine kissing her, trailing his lips down her long neck until he reached the full curves of her breasts. He sat down on the thick grass and stared at her.

“Aren’t you coming?” Emma said to him.

His shaft thickened. Such an innocent. She had no idea what she was even saying to him. There was no way he could manage standing up right now. “No, you go on.”

By the time she walked the perimeter of the pond, he had his unruly cock back under control. She sat next to him and released sigh a long sigh.

“You ride better than you give yourself credit,” he commented.

“Thank you. I’m sorely out of practice.”

“Any time you wish to ride, let me know, and I will attend you.”

She smiled over at him nervously. “I doubt my mother would believe you to be a proper escort, sir.”

“No, I’m certain your mother would find me the worst possible companion.” He slid a glance at her. “Tell me, why did you come to Hell that night?”

She stared out at the water with a hint of a smile. “I wanted to.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes, isn’t that enough? Men get to do whatever they like. Why shouldn’t ladies have the same opportunities?”

“Because ladies can find themselves amongst dangerous men.” Simon pulled up his legs and let his arms rest on his knees as he stared out to the pond. Perhaps she was rebelling against all the rules forced upon young ladies. But that didn’t make what she was doing right.

“Like yourself?” she whispered.

He closed his eyes and nodded.

“I suppose that makes some sense. It’s still not fair. If women must curb their longings, why shouldn’t men?”

He laughed cynically. “Because most have no ability to do that.”

She sighed. “What am I supposed to do with my life, Mr. Kingsley? A viscount rejected me because my sister married your brother, and before that, your natural father killed Tessa’s husbands.”

“Find a decent man and marry him.” That sounded rather hollow to his ears. But what advice could he give her? Ladies weren’t allowed to have positions. They were told to listen to their husbands and obey his commands. It truly was unfair.

“A decent man,” she scoffed. “I am not certain such a man exists. All the men who attempt to court me are only doing so to get at your brother’s money.”

He wasn’t sure a decent man existed either. Most of the gentlemen he’d seen escort her to the dance floor did covet the large dowry she would bring to the altar. “What do you want, Emma?”

“It doesn’t matter what I want,” she muttered bitterly. “It never has.”

Remaining in his position, he watched her stride toward the horses. He smiled as she attempted to jump and grab the reins from the tree. “Would you like some assistance?”

She shot him a glare.

With a chuckle, he moved to give her the reins to Belle. After placing her back on the horse, he followed her back to his brother’s elegant home in silence. He entered the hall behind Emma as Louisa walked down the stairs. A frown marred her face as she looked between Emma and Simon.

“Where have you two been?” she asked, reaching the bottom step.