Earl of Sin (Lords of Scandal 6)

“Send her in,” a deep male voice replied.

The sound reverberated through her in the most pleasant way. Both strong and capable, she wanted to sigh just hearing those three short words.

The butler turned back to her and waved her forward, with a flick of his hand.

Straightening her back again, she stepped into the room as the butler moved to the side. But she didn’t bother to look at him, instead studying the earl. The first thing she noted was the dark crown of his hair as he bent at the desk, finishing some task with his quill. His hair was a touch overlong, which suited him nicely. Rich brown waves swept back from his forehead and down his neck, nearly brushing the nape of his neck. But his hair was forgotten as she noted the breadth of his shoulders, strength of his arms, and the large capable hands that held the tiny quill.

Then he looked up, smiling at her. Chocolate colored eyes and classically handsome nose and cheeks gave way to a strong jaw and lips…dear lord, his lips were the most kissable she’d ever encountered. Even more so than her former fiancé Steven’s had been. The thought shocked her and parched her throat. Then air rushed from her lungs as his voice echoed through her again.

“Miss Chase, I presume? It’s a pleasure to meet you. The Duke of Darlington has spoken very highly of your abilities. My daughter is in desperate need of aid.”

Dear lord, she was in trouble. So very much.

Lord Colbert Sinclair, or Sin as his friends called him, assessed the woman in front of him, noting that she was far prettier than he’d prefer. In fact, she was stunning. Daring hadn’t mentioned that fact when he’d suggested Mary as a potential tutor.

He’d expected a woman who was older, matronly. She’d have greying hair, with a few wrinkles about the eyes that gave her a kind look. Perhaps she’d be a bit thick in the middle, which would make her excellent for the sort of hugs small girls needed.

The woman before him now embodied none of these attributes. A petite blonde, she had eyes the color of the sky on a clear, bright summer day and the sort of small features that gave her an air of delicate beauty. The last thing he wished for

was a woman of beauty in the house.

His first wife had been beautiful. Petite like Mary, she’d brought out every protective instinct Sin possessed. In fact, Mary’s resemblance to Clara was rather alarming. Not in the details, of course, but the build, the hair.

He’d loved his wife dearly and had tried to shield her from this harsh world. That was until he couldn’t protect her. His insides clenched as he mentally pushed the feeling aside. He didn’t need another woman to keep safe. He’d already failed at that task once with his wife and now he had a daughter who worried him constantly. More so of late.

Besides, she was here for a teaching position, not as a candidate for his hand. And to that end, he’d wanted an elderly matron to love Anne, not a woman who was young enough to be her mother. That was essential. Mary, connected in society and beautiful as she was, would likely only be a temporary figure in their lives. He needed someone stable and constant in Anne’s life.

And certainly not a woman so lovely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, my lord,” she murmured, dropping into a curtsey. “Thank you for granting me this interview.”

He grimaced. Daring had left out some key facts. Likely on purpose. But Mary was here now, he might as well conduct the interview. Anne had been a precocious child up to a few months ago. A mad woman had stolen her from his home and since then, his lovely daughter had grown fearful and had retreated into a shell. Or perhaps, he had grown overprotective and pushed her into one. “It is my pleasure.” He gestured toward the chair. “Please. Have a seat.” Either way, he needed the right person to draw her out again. There was a kindness in Mary’s eyes that suited the position and he was tempted to hire her, but something else held him back. What if Anne grew attached to the woman? Just like him, his daughter had suffered loss. He didn’t want to put either of them through that again.

She did as he instructed, her back straight as she stared at a spot on his desk. “Thank you.”

“Tell me. Have you ever tutored a young girl before?”

She nodded. “I’ve lived with my aunt and uncle since I was sixteen. Grace was only nine.” Her hands tightened into a knot on her lap. “Not quite as young as your daughter but I can assure you, Grace was a handful.”

Sin smiled. “I’ve met her. I have to agree.” He cleared his throat. “And your education?”

Her gaze was still fixed somewhere below his. “I was a student as Lady Kitteridge’s School of Comportment. My marks were excellent.”

He drew in a long breath. That was excellent news. While he wished for his daughter to regain her confidence, he did not want to sacrifice her future as a lady. Much as he hated to admit it, Mary suited the position well in that regard. “Did you attend a season?”

“One,” she answered, her features tightening.

He cocked his head to the side, assessing her. “Why just one?” With her uncle being an earl, surely she could have had several. Could still decide to rejoin society and find a fitting husband.

“I was engaged to the second son of the Earl of Everly, but he was lost in the Napoleonic Wars four years ago.”

He gripped his quill harder. Bloody hell that was rough. Almost as terrible as his own story. “I’m sorry for your loss. You didn’t see fit to reenter society?”

She shook her head. “No, my lord.”

“And you’re leaving your aunt and uncle’s house because?”

Her eyes rose to his then. They crinkled at the corners in a bit of sadness. He understood it completely. His stomach tightened in understanding and, if he were honest, attraction. Not a feeling he welcomed. “My cousins have all married and no longer need a companion. I can’t justify being a dependent in my uncle’s house if I am not serving a purpose there.”