Earl of Sin (Lords of Scandal 6)

“My father didn’t leave me with the flushest Earldom,” he said still looking down. “I was struggling from the moment I took over. And after my wife passed three y

ears ago…” His mouth turned down, as tight lines of pain marked his face.

She didn’t think. Reaching out, she placed a hand on his arm. “No need to explain to me. I’ve lived off my aunt and uncle for the past five years. I envy you the opportunity to change your situation. I only wish that I could do the same for myself.”

He placed a hand over hers and a tingling of energy spread up her arm. She looked down at the intimate gesture but then his words pulled her gaze back up. “Why don’t you marry? Won’t your aunt and uncle sponsor you?”

She dropped her chin to her chest. “They already financed one season. I won’t be any more of a burden to them then I’ve already been.”

“Burden?” he asked, his fingers squeezing hers. “It’s your uncle’s duty to care for you.”

She looked at him then, his deep brown eyes drawing her in. “I suppose. I feel better, inside, when I am useful. I much prefer teaching Anne then batting my eyelashes at balls.”

He stared at her for a moment longer before he leaned closer, his breath tickling her cheeks. And then, slowly, softly, he placed his lips on top of hers. She’d kissed before. But not like this. This light touch stole the air from her lungs and sent shivers of pleasure straight to her core.

Dear lord, she was in very deep trouble.

Sin had just made a terrible mistake. Mary’s lush lips under his felt better than anything he’d ever experienced before. So supple and yielding, they pressed to his with a passion that belied the gentle touch.

His body responded with a roaring need. He wanted more.

Which was a mistake. He shouldn’t have even kissed her. She was a tutor, his employee, and all wrong for him.

He pulled away, listening to his head even as his body protested. “Miss Chase,” he growled out, his voice hoarse and deep. “My apologies. I should not have—”

Her eyes widened and her head snapped back. “Your apologies?” Then she pursed her lips. “There’s no need.” But she pulled her hand from his arm and used it to push herself to stand. “I’ll find Anne.”

Regret tightened his chest. He shouldn’t have kissed her, but just as bad, he should not have expressed regret. “Wait.”

She stilled, her hands fisting her skirts as though she were about to run.

“You are a very attractive woman.” He stood too and reached for her hand. Reluctantly, she untangled her fingers from her skirts. He gently took her fingers in his. “But you are also under my employ and I would not want you to think I’d take advantage of that fact.”

Mary’s shoulders relaxed and her grip softened. “Thank you for the explanation.”

“Miss Chase,” Anne called. “I brought you a snapdragon in every color. Do you wish to see?”

“Very much,” she answered, stepping around him to greet Anne. “Oh, they are lovely. Run to the kitchen and fetch a vase. We’ll arrange them.”

Anne clapped her hands. “Should I bring sheers too?”

“Yes, please, but hold them by the blade, not by the handles,” she called after his daughter.

“Yes, Miss Chase,” Anne called over her shoulder darting off again.

“And no running while you’re holding them.” Mary called as the child disappeared, leaning away from him to be heard by Anne.

He stared at her with painful awareness. She was beautiful and this first afternoon had been an oasis compared with the past several months. Did that mean she could do the job after all? And how would he cope with her living here full time? “You’re going to teach her to arrange flowers?”

“I am,” Mary answered, pulling her hand from his once again.

“And her fear? Is this also part of addressing that?”

Mary turned to look at him. “I first need to see what makes her afraid. Then we shall know if we can fix it.” She quirked a brow at him. “So far I haven’t seen anything.”

He straightened, looking down at her. It was ridiculous but he had the urge to ask her if she thought she could fix him too. But of course, she couldn’t. Instead, he murmured a ridiculously personal question. “She does all right most days. Better with you here. It’s night that she struggles with.”

She let out a long breath. “Night is difficult, isn’t it? We all have fears that come out then.”