Earl of Sin (Lords of Scandal 6)

He gave her a sideways glance, his eyes filled with apprehension as he stepped closer. “Will you run crying from this house when the fortnight is over?”

That made her smile. “No, not because of this. But I am reconsidering the sleeping arrangements.”

He took a half step closer. “How so?”

“She has a right to be afraid and she needs comfort now. I think I should sleep in the room with her until she’s strong enough to be on her own.”

He touched her cheek causing a shiver of pleasure to race down her spine. She nearly pulled back but he dropped his hand. “Thank you.” His face spasmed in pain. “You’ve no idea how much I appreciate your help,” he said before he turned and crossed the hall to his own room. She watched him enter and then close his door but still, she stood there, leaning against the cool wood.

He hurt too. The loss of his wife, she’d seen it earlier today. Worry for his daughter.

She closed her eyes. She could help him. Help them both. Then she thought of all she’d missed from Harold. She’d never know a man’s touch, the feel of his skin against hers. Sin was lucky in one regard, his love had been complete.

Her fingers drifted to her lips as Mary remembered Sin’s kiss. Nothing had prepared her for his mouth against hers.

Her conversation with Ada floated through her thoughts again. Her cousin had suggested that she marry Sin. Would he want her that way? He had kissed her but just as quickly he’d pulled away again.

Hope bubbled in her chest. For her part, she thought she might be able to help them both move past their losses and fears.

Sin paced his room for the better part of a quarter hour. Tired as he was, he knew there was little hope of sleep. He’d placed Anne across from his room when she’d begun having nightmares and Mary next to Anne for obvious reasons.

But now, he knew that Mary was just steps away, curled in a bed under his roof. Bloody hell, this was not going well. He shouldn’t have brought her here, even provisionally.

His body tightened with an aching need as he leaned his head on the fireplace mantle, squeezing his eyes shut.

Pushing off the wood frame again, he headed for the door. Perhaps a drink in the library or a late-night walk in the garden would help him to find some sleep.

He wrenched the knob in but then stopped mid stride. Mary stood exactly where he left her, leaning against the door. “Mary?”

Her gaze, which had glassed over, snapped to his. “Oh dear. Yes. Sorry.” Then she started to close the large panel.

“Wait.” He stepped toward her. “Why are you still there?”

“I…” she whispered. “I was just thinking.”

Desire pulsed through him. Even in the dark he saw the color fill her cheeks. “About?” he asked moving closer still. It was a dangerous game. He’d already kissed her once today.

“Marriage,” she said, then sighed. “I was engaged. I know I told you already. Part of me wishes we’d married before he left. It’s silly, I know. But I’d like to know what all the fuss is about.”

His throat went completely dry. “Fuss?”

She shook her head, her hands fluttering up from her sides. “It doesn’t matter. Late night musings. Likely had too much tea. I shall see you in the morning.”

She started to close the door but he reached up and placed his hand on the edge just above her head. A single strand of her hair tickled his palm. “You want to know what the fuss is about between a man and a woman?”

She tilted her head back to look up at him, her slender neck arching toward him. “I’m not myself,” she said softly. “That kiss in the garden.”

He touched her cheek, letting his hands slide down her jaw and over the silken skin of her throat. “I understand completely.” Then he leaned down and kissed her again. This one was not the chaste kiss of earlier, it was still soft but it burned with passion, lingering in a long, slow, burning desire. “And I think we’ve got a real problem.”

She let out a soft sigh that was half groan and his insides flipped even as his cock went from hard to granite. “I’m going to have to leave, aren’t I?”

“Perhaps,” he answered, stealing another taste of her sweet nectar. “Or mayhap there is another option. Meet me in my study before breakfast. Let’s say eight?”

She shook her head. “Actually, I’d prefer if you just sacked me now. I’ll never sleep worrying about it.”

His fingers were dancing over the base of her throat. “I am not going to sack you. If anything, your family should have me tossed in the stocks.”

Her nose crinkled and it was so adorable, that he had to lean down and kiss it. “I doubt that. But if they knew of the kisses…”