Earl of Sin (Lords of Scandal 6)

“We’d be wed,” he finished the thought for her. “Mary…” His voice dropped and he took a step back. “You remind me of my first wife. It’s difficult—”

She parted her lips. “Oh dear,” she answered. “That would be a problem.”

He started to trace her collarbone. “I loved her. And when she died, part of me died too, and I’m afraid to feel that way again.”

“Do you mind if I ask how we’re alike? In what ways do I remind you of her?”

He swallowed, an ache burning in his throat. “She was small, slender like you. Blonde hair and classic features…” He had to stop, the words making him ache.

Her fingers reached up to cup his cheek and he found himself leaning into the touch. “I’ve an idea,” she said moving closer. “What if we simply engage in a marriage of convenience? I can help you raise Anne. Give you the heir you still need—”

“Mary,” he warned. “I’m not sure I can give you what you deserve. My heart is half gone already.” And if she were to become pregnant…he’d perish with worry.

She raised her brows. “As is mine.”

His shoulders slumped. That was a good point. “I won’t be able to love you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not asking for your love. I just want a future of my own. In the process, I will aid you with yours.”

“A marriage of convenience?” He leaned down again, stealing another kiss and then another. “The idea has merit.”

He slid his hand down her arm, then laced her fingers through his. “I could be here for you and for Anne,” she said.

His eyebrows rose. “And I could make you a countess. A far better life than that of a tutor.”

She stepped back then, adding space between them. “Eight tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” he answered. But he didn’t want to wait. He wanted to touch her right now. Which might really be an issue with a marriage of convenience.

Chapter Eight

Mary ended up sleeping in Anne’s bed. The child was so afraid and they both got far more sleep that way. Still as she made her way down the stairs the next morning, she wondered if her exhaustion was going to impact her ability to reason with Sin.

Pausing just outside his office, Mary pinched her cheeks. If she were honest, even when Anne was sleeping, she’d been awake thinking about the lord across the hall. Her Chase heritage had reared its head again as she’d actually managed to propose to an earl.

She pushed her fingertips into the sockets of her eyes. Ridiculous. At least he seemed to be considering the proposal.

Which was what had caused the sleeplessness. Every time she thought about actually being married to the man… visions of his kisses, the way he touched her danced through her thoughts.

Then there were the other possibilities. Like bearing a baby of her own. She’d thought those possibilities had died with Harold and it had taken her a long time to open herself to them again. Which was why she needed to be gentle with Sin now.

Dropping her hands, she pinched her cheeks again. Mentally, she worked through her list of rational reasons why this marriage was a smart decision on his part.

“Mary,” he called from in the office. “Are you going to come in?”

Everything inside her went rigid, making it difficult to move. “Perhaps. I just need a few more minutes in the hall.”

He chuckled and she relaxed at the sound. “Why don’t you come in here and think your thoughts. I’ve got a pot of tea waiting for you.”

Her shoulders slumped as a small smile graced her lips. “You understand me already.”

“Perhaps a little,” he answered.

She entered the room to find him standing by the window, his gaze focused on the ground below. She glanced out to see the garden and the spot in which they’d picnicked the day before. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

“Not much,” he answered. “I’ll try to rest this afternoon. Tonight, I am off to the club.”

She supposed she’d sleep better knowing he wasn’t in the house but a part of her was disappointed too. Mary liked being near him. “What are those clubs like?”