Earl of Sin (Lords of Scandal 6)

“For accepting my proposal, for this…” She gestured toward the carpet as she licked her lips. “Even if I were to die an early death.” She gripped his hands. “This time with you has made my life complete. I would die happy and—” Her breath caught. “I’m afraid I’ve quite fallen in love with you.” Then she released his hand and spun toward the door. But as the heavy panel swung open, she stopped short.

Reeves stood in the doorway, his face scrunched in pain as he stared at Sin. “You’ve allowed a viper into our midst.”

Sin sucked in his breath as Mary took a step back. He wrapped an arm about her waist and pulled her back to his chest. “You overstep.”

Reeves sneered. “I’m protecting you. You can’t see that this woman is using her beauty to manipulate you into gaining the position of mistress. One she does not belong in.”

Mary let out a gasp, covering her mouth with her hands, a shudder running through her body. Sin carefully tucked her behind him, stepping toward Reeves. “You will be making the trip to my country estate first thing in the morning. You will stay there until I decide what to do with you.”

“But, my lord.” Reeve’s brows drew together. “I am protecting you. She’s…” he pointed to Mary, “a social climber.”

Mary’s hand slid to Sin’s shoulder. “Reeves,” she spoke softly. “Your commitment to your lord’s happiness is commendable.”

Sin shook his head. “And your opinion of my fiancée is misplaced. Mary’s uncle is an earl.”

Reeves let out a soft whoosh of breath. “I didn’t know. Besides…” He held up his hands. “She’s small like Lady Sinclair. What if-—”

“Enough,” Sin cut the other man off. Reeves had been the family’s butler since he’d been a boy of ten. With his grief and without a mistress, he’d allowed Reeves to take over many tasks, but he was beginning to understand that he’d allowed a lot of life to slip out of his control, including his own fears. “Reeves, you’ve been a faithful employee and I am most grateful. But my marriage is none of your concern. If you value your position here, you will turn around and go to your room and pack your bag at once.”

Reeves’ face fell. “I only want what’s best for you.”

“Don’t sack him,” Mary whispered low so only he could hear.

He turned back to drink in her lovely features still flushed from their lovemaking. “He was rude to you.”

“He’ll learn his place.” Mary looked over his shoulder at Reeves. “Loyalty is a difficult trait to find.”

Sin shook his head. “You are unfailingly the kindest person I’ve ever met.” He looked back at Reeves. “Perhaps you would like to edit your opinion of the new mistress of the house?”

Reeves eyes grew very round. “It’s been decided then?” The man took a half step back. “You’ll marry her.”

Sin pointed his finger toward the door. Mary was likely right that Reeves’ loyalty was unfailing but he couldn’t have Reeves pestering his new bride either. Mary needed time and space to put this family back together. And he was ready to help her in that mission. “You’ll spend the summer in the country. I hope you’ll use your trip for reflection. When we join you in the fall, you’ll greet the new countess with all the respect her title deserves.”

Reeves gave a quick jerk of his chin. “Yes, my lord.” Then he spun about and raced down the hall.

After he left, Sin turned to Mary, wrapping his arms about her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded but didn’t meet his eye. “Fine.”

He placed a hand under her chin. “You can’t lie to me when we’re this close. I can feel it.”

That brought a ghost of a smile to her lips. “It’s just that when you said my size made you afraid, I thought you were too close to the situation to see it for what it was. But when Reeves said it…” She shook her head. “I did coerce you into proposing. Reeves is right about that. What if I’m leading you down the wrong path?”

If he thought he’d loved this woman before, he nearly burst with the emotion now. “Reeves is overstepping and the reason for that is me. I’ve needed someone to take me by the hand and show me the way. I allowed his role in this house to grow beyond what it should be because I wasn’t able…” He paused. “Mary, no other woman could have brought me so far in so little time. You are not a temptation to be denied. More and more, I think you’re my redemption.”

Chapter Thirteen

Cole’s words filled her with hope. A feeling that carried her through the night and into the next morning. From that hope, grew joy when she learned they’d be wed within a fortnight. Her uncle had been able to secure the license for their nuptials.

So when Anne, bounding with enthusiasm, asked if they could celebrate with a picnic in the park, Mary agreed. The child had slept fitfully with Mary in the bed across the room and all around, it seemed like a day for celebration.

Cole had gone out for the morning, but she left a note on his desk, that they’d journeyed to the nearby park with a picnic lunch. She invited him to join them if he was able.

Setting out, they made their way to a perfect picnic spot next to a large pond with several rowboats parked on a pier. Anne clapped with delight. “Can we take one for a row?”

Mary smiled as she turned back to the basket. “In a bit. First let’s get our picnic set up.” Much of London would journey out to walk or ride in parks such as these, but many would wait until the afternoon. It was still early yet and only a few others graced the paths at this time of the morning. “We’ll set up in the shade of that tree so that we might spend the day if we’d like. I brought some paint supplies and—” She stopped as she heard the scrape of wood against wood.

Anne had traversed the dock and was pushing off the pier in her little boat. “Anne,” Mary called sharply. “Come back at once.”