A Little Bit Sinful. Adrienne Basso
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Название: A Little Bit Sinful
Автор: Adrienne Basso
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Историческая литература
Серия: The Ellinghams
isbn: 9781420122503
isbn:
“No.” For the first time she flushed. “He was noble in character, though not in birth, and proved his mettle by understanding the difficult choice I had to make.”
Willpower alone kept the surprise from Sebastian’s face. He had made the remark to throw her off balance, never imagining there actually had been a serious relationship in her past. How very interesting. Perhaps there was a way to use this to his advantage?
“What happened?”
She sent him a sideways glare and he expected her to tell him it was none of his business. Instead she shrugged and said quietly, “The social and financial chasm between us was too vast to breach without taking drastic measures. Sadly, I was not free to make them.”
“Yet he was a man of good character? A man you admired?”
“Yes, very much.” For an instant Lady Eleanor’s eyes clouded with emotion. “And loved.”
“You do not think Lady Bianca could love me the same way?”
Lady Eleanor blinked her eyes rapidly, coming back to herself with admirable speed. “I do not know my sister’s heart, nor will I try to unduly influence it. But I will diligently seek to find a man for her who is eminently trustworthy and dependable. An honorable man who is steady and predictable.”
“Dull.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You left out dull.” Sebastian had to press his mouth firmly together to hold back his laughter. “Everything you said implies a dull fellow.”
“You are wrong. Stability and respectability are not dull traits.” Her brows furrowed for a moment. “Not always.”
He sighed. “I seem to be hearing a great deal about what you want in a man for Lady Bianca. What of her wishes? Are they to be taken into consideration also?”
Sebastian fixed her with a stare that others found intimidating, yet Lady Eleanor’s eyes never wavered from his.
“I have taken charge of my sister’s welfare since she was a young child. ‘Tis a natural, protective instinct, not easily dismissed.”
Sebastian pursed his lips. Lady Eleanor was proving herself to be a royal pain in his arse, though try as he might, he could not help but respect her. Even like her a bit. It was obvious that as the elder sister she had been the dependable, steady one. Possibly even a substitute parent.
“I don’t know what I can say to ease your mind,” he finally answered.
“That’s even more troubling,” she said grimly, before straightening her spine. “I acknowledge it is not my place to order Bianca’s life, but I feel the need to protect her.”
“Understandable. You are determined to protect her from disaster. Namely, me.”
She closed her eyes briefly. He wondered whether she was embarrassed or trying to maintain her patience.
“My sister has a rather modest dowry,” Lady Eleanor said. She opened her eyes and turned them fully upon him. “If your expectations were of a vast fortune, I am afraid you will be sorely disappointed.”
Ah, so now she thought him a fortune hunter, in addition to an unscrupulous rake. No wonder she was trying to scare him off. “My estates are amazingly sound. I say amazingly since I can claim no credit for their solvency beyond hiring an honest, competent steward. That’s not to say that I have piles of money to burn, but I am far from impoverished. Does that ease your mind at all, Lady Eleanor?”
Her mouth twisted, but before she could reply they were interrupted.
“Our carriage approaches,” Gwendolyn announced in a loud voice. “Time for afternoon calls.”
Sebastian set his fingers to his temples, grateful for the interruption. His conversation with Lady Eleanor had gone in so many directions his head was fairly spinning. Additionally, her interference had taken time away from his pursuit of Lady Bianca, but worse, he feared her continued diligence was going to make it difficult to manipulate young Bianca into a compromising position.
“May we give anyone a lift?” Dorothea asked. “Mr. Brommer? Ladies?”
Brommer declined the offer. So did Lady Eleanor, explaining their carriage was also in view. After a general farewell that encompassed everyone, she took up a position beside her sister, a protective expression on her face.
Ignoring the warning, Sebastian pushed himself forward. Singling Lady Bianca out, he boldly took her hand, delighted to see her color heighten.
“I had a most enjoyable afternoon,” he said. “I look forward to seeing you again very soon.”
“That is my hope also, my lord.” Lady Bianca’s smile was sweet and genuine.
A breeze fluttered across Sebastian’s neck, but the chill of the air was nothing compared to the skeptical scowl he received from Lady Eleanor. Hell, she was a suspicious sort.
With the earl’s daughters gone, Sebastian walked the Ellingham sisters to their waiting carriage. He braced himself for their merciless questions and teasing, but they were strangely silent. Deciding it was merely pure chance or dumb luck if he correctly predicted a woman’s mood, Sebastian took advantage of the quiet.
Bowing low, he kissed each sister’s hand before assisting them into the coach. He waved as the vehicle rumbled away. Mounting his horse, Sebastian began the slow trek out of the park, once again weaving his way through the crowds.
This time, the delay barely bothered him. He replayed the conversations he had with Hetfield’s daughters in his mind, concluding that caution was essential, especially where Lady Eleanor was concerned. Still, all in all, it had been a most enlightening and productive afternoon.
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