Page 21 of The Spy and His Lady Love
“You do realize those heirs will be yours as well.”
The insufferable man. “Please be quiet, I’d like to enjoy the music.”
“Forgive me for disturbing you.”
After the Cavanaugh girls’ performance ended they spread out into the ballroom for refreshments. Mr. Sinclair followed them as though he belonged in their party. It was most perturbing. How was she to relax and remember society’s rules of etiquette if she was constantly on edge from being near his person. She rather hated the guilty emotions he welded up inside her. Guilt for being attracted to both him and Newbury. Why did the cousins have to resemble each other in looks and mannerisms?
“You seem annoyed with Mr. Sinclair this evening?” Emma whispered as Wentworth and Mr. Sinclair moved away to speak with several other gentlemen in attendance.
Am I that obvious?“For some reason he annoys me. Perhaps because he looks so much like Newbury I find it unsettling. It makes me wish the roles were reversed and Mr. Sinclair was damaged and Newbury perfect.” She gasped and slapped her mouth, her eyes darting nervously around them.“I’m a horrible person. How will I ever be able to be a duchess? I can’t believe the prince is even allowing such a match. There are very few dukes, and one shouldn’t be wedding a bastard.”
“Hush, Penelope,” Emma scolded as she looked around. Then let out a breath. “Thank goodness I don’t think anyone heard you. You mustn’t call yourself that. Wentworth has worked hard to elevate you up in society. He betrothed you to a duke. And not just any duke. The Newbury Dukedom is one of the oldest and wealthiest.” Emma gasped. “Oh dear, I sound like an uptight English aristocrat. Not the American I was born.”
“Indeed, you do. As to the Newbury Dukedom. Yes. So I’ve been told it’s one of the oldest and wealthiest. Wentworth should not have bothered. I would have been perfectly happy marrying a country squire.” She told the truth. She would much prefer to live in the country out of the eyes and ears of the ton. What if she embarrassed the duke once they wed? There was still much she needed to learn about the aristocracy. Newbury was a duke. Would they be expected to host balls and the Prince Regent? From what she’d heard, Newbury was close friends with the man.
Emma smiled beautifully. “Here are our men. We must take our leave.”
“Our men? Surely you realize Mr. Sinclair is not my man.”
Emma’s cheeks pinked. “Yes. That isn’t what I meant.”
Penelope found herself sharing the cushioned bench with Mr. Sinclair…again as he shared their carriage…again. Once or twice his leg brushed up against hers. Whether from accident or on purpose, she couldn’t tell. And she refused to acknowledge the heat burning her skin through her skirts from his muscular leg. His hand also brushed against her thigh. The man was a rakehell, a ne’er-do-well, and didn’t belong anywhere near her in a dark conveyance when her chaperons had their eyes closed across from her.
“Are you looking forward to your wedding?” his voice asked in a whisper, very close to her ear.
“Why yes, Mr. Sinclair, I am.”
“Liar.” His breath heated her earlobe, and she fought the urge to squirm on the seat. This attraction had to stop. Being anywhere near him had to stop. How was she to be an exemplary wife to Newbury when she desired his cousin? And she desired Newbury. What was wrong with her? She’d experienced no physical or emotional attraction to any man before. Why now? And why two different men?”
“You seem lost in thought. Care to share? You know I will keep your secrets.”
His words brought a curse to her lips.
“Easy there, Lady Penelope, if you say such things in public, people will bring up your less than stellar entrance into this world.”
Before she realized what she was about to do, she smacked him in the arm with her reticle. Too bad it wasn’t full of rocks and would cause actual damage. “How could you…”
The noise woke up Wentworth and Emma. “What was that noise?” Wentworth asked as he pulled aside the curtain and peered out the window.
“Sounded like the driver ran over something,” Mr. Sinclair replied.
“Yes, well. If it was anything to be concerned about, we would be stopping.”
“We are Your Grace,” Mr. Sinclair said with a grin. “We have arrived at Newbury House.”
The driver opened the door and let down the stairs.
Once outside he bowed. “Thank you for your hospitality this evening. Duke, Duchess, Lady Penelope.”
“He appears to be an affable gentleman,” Wentworth said as the carriage got underway. “I would consider him marrying into the family if I had any more sisters to marry off.” His laughter rang throughout the coach. “Thank goodness I don’t.”
Penelope and Emma laughed along with him. Yes. Thank goodness she was the last to marry off. She didn’t want to contemplate Mr. Sinclair marrying into the Seabrook family. It was bad enough she was marrying into his.
Harry disliked walkingin the front door. One never knew who might be watching his home. But he didn’t want Wentworth to think something strange if he went around back. He handed his greatcoat, hat, and gloves to his doorman and was told his valet awaited him in his room. As he ascended the stairs, he wondered why Edmond needed to see him immediately upon his return.
“There you are,” Edmond said as he handed Harry a glass of whiskey. “You will need this.”
Harry cocked a brow. “Why may I ask?”
