Page 10 of The Notorious Lord Sin
How could he have let her go?
How the hell would he get her back when she wanted nothing to do with him? He was all but ruined financially. He shook his head, at a loss of what he could do without looking like a scroff.
"If you will forgive me. I better make the rounds since I, too, have been away from London for some time," he said, excusing himself.
To ensure he did not appear too keen toward Paris, he visited several boxes on his way to where she sat for the evening. The conversation with those he visited first was benign and of little consequence, as much of what he spoke of was these days. The same chatter within thetonwas often self-congratulatory and boring at best.
In time he made it to the duchess and countess’s box, and thankfully, it had cleared out a little, allowing him to speak with her.
"Good evening, Your Grace, Lady Hervey," he said, bowing to them both.
The duchess smiled up at him. "Welcome, Lord Astoridge. It has been some years since I saw you last. How are you enjoying the Season?" she asked him, always polite and welcoming.
"Very well, thank you," he said, moving over to where Paris sat. She watched with an unnerving stillness that made his stomach clench. "Lady Hervey, I hope you're enjoying the opera?" he asked her, taking a seat at her side.
She sipped her wine, her eyes narrowing on him. "Why are you here, Lord Astoridge? You cannot still think that we can be friends after everything that has come to pass between us?" she whispered for only him to hear.
He turned to face her fully, hating that she disliked him so much. That he was so distasteful to her. Not that he did not deserve her ire. "I'm sorry, Paris. I do not know what else to say to you other than I'm so deeply sorry for hurting you, but can we not be friends again? We used to share all confidences. I want that again with you," he admitted.
She chuckled, but the sound held no amusement. "Friends?" She leaned toward him, her breasts pushing up against her silk bodice, and he fought not to look at her luscious curves. "We were never friends. You knew I loved you, thought you loved me, which you allowed me to believe, and yet so cruelly and without feeling, you rejected me due to being common. I do not think there is a way forward from here." She gestured toward his box, a knowing smile on her kissable lips. "Lady Esme is more suitable for you. She is an heiress, just what you're after, is she not? Must keep Mama happy." Her barb hit him in the middle of his chest.
"What if I do not want anything from you? What if I proposed another sort of association or friendship, if you will," he heard himself saying.
She raised her brows. "Really, and what do you propose? I'm all ears, my lord."
"I do not think we ought to discuss it here. Is there no place we can go to be alone for a minute or two?" He glanced about the box, noting that the duchess had moved into another nearby and was animatedly talking to friends.
Paris did the same before shaking her head. "I do not think so, and we're alone for now. If you wish to say something to me, you best get to it."
Where the next words came from, Dominic would never know, but what he did know was he had to say something. Do something to make her be near him again. If he could only gain her friendship once more, then perhaps it could lead to what they once shared, what he had broken five years before.
"You are a widow with an heir. Your position in society is secure. I thought that since you do not wish to marry, that may not mean that you would not consider other benefits that a gentleman could grant you." Dominic inwardly cringed that he was about to suggest what he was, but still, his shame would not halt what he was going to ask. He wanted her, only her, and he would do anything, be anything she wanted if it meant that he gained whathewanted.
"Other benefits, my lord?" She tilted her head, studying him. "What on earth could you possibly mean by such a suggestion?"
He leaned closer still to ensure privacy. "I'm suggesting that we become lovers. I satisfy your craving while you satisfy mine, so to speak."
"I have a craving?" she queried. "How would you know? We were only together once, and I do not remember it being anything so substantial that I should wish to do it again."
He cleared his throat, hoping that was not true and merely another spray of words to disarm him. "I do not know for certain, but from past exchanges with you, I had always thought you desired me long before you wished for me to be your husband. I do not think that has changed, no matter how mad you are at me still."
"Hmm," she said. "I am mad at you. That is true. You acted sinfully toward me, but your suggestion does intrigue me ..." She bit her lip, slipping it through her teeth, and heat licked along his spine. He had forgotten how much Paris tempted him during her first Season. Their kisses had been fire. Their one night was an encounter he dreamed of still. How he had made the choice he did, he would never understand. What a bastard he had been.
"I did enjoy my husband's attentions, and it is an element of marriage I do miss," she admitted.
He ground his teeth, pushing aside what conjured in his mind at her words. He would not dwell on whom she had been with, whom she’d enjoyed. She was here now, before him, and contemplating his offer. "Then use me, Paris. Be with me," he begged her. "Fuck me whenever you choose."
Her cheeks burned hotter at his words, yet her stomach twisted in delicious knots at the thought of being with Dominic. To her shame and as mad as she had been at him for years, that did not change the fact that she still wanted him in this way.
His idea intrigued her. He would be in her control, her power, and she could play him as well as he had played her. She knew what his goal would be. Seduce her into thinking she loved him still and wanted to marry him again. She would not.
She could be as callous and cold as he had been that afternoon in the Romney library and take what she wanted and leave him wanting more. In time she would break from him, wasting many weeks he could have courted another with no satisfaction from her, not concerning marriage in any case.
She had her own estates now, a London town house, and a son that secured the Hervey line. Her children were happy and healthy at their country estate, and there would be no chance of him meeting her daughter Maya. Should he do so, one look and he would know why she would not forgive him.
But there was no reason she could not take a little enjoyment from the only man who made her burn with the mere thought of him touching her. Punish him by taking what she wanted, getting satisfaction, and leaving him with none.
"You are very forward with your suggestion, my lord. I assume from your confidence that you believe you're more than capable of the position of my lover."
