Page 14 of The Baroness of Sin
“I realize that now,” Martha said with a nod. “Are you opposed to the lord joining us?”
Emma paced the room for a moment or two before responding. Martha wondered if her sister did this to make her suffer, as Emma was one to come to quick conclusions.
“He has been a gentleman with you?” Emma asked.
Perhaps too much of one, Martha thought to herself. “Of course,” she said aloud.
“And you are fond of him,” Emma asked, the skepticism in her tone more genuine this time.
“I am almost as surprised as you are, but yes,” Martha affirmed.
“Then I suppose no harm can come of it,” Emma conceded.
Martha grinned widely before she hugged her sister. Martha was the least likely to hug anyone of all the sisters, so it caught Emma a little off guard.
“Thank you,” She told her sister, and the emotion in her voice almost made Emma well up as she returned the hug.
“Of course, dear, think nothing of it.” That was all Emma managed in return.
* * *
James spent the entire meal with misgivings. While Lady Carrington was delightful and talkative, he found that her sister was much more focused on gaining his attention. She asked him all sorts of questions about his family and the work that he did and his opinions of this lord or that lady. It was far from unpleasant but still not what he would fantasize about when he pictured dinner with Lady Carrington.
“Your cook certainly has a talent for preparing pheasant,” James said near the end of the meal. As he spoke, though, he found himself suddenly quiet, distracted by the feeling of a leg tracing up his own.
“I hope you aren’t finished,” Martha said with a polite smile. “Dessert of macaroons and wine has been prepared for us in the library.”
Martha’s demeanor didn’t give away the game she played, her foot gently running along his leg before it slid tauntingly up the inside of his thigh.
James was at his limit, unable to hold a conversation and be so distracted at the same time. Thankfully, Emma proved to be unknowingly merciful in her timing.
“Not to be impolite,” Emma said with an apologetic tone, “but I am afraid I must decline. This day has proven taxing to me, and I am more than ready to retire. With your leave, Lord Barristen,” she gestured, and the Lord rose with a polite affirmation.
After Emma had taken her leave, it was but a moment before Martha had shown him to the library. The lighting was discreet with few candles lit. Places were already set, and there was a distinct and noticeable absence of her servants.
“My Lady.” James wasn’t uncomfortable per se but still wanted to make sure. “Is this setting acceptable to you? I don’t want you to feel put upon.”
Lady Carrington noticeably stiffened, and James was instantly worried. He had offended her, though he wasn’t sure how.
“My Lord, do you find me repulsive?” she said, her voice quavering.
“Excuse me, My Lady?” James asked, confused.
“Repulsive. Do you not want to be around me?” she asked again, more firmly.
“Quite the opposite, My Lady. I find your company more than delightful,” James assured her, still very confused.
“Then why is it when I practically throw myself at you, you still hesitate. I can understand if you feel the need to pity the poor widowed woman whose husband was a fiend and a criminal, but there is no need for you to lie for my sake.” The pitch of her voice fluctuated wildly as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
“I... My Lady that is…” James struggled to find the right words. Emotional honesty was not something that came easily to him. “It has been a long time since I have tried to interact with a lady. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I am hesitant to err, to make myself or both of us feel foolish. This has nothing to do with the situation regarding your late husband, of which I truly know very little.”
She searched his face, looking for the truth in his words. “You mean that, don’t you? I thought that the affairs of my late husband were common knowledge.”
“Rumors often make whispers seem louder than they are,” he said, reassuring her.
“Then, if you don’t know, I must tell you,” she said promptly and firmly.
“There is no need for that, My Lady,” James all but insisted.
