A Little Bit Sinful. Adrienne Basso

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.