The Sinner

by C. J. Archer

  Then why did he not quite meet her gaze as he said it? Why did the pulse in his throat throb? Those small signs that appeared only when he lied to her.

  He rested his hands on her shoulders, the way one would to a friend. "You are my heart, dear one. You fill my soul and…other parts of me. La! That was almost poetic, except for that last bit. I have been working on my poetry. Perhaps you could read some and tell me what you think? After all, you and you alone are my inspiration."

  He kissed her nose, tossed her a smile, and sauntered off.

  She watched him go with her hands on her hips. She didn't trust him one bit. There must be a reason why he continued to behave coolly toward her, and she was determined to learn what it was.

  CHAPTER 9

  "We'll leave tomorrow," Hughe announced to Monk. "I see no alternative."

  Monk glanced at Elizabeth, sitting next to him in Hughe's study. Hughe still found it strange, including his friend's wife in their work, but there was no way around it. Both she and Monk insisted on her involvement. This was the first assignment for the three of them. At least it wasn't an assassination; more of a rescue mission.

  "Agreed," Monk said heavily with another longing glance at his wife. She frowned down at the hands folded in her lap, the picture of a demure female. Yet Elizabeth Monk was anything but demure.

  "It will seem odd for us to return to Sutton Grange so soon after our last visit," Hughe said. "We need to think of a valid reason to give Lynden and others."

  "I have a suggestion," Elizabeth said, looking up. "We can tell Jeffrey that I miss my friends and wanted to visit them."

  "You're not coming," both Hughe and Monk said together.

  "Why not? I'll be safely tucked away at Sutton Hall with my dull cousin, far from Larkham."

  Hughe leaned over the desk. "Elizabeth, you don't need to come. Stay here and settle into your new home. We won't be gone long and I'll take good care of him."

  Monk snorted. "I don't need mothering."

  Elizabeth lowered her head again and studied her fingers. "I want to be near my husband while I still can. One day, when we have children, that won't be possible, but for now, I'd rather not be parted."

  Monk covered her hands with his own and she smiled up at him. He smiled back. "She's coming," he told Hughe.

  Hughe recognized a losing battle and surrendered. At least she would be out of harm's way at Sutton Hall. "That story will account for you and Monk being there, but not me. No one will believe that I miss Cole and Orlando."

  "You don't have to come," Monk said. "I can get Widow Renny and her sons out of Larkham on my own."

  Hughe shook his head. "Their predicament is partly my mess in the first place, and I want to see them happily resettled." The rescue mission wasn't for someone in Sutton Grange, but the neighboring village of Larkham. Hughe had organized for Cole to assassinate Widow Renny's husband some months ago. The vicious man had raped young women in his village, but had not been brought to justice. Hughe's services had been engaged through his network and he'd sent Cole to kill the cur. Afterward, there'd been problems with Renny's friends. At the time, Hughe thought it had all been smoothed over and the villagers calmed, but he'd just received word from Cole that trouble brewed again. Cole and Orlando had kept an eye on the situation and had learned that the Larkham villagers had turned on the Renny boys, claiming they would one day be just like their father. Widow Renny worried for their lives and had begged Cole to help her and her sons escape.

  Hughe had organized the assassination. It was up to him to help them, just like he'd helped Cat after killing her husband.

  Cat. He hated leaving her so soon after their wedding. He hoped she would miss him; he knew he would miss her terribly. Not only their wonderful nights together in her bed, but also their brief encounters during the day. They weren't nearly enough to fulfill him, but it was all he could allow himself. It was bad enough that he couldn't hide his affection during their lovemaking. He needed to be doubly sure to be cool during the day to make up for his weakness.

  "Cat can come with us," Elizabeth said. "You can tell Jeffrey that you wanted him to meet your new wife. He'll be so delighted that you think so highly of him that he'll never question it. It will also solve the problem of Cat missing you too much."

  "She won't miss me," Hughe said. "She has everything she needs here." He'd made sure of that.

  "Everything except her husband."

  He sat back heavily. Cat needed him? Perhaps in the evenings, to make an heir…

  He thought back to the way she'd confronted him yesterday after his ride with Monk. She'd been upset with him for being cool toward her. She didn't know how it frustrated him. He wanted to be himself, yet that would mean telling her everything.

  But he'd hardly call that need. Irritation, mayhap even anger. Both of those emotions were good. That was exactly what he was trying to fuel. But need? No. She was much too happy in herself for that.

  She may not need him, but he was certain that she was growing attached to him, thanks to his inability to keep his desire in check. The truth was he needed her. He needed to lie with her, needed to feel her slender body against his, to find release with her. He doubted he could ever be with another woman again after being with Cat.

  The thought startled him. He'd not considered taking another mistress ever since meeting her. Why would he, when he could have such perfection every night?

  Except it was having her every night that was almost bringing about his downfall. The more he let her see the real Hughe during their lovemaking, the harder it was to be the foppish Hughe during the day.

  The sooner he got an heir on her the better. Then he could stop visiting her at night. Making love to her was playing havoc with his resolve to keep his distance. And his secret.

  ***

  "I leave tomorrow," Hughe informed his mother. "I'm taking Cat with me." He'd hoped to find them together, in his mother's chambers, but Cat wasn't there.

  "Why?" the dowager asked, setting her sewing aside and fixing him with those emotionless eyes.

  "There are people I wish her to meet."

  "Can't they come here to meet her?"

  "No."

  The dowager dismissed her ladies with a flick of her fingers. Whenever she did that, Hughe knew he was in for a lecture, or a confrontation, or both. He sighed. He didn't have time for this. He had to see Cat.

  Once the ladies were gone and the door closed, his mother caught his hand. Her boney fingers had a surprising amount of strength in them. "I hoped you would stay home now that you have a wife, but I see you're not only insistent on abandoning me, but having Catherine abandon me too."

  "We're not abandoning you, Mother." Where did she get these foolish notions from?

  "Then why are you leaving?"

  "I told you—"

  "I want the truth."

  He bit his tongue and sat. "That is the truth."

  "Don't lie to me. I know you keep secrets from me. A mother cannot expect to know everything that goes on in her son's life, but…but I had hoped to see a change in you. Indeed, I thought I had." She shook her head and smoothed her hands over her skirt. "I don't understand you, Hughe."

  "I have no secrets from you, Mother. I simply like to travel."

  "I believed that at first, years ago. Young men like to see the world. But then you grew older and there were so many rumors about your indescretions. I suspected you left here to visit them. But now…now you're taking your wife with you. I know some men are vulgar enough to keep their wife in one chamber while they pay court to their mistress in another, but I think I brought you up better than that."

  "You didn't bring me up. The nursemaids and tutors did."

  Her head snapped back. Her hands stilled. Hughe worried that he'd said too much, but surely she couldn't be surprised by his words. It was simple fact.

  Before she could respond, he added, "I'm not going to see any mistresses. I don't have any now. There's only my wife."


  "Do you love her?"

  Her question startled him. What did love have to do with anything? He was simply taking Cat away with him. He thought about his friends, the way they doted on their wives, cherished everything about them. Even big, grim Cole was a puppy in Lucy's hands. Hughe wasn't like that. He liked Cat and found deep satisfaction in her body, but love was for simpler fools.

  "I want to protect her," he said, carefully. "I don't want to hurt her. That's all you need to know."

  "I see. Did she tell you that I told her about the will?"

  He shot to his feet. "You did what?" he growled, jaw achingly tight.

  "I told her how you changed the will before you married her. I thought she ought to know and I didn't think you would inform her."

  "I didn't think you would."

  "Why did you do it, Hughe?" She spoke quietly, idly, as if it weren't of any consequence. But he knew better. "She would have enough as your widow without a will. Why give her more?"

  "I told you. I want to protect her. Her first husband left her with nothing. Worse, he left her reliant on a cruel man's good will. I don't want to do that to her. She is my responsibility."

  She pressed her lips together in thought and sat like that for a moment, staring straight ahead. Then she nodded at him. "Send in my ladies. If I don't see you before you leave, have a safe journey."

  Dismissed, Hughe left and went in search of Cat. His conversation with his mother had been strange, but most of his conversations with her were. Old age and infirmity were affecting her mind. He dismissed it when he finally found Cat in the apple orchard. The day was warm and sultry, the air thick with the promise of rain.

  She glanced up when he arrived and smiled. She looked so content, sitting on the grass with her feet tucked up under her skirt. But as he drew closer, he saw shadows brewing in her eyes as surely as the storm brewing on the horizon. He'd put them there, and he hated himself for it. Hopefully, in time, the shadows would disappear.

  "Good afternoon, dear Cat," he said, plopping down near her but not too close. "You look like a wood nymph sitting under the tree."

  "I went for a walk, but it grew hot."

  "You poor thing! Come inside where it's cooler."

  "I will soon." She looked up at the sky. "It's going to rain."

  He followed her gaze because looking at her worried him too much. "I hope tomorrow is fine."

  "Do you have plans?"

  "We're leaving in the morning for Sutton Hall."

  "Oh." The flatness of her voice made him turn back to her. She plucked at the grass and did not meet his gaze. "How long will you be gone?"

  "We," he corrected. "How long will we be gone?"

  She stopped plucking. "We?"

  "You're coming with me, Cat, and so are the Monks. We'll have a grand time! I can't wait for Lord Lynden to meet you. He'll adore you. He's a fool and a dullard, but serves splendid feasts."

  She smiled. "Your other friends live near there too, don't they?"

  "Aye, they do. They'll be pleased to see us all again."

  "And I them."

  He got to his feet. "Shall I set your maids to task with the packing?"

  She began to rise and he held out his hand to assist her. She took it and stood. "No need. I'll return to the house." They walked side-by-side out of the orchard and were almost at the knot garden's hedge when Cat said, "I'm glad I'm coming with you. I wasn't prepared to farewell you just yet, even for a few days."

  "You're too kind, my little Cat, but of course I couldn't leave you alone with my mother so soon after the last time. There's only so much one can endure of the old dragon!" He laughed and avoided looking at her. He couldn't bear to see the disappointment on her face. Perhaps he should have admitted that he would miss her too.

  But that would have been foolish indeed.

  "The storm draws closer," he said to steer the conversation into safer territory. "I hope it breaks tonight to clear the way tomorrow."

  The storm did indeed break that night. Hughe made love to his wife with the shutters open and the rain splashing on the window panes. The thunder drowned out her cries of ecstasy as he brought her to release with his tongue, and the lightning lit up her pretty face, softened by pleasure. He entered her slowly and kept the rhythm steady. Sweat slicked his back and shoulders as he strained not to release too soon. He loved being inside her too much and prolonging the ending was sweet torture.

  He left her bed once he was certain she was asleep and returned to his own rooms. He lay on top of the bed covers and linked his hands over his ribs, where it felt like a gaping hole had opened. He stared up at the canopy and wondered if he'd made the right decision to take Cat to a place where so many people knew the truth about him.

  ***

  Sutton Hall was a grand house with extensive lands, nestled within a pretty valley, a brief ride from the village of Sutton Grange, after which it was named. Cat didn't get to see much of the village, however, as the Oxley party traveled through without stopping. Hughe acknowledged some of the villagers with nods and waves as he passed. One man even commented that he was surprised to see him again so soon. It would seem her husband was no stranger to the area.

  Lord Lynden, Elizabeth's cousin, greeted the Monks politely, if somewhat coolly. His reaction upon seeing Hughe, however, was vastly different. He embraced him then held him at arm's length to gaze upon him.

  "My dear Oxley!" he cried. "I hear you were married during your absence. What ill luck!" He pulled a face. "I suppose it must happen to us all one day."

  Hughe cleared his throat and pulled away. "Lord Lynden, may I present my wife, Lady Oxley." He drew Cat's hand to the crook of his arm and beamed at her. "Isn't she a little thing?"

  Lord Lynden's eyes bulged and his face colored. He quickly bowed to hide it. "My apologies, Lady Oxley. I didn't realize you were coming too."

  "That's quite all right, my lord. I hope it's no inconvenience."

  "I'll have an extra room prepared, my lady."

  "Near mine," Hughe said.

  That brought more color to Lynden's face. "Of course."

  The Monks went on ahead while Cat walked in slowly with Lynden and Hughe.

  "You didn't invite me to your wedding," Lynden said, pouting. "I thought we were such good friends."

  "We are, my dear fellow!" Hughe said with a hand on his heart. "Intimates, I assure you. But the wedding was a small affair. Nobody of consequence was there, just some rag tag villagers and neighbors. It was no fun at all. I didn't want to bore you."

  Lynden didn't seem to notice Hughe's lie, yet how could he not? Hughe's smile was a little too hard and his gaze didn't quite meet Lynden's. The signs were obvious. Lynden must be a fool indeed.

  "Be sure to invite me to your next wedding," Lynden declared.

  Hughe placed his hand over Cat's, still on his arm, and squeezed. "Of course, dear man. Of course!"

  Cat pressed her lips together to suppress her smile.

  The house steward showed Cat and Hughe to their chambers, which were indeed situated close to one another and shared a common sitting room. Once they were alone, Hughe sighed.

  "Lynden is as dim as an unlit dungeon," he muttered. "I'm sorry you had to listen to his blathering."

  "Why do you court his attentions if you don't like him? Surely he's not important enough that you need to."

  Hughe eyed her for a heartbeat. "Because you never know who will be important one day. Besides, I like to visit my friends from time to time, and it's easier to stay with Lynden. Orlando and Cole don't have the right sort of house for an earl." He flashed a grin and she shook her head at him and smiled, even though she wasn't entirely sure if he told the truth or not. Sometimes, she thought he didn't care about the trappings of his station, and at others, he seemed to care deeply.

  "Does my little Cat need to change?" he asked, stepping up to her. He unhooked the topmost fastening of her jerkin.

  "I brought a maid for that," she murmured. His nearness made he
r feel a little light-headed. He had never made love to her during the day. Never even kissed her. "I hear her moving around in my bedchamber."

  He pressed his lips to her throat above her ruff and trailed delicate kisses up to her ear and along her jawline. "Let me be your maid." His nimble fingers quickly worked to remove her jerkin. His hands dipped beneath and rested on her waist. He gently drew her against his hard body and she could feel how much he wanted her through his breeches.

  She sighed against his mouth, relieved to see that he'd shed his foppish persona.

  He drew away and frowned at her. "If you're tired from your journey, I'll leave you in peace."

  "No. Don't leave me, Hughe. Take me. Here. Now." She would not let this opportunity to explore her husband in daylight disappear. They didn't have long, however. The sun was already sinking.

  His grin turned wicked.

  A knock sounded on the door. "Oxley!" It was Lynden. "Oxley, are you in there? Come and share my wine. I've purchased the best French stuff I could find."

  Hughe closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against Cat's. He sighed heavily. "I'll kill him."

  "That will set you back," she teased. "You'll have to start all over again, courting the new Lord Lynden."

  Lynden knocked again. "Come out, Oxley!"

  "Go," Cat said, breaking contact. "Enjoy his wine. I'll see you tonight, my lord." She gave him a little curtsy.

  Hughe bowed elaborately. "I'll look forward to it." He straightened with a toss of his head. He tilted his chin and made his way to the door with a walk that was not his usual stride, but shorter and somehow lighter. Cat was forgotten.

  ***

  Cat and Elizabeth visited Susanna and Lucy the following day, at the Holts' residence of Stoneleigh. The house was a large manor, although not on the scale of Sutton Hall. Susanna showed her around the orange grove inside a walled garden that protected the exotic fruit from the elements.

  "You must try Susanna's succades," Lucy said. "They're delicious. She makes them herself from the peel."