Mary nodded. “One of my cousins is a wonderful pianoforte player, another a painter, a third plays the flute.”
“Painting.” The girl clasped her hands, bobbing on her heels. “How fun.”
Lord Sinclair cleared his throat. “It does indeed sound very entertaining. But we’ve a schedule to keep. For now, why don’t you return to your lessons?”
Mary held her breath. What did that mean? Had she failed this portion of the interview? Did she actually want to work here? This little girl desperately needed her help. Not only had the child had a traumatic experience but she was being crushed by a schedule. Stiffening her spine, she looked back at Lord Sinclair. It was time to fight for the position.
Sin looked back at Mary, his chest tightening. Having this woman under his roof was a terrible idea. Even now, she nibbled her lip, giving him a questioning glance. Something about her vulnerability called to him. He didn’t want a woman like this tempting him daily. There were times he thought he might never want a woman again. And Anne needed someone with an infinite amount of caring and kindness, which was why she likely wasn’t right for the position.
Then again, he’d be a fool not to acknowledge that Anne already liked Mary and vice versa. Hell, he hadn’t seen Anne smile like that in months. Damn. Damn. Damn.
Drawing in a deep breath, he clenched a fist at his side. If he hired her, he’d just have to control himself. Ignore her little upturned nose and generous lips. Forget the ivory tone of her skin that looked kissed by pink roses in all the right places. The apples of her cheeks, for example. And those lips.
His nickname was Sin, and before his first wife, he’d been quite the rake. Not now. Now he was a lord and a father, and a man drowning in life’s problems and responsibilities. But back then, he’d seen his fair share of women with their clothes off. Which meant he knew with certainty that her nipples would be that same shade of frost pink and…he stopped himself. What the bloody hell was wrong with him?
His attraction was already clouding his judgement. She wasn’t at all what he’d wanted and he still wasn’t certain she was the best woman for the job.
Swallowing, he leaned his hands onto the desk. “I have to confess, I’d hoped for someone older, more experienced for the position.”
She pressed her lips together, her hands gripped tightly in front of her. “I’m sure I can do the job if you’d let me try.”
He raised a brow. Try? Anne needed security, not attempts. Especially if they failed. Then again, Daring had recommended her. “Perhaps I could hire you on a trial basis? Maybe a fortnight. We can see how you and Anne work together.” And if he could tolerate having her in the house.
“Of course,” she murmured as she scooted closer, moving out to the end of her chair. Even a few weeks could give her the opportunity to get to know the girl, make some changes. “I’d love the opportunity. When would you like me to start? I just need a bit of time to collect a few necessities. That won’t take more than a day.”
“Good,” he answered, straightening again. “Then I shall send a carriage for you first thing in the morning.”
She gave a stiff nod. “May I ask…” She twisted her gloved fingers together. “What do you see as my duties?”
That was a question that did not fill him with confidence and clenched his jaw tighter. “Your duties are to care for her. Support her to help her feel better. Daring said you’re quite good at encouraging young ladies to reach their potential.”
She nodded. “Perhaps I should ask when I complete those duties. What does her daily schedule entail?”
He frowned. “I see your point. It’s quite full. I thought keeping her busy might distract her from her worries.”
She nodded. “She’ll need lessons, but I’ll need time with her too. And perhaps a different wardrobe.”
“Wardrobe?” Her assertion made his head snap back. He forgot all about her fragile appearance, his attraction and his desire to protect her. “Her clothes are impeccable.”
Mary nodded. “I quite agree. Lovely.”
He relaxed for a moment glad that they understood one another. His daughter was a lovely child and he supposed he liked to see that beauty highlighted. It would have been a mother’s job but he thought he had taken the task on admirably.
Then Mary continued. “However, I need her to have clothes that she can get dirty.”
He nearly fell back into his chair. Was she questioning his parental decisions already? Had he just made a mistake hiring this woman? He’d done so against his better judgment and that never worked to his advantage. “I don’t think you understand what I’m looking for. I like that she is well-mannered, well-dressed, refined.”
Mary licked her lips and for a moment, he forgot his point entirely, then she stepped closer to the desk, her hands rising in front of her. “Hear me out. A girl who sits quietly studying and never gets dirty isn’t going to become braver. She needs….” Dear lord, she did it again. Mary’s pretty pink tongue swiped across her lips. “She needs to do challenging things and become more confident.”
His brows drew together. “She does challenging things. Pianoforte, for example.”
It was Mary’s turn to lean across the desk. “The thing she doesn’t think she’s very good at? That is going to make her more confident? Less afraid?”
Bloody hell, that was a rather good point. His insides relaxed a hair. “What will then?”
Mary shrugged. “That’s what I need time to discover.” She gave him a hopeful smile. “Do you think I could have her in the afternoons?”
His mouth dropped. “All afternoon?” He shook his head. What had he done?
She squared her shoulders. “What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know. Between pianoforte and Latin.” He waved his hand. “In other words, when she isn’t in other lessons.”
Mary cocked her head to one side. “You want to fill more of her schedule? Do you think by doing so, she won’t have time to be frightened? And honestly, you’ve hired me on a temporary basis to prove myself but don’t want to give me any time to actually do the job. I’m destined to fail.”
That irritated him. Mary might look like a slender flower but she was acting like a prickly thorn bush. He leaned down to make certain his eyes were level with hers. “You’ve been in my employ for less than a minute and you’re already insulting my parenting?”
Chapter Three
Mary realized her mistake and she drew back from the desk as though the wood had scalded her. “Apologies, my lord.” She dipped into a curtsey. “I am used to being a member of the family.” She’d have to learn to be an employee. But if she were going to help Anne, Lord Sinclair would also have to figure out how to hand over some measure of control. His ways weren’t working. “If you would see fit to keep me in your employ, even for this trial basis, I can assure you, I will learn my place.” If he fired her, she’d have to crawl back to her aunt and uncle’s home. She’d be a failure in every way then. Unwed and unemployable. She’d grown accustomed to the fact she wouldn’t have a fairy-tale ending but was she doomed to be a complete failure in life? If only her tongue were less sharp. But she could hardly change who she was now. And perhaps her strength would benefit Anne.
“It’s not my feelings I’m concerned about, but my daughter’s. The question is, can you help her?” He scrubbed his neck, his features tight with worry.
She pressed her hands down her skirts, brushing out the invisible wrinkles. She was a Chase woman through and through and her opinions could be overwhelming at times. She’d have to work harder to keep them in check. This wasn’t the first time it had gotten her into significant trouble. “I can, my lord. After everything I’ve been through, for better or worse, it’s only made me less compromising. Stronger. It’s that kind of strength Anne must find within herself.”
He came around the desk and another fear caused her to take a half step back. Without the desk between them, he seemed even larger. Long, powerful legs and a lean torso making his
shoulders seem even broader. She cleared her throat, attempting to remove a lump.
“There’s no need to be nervous. I consider myself a fair and reasonable man.” He reached out to her and then dropped his hand again.
“That’s very generous.” She tightened her fingers in the fabric while looking over his shoulder rather than directly at him. It occurred to her again that this interview was a mistake. So she had to return home? She’d be safe from this attraction and her own flaws that always seem to crop up and cause problems for her. But then what? Live the rest of her life as a guest in her uncle’s home with no purpose in life? “Thank you.”
He nodded quickly. “I shall see you tomorrow then.”
“Tomorrow,” she murmured before turning to flee. That was the only word for her spinning exit.
Back in her uncle’s carriage, she slumped down into the seat. The little girl was delightful. Mary would truly enjoy trying to help the child. But Lord Sinclair… Sin, she’d heard Darlington and Lord Viceroy call him, he was…distracting.
A very handsome distraction. Her eyes drifted closed. Only one other man had ever tempted her the way Sin had. The honorable Harold Marksby, son of the Earl of Everly and her fiancé. He’d been tall and so broad in the shoulders that she’d made a habit of tracing the outline of them from his neck down to his arms.
She sighed to herself. She’d allowed Harold all sorts of liberties because of those shoulders. And, of course, because of his proposal. Once they’d been engaged to be married, well, they’d been granted time alone. She brought her hands up to cover her face. Thinking back on it, she wished she’d allowed him more. They’d kissed and touched and teased in ways that had made her ache.
Unfortunately, he had little inheritance of his own and wanting to provide for her, he’d left for the army. That’s when her Chase temper had gotten the best of her. She’d railed at him. She’d rather be poor and have him at her side than be rich with him gone to France. But he shook his head and told her that she didn’t understand a man’s job. He was the provider. How could he be her husband if he didn’t provide?
She’d hit him in the chest, rather hard, and asked how he planned to provide if he was gone?
That was the last words they’d spoken. In the end, she wished she’d been more flexible and given herself to him, wished that she’d kissed him farewell with tears in her eyes and proclaimed her undying love. Instead, she’d sent him off with angry words and hurt feelings. What a fool she was.
And she’d nearly lost her position today. But she’d been granted just enough time to prove herself, her worth. She leaned her head against the wood frame of the carriage. Years had passed since she’d lost Harry. She’d mourned his death for a long time. Been too grief stricken to move on. She no longer felt sad about Harry. Instead, she wished she’d listened to her aunt when she’d urged her to rejoin society to go out and find another man to wed.
Because Mary would have no husband now, no family of her own. A woman of four and twenty was firmly on the shelf. But she could still be useful. Have purpose. It was some consolation. Soon her cousins would start having babies. Once Anne no longer needed her, she could go work for one of them to help to raise their children.
That made her sit back up. She had a plan and it was a good one. The best she could do.
The carriage pulled up to her aunt and uncle’s drive just as another carriage rolled in behind her. Peeking out of the curtain, she smiled as she saw Lord Viceroy’s carriage. Her cousin, Ada, had come to visit.
Mary gave a small clap as she exited the carriage and stood on the path to wait for Ada to exit. Her cousin was a quiet and thoughtful woman, unlike most of the Chases, who would surely have advice for Mary on how to be her most subdued self. She needed to keep her tongue in check, at least for the next few weeks until she was given the position full time.
But Mary’s excitement dampened as Lord Viceroy stepped out first to help his wife down. While Mary was glad the two were so enamored with one another, Mary herself would have liked a visit with just Ada.
“Hello,” Vice called, waving. “How did the interview with Sin go?”
Sin and Vice were first cousins and had been close as children. “Anne is a wonderful little girl,” she answered, not wanting to discuss her own failings or Sin’s.
Vice grinned. “Indeed, she is.”
Ada stepped up to hug Anne. “Lord Sinclair will be lucky to have your help.”
Mary’s lips pressed together, but she didn’t respond. The fact that he’d given her such a small window made her think that he didn’t really trust her to help. She’d prove him wrong. “I will be fortunate to gain the position.”
Ada narrowed her gaze, her chin notching to the side. “Mary, you are a wonderful caregiver. Anyone can see that.”
“Thank you, Ada,” she answered, linking her arm with the other woman’s. “Let’s go see your parents. They’ve missed you.”
Ada began walking with her. “How did you like Lord Sinclair?”
Mary’s feet faltered, and she tripped on nothing at all. “Fine,” she answered in a croak. How did she say that she was both terribly attracted to the man and sure she herself had been off-putting to say the least?
“Fine?” Ada asked slowing their pace further. “What does that mean precisely?”
“Ada.” She gave her cousin’s arm a squeeze. “It means the interview went well and I begin the position tomorrow.” At least for now. But Mary refrained from sharing that thought so as not to worry Ada as she looked over at Vice. “Lord Viceroy, do you consider your cousin to be a man of even temperament?”
“Indeed,” Vice answered, but Ada pursed her lips, frowning.
“Chad,” Ada murmured. “Perhaps you should take this time to visit with your own family while I see mine.”
“What?” he asked stopping on the steps. “Why can’t I come with you today and then you come with me tomorrow?”
Ada cleared her throat. “I wish to shop tomorrow. I’ll walk you back to the carriage. Mary,” Ada turned to look at her. “Why don’t you wait for me in the front parlor? I’ll be right there.”
Mary gave a nod even as her insides clenched. She’d wanted to talk with Ada alone and she’d get her wish, but somehow, she knew that Ada was about to begin stirring the pot.
Sin sat at his desk, staring at nothing in particular. His thoughts were focused quite firmly on the woman who had left his home an hour before. He’d fetched a new quill, though he’d yet to dip the device in ink.
Part of him was tempted to write a letter to Mary Chase explaining that while she appeared to be of excellent family and skill, she simply wasn’t right for his household. His mouth twisted into a frown. The truth was, she might very well be right about and for Anne. The person she wasn’t correctly fitted to was himself. He scrubbed his face. At least this was all temporary. He could let her go after that two-week test.
The thought of her being fitted to him once again made all his muscles tense. Damn his willful body and its desire for fragile beauty. But that was only part of the problem. She’d come in and in a rather strong move, had begun pointing out his flaws, of which he had many. Hell, he knew he was failing Anne. He knew that despite wearing those proper dresses and pristine bows, his daughter wasn’t happy. And Mary had recognized the problem instantly.
Which was why he needed to give her a chance.
The parchment in front of him remained empty. Could Mary make the difference in his daughter’s life?
“My lord,” Reeves called from the door, his nasally voice penetrating Sin’s reflections. “Lord Viceroy is here to see you. He has arrived unannounced yet again.”
His head snapped up. Vice? “Send him in.”
The butler pursed his lips. “Yes, my lord.”
Sin sat back in his chair. What did Vice want? But then he tossed the quill on the desk. The question didn’t need asking. Vice was certainly here to find out how the interview had gone with Mary. Likely Vice’s wife
had sent him to discuss how the interview went.
Vice walked through the door, wearing his usual devil-may-care look. His arms swung at his side and there was a bit of bounce to his step.
“I see marriage has done little to dampen your spirit.” He looked at Vice, who took the seat across from Sin, lounging back without a care.
“Marriage dampen my spirit?” Vice winked. “I’m the happiest I have been in…” Vice looked at the ceiling. “Forever.”
Jealousy tore through Sin’s chest. “How fortunate for you.”
The smile slipped from Vice’s face. “Your turn for happiness is coming again soon, cousin. I’ve no doubt.”
Sin shook his head. Falling in love meant making one’s self far too vulnerable. “Thank you for saying so. I’m not sure I even strive for happiness. Stability would suit me fine.”
Vice winced. “You have achieved that financially.”
“I have. And with help from you that I appreciate more than I could say. Now if I could just get Anne on the right path, I would consider myself content.”
Vice sat straight in his chair. “So you’ve decided to hire Mary to help you then.”
Sin grimaced. He couldn’t hide it. “I did. But…” He didn’t know quite how to express his hesitation and the employment probation he’d decreed.
Vice leaned his elbows on his knees. “You trusted me when I told you I could help you financially. Taking over the club has given you the funds to hire the staff you need. Now trust me when I say that Mary can help your daughter. She’s got an intuition with these sorts of things that can’t be explained.”
Sin let out a long breath. “She hadn’t been here five minutes when she questioned my parenting choices.”
Vice sat back in his chair, his lips pulling up at the corners. “Ah, yes. Don’t you love their feisty spirit? The Chase women are quite the handful and I mean that both figuratively and—”
“Thank you,” Sin cut him off, not needing to add to his visual picture of the woman. “You’re talking about a potential member of my staff.”
Earl of Sin: Lords of Scandal Book 6 Page 2