by Emma Brady
Sinclair sighed deeply, imagining the bright young girl from the picture who must have begun that marriage.
“What happened to them?”
“Time with the earl wore her away until she eventually gave up on life,” Charlotte said, “That’s when she closed herself up and eventually died.”
“What of your father?”
“I do not remember my father,” said Charlotte, “I was only three when he died, but Lucas told me he was a hard man to live with. He was a controlling man with a violent temper.”
A shudder ran down Sinclair’s spine. It terrified her to think what Lucas might have seen in his younger years. No one should know how cruel the world was at a young age. Yet, he had endured it and managed to keep it from his innocent sister.
“He never touched my mother in anger, but his constant control drained the life out of her. After she died, he become desolate and drank himself to death.”
“I can’t imagine how difficult it was to lose parents so young,” said Sinclair, her hand reaching out to take one of Charlotte’s, “I feel blessed for every day I had with mine.”
“Lucas became like a parent to me, though he was not yet a man.”
“He seems to care for you a great deal.”
“We were taken in by your grandparents then, until Lucas was sixteen and able to manage our father’s business.”
“I didn’t realize he had started so young.”
“By then it was so heavily in debt, Lucas was forced to borrow money from your grandfather to pay our bills.”
Sinclair had been silent as she listened to Charlotte explain things about her husband that he hadn’t shared. She sniffled as she fought back tears. Trying to picture her proud Lucas being forced to beg for money caused an ache in her heart. Now she understood why he’d asked her such an important question the night before. He thought his past might make her distrust him in some way.
“There are only two things that my brother learned from our father. The first is not to fall in love and the other is not to lose control.”
“That’s why he wanted to marry some simpering housewife, instead of a strong minded woman like me.”
Charlotte nodded, a sympathetic look on her face. Sinclair understood, but she couldn’t just accept it. Her husband must be convinced that loving her would not turn him into his father.
“Wipe your tears,” Charlotte told her, “Men do not always know what they want. It is our job as women to show them.”
She dabbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. Charlotte was right. She just needed to prove to Lucas that he needed her as much as she had grown to need him. It would take plenty of patience, something she was sorely lacking, but it would be worth it to assure him it was safe to be happy.
LUCAS WAS EXHAUSTED when he walked through the door of his home. Work had been a tiring experience, one filled with difficulties. Now that he was in competition with Brown Shipping, Lucas found his days filled. In the last few weeks his workload had doubled.
A delicious aroma drifted to him from the direction of the kitchen. It was then that he remembered they would be having company for dinner. The sound of his wife’s voice in the dining room lifted his spirits. With a lighter step he followed the delightful sound.
“I thought you weren’t going to be late?”
With a warm smile on her face she leaned up to plant a kiss on his lips. It was swift but held promise for later.
“I got detained at the office.” He said, watching her eyebrows come together.
“Nothing is wrong I hope?”
“Don’t worry, my dear. I can handle it. ”
Just as he knew she would, the tiny woman snorted as she took her seat at the table. He was beginning to enjoy that obnoxious noise.
“Sinclair, you will learn that all men like to keep some secrets,” Lillith said, casting a smile at her own husband.
“We do so only to keep from burdening you,” James answered.
The evening went well, but Lucas was happy to see it end. After his hard day at the office all he wanted was to have his wife alone. When her grandparents left and his sister retired to her room, Lucas felt like he could relax.
“Was work difficult today?”
As she asked this, Sinclair gave him a smile worthy of a vixen. She stood in front of the mirror, her hair falling over one shoulder. The blue of her eyes sparkled in the firelight as she stared at him in the reflection.
“It always is,” he answered, coming to stand behind her, “Unfortunately my family cannot afford to be aimless.”
“I wouldn’t have married you if you were.” Said Sinclair.
“I could have convinced you.”
The smell of her teased his nose as he leaned down to brush his lips along the curve of her neck. He had never been a big drinker of coffee, usually preferring tea, but he found he’d developed a taste for it.
“While you’re back there, would you mind undoing the back of my dress?”
It took him only a few swift motions to have the gown puddle at her feet. Giving her a wicked grin he pulled her closer.
“Have you done this before?” she asked, a shy expression on her face.
“I cannot remember touching any woman before you.”
“Such sweet lies from my husband.”
“It is nothing but the truth.”
That statement was entirely true, since Lucas had forgotten every woman but the one he was with now. She had the power to wipe away any memory he had of other women. His life had started when he married her and Sinclair was now his entire world. His eyes drank in the sight of her in nothing but her chemise.
“I have decided I approve of your decision not to wear all the required under things.”
She laughed, the sound floating through the air. Most women practiced giggling until it was an art, meant to capturing a man’s attention. Sinclair was nothing like that. When she laughed her whole body shook, showing how she had given herself up to the joy.
“You might as well remove the rest of my clothing, since you’ve already come this far.”
“I am glad to have your approval.”
There was a spark in her eye that lit a fire in his blood. He could feel himself stretching against the confines of his trousers, but he wanted tonight to be special. Tonight he would worship her as she deserved.
Gently his hands moved up the pale skin of her arms to slip beneath the straps holding the chemise to her body. Moving them away, he watched the thin material float to her feet. Then he stared into the mirror at the temptress smiling an invitation at him.
Pressing his chest against her warm back, Lucas began to massage her shoulders. Her face looked confused at first, but soon her body melted against his. As he slid his hand down to cup one creamy breast in his hand she moaned.
The pink buds were hardened and taunted him while he watched them peek from between is fingers. Now both hands were holding her white flesh, he could hardly hold himself back. Only his thin restraint kept him moving in slow, methodical movements.
Petting her skin with his hands, Lucas moved across her stomach to the wideness of her hips. His hand fit perfectly on them, as if they were made for his touch. The feel of her soft buttocks pressing against his throbbing member nearly drove him mad.
She trembled against him, her body burning with as much need as he felt inside his own skin. Reaching down he felt the wetness between her thigh against his fingers. Slipping one finger between the folds of her femininity, Lucas found the place she needed to be touched.
With a light hand he began to stroke, while his other hand reached up to hold her breast. Her body tightened as he touched her and she moaned in pleasure. It sounded like music to his lust filled ears. Each moment he brought her closer to fulfillment, until she cried out his name and collapsed against his chest.
“Please take me to bed,” she asked between ragged breathes.
Lucas scooped her naked body into his arms and walked to the bed without takin
g his eyes away from hers. He wanted to see every expression that played across her face. The one it showed now was of passion and desire.
“Lucas, hurry,” she panted as he placed her on the sheets and pulled away to remove his clothing.
It was then that he remembered the package he’d been carrying around with him for the last two days. Deciding this was the perfect moment, he pulled the tiny box from his pocket and held it out to her.
“I should have done this sooner,” he said, watching her eyes grow wide, “I hope you will forgive me.”
When he lifted the lid, the emerald glowed in the firelight. Sinclair gasped as she reached out to stroke the glimmering jewel. It seemed to take forever for her to slip it onto her finger.
“Do you like it?”
Sinclair nodded and when she looked up at him he saw the water in her eyes. Her tears affected him more than anything she could have said. Without another word he slid into bed to press their bodies together. He didn’t want to rush and miss a single detail of her.
Chapter 25
A few days later the twin’s parents were hosting a dinner party. At first Lucas was reluctant to go, but a reminder that his sister was still looking for a potential husband changed his mind. Sinclair assured him that this would be the perfect opportunity for Charlotte to meet the right man. It also gave Sinclair a reason to leave the house and handle some business without Lucas knowing.
Mr. McDonald agreed to meet them on St. James Street, where it would not be unusual for two ladies to be alone. There was a sweets shop that sold frozen ices and would allow them to sit and discuss a few things. Frederick was dressed in his gentlemen’s clothes and was ready for his introduction. They waited for Lucas to leave the house before they did so he wouldn’t notice.
“You keep some fine company.” Mr. McDonald told Frederick as he shook the man’s hand. “I wish there were this many pretty women in Chicago.”
He gave a nod to Sinclair but his face lit up when he looked at Charlotte. She blushed in turned and Sinclair knew it was a good thing she brought her. Charlotte was much more interested in the American than she was in any of the other gentlemen she had met.
“They don’t always accompany me. “Frederick wasn’t smiling. “They are usually too busy with social appointments. Should we get to the business, so they can get back to that?”
As they sat down at one of the metal tables lined up outside the shop, he men went inside to get the icy treats. Sinclair felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck tingle and looked around but didn’t notice anyone watching her. It must have been her guilt about sneaking around behind her husband’s back.
“Is there something I should know about?” Charlotte asked, looking around them both now as well.
“I don’t know. I think someone is watching us but I don’t see them.”
Her eyes scanned the faces in the crowded street and none of them were familiar. Taking a deep breath, Sinclair shook the feeling away. The gentlemen returned and they were able to discuss the matters they came for. Sinclair and Frederick were engrossed in the details of the contract they wanted, but Jack spent most of the time staring at Charlotte. He agreed to everything and Sinclair found it amusing.
“Are you going to be attending any of the events tonight?” Jack asked, as they finished their ices. “I find myself holding stacks of invitations and don’t know which ones to accept. If I knew you would be there, that would help make my decision.”
Jack waited for Charlotte to answer but her shy friend was too flustered too answer, so Sinclair did for her. “We will be at the Downings’s this evening. Will you be there?”
“I will now.”
“I should get the ladies home.” Frederick said, taking his hat from the table quickly enough to knock one of the cups off. He had to leave his seat in order to retrieve it from beneath the table.
“We will meet you around the corner.” Jack took Charlotte by the elbow and began to lead her away. Sinclair decided to stay with the client and let Frederick catch up later.
When they turned the corner Sinclair wasn’t watching where she was going and bumped into a man’s chest. When she looked up, Sinclair was surprised to find Lucas looking back at her. For a moment both of them just stared at each other with the same shock.
“Did you follow me?” Sinclair asked him.
Lucas glowered at her. “No. I had business down here. I didn’t know where you would be.’
If he had been watching her earlier he wouldn’t be acting so calm about things. He would be yelling at her now if he saw her sitting with Frederick wearing his suit. Sinclair said a silent prayer that they caught Lucas before he went around to where they were sitting.
“I was just having lunch with your wife’s partner and ran into the ladies.” Jack lied smoothly. “I’m afraid I was more interested in them then the business.”
She saw the sharpened look in her husband’s eyes and he looked in the direction they came. He tried to decide if he could catch the man without being rude, but he knew he couldn’t. Sinclair felt bad that Lucas as in such a predicament but his polite manner was protecting her secret.
“We were just out shopping for tonight. “ Charlotte said, finding her voice.” Mr. McDonald is going to be attending the same dinner we are.”
Sinclair watched Lucas as he noticed the way his sister glowed. “Charlotte and Mr. McDonald have found a lot in common. “
It wasn’t hard for Lucas to get the hint and it distracted him from the elusive Mr. Gates. An eligible suitor for his sister was a much more exciting idea. He gave up the idea of catching her partner and joined them to walk back towards the house. Sinclair was happy that she wasn’t going to be ducking away from him today.
As they got within a few feet of their home, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. When she looked she realized it was Frederick across the street trying to get home before they did. He attempted to use the hat to hide his face, but it was hard to miss someone that tall. With a gasp, Sinclair stopped where she stood, drawing the attention of those around her.
“Sinclair?” Lucas said.
Looking past him she saw Frederick’s face as he paused for a minute. He tipped his head and continued to walk again. They didn’t need to speak to know what to do. Unfortunately Lucas noticed her facial expression and turned to catch Frederick as he disappeared into the crowd. Before she could stop him, Lucas took off running in that direction. Instead of just letting him go like a proper lady, Sinclair lifted the hem of her skirts and took off after him. She ignored the sounds of Charlotte and Jack yelling for them both.
Frederick noticed someone approaching and didn’t even look back before he ran. The crowds made it more difficult for Lucas to catch up to him and Sinclair was grateful. The distance between them was closing and she became desperate for a way to stop Lucas before it was too late. She needed to stop him long enough for Frederick to disappear.
Sinclair was glad that her personal style was on the simple side and she chose gowns that was simple. It made it easier for her to squeeze through the crowd when she didn’t have all the decorations other ladies did. Her only concern was keeping her hat on, but if she lost that it wouldn’t bother her as much as it would Charlotte, who had picked it out.
She began to get close when Frederick decided to cross the busy street. Lucas didn’t bother to look at the numerous carriages rolling by, but was focused on his pursuit when he too crossed without warning. Sinclair hesitated and when she stopped it was in the middle of the road. She tried to dodge the carriages but got tangled up in her own and feet and screamed as a hired hack was about to run her over. At the last second she felt someone grab her around the waist and pull her to safety. She landed on top of him among the people on the crowded sidewalk.
“Are you mad woman?” Lucas yelled at her, as much as he could with her weight on his chest.
“Me? I was following you.” Sinclair moved to pull herself up into a standing position.
; Lucas got up and he was met with applause from the crowd of watchers. His face turned bright red, but he gave them a bow and Sinclair could see the dirt on his jacket. She realized she was a menace to the poor man’s wardrobe. He didn’t enjoy the attention, but Lucas stood and allowed numerous people to come shake his hands. Even a few flirtatious looks from the ladies, who didn’t know it was his wife he had rescued. Sinclair didn’t like that at all.
“Why did you take off like that?” Sinclair asked him, pulling him away from his ne admirers.
“I thought I saw someone.”
“Your friend, perhaps?” She asked, hoping to put him on the defensive.
“No, yours.” Lucas turned and pulled her close so he could speak softly to her. “I know you were meeting with Mr. Gates today. I don’t like my wife having private lunches with other men.”
“It wasn’t private. Charlotte and Mr. McDonald were there.”
“So you don’t deny it?”
“There is no reason for me to. He is my business partner and a family friend. There is no reason to deny I would see him.” She was whispering too. “I don’t have the kind of history with my friends that you do.”
“See that you don’t.”
He sealed his warning with a kiss that shot heat through her entire body. For a moment she forgot that they were in public and melted into it. he sound of throat clearing caught her attention and broke the spell. She pulled away to see Charlotte and Jack looking at them with amusement.
“Thing are not as boring in London as I thought.” Jack said with a smile. “I’m starting to think I’m going to like it here.”
THAT NIGHT LUCAS STOOD in the lobby, waiting for the girls to descend the stairs. Frederick was there, keeping him company. When he heard their steps he looked up and was shocked at what he saw. Glancing sideways, he saw Fredericks jaw was open in surprise.
At the top of the staircase the two women paused to smile down on them. Charlotte wore a gold empire gown with white lace layered over the skirt. It matched the lace intertwined through the curls piled on her head. His sister radiated a confidence she didn’t usually have. Sinclair was having a positive effect on her.