Sin watched the two head toward the copse. Once there, Rose exchanged some words with Lady Charlotte and then disappeared into the woods, leaving the older lady standing guard at the edge of the copse.
Sin smiled. Under the pretext of finding a footman to fetch port and hot tea, he walked toward the house until he was certain no one was watching. Then he slipped into the shrubbery and stealthily made his way down to the copse.
• • •
Rose peered into the bushes.
“Do you see them?” Lady Charlotte called from the edge of the thicket.
“No,” Rose called back, pushing through a large shrub and hoping there were no spiders. Sunshine dappled the tops of the thick bushes as the scent of damp leaves tickled her nose.
“Thank you for looking, dear. Are you certain you don’t wish me to help? We could cover twice as much ground.”
“No, thank you,” Rose said quickly, pushing farther into the thicket. She would never allow the older, fragile lady to tromp over such rough ground.
“Oh, good!” Lady Charlotte said, her voice fainter now. “Munro is showing Miss Muriella how to aim her bow and arrow properly. She needs a good lesson or two. And I think— Oh, it appears as if Miss Isobel and Lord Cameron are beginning the contest right now.”
“Good. I won’t be long.”
“I think they— Oh, they are gesturing and—I can’t see well, but I believe they mean that we have plenty of time to fetch the arrows.”
“Lovely,” Rose muttered under her breath. “Those arrows must be here somewhere. Please keep an eye on the contest so we’ll know when it’s our turn. I’m going in a bit deeper.”
A particularly thick shrub looked like the perfect place for nature to hide an arrow, so Rose peered through the limbs, but saw nothing.
Lady Charlotte called, “Lord Cameron is getting ready for his shot now.”
“Very good.” Perhaps the arrows had been caught by the tree canopy? Rose looked up, turning in a slow circle.
As she turned, she suddenly saw Sin standing in the small clearing. She grinned, unable to stop herself.
He returned her grin, looking wicked and pleased, which was exactly how she felt. “Sin, what are you doing here?”
Lady Charlotte answered, “What’s that, dear?”
Sin crossed the small clearing and held up his hand. In it were three arrows. “That’s three of them,” he said in a low voice. “I found them in the shrubbery over there.” He nodded from the direction he’d come. “How many are missing?” he whispered.
“I don’t know.”
He bent and planted the arrows in the middle of the clearing and then came to her side. He slipped an arm about her waist and drew her to him.
“We’re not going to find any arrows like this,” she protested halfheartedly.
He lifted her from her feet. “How do you know?” he whispered back.
She laughed softly as she slipped her arms about his neck. “Because I can’t look for arrows when your head is directly in front of mine.”
“You are a demanding woman.”
“And you are an incorrigible man. Please put me down.”
His gaze seemed fixed upon her lips. “And if I don’t?”
“I could call for help, you know,” she whispered.
“You could,” he whispered back, a wolfish smile on his face. “But then I wouldn’t help you find this.” He turned her toward the tree beside them. Embedded in the trunk was a silver arrow.
“Rose?” Lady Charlotte called, concern in her voice.
“I believe I’m close to more arrows! I see some signs that they came this way.”
“Very good, dear,” Lady Charlotte called out. “Miss Muriella didn’t learn a thing from Munro’s lesson, for her arrow almost hit a footman. Fortunately he was carrying coats out to the party and was able to catch it in those. He is a very quick young man, I must say.”
Rose giggled and Sin’s arms tightened about her.
“Oh, now it’s Mr. Munro’s turn,” Lady Charlotte said. “Have you found any arrows yet?”
“One moment more!” Rose answered. “I think I see some in the shrubs.”
Sin slid his hands down her back to her hips, holding her gently against him. Instantly she melted to him. “You came all of the way out here for a mere kiss?” she whispered.
“Yes. Are you impressed?” He traced his lips along her cheek.
Shivers ran through her. “Very,” she whispered back.
He nipped at her ear, then placed slow, heated kisses down her neck. “You taste so good. I couldn’t keep away.” His voice was muffled against her neck.
Her knees weak, she clung to him. “You . . . you are very good at—”
“Oh!” Lady Charlotte said, “Miss Isobel is about to take another shot. She hit the outer ring, too. I must say, she’s very good. Not as good as you, of course, but she has potential.”
Rose had to clear her throat to speak. “I’ll be right out.”
“Very good, dear. It will be our turns soon.”
Rose’s heart was pounding so loudly that she could barely hear Lady Charlotte. Sin kissed her deeply as his hands roamed everywhere, touching and teasing. Rose knew she had to stop this, but her body begged for just one more moment, one more kiss, one more—
“Look out!” Lady Charlotte cried.
There was a low whistling sound and Sin jerked Rose around so hard that she felt like a rag doll. With a solid thunk, an arrow embedded itself in a tree right beside her hip, directly where she’d been standing a moment ago.
For a second, neither spoke.
“Miss Balfour!” Lady Charlotte called. “I tried to warn you, but it happened so fast. Are you injured?”
“No, I’m fine!”
“Thank goodness!”
Rose smoothed her skirt, pausing when her fingers brushed her hip where a thin, perfect cut in her skirt indicated how very close the arrow had been. Her mind cloudy with shock, she touched the place with curiosity. “That was too close for—” She blinked and looked more closely at the tear. “Sin,” she said, her voice sounding odd, “there’s blood on this. I wasn’t hit, but someone had to be—” She suddenly realized he hadn’t said a word since the arrow had hit.
She looked at him. He was standing with his eyes closed, his hand pressed to his thigh as blood soaked his buff trousers.
• • •
“Damn you, Dunn!”
Sin’s valet peered over his spectacles. “My lord, there is no way to clean your wound without causing pain.”
Sin scowled. “You said it would hurt—not that it would be agony.”
“I’m sorry, my lord. I promise that the next time I treat an arrow wound upon your person, I’ll use the word ‘agony.’ ”
Sin scowled. “Just clean the damn— Ow!”
Dunn placed the cloth beside the pan of water and unrolled a bandage. “If you’ll stand, my lord, I’ll attempt to bandage your thigh.”
Sin stood, gritting his teeth at the pain. “I don’t know what was worse, getting shot like a damned deer or having to explain to my aunt what I was doing in the woods with Miss Balfour.”
“You’re fortunate it wasn’t a deep cut. Any more so and I’d suggest stitches.”
“Yes, I’m so fortunate. Now come and help me dress.”
“But my lord, it’s still two hours until—”
“I have an appointment before dinner.”
“Oh?” The valet waited, but when Sin didn’t offer any more information, he sniffed and began to set out Sin’s evening clothes.
With a bit of difficulty, Sin was soon dressed.
The valet began to straighten the room. “On the surface of things, one could say that it seems you are not doing very well in your contest with Miss Balfour.”
“If one didn’t enjoy one’s position as the valet of an earl, yes, one could say that,” Sin returned. As he turned, he caught sight of himself in the mirror and saw the healing cut and faint brui
se on his jaw. Combined with the arrow wound, he felt like he’d been in a war.
Still, it would all be worth it in the end. God, she was a tasty armful. When he’d kissed her in the trees, she’d reacted just as he’d wished. She is weakening. It won’t be long until she’s—
“My lord, you are smiling. I fail to see the humor in your situation.”
“That’s because you don’t know what’s at stake.”
Dunn’s gaze narrowed. “My lord, are you certain you’re keeping your gaze firmly locked upon the real prize—to best Miss Balfour in this contest? It seems to me that you have your eyes locked upon Miss Balfour herself.”
“My attention is focused exactly where it needs to be. When you’re finished giving me useless advice, can you find my sapphire cravat pin? I will wear it tonight.”
The valet fetched the pin and watched as Sin deftly affixed it. “Shall I wait up for you to return after dinner?”
“There’s no need. I can put myself to bed.” It was possible that he was rushing things, but by God, he and Rose had unfinished business and he refused to allow another moment to pass without seeing it finished.
At one time, he’d thought three weeks a luxurious stretch of time in which to conduct a seduction. Now it seemed far too little. In a few days, one whole week would be gone and he was determined to make the most of what time he had. “Dunn, if you’ll just put out my robe before you leave, I’ll be fine.”
“Very good, my lord. If you change your mind, ring for me. I shall be in my room, rolling bandages and making poultices for your future encounters with Miss Balfour.”
“Thank you, Dunn. I appreciate your confidence.” Sin limped to the door, his blood quickening. The time has come for a reckoning, my little Rose.
Thirteen
From the Diary of the Duchess of Roxburghe
Sin somehow lured Rose Balfour into a copse of woods and then proceeded to rescue her from an errant arrow. I’m glad he wasn’t injured badly, but I could have killed the two of them for being alone. Had it not been for Lady Charlotte’s quick wit—she vowed up and down that she could see them the entire time and even came up with a fascinating description of the arrow strike—I don’t know what we’d have done. As it was, she has prevented any ugly rumors and all is safe.
For now.
Sin owes me for this. I do not like to tell tales unless, of course, it is in pursuit of a goal of my own. Those ends justify the means. His pursuit, however, is far less noble.
Leaving her bedchamber, Rose took out the note Sin had sent through a maid. Her heart thundered, and she hoped her elegant gown made her look calm and self-possessed. Made of celestial blue Spitalfields silk over a white sarcenet slip, ornamented around the bottom and on the sleeves with a band of tulle, it was lovely, one of Lily’s favorites.
Pausing in the hallway outside of her room, Rose read the note one more time.
Meet me in the small salon at seven—if you dare. We’ve unfinished business. Don’t be late.
He’d signed it with a flourish that she would have known was his even if she had to pick it out of a hundred signatures.
If she dared? Ha! She’d show him who dared!
She made her way through the hallways, pausing here and there to make certain no one lingered around a corner. Finally, she reached the staircase. The foyer proved more difficult, for two footmen stood by the front door, arguing over which of them was to serve at dinner. After a few moments, MacDougal walked through and sent them scurrying off to their duties.
She listened to their footsteps fade away, and waited a bit longer to make certain no one else was nearby, then lightly ran down the stairs. The door to the small salon was open and, with a final look around, she slipped inside and closed it behind her.
The room was unlit except for the rapidly fading sunset that spilled in from the windows. “Sin?” she asked softly.
No answer met her.
She must be early. She crossed to the window and watched the wind ripple over the lake and up the lawn.
A moment later, Sin entered and locked the door. Her heart, which was already thudding madly, beat even harder.
He was dressed for dinner in a dark blue coat, a maroon waistcoat, and breeches, and he walked with a faint limp. Her gaze flickered to his thigh and her heart sank when she saw the bandage outlined by his trousers. “Does your leg hurt dreadfully?”
“It hurts like the devil.” He came forward and there was something determined about his jaw.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t get the chance to thank you for saving me. Had you not pulled me out of the way—” She shook her head.
His eyes gleamed. “Oh yes, I saved you. For this.”
She half expected a kiss, but he walked past her to the window. He threw open the sash, then he climbed through.
Rose blinked. “What are you doing?”
“Finishing our wager.” He leaned in and held out his hand. “Are you coming?”
She looked at his hand. The whole thing was highly improper. Yet when he smiled at her that way, his eyes alight with mischief, she found that she not only couldn’t say no, but she couldn’t say yes fast enough.
She put her hand in his, gathered her skirts, and looked at the sill. “I hope this doesn’t mar my gown. It’s my sister’s favorite and—”
He bent through the window, scooped her up, and had deposited her on the ground outside before she could even guess what he was about. “Blast it, Sin! You just injured yourself! You shouldn’t be—”
He kissed her hard and fast, silencing her. Sending her a satisfied look, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her across the lawn to the archery course.
Once there, he selected two bows and handed her one, then he selected three arrows. “Choose your arrows.”
The smell of damp grass, the cooling night air, and the mischief in his eyes made the evening feel like a childhood escapade. Though the castle stared down at them and anyone who looked out of a window could see them, she felt deliciously alone with him.
She grinned and selected her arrows, looking down the shafts to make certain they were straight. “I’ll take these.”
“You first.”
She strung her bow with her first arrow, took careful aim, and then let it fly. It hit the inner circle beside the bull’s-eye.
She frowned. “There’s a little wind.”
“I’ll remember that.”
She strung the second arrow and took aim. The feather fletching tickled her cheek as she released the arrow, which flew straight to the bull’s-eye.
“Impressive.”
She had one more arrow. She straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, drew the bow, took slow and deliberate aim, and—thunk— the arrow buried itself in the bull’s-eye again.
She laughed. “Well, Sinclair? Can you beat that?”
He picked up his arrow, aimed, and shot. He did the other two in equally quick succession, and every one hit the bull’s-eye. One arrow was so close to another that it actually splintered it.
Rose could only stare. “You’ve won.” She could barely believe it, even seeing the arrow split herself. She thought of their wager and her heart stuttered. Things were moving so quickly . . . too quickly? She should slow things down, ask Sin for some time to answer the promise of their challenge.
And yet, some wild part of her wished to push forward. She wanted more of this, more of him. In a few short weeks, when things were back to normal and she was once again dealing with the mundane life at Caith Manor, she’d have these memories of her and Sin to make her smile. It wasn’t a lot, but it was far more than she’d ever had before.
Sin replaced their bows on the stand. Then he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her back to their window. After he climbed through, he reached out for her.
“Oh, no. I don’t want your leg harmed anymore. Step back and I’ll climb through myself.”
Rose collected her skirts, lifted them, and stepped over th
e windowsill into the salon. It was much darker now, the room cast in shade.
Sin took her hand and led her to the settee before the fireplace. “So I have won. Now it’s time to collect my winnings.”
Her mouth went dry, but she nodded. He sat down and pulled her into his lap. His warm eyes were ablaze with promise.
Rose suddenly found it difficult to swallow. Oh, how she wanted this man. She knew it was a bad idea, but when he looked at her like that, she couldn’t help but yearn for the excitement of his touch.
She was twenty-two years old, and upon the shelf by society standards. Why couldn’t she enjoy this pleasure? It couldn’t hurt, could it?
Though right now, she didn’t even care.
Sin looked into Rose’s eyes and wondered if she felt the same yearning ache that he did.
Six years ago, had anyone told Sin that he and Rose had far more in common than anyone else he’d ever met, he would have mocked the idea. But the more time he spent with her, the more he recognized her independent spirit and appreciated her strength. Neither of them enjoyed being told what to do, and neither liked to lose.
She was so different from what he’d assumed all those years ago. He’d expected a hothouse bloom. Instead, he found a much more ragged, and far more interesting, wild Scottish rose.
She shifted against him, nervously biting her lip. The sight of her even white teeth pressing into her full, bottom lip made his cock harden even more. He bent and captured her lips with his. His gentleness disappeared in the onslaught of passion that poured through him, and he kissed her over and over, hot and possessive, his hands resting on her hips.
He didn’t just kiss, he demanded, took . . . and everything he asked for, she gave with a willingness that delighted him. She wrapped her fingers around his lapel and pulled him closer.
Sin’s arms tightened and he pulled her forward, his tongue slipping through her lips to touch hers. She jerked at the unexpected touch and her breasts, already peaking against her gown, ached for his touch.
He moaned her name softly, and moved his kisses from her lips to her jaw and then to feather down her neck.
The weight of his warm hand on her ankle sent a shiver through her. He slowly slid it beneath her skirts, from her ankle . . . to her calf . . . and then to her knee.
How to Capture a Countess (Duchess Diaries 1) Page 17
