"Well, when I am nursing a sore head after a drink or two, kippers and eggs make me feel a treat. What is yours?"
"I am afraid I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I cannot resist any type of tart, cake, or biscuit. As you can tell." She gestured to her figure.
"Never deny yourself. I adore your curves."
"I admit, your flattery is doing wonders for my self-confidence. My inner heroine is smitten with you and my inner critic scoffs."
"You can let your inner critic know I will meet the scoundrel at dawn." Sin waved his fist in the air, and she was unable to control the laughter that spilled from her.
"I shall pass that on the next time the ugly head shows itself."
“I have a question for you, Sophie. Your clothing is so flattering and unlike the current fashion. Was that your idea?”
“In fact, it was. I decided to forgo a style that did not suit me and instead chose one that flattered me. I gather it has pleased you?”
“It most certainly has. I do not believe I have ever paid any attention to clothing and the day’s fashion until I saw you. Your ingenuity is to be praised.”
Sophie was so flattered, both by his comment and the sincerity she heard in his voice. Conversing with Sin was easy,and his proposal was only becoming more attractive. She wanted to ask him more, but they had arrived back at the start of their route. Sin sighed with regret.
"I better get you home before Margot sends out the Royal Guard," he joked as he grazed his knuckles gently across her cheek. A brazen gesture that any passerby may have seen. But she did not care.
“I need to feel your lips on mine. Now.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sin could not explain what had come over Sophie, but he was not about to question it. As soon as they entered the carriage, she had pulled the curtains shut and—for lack of a better word—pounced on him. Her kisses were feverish as she ran her hands all over his body. She panted heavily as she broke off the kiss, but he was not done. Sliding his lips down her neck, he kissed and swirled his tongue over silky skin as he used his hands to try to lift her dress. She took her cue from him and moved her hands to his trousers, rubbing his erection. All of a sudden, the carriage came to a halt and Sin pulled the curtain back to see where they were.
Damn! They had arrived at Daniel and Margot's already!
"We are here, Sophie, but by God I am ready to take you here and now," he told her gruffly as he looked at her dreamy, soft eyes.
"Perhaps I should apologise for taking such liberties."
"Never. This will just leave me counting the seconds until I see you. What is your schedule before we attend the opera? I don't know if I can wait that long to see you." He realised what a fool he sounded. It was only three days away, but Sophie had taken control of all his senses.
"I am afraid my schedule is full; I have a luncheon, a dinner party, and errands." She had almost righted herself except for a loose curl he tucked behind her ear.
"I understand. But promise me one thing?" He grasped her jaw so they were gazing directly into each other’s eyes. He saw a kaleidoscope of emotions as he searched the jade depths. There was hope, a sprinkle of hesitation, and a dash of fear. He gently brushed his thumb across her soft skin and wished he could convey so much more in that small gesture to persuade her.
"Consider my proposal. I want every free moment with you, not just secret kisses in short carriage rides. I want you to be my wife." He sealed this request with one final searing kiss.
"Where to now, sir?” asked his driver.
Sin was frustrated—sexually and emotionally. A strange combination. He was in no mood to see his father, in no mood to brood back at his rooms at The Albany. He could grab a drink at White's, but that still required a level of socialising.
"Take me to Welles's."
He had recently met with Mr Welles, going through a list of art and objects he wanted to collect. Besides the Grecian pottery, he had not had any other updates. Sin especially wanted to find out how the search went for the Ming bowl. The porcelain beauty with the jade glaze, similar to his jade pin. The same shade of jade that reminded him of Sophie's eyes. While abroad, he had attended a soiree hosted by an Italian or German aristocrat, the exact details were fuzzy due to his inebriated state. What he did recall was being shown a collection of Ming porcelain. When hehad looked into Sophie's eyes he remembered the bowl, and now wanted to buy one as a gift for her. Mr Welles was the best in the business and his eyes had lit up when Sin said that there were no limits on what he was willing to pay. The bowl itself, as he recalled it, was delicate and beautifully rounded—just like Sophie.
By the time he arrived at Welles & Welles, his mood had improved with the hope of good news. The door opened after his first bang of the lion’s head knocker and the small man ushered him in.
"How fortuitous you decided to call upon me. I was just writing you a note!" The bespectacled man's excitement meant he had good news.
"Tell me you found the Ming bowl!" Sin matched the man's excitement.
"Yes, My Lord, it will arrive soon. My contact in Italy confirmed that the Count who owned it was looking to part with some of his collection. He was in need of funds, just between you and I, and I negotiated a most reasonable price. There is only one problem." He spoke the last few words nervously.
"And what would that be, Mr Welles?" Sin said as he folded his arms. Surely this problem could be solved.
