Page 58 of Earl of St. Seville

Too soon, Sin pulled back, cupping her face and bringing it close to his as Patience quivered, her legs straining from being on her tiptoes.

“Lady Patience Lane.” This time, he didn’t pause, nor did he look the least bit hesitant. “If the offer stands, I would be honored to take you away from London to Brownsea Island—as my wife and countess.”

“But, I thought”—She sucked in a deep breath—“I thought you said…”

“I said I would never allow you to sacrifice your future to save my estate,” he finished for her. “However, if you shall have me, I have no intention of wedding you for your dowry.”

“It is all I can bring to the union.”

“You could not be more wrong,” he whispered, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. “You will bring hope to Brownsea. You will bring your passion for helping others. And you will bring love.”

Patience’s heart swelled at the mention of love. It was more than she’d ever dared to hope for.

“We shall return to my home and bring with us our love.”

Patience reached forward with trembling fingers and brushed a lock of hair from his face, sweeping it behind his ear. “For your people?”

“Love for each other.”

She’d known since the moment she agreed to return to Southlund’s House—for him—that her heart was no longer her own. But daring to hope that he felt the same was something she hadn’t allowed herself.

“Patience, I love you with a depth I never thought possible. A moment without you by my side would be an eternity of emptiness.”

“I love you, too, Sinclair Chambers.” She uttered his name for the first time, but it wasn’t right. Even St. Seville didn’t fit him properly. “Sin,” she corrected.

Just as her father had fallen in love with a bonny lass from Seven Dials, so had Patience fallen in love with a Corinthian prizefighter. There was a certain poetic note to the entire situation. She was certain they would face their own trials and tribulations, but that was more preferable than a lifetime without Sin.

“St. Seville!” The sudden shout echoed across the garden, startling Patience from Sin’s hold.

They both turned to see Valor leaning so far out Merit’s window he was in jeopardy of falling into the overgrown rose thicket below.

“Whatever are you doing?” Patience shouted back. “Get back inside before you fall out.”

“St. Seville. If you wed Patience, you will have no choice but to give Merit and I entrance to the Wicked Earls’ Club. I will have it added to the betrothal agreement.”

“What in heavens?” Patience turned her questioning stare to Sin.

He only shrugged, pressing his lips to her ear as he whispered, “They helped me back here, so I suppose I—we—owe them a small favor.” He turned and smiled up at her brothers. “I will speak with Coventry and see what I can do.”

“See that you do,” Merit called over Valor’s shoulder.

“I do not think it is a good idea at all, my lord,” Patience mumbled for Sin’s ears alone.

“I have no doubt it is a terrible idea; however, if it is in the betrothal agreement, I will agree to anything to have you.”

“You have already proven that.” Patience laughed, the sound echoing across the garden.

Above them, the window closed, and her brothers disappeared from view, leaving only Sin and Patience—and the growing desire that had blossomed the moment she spotted him bare-chested in her home.

Sin pulled her against him once more, and Patience didn’t stop herself from throwing her arms around his neck.

She wanted this moment to last forever, this glimpse in time with the moon bright above and the air cold on her skin…with the promise of many more kisses to warm her.

Chapter 19

Sin grinned widely as he read the betrothal contract on the table separating him from the Earl of Desmond—and flanked on both sides by Lady Patience’s brothers, Merit and Valor. As promised, though most likely begrudgingly added by the earl, was a stipulation aimed at gaining some form of membership to the Wicked Earls’ Club for Merit and Valor.

Some form of membership was a broad and vague term, and the Earl of Desmond had demanded, in a hushed whisper, that Sin only get his sons an invitation for a meal or two at the club and nothing more.