Earl of Sin

Miss Mary Chase stood at the front gate of the stately mansion situated in the heart of London and stared up at the imposing brick façade. It wasn’t too late to turn around, go back to her aunt and uncle’s, resume her life.

Lord and Lady Winthrop had taken her in after the loss of her parents seven years ago, even financed a season for her. But she could not, in good conscience, continue to leech off them with no prospect of marriage.

Her aunt insisted she could still find a husband but Mary knew how these things worked. In all likelihood, she’d get passed by. She was four and twenty, after
all. No man would want her now. A season would be the exclamation point on the sentence of her life. You weren’t meant for a happily ever after, Mary! Haven’t you learned that yet?

And so instead of another season, she’d accepted an interview for the position of tutor within the home of the Earl of Sinclair.

Her family was mildly appalled. Unlike many girls who’d become orphans, she’d been treated with love and kindness and she’d happily acted as companion to several
of her cousins. But she was of age now, and, in her mind, that meant that she ceased to be a burden to them and learned how to care for herself. Besides, she liked being useful. In a life that had been filled with loss, she found real
joy in work.

She straightened her shoulders as she approached the front steps. She’d not lose her resolve now. After fixing the ribbons on her bonnet, she raised her hand and lifted the knocker, giving two decisive smacks to the brass plate on the door.

The sound echoed through the house and her insides quivered along with the noise. But she’d gone too far now to back down, so she held her breath as she waited
for the door to open.

When her lungs were near bursting, the door swung in, and a tall butler with an amazingly erect back, stared down at her. “Yes?”

Mary swallowed, pressing her hands together. “I’m here for the position of tutor.” The earl’s daughter, as she understood it, had lost her mother some time ago and the earl wished for a woman of society to teach his daughter how to properly behave. As a spinster who had grown up in the house of an earl, she was perfect for such a task.

The butler’s mouth turned down. “I thought you would enter by the kitchen door.” He gave her a long look up and down.

Drat. Her chest tightened. She was no longer a member of the family but a servant. How could she have forgotten that? The look on the butler’s face assured her he
was wondering the same.  She dropped into a quick courtesy. Here, the butler was above her in station. “Of course. My apologies.”

He gave her a single nod, his expression unchanged. “His lord is expecting you. Follow me.”

Her stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot and she drew in a deep breath to calm it. Mary would not allow her nerves to get the better of her. She had a
multitude of family to rely on should this position fall through. She needn’t be worried.

Today felt like the beginning of her new life. One where she was independent and able to care for herself. If she failed, she’d be proving she couldn’t even complete
the simple task of providing for her own future. If she couldn’t do that, what could she do exactly? Of what use was she to this world?

The butler started up the stairs and she followed. She’d expected some sort of introduction. When none came, in her usual fashion, she began it herself. “My name is Mary Chase,” she murmured, unsure of what else to say. “It’s a pleasure
to meet you.”

“I know,” he answered, not looking back. “Should you succeed in this interview, I shall introduce you to the staff.”

She pressed her lips together. Apparently, the man wasn’t going to perform the basic nicety of giving his name without first making certain she would stay. She had the distinct impression he didn’t like her, but why? He didn’t even know her.

They reached the top of the stairs and Mary followed him down a lovely hallway, lined with beautifully polished oak panels and covered in thick carpet that dulled their footsteps until they reached an open door.

The butler stepped inside while she remained in the hall. “Miss Chase is here to see you.”

“Send her in,” a deep male voice replied.

The sound reverberated through her in the most pleasant way. Both strong and capable, she wanted to sigh just hearing those three short words.

The butler turned back to her and waved her forward, with a flick of his hand.

Straightening her back again, she stepped into the room as the butler moved to the side. But she didn’t bother to look at him, instead studying the earl. The first thing
she noted was the dark crown of his hair as he bent at the desk, finishing some task with his quill. His hair was a touch overlong, which suited him nicely. Rich brown waves swept back from his forehead and down his neck, nearly brushing the nape of his neck. But his hair was forgotten as she noted the
breadth of his shoulders, strength of his arms, and the large capable hands that held the tiny quill.

Then he looked up, smiling at her. Chocolate colored eyes and classically handsome nose and cheeks gave way to a strong jaw and lips…dear lord, his lips were the
most kissable she’d ever encountered. Even more so than her former fiancé Steven’s had been. The thought shocked her and parched her throat. Then air
rushed from her lungs as his voice echoed through her again.

“Miss Chase, I presume? It’s a pleasure to meet you. The Duke of Darlington has spoken very highly of your abilities. My daughter is in desperate need of aid.”

Dear lord, she was in trouble. So very much.