Vice snorted. A loud, obvious sound that echoed in the room full of men. “Liar.”
Daring gave a light chuckle. “Let the man delude himself if he must.”
Sin’s lips thinned, stretching over his teeth. “My feelings are my own and none of your concern. I know that each of you is newly in love but I was you once. And then my wife died while birthing my son.”
Their mirth died. Vice lost the devilish twinkle, while Daring’s mouth pulled down. Exile straightened, and Lord Winthorpe shifted in his seat. “Loss is difficult to bear. Are you certain you’re ready to marry again?”
Sin looked down at his hands. What Winthorpe actually meant was, are you whole enough for my niece? “Mary and I both understand loss. It makes it easier to marry again knowing that she has suffered as I have. She’s learned to bear the weight of losing her fiancé, her parents, and brother. I can only hope she’ll teach me to be as strong.” The words echoed about his thoughts. Hellfire and damnation. The words rang in his head.
All this time he’d been too worried about Mary being weak. But she was the stronger of the two of them. And she, after one day, had pulled him further out of his emotional hole than anyone else he’d ever met.
“That was very well said.” Bad clapped him on the shoulder. “Whether it’s love or just admiration, I’d say the two of you are well-suited.” Then he cleared his throat. “I grew up on the streets, not even a roof over my head. I thought…” Bad hesitated. “I thought I didn’t deserve love. But when you let the right woman in, she makes you better.”
Sin stared at Bad. “For a man who rarely speaks, you’re very articulate.” He scrubbed his face as Bad’s words sunk in. Did Sin think he didn’t deserve love? He drew in a shuddering breath. The answer was yes.
Chapter Ten
Facing a room of Chase women was a lot like what Mary imagined standing against an army might feel like. Cold sweat covered her palms, and she stood poised ready to run.
Minnie, the oldest of the all the girls, the first to marry, a duke no less, and the most outspoken stepped forward first, her red hair glinting in the sun. “You’re engaged?”
Mary tucked her hands in her skirt, covertly wiping away the sweat. “Yes. It would seem so.” She knew once the details of the arrangement became known, her family would have a great deal to say.
Diana slowly rose from her chair. “It’s impressive that you were able to gain an offer in a single day. Not that I didn’t have faith in you. But still.”
She swallowed. Did she admit he hadn’t asked her? “He was already looking for a wife.”
Cordelia pushed up her glasses. “I find that concerning. Mary deserves more than to be a bride of convenience.”
Mary gripped her skirts. “You’re wrong. I am lucky to have this chance at all.”
Grace brushed an invisible strand of blonde hair back from her lovely face. “What are you talking about? You’re beautiful, kind, and strong. You deserve the very best.”
Mary shook her head. They didn’t understand. “My chance at love died five years ago. I wasted it away…”
“What does that mean?” Minnie asked.
Mary sat in the chair behind her. “I was so angry that Harold wished to go on another military tour. Instead of asking him kindly or with love, I railed at him in anger. I practically pushed him out the door. He died a month later. My Chase temper, it—”
“You don’t really believe that?” Diana pushed out of her chair and crossed the room, crouching before Mary. “If he’d had a choice, he would have returned for you. You can’t blame yourself.”
Mary shook her head. “I must be to blame. My father, mother, brother, and fiancé are all gone. I try to do good in this world, but I must have done something terribly wrong to—” She couldn’t finish, a sob breaking free from her chest.
Diana wrapped her in a hug, Minnie joining until Cordelia and Grace had wrapped her up too. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” Cordelia said, squeezing the whole group. “Life has been cruel to you. You, however, have done an admirable job of rising above that. And it’s your turn for happiness. Don’t forget that.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. How did she explain that Sin made her happy? Perhaps it wasn’t what they had. She’d just met him, but the idea of what they could build together filled her with joy. Though in her heart of hearts she wished for love, she was content to be a wife and a mother, and she’d make the most of this situation. “Thank you for saying that. I suppose it’s time that I confess to you he didn’t ask me to marry him.”
The hug loosened as her cousins stepped back forming a ring about her chair. “What does that mean?” Minnie asked.
But Diana let out a peal of laughter. “You asked him.”
Mary nodded. “My Chase sensibilities took over.” She twisted her hands in her lap. “I find him to be…”
“Gorgeous,” Grace suggested.
“Stunning,” Diana corrected.
Minnie tapped her chin. “Handsome as Sin.”
They all laughed. “And he hurts too. He needs someone to—”
“Oh dear lord,” Cordelia gasped. “Not only are you trying to save Anne but you’re going to help him recover from his grief.” She reached for Mary’s hand. “How can you not see how good you are?”
Diana pressed a hand to her shoulder. “And be careful. A man like that… It would be so easy for you to end up hurt.”
Mary winced, her mouth twisting into a frown. Diana was right. Her feelings were already involved. “He is attracted to me, I know that.”
Grace nodded. “That attraction could turn to love.”
No one spoke for a moment. “How though?”
