To Sin with a Stranger by Kathryn Caskie

Author:Kathryn Caskie [Caskie, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780061491009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2008-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Let us treasure up in our soul some of those things which are permanent…, not those which will forsake us and be destroyed, and which only tickle our senses for a little while.

Gregory of Nazianzus

The Sinclair residence

Grosvenor Square

T he clopping of hooves on Grosvenor Square summoned Sterling to the drawing room windows on the first floor of his home.

As he peered down, Sterling tried to ascertain which of his sister’s guests was so eager to attend the festivities that they’d have the audacity to arrive a quarter of an hour before the appointed time.Sterling did not, at first, recognize the man standing in the lamplight on the pavers below, but curiosity obliged him to place his palms upon the windowsill and lean forward for a better look.

The smartly dressed gentlemen momentarily removed his hat and primped his hair with a quick pass of his fingers through his graying locks.

It was then Sterling noticed something over the man’s nose. It appeared to be a bit of plaster or a lint bandage.

A fighter perhaps? Sterling squinted his eyes and peered harder still. Nay, too small and delicate in frame.

As if he felt Sterling’s attention upon him, his gaze was drawn up to the window. Sterling started to step behind the curtains, but realizing he’d been seen, tipped his head in greeting.

The gentleman lifted his hand good-naturedly, then, giving the plaster over his nose a checking over with the pads of his index fingers, headed for the doorway.

Sterling realized the early guest’s identity at that moment and expelled a long sigh.

Ivy hurried up behind Sterling. “Who has come? Nay, let me make a game of it. It is…Miss Whitebeard and her father. She was ever so excited to attend. Am I correct?”

Sterling turned around and caught his sister by her shoulders. “Didn’t you tell me you did not extend an invitation to Lord Elgin?”

“I didn’t, truly. I only said I did. I might even have told several guests who condescended to join us this eve that I did. But, in truth, I never so much as inquired after the direction of his house.”

Sterling’s gaze bore deeply into her eyes. Ivy often toyed with the truth of things, and now might be one of those times. He squeezed her shoulders slightly. “Ivy.”

“I swear to you, Sterling,” she replied, her eyes beginning to burn with the indignant questioning of her word. “I did not invite him to the soirée.”

Sterling smoothed his hands over the shoulders of his sister’s saffron-shaded gown. “Well, do not be too surprised when he is announced within the next moment. For Lord Elgin has indeed arrived.” He stood tall and affixed a welcoming smile to his lips.

Ivy, suddenly appearing shaken, did the same. “Are you certain he is here?”

“Aye, I am.”

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