The Sinner Read Online Free Page B

mere presence.
    Unfortunately that made her a fool by association. She wanted to dig a hole and bury herself. She didn't dare look at Lord Oxley. To make it worse, her face grew so hot he must have noticed.
    "I'm not available tomorrow," Oxley said smoothly. "Or I would be delighted."
    "The next day then," Slade persisted. "We can stay in London a little longer."
    "I'm not free, alas. Indeed, I'll be leaving the city very soon."
    The silence thinned. Cat wished she could run and hide. She had not felt quite so humiliated since, well, ever. She kept her head bowed so that she didn't have to see Oxley's handsome face screwed up in distaste at the thought of taking her to the theater, thereby announcing some sort of connection between them.
    "You can see all the theaters of note from this side of the river," he was saying with rather more enthusiasm than necessary. "There's no need for Lady Slade to venture over to Bankside."
    "An excellent suggestion," she cut in before Slade could open his mouth and put the other foot in. "I'll do that. Thank you, my lord. It's been our great and humble pleasure to meet you, but we mustn't keep you any longer."
    His eyes briefly flashed, adding warmth to their depths. But it passed so quickly that she began to wonder if she saw it at all.
    He bowed to her. "It has been my pleasure, Lady Slade. Enjoy your stay in London. I hope your brother-in-law will find the time to take you to the theaters himself."
    He gave Slade a shallower bow. "Take care of my hat, sir."
    Slade said nothing as he watched Oxley retreat to the door, only to be held up before making his exit by a dark-haired lady whose tight dress barely contained her cleavage. She leaned against Oxley's arm, pressing her virtues into him where he couldn't fail to miss them. She giggled behind her fan then he said something and she tapped him lightly with it. He seemed absorbed by her attentions. Widow Slade was already forgotten.
    Cat turned away, and tried to ignore the sinking sensation in her chest. She had enjoyed her conversation with Oxley. She'd wanted it to continue, but of course it could not. He was a busy noblemen with high friends. She was the widow of a poor baron and the sister-in-law of a tedious man.
    That tedious man reeled on her. "You let him go! Stupid girl. You almost had him."
    "Don't be ridiculous," she said, curt. "He was simply being polite." And if anyone was responsible for Oxley's leaving, it was Slade.
    "He liked you. I could tell. Not sure why, but I suppose you're witty when you want to be, and a dandy like Oxley likes wit." It was quite the compliment coming from Slade and took her by surprise.
    "It's no matter. He was never going to consider me as a wife. He could have any lady in this room." Wit wouldn't be enough for a handsome, dashing earl. It was something she had accepted long ago.
    Slade heaved a sigh and glanced around at the glittering women, from the giggling girls to the more mature and elegant ladies. "True. I briefly hoped he might take you on as a mistress, but I see now that it's hopeless."
    "Mistress!" He would dare suggest such a crude thing to his own sister-in-law?
    "As you say, you're not a contender for a wife, but I do know that Oxley has a mistress. Several, in fact, although not all at the same time." He directed a nod at the buxom woman smothering Oxley with her charms. "Of course, if that lady is the sort he prefers, then I'm afraid you'll never be a contender. Pity. I hear he's very generous to his mistresses. You could have had a comfortable life, even after he grew tired of you."
    He walked off and Cat watched him go, not bothering to follow. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her, a mistress to an earl! Or to anyone, for that matter. It was such an absurd notion. She was hardly the right sort, as he pointed out. Mistresses were flirty and buxom. Cat was a mere mouse by comparison. The best hope she had was to wed a dull, moderately wealthy baron of no particular