A Little Bit Sinful(23)

…

Justin looked over at his brother who currently lined up his cue, then shot. The balls scattered across the table, two falling into pockets. Roe had shown up at Justin’s townhome earlier looking for a warm meal and a game of billiards before they both headed out to Rodale’s for the evening.

Roe looked up over the table. “Have you considered finding a woman to court while you’re out and about, milling with Society, as it were?” He shot again, this time he missed.

“Not particularly.” He nodded toward his brother. “I’m not the one who needs an heir.”

“A fact my mother reminds me of every time I see her,” Roe said. “She’s ready to be a grandmother.” Then he leveled a gaze at Justin. “Don’t think you won’t hear it from her too when she sees you next. She always has thought of you as her other son.”

“She’s a good woman,” Justin said.

“I still think it could be entertaining if you ruffled some feathers,” Roe said with a laugh.

Justin lined up his own cue. “It’s funny you should mention that.”

“Why is that?” Roe stood up straight.

Justin shot again. “The dinner at the Kincaid’s last night. Vivian approached me before I left and made me a most interesting proposition.”

“Sounds positively scandalous,” Roe said. It was his turn to shoot. “What did she ask?”

“I know you are aware of the type of work Vivian does for people. She was approached by a concerned mother whose daughter isn’t being courted. At all. Marcus suggested that all the girl needed was one suitor and it would give other men permission to pursue her. Do you think that’s true?”

Roe took another shot. He made a non-committal noise. “Perhaps. I can’t say that I ever take much note of what bloke is dancing with what chit.”

“You don’t attend many balls.”

“I attend plenty.” Roe set up the table for another game of billiards. “Two a month is about all I can stand. So are you going to do it?”

“Unlike Vivian, I’m unconvinced that my courting her will solve her problems. It’s likely to create new ones.”

Roe took a healthy sip of his brandy. “It sounds like a good way to bring attention to the girl, even if it merely angers people that you would dare court one of their darlings. I think Vivian’s right. You paying attention to the girl can only help her.”

“You know I’m not going to court some girl simply to irritate the powers that be,” Justin said.

“We should have traded places years ago,” Roe said.

…

Roe and Justin finished their game of billiards and were heading to the door, deciding to simply ride to Rodale’s together when Justin’s butler stepped into the room.

“Lady Clarissa is here to see you,” he said.

Roe waggled his eyebrows at Justin. And then Clarissa stepped into the room.

“Justin, I needed to—” she stopped short when she caught sight of Roe. “Oh your grace, I did not realize you were here. My apologies.”

“No need, Lady Clarissa.” Roe, in a rare show of chivalry, strode over to her and bent low over her hand for a moment before flashing her a smile. “I was on my way out. If you’ll excuse me.” He nodded to Justin with a wink, then left the room.

“I didn’t mean to intrude,” Clarissa said after Roe was out of earshot.

“You didn’t. That is a rather fetching gown.” The blue dress molded to her body, her décolletage was accented with fine white lace, but her cleavage was all he really noticed. He preferred looking at her rather magnificent cleavage. While far from being the only feature that contributed to her beauty—her eyes, for example, were an arresting shade of blue and her lush lips were equally enticing—her bosom was the one feature he could admire while pretending it wasn’t wholly inappropriate for him to do so. No, when he looked in her eyes—indeed anywhere in the region of her face—he couldn’t help but remember that Clarissa was not meant for the likes of him. “These visits of yours are becoming quite regular.”

“And you find that…irritating?”

“Quite the contrary. I rather enjoy your company.” He enjoyed it too much. That was the problem. Hiding a sigh, he crossed back to his decanter and poured himself a fresh glass of scotch.

“I wanted to let you know that I had received the letter of employment from Ella’s father. Thank you again.”