A Taste of Sin Read Online Free PDF Page B

apprehension and she had these strange, unsettling feelings that seemed to ebb and flow whenever she thought of her husband. And if those discomfiting sensations weren’t bad enough, there were more. She had a disconcerting premonition that Sinjun was more man than she had bargained for. Unfortunately her experience with men was sadly lacking. Sinjun was altogether too daunting. She recalled his kisses and remembered the potently male taste of him. He was too vibrant, too charming, an unrepentant rake.
    Christy sat down at her dressing table and ran a brush through her hair until the golden strands nestling amid the coppery tresses gleamed brightly in the candlelight. She decided to let it hang loose tonight, instead of binding it up in an elaborate coiffure. At home she normally plaited her hair, letting the braids swing loose around her hips. But tonight was special. Tonight she would become a woman. She had to cast aside the restrictions by which she had conducted her life and act the part of wanton for her husband.
    Christy glanced at the clock, saw it approaching ten-thirty, and felt a surge of excitement rush through her. Too nervous to relax, she began to pace, silently rehearsing the lies she must tell Sinjun in order to maintain her deception.
    When Sinjun heard the clock strike eleven-thirty, he drained the last dregs of brandy from his goblet and shot to his feet. He’d intended to wait until midnight, but the interminably long day had worn him down. He’d tried to go about his business, but his mind had been on other things. Things like the delectable Lady Flora and the pleasure awaiting him in her bed. His manhood jerked in response to that thought, and he hastened his steps to the front door. Pemburton, his butler, appeared with his hat and cane.
    “Don’t wait up, Pemburton,” Sinjun said, dismissing the servant with a nod. “I’ll probably be quite late.”
    “Your carriage is waiting, milord,” Pemburton intoned dryly.
    “Very good. Good night, Pemburton.”
    “Good night, milord.”
    Pemburton turned and walked away, his tall, upright figure disappearing into the dark reaches of the house.
    Eager now to reach the woman who had invaded his dreams and made his day unbearable, Sinjun opened the door and stepped outside. He cursed beneath his breath when he saw Viscount Blakely strolling toward him.
    “Ah, Sinjun, going out, I see,” Rudy hailed. “I’m just in time. White’s was damn dull tonight. Thought we might make the rounds of fleshpots in the seamier sections of town.”
    “Not tonight, Rudy,” Sinjun said with an uncustomary lack of patience. “I have an … appointment to keep.”
    Rudy’s sandy eyebrows shot upward. “ Tis no wonder you’re the envy of the ton. Who is it tonight? Lady Violet? A new conquest?”
    When Sinjun remained uncharacteristically silent, Rudy slapped his thigh and crowed, “By God, ‘tis Lady Flora, isn’t it? I wondered where you’d gotten off to last night. You both disappeared at the same time.” He leaned close, though no one was around to hear. “How was she? A veritable tiger in bed, I assume, else you wouldn’t be wasting your time.”
    Sinjun stiffened. For some reason he didn’t want to discuss Lady Flora with anyone, not even his good friend. His thoughts were too private, his conquest too new to share.
    “The nature of my engagement tonight is private,” Sinjun said. He reached his carriage, then turned to inquire of Rudy, “Shall I drop you off someplace?”
    Rudy laughed. “I do love a mystery. I hope you tell me about it one day, Sinjun. Very well, drop me off at Brooks. Perhaps I’ll join in a card game and increase my wealth a bit.”
    “Or lose more than you can afford,” Sinjun muttered as he tooled his matched bays toward Pall Mall, where most of the gentlemen’s clubs were located. He pulled up at Brooks on St. James Street. The moment Rudy stepped down onto the sidewalk, Sinjun flipped the reins against the bays’