Sin and Sensibility Read Online Free PDF Page B

blatantly wicked. If she didn’t take this chance to explore life, she might as well shrivel up and die.
    At the crowded drive of Beckwith House they disembarked. Traditionally when the Griffins attended an event as a family they entered in ranks, with her on Melbourne’s arm and Shay and Zachary bringing up the rear. Tonight, though, once they’d navigated the last of the trampled mud and horse manure and reached the marble and stone of the front portico, Sebastian released her.
    “After you,” he said, gesturing her to lead the way.
    She nodded, pretending she’d expected the move, and entered the grand house. Since she’d handed over her declaration she’d sensed that Melbourne had been angry with her, not so much because of the paper as because of the idea behind it—that she’d been dissatisfied enough with his patriarchy that she’d staged a rebellion. Well, she’d meant to shake him. Perhaps they would both learn something from the exercise. At the least he might realize that other people had thoughts and feelings that didn’t necessarily equate with his—and that those thoughts wouldn’t necessarily lead to the downfall of their family.
    At the coatroom she hesitated, but they were already in view of at least two dozen guests, several of them notorious gossips. Eleanor took a deep breath and un-fastened the button that held her cloak closed. Whatever she’d said on paper, her declaration began now.
    As a footman helped pull the cloak from her shoulders, Zachary at the rear of the group made a choking sound, while the silence from her other two brothers spoke at least as loudly. Ha. Wait until I turn around .
    She turned around. The gaze of all three brothers dropped to her bosom and then slid back to her face again.
    Sin and Sensibility / 31
    “Holy mother of God,” Shay whispered, his tanned face growing pale.
    She hoped he meant that in a good way. With another breath Eleanor faced the open ballroom doors and started forward. “Shall we?” she asked with a smile, stopping beside the butler just inside the doorway.
    The Beckwith butler didn’t need their invitation to make the announcement of their arrival. Most servants of good households were aware of the Griffin clan. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Duke of Melbourne, Lord Charlemagne Griffin, Lord Zachary Griffin, and Lady Eleanor Griffin.”
    The room stirred as she stepped forward. She could hear her brothers walking behind her, practically feel the hostility they directed toward the room at large as they silently dared anyone to say a word about her choice of wardrobe.
    With the ease of long practice, Eleanor hid a scowl.
    Though their silent intimidation might make the evening progress more smoothly, it also meant that she was still under their protection—and their watchful eyes. She spun around, feeling the silk material of her gown swirling deliciously about her legs.
    “Stop it,” she muttered.
    “Stop what?” Charlemagne returned in the same tone, his gaze over her shoulder at the crowded room beyond.
    “Trying to intimidate everyone in sight. As long as we’re here, you don’t know me, and I don’t know you.”
    Shay opened his mouth to protest again, but abruptly Melbourne stepped between them. “I think it’s time we began that drinking Zachary mentioned.”
    In a moment Eleanor stood alone inside the ballroom.
    Remaining there too long would make it obvious that 32 / Suzanne Enoch
    something was afoot with the Griffin clan, so as soon as she spied her friend Lady Barbara Howsen, she made her way toward the refreshment table.
    As she neared, though, her eyes found another acquaintance. He stood beside the doors that led to the Beckwiths’
    substantial tropical gardens. Lord Deverill gazed at her, plainly ignoring Lady Franch as the countess overtly flirted at him from the far side of the door.
    For the first time she realized how other females must feel when the green-eyed god gazed at them. The sensation of heat running