Page 48 of Earl of St. Seville

Sin, as well as Coventry and the other two lords, stared at the swinging bag. It might as well have been dripping with blood, as his hands were after the fight. He didn’t want to collect his due, but it was the reason he’d fought in the first place. Yet, taking it, Sin knew he was agreeing to continue as Holstrom’s pawn, fighting when he was summoned.

And in turn, he’d need to lie to Lady Patience, end their friendship, and never look back.

It was inconceivable to believe that Sin would be able to look the lady in the eye and outright deceive her.

Could he chance the future of his estate and his family for Lady Patience Lane? A woman he’d known for such a short time?

Sin grabbed the bag before Holstrom drew it back and slipped it into the pocket of his trousers.

“When is the next match?” There was only his responsibility to his estate that could matter, that should matter—not Lady Patience or her anger if she learned of his continued fighting. Patience had a family who cared for her, while the St. Seville people only had Sin to depend on. He could not let them down. Not even if that meant securing Patience’s happiness. “I will need a day or so to rest, but after that—”

“Do not worry, St. Seville,” Holstrom chuckled, glancing past Sin. The crowd, though still loud, was likely thinning as the spectators moved out of the warehouse to continue their evening. “It will be a couple of days. I think you and I are going to earn quite the sum from our next prizefight.”

“You plan to fight again?” It was a whisper at his back but thundered through Sin as if it were shouted directly in his face. “I thought you—we agreed…”

The last word ended on a sob, and Sin’s chin dipped toward his chest.

He couldn’t turn around, hadn’t the courage to face her.

She wasn’t supposed to hear, she wasn’t supposed to know, she was supposed to await him at her carriage.

Sin had made the mistake of not keeping watch over her until she’d left the building.

Bloody hell, he should have walked her to the carriage and returned only after he made certain she was safely inside.

“Perhaps you live up to your name in more ways than one, my lord,” she seethed.

Sin pivoted slowly toward Patience, steeling himself against the hurt he’d surely see written across her face.

“And to think I have been dwelling on your financial troubles for days.” Her chin lifted a notch. “I was searching for any way to help you and your family. I even pondered the notion of our marriage. My dowry would more than repair your estate coffers, but a liar?” She shook her head back and forth, her eyes never leaving his. “I could never promise my hand, my heart, my future to a man who can so easily deceive a lady.”

He’d been overwhelmed with thoughts of home and his people, while she’d been considering giving up everything she knew for a man who was deceiving her.

“I had no intention of—”

“Save your falsehoods for another, Sin.” She hissed his name as if it were the foulest curse word she knew. “You would be wise to have your wounds cleansed and wrapped to prevent infection.”

He was going to say he had no intention of asking her to make such a sacrifice—for him or his family—but she spun away from him before he could beg her to listen. They could not part in such a manner.

As she stalked across the warehouse toward the door, Sin followed, determined to catch her before she left. He had to explain, let her know he’d also searched for a way to keep his promise to her, but he hadn’t come up with any solutions.

“Patience?”

Patience halted, causing Sin to nearly collide with her.

“What are you doing here?”

Sin had been so focused on Patience’s retreating back that he hadn’t seen the man stepping in their path until they were forced to stop or step around him.

“I asked what you are doing in Seven Dials.” The Earl of Desmond appeared furious enough to spit fire. “Donaldson said you’d departed with Merit and Valor. Where are those scoundrels?”

“Father—I—well,” Patience stammered. “What are you doing here?”

“Not that it is any of your concern, but I noted a wager at White’s. The Earl of St. Seville to fight Parsons, and I thought to arrive early and talk some sense into the man,” he said, his narrowed stare meeting Sin’s where he stood behind Patience. “I arrived too late. But I will have your answer, young lady.”

Patience’s shoulders collapsed a bit, and she lowered her chin in shame.

“I have been attending Southlund’s House…training the earl,” she confessed.