Free A Taste of Sin by Connie Mason

Ravensdale.”
    Sinjun’s sister! Though Christy realized she was treading in dangerous waters, she couldn’t help responding to the young woman’s friendly overture.
    “I’m Chris, er, Flora Randall.”
    Emma’s eyes widened. “Lady Flora Randall! I’ve heard of you but never had the pleasure to meet you. You’re very beautiful. Amelia and I came out last year,” she revealed. “We were just discussing the paucity of interesting men this year.” She sighed. “I suppose I compare all men to my brothers, and none of them can hold a candle to either Julian or Sinjun. Do you know them, Lady Flora?”
    Christy felt certain Emma had no idea she was here tonight as Sinjun’s mistress. She’d be content if Emma never found out. “I believe I’ve met your brothers.”
    “Are you here with your husband, Lady Flora?” Emma asked.
    Was there no end to Lady Emma’s curiosity?
    “I … no, he’s not well. If you and Lady Amelia will excuse me, I must return to my … friends.”
    “Perhaps we’ll run into each other again,” Emma said.
    “Perhaps,” Christy replied, having every intention of avoiding Sinjun’s sister the rest of the evening. She adjusted her mask and left the powder room.
    Sinjun was waiting for her. He wasn’t alone. “Ah, there you are,” he said, grasping her arm in a proprietary manner. “I don’t believe you’ve met my friend, Lord Blakely. Rudy, this is Lady Flora Randall.”
    Rudy gave Christy an arrested look, then bowed over her hand. “Though we haven’t met, I’ve heard nothing but praises about you from Sinjun.”
    I’ll bet, Christy thought. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you, Lord Blakely.”
    “Would you allow me to dance with your lady, Sinjun?” Rudy asked.
    Sinjun frowned. “Perhaps another time, Rudy. I was just about to lead Flora onto the dance floor myself. If you’ll excuse us…”
    Though the words weren’t meant for her ears, Christy heard Rudy whisper to Sinjun, “Lucky dog. Lord Sin always keeps the best for himself.”
    Christy tried not to let the words affect her, for she knew Lord Blakely wasn’t alone in believing she was simply an adornment on Sinjun’s arm. Being paraded around as a mistress and not a wife was degrading. But Christy knew it was her penance for lying to Sinjun.
    Sinjun’s patience was wearing thin. Every man in the room was staring at Flora as if she were a sweetmeat waiting to be devoured. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. Flora was going to be devoured, all right, by him. His need for the copper-haired beauty was consuming every minute of every day. It left him reeling, without direction, and it wasn’t a feeling he enjoyed.
    After the midnight buffet he suggested that they leave. His eyes darkened with irrepressible desire when she appeared as eager to leave as he.
    “Wait here,” Sinjun said as he retrieved Christy’s cloak and draped it over her shoulders, “while I summon the coach.”
    Sinjun was gone only a few minutes, but when he returned to usher Lady Flora outside, he saw Julian and Emma approaching. He knew how Julian felt about introducing his mistress to his sister, so he tried to hurry Flora out the door and into the coach. It wasn’t to be, however. Emma hailed Sinjun before he could hand Flora into the coach.
    “Sinjun! Were you going to leave without greeting your sister?” She sent Julian an exasperated look. “Why didn’t you tell me Sinjun was here?”
    Sinjun cursed beneath his breath. There was no help for it. He had to stop and speak to Emma despite Julian’s blistering scowl.
    “Hello, Emma. You look ravishing tonight.”
    She dropped a curtsy. “Why, thank you, kind sir. And you are far too handsome for your own good.”
    “Come along, Emma,” Julian said, attempting to push her toward their own coach.
    Emma shrugged free. “I’m not through talking to Sinjun.” Her gaze slid around to Christy. “Why, Lady Flora, we meet again. I didn’t know you were here with my brother. Why