Free The Sinners Club by Kate Pearce

you.”
    She glanced up at him and smiled and he readily smiled back.
    â€œShall we adjourn to the study?” Jack asked. “I fear to keep your brother waiting for too long. He must have many other duties to attend to around the estate.”
    â€œHe certainly works hard.”
    â€œWhen did he decide that he wanted to be a land agent?”
    â€œWhen he realized he wanted to make his own way in the world and not be dependent on the whims and goodwill of others.”
    There was a hard note in her voice that made Jack pay close attention.
    â€œNo man likes to be beholden to another for his coin.”
    â€œOr woman. But that is usually our fate, isn’t it? We are ordered around by our male relatives as if we are truly chattel.”
    â€œYou did not wish to wed the earl?”
    They’d reached the study door and she paused to look up at him. “I was honored to marry him, Mr. Smith. Whatever anyone else might tell you, that is the truth.”
    Her gaze was steady and he could sense no hint of deceit in it.
    â€œThen the earl was a very lucky man indeed.”
    He opened the door and they both walked through. Simon sat at the desk, which was covered in important-looking documents. Sunlight streamed through the window behind him, making red lights dance in his auburn hair.
    â€œMr. Smith. How pleasant to see you again.”
    Jack ushered the dowager into a chair and inclined his head to his new lover. “Mr. Picoult, always a pleasure.”
    He took the chair next to the countess and focused his entire attention on the man behind the desk.
    Simon cleared his throat. “I have two items that may be of interest to the Lennox solicitors in London.” He picked up one of the pieces of parchment, which was covered in elaborate wax seals and appeared to be several pages in length. “This is the late earl’s final will and testament.” He selected something else. “And these are his marriage lines to my sister.”
    Jack stared at the official-looking documents for longer than was polite. “May I inspect them?”
    â€œOf course, Mr. Smith.”
    He rose to his feet and crossed over to the desk. With his past, if either of the documents were rushed forgeries, he would be able to spot them easily. Having a feckless father had taught him much about the ways of the underworld. Simon handed him the marriage certificate and Jack read it through very carefully, his indignation rising by the second. If it was a forgery it was impossible to tell. It stated very clearly that Mary Elizabeth Picoult (spinster) had married the sixth Earl of Storr six months previously, which meant that any male child she delivered would be considered the earl’s legitimate heir....
    â€œWhy didn’t the earl send this marriage certificate to his solicitor in London?”
    â€œI don’t think he was that eager for the news to be spread around.”
    Jack looked up. “That’s hardly like broadcasting it from the town crier, is it? Informing one’s solicitor of one’s marriages is a legal necessity that would have saved my employer and me much false hope and anxiety.”
    â€œI beg your pardon? You doubted the validity of my marriage?”
    He turned to Mary Picoult, who wasn’t looking quite as amiable anymore. In truth, she looked positively furious.
    â€œI didn’t say that, my lady. I just wondered why the old earl chose not to share this happy news.”
    â€œPerhaps he knew what your employer’s reaction would be!”
    While inside he raged at the vagaries of fate, Jack kept his expression as neutral as possible. “We can hardly speculate on my employer’s reaction, can we? He is still unaware that his claim has been challenged.”
    â€œSomething that you can remedy on your return, Mr. Smith,” Simon intervened. “I’ve prepared a copy of the marriage lines for you to take with you, and have a signed