The Bellerose Bargain by Robyn Carr Page B

you staying here the night?" she asked.
    "Much as I’d like to, love, I still have a great deal of business before I rest. And I wouldn’t want anyone seeing me with you until you’ve been able to reject Seavers successfully."
    "What business? Another woman?"
    He smiled devilishly. "I’m counting on your fortune to help, Charlotte, but there’s still quite a lot I can do to improve my lot before we exchange vows." He paused and looked her over, forcing himself to smile. He was not attracted to her, but lying beside her for a brace of years in exchange for a decent amount of money would not pain him much. "I’ll either be here once you’re asleep or in the morning to bring you something to eat. Remember, don’t go out."
    "Like yourself, milord, I’ll go where I please. I hadn’t thought you desperate enough to sell favors. Who’re you sleeping with and what’s her title?"
    Lord Perry frowned. "I didn’t say I was sleeping with anyone, Lady Charlotte."
    "No, you didn’t. And I don’t care who you’re with, but don’t expect to hold me to a different plan. I’ll have your promise in writing that my money is my own, and once we’re wed and I have the Perry name, we’ll each do as we please. And I’ll be careful enough to see that my inheritance doesn’t disappear into the ocean, but should it please me to go out and stroll about a bit, I’ll do so." She bit off another large piece of meat and chewed it greedily. "You don’t own me, Culver, nor will you ever. And when you start to act as though you do, I’ll tell His Majesty that you’ve kidnapped and beaten me, and in fear of my life I’ve followed your orders."
    Culver Perry watched her as she settled herself on the only chair in the room to finish her feast. She did not trouble over his comings and goings so long as he kept her in food and visited her bed regularly. His plan for hustling Seavers out of the Bellamy inheritance had been much more appetizing before he had realized that Charlotte was as devious as he.
    But there was a bright light in any storm. "At least we understand each other, madam. Let’s just be cautious that no other understands us as well."
    "Fair enough, milord," she said with a mouthful of food. He smiled at her, turned, and gratefully took his leave of the room.
    Alicia came awake at the sound of a moan. She sat up on the bed and took notice of Geoffrey stirring from his sleeping place on the floor. He shook off the cover that had been thrown over him and sat up, rubbing his head. Taking a cautious look around the room, he spied Alicia, still in her clothes, sitting up on the small bed. Rodney had also taken possession of the floor for his sleeping. Seavers had no way of knowing that Alicia would not allow the servant to leave her alone with him. All were clothed and apparently passing Geoffrey’s unconscious state as best as could be allowed.
    With a pathetic-sounding grunt that spoke loudly of stiffness and ill health, Seavers rose to stand on shaky legs. Gathering strength, with a hand on his belly he headed for the door without looking back. His pace quickened, judging by the sound of his footfalls, as he rushed down the hall and stairs.
    "You see," Alicia said, "he’s not dead. But I wager he regrets last night."
    Rodney struggled to his feet, his problem being age and the hardness of the floor. "I for one am grateful for his malady. He’ll blame the drink and not you for the condition of his head."
    Rodney walked to the door and on the way dropped the key on the table. "Lock yourself in and I will see to his lordship. I’ll see that you’re delivered some meager comforts before you have to deal with my young friend another time."
    The meal was the first such comfort to arrive at her door. The tired-looking and unkempt maid who served it further depressed Alicia’s spirit. She wondered if she could ever endure that way of life again. It was the first time since she was a child that she had been served, rather than