The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies)

by Michaels, Maddison

  “You and I know that truth all too well,” he said, looking at her with such a burning need that Livie leaned across and pressed her lips to his.

  She closed her eyes and exhaled sharply as the very touch of his lips burned into her soul. He groaned and pulled her toward him, his mouth caressing hers with urgency and tenderness.

  “I’ve been thinking of kissing you all day,” he said on a breathless whisper. “You must be a sorceress to have enchanted me so.”

  The words melted her. “Then kiss me again,” she demanded, bringing her hands up to the lapels of his jacket and pulling him against her.

  He half groaned, half laughed as his lips found hers again, gently prying hers apart as he began to stroke his tongue against hers.

  His body was so hard and strong against the softness of her own, and when one of his hands cupped her breast, she moaned aloud. Such feelings he was stirring in her; she was finding it hard to contain them. But she had to. Now was neither the time nor the place.

  With regret, she pulled away from him. “Charlotte will be back any moment.”

  Sebastian inhaled and nodded, taking a reluctant step back and dragging a hand through his hair. “You’re right. When you’re in my vicinity I tend to forget about everything else, and all I can think of is touching you…of kissing you…of taking you to my bed.”

  They were the most scandalous and passionate words she’d ever had spoken to her, and she realized that she never wanted anything as much as she wanted to be his lover. Before she could think better of it, she told him exactly that. “I want you to be my lover, Sebastian Colver. I want you to take me to your bed.” Had she really just said that? But then a boldness came over her and she stared defiantly at him. She was five and twenty, and it was time to take charge of her life and experience what it felt like to be with a man. A man whose very touch thrilled her to her core.

  She’d never seen Sebastian look shocked, but that was the expression on his face at the moment as he stood there staring at her, the pulse at the base of his neck thudding.

  He cleared his throat. “You do?”

  “I do.” She wanted him and wanted to be possessed by him.

  “Thankfully, it was only a few plates that were broken,” Charlotte called out from the door, shattering the spell, as Livie and Sebastian took a hasty step away from each other.

  “That’s lucky,” Livie replied, her voice slightly shaky even to her own ears. “I should get going, in any event. I must rest my leg before the Milbury ball tonight.”

  Charlotte glanced between them both, her eyes narrowing slightly, though she said nothing.

  “My carriage will collect you both on Monday and three of my men will accompany you,” Sebastian said, his voice confident and strong, seeming little affected by what had just transpired between them. “Don’t go anywhere without them, and they shall still continue to watch over you until then, too. Remember what we spoke of earlier, Livie.”

  He was referring to the fact they didn’t know whether she or Lady Chilton was the target. And knowing that he was obviously worried over her safety did thrill her just a bit. Or rather, a lot. “I do. And will you send me word if you learn anything about Mary?”

  “I will,” he agreed, his eyes locking upon her own as they stood staring at each other. And all Livie could think of was becoming his lover.

  Charlotte cleared her throat. “I shall see you on Monday then?”

  “Yes indeed.” Livie snapped her eyes over to the girl before briefly nodding at Sebastian and avoiding his eyes. She tended to lose herself in the steel depths of them. She strode over to Charlotte and gave her a quick hug. “It was lovely to meet you, and I shall enjoy introducing you to the Dragon Duchess, and then we shall go and have great fun spending lots of your brother’s money.”

  “God help me,” he mumbled behind them.

  “I’m certain even God himself doesn’t get between a woman and her wardrobe,” Livie replied with a quick wink toward him. Beside her, Charlotte laughed.

  “I do like you very much, Lady Olivia,” she said.

  “The feeling is mutual.” She smiled at the girl before quickly glancing back to Sebastian. “I shall see you later. And don’t worry, we shan’t bankrupt you on Monday.”

  “A small mercy.” He rolled his eyes, but then an expression of seriousness replaced the merriment. “Stay safe, my lady. I also must take my leave, though I daresay I shall see you this evening.”

  The information stopped her short for a moment. “At Lady Milbury’s ball?”

  Seb nodded. “Lord Milbury owes me several favors. And, like I said, I want to ensure my investment is protected.”

  Sebastian walked over to her and regardless of Charlotte standing there beside her, he bent down and swiftly placed a firm kiss on Livie’s lips. Livie could only blink in shock, while she heard Charlotte’s audible gasp of surprise beside her.

  “Plus, if I am there, it will hopefully ensure no more foolish escapades from you,” he murmured.

  And with that, Sebastian strode down the hall and left the residence without a backward glance.

  “How is it that you know my brother?” Charlotte asked, curiosity rife in her voice.

  “We will have a lot to talk about on the ride to my godmother’s on Monday, won’t we?” Livie replied, before she said goodbye to Charlotte and took her leave.

  For the entire ride back to her house, her thoughts were consumed with the fact that Sebastian would be at the ball tonight… Though she’d seen him at some balls in the past, she’d never actually known him then. Nor had she kissed him either…

  Thank goodness it was Justin’s turn to escort her. Of all her brothers, he was the least observant or suspicious and would happily retreat to the library for most of the ball. Because she rather suspected that Seb wouldn’t let a little thing such as Society’s edicts dictate whether he could or couldn’t speak with her tonight. And Livie was actually considering letting him. Society and the rumors in doing so, be damned.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The dancers swirled across the ballroom in perfect harmony with the orchestra, looking so magical as they spun about, that for a moment Livie wished it was she being whisked across the marble tiles, held in the arms of her dance partner.

  And for some reason, it was Sebastian’s face that came to mind as being that partner. She could almost feel his strong arms around her as he effortlessly held her while they glided around the space. But such an image was only a dream. She had never danced at a ball and never would.

  Though it was fun to imagine, if only for a moment. Especially as she’d always loved to dance as a young girl, constantly begging her brothers to dance with her in their sitting room, wanting to pretend she was dancing at a ball just like she’d seen her mother and father do when she’d spied upon them as a child.

  Until the accident, of course.

  Livie had never danced again after that day. It was part of the reason why she wasn’t particularly fond of attending balls; seeing everyone having such fun on the dance floor, knowing she could never participate.

  Sighing, Livie turned away from the tableau. She had much more important things to focus on than dancing or her lack thereof.

  For what felt like the thousandth time, her gaze scanned the assembled crowd, looking for any sign that either Sebastian or Lord Daverell had arrived. But neither had, and it was nearing midnight.

  “Dear girl, I’ve never seen you so keenly assessing a crowd before.” Demelza’s crisp voice spoke from Livie’s right, with a decided note of inquisitiveness that did not bode well for Livie. “Almost as if you are eagerly expecting someone.”

  Spinning around, Livie plastered a smile on her face, knowing Demelza would most likely see through it, but trying all the same to allay her suspicions. The last thing she needed was for her aunt’s annoyingly accurate powers of obser
vation to be directed upon her. “Good evening, Aunt.” She leaned forward and placed a kiss on each of her aunt’s cheeks.

  Demelza was dressed in a rich burgundy gown, with pearls sewn along the neckline and woven into the chignon of her dark brown hair, which was laced with white strands. As always, her godmother was the epitome of elegance and power, with an air of complete certainty radiating from her far-too-observant gaze.

  “So? Who is it you are eagerly awaiting?”

  “Actually, I’m looking for Etta,” Livie improvised, hoping that would satisfy her aunt.

  As soon as Demelza raised a perfectly sculptured eyebrow in reply, Livie knew it had not.

  “You may be able to pull the wool over your father’s and brothers’ eyes, dear girl, but I, on the other hand, am not so easily fooled. Nor am I so easily deterred.”

  Facts that were, unfortunately, quite correct. “Very well,” Livie conceded. “If you must know, I am looking for Lord Daverell.” It was the truth, or at least partially, but one her aunt was certain to find intriguing.

  “Why on earth are you seeking out that bounder?”

  Now, it was Livie who was intrigued. Demelza was a veritable fount of information; she should have thought to ask her aunt sooner about the man. “Why do you call him a bounder? He’s not generally considered so.”

  “Hmph, Society knows nothing of the truth of matters.” Demelza’s fingers tapped the top of her cane in a rather militant fashion. “Daverell is titled, attractive, can sweet-talk the ladies, and has a decided lack of morals. Such a combination guarantees a bounder. In fact, I would be rather impressed if he is one of the three bachelors named in this Bachelor Bounty Gazette, especially considering he is well-respected, when it is the last thing he should be.”

  “The gazette?” Livie didn’t know whether to be happy or terrified Demelza was taking an interest in it. “You’ve heard of it?”

  “Well of course I have. I haven’t been living under a rock, my girl. You know I pride myself on knowing what is going on in Society. And the gazette is a bit hard to miss when it’s all anyone has been able to speak of.”

  “I have heard the teaser pamphlet proved to be exceedingly popular,” Livie replied. “I just didn’t anticipate you would take an interest in it.”

  “I take an interest in everything, my dear. And I am to be sponsoring a young lady shortly.” Demelza again raised a haughty eyebrow. “I must pay close attention to the men in Society and a publication that’s sole purpose is to expose nefarious bachelors will make my endeavors a great deal easier. So why is it you wish to speak with Daverell?”

  Livie turned back to Demelza. “Because I believe he is the scoundrel who ruined Alice and if so, I intend to ruin him in turn. Now if you will excuse me, Aunt, I must go and talk to the man himself, as I have just spotted him in the crowd.”

  Surprisingly, Demelza didn’t seem the least bit fazed by Livie’s bold statement, as she gave her aunt a kiss on the cheek before striding down the staircase.

  It took her only a few minutes to find the man heading out to the balcony for presumably a cigar. Perfect. Following him through to the balcony, Livie glanced around, making certain there was no one else in earshot.

  “Ah, Lady Olivia, how good to see you,” Daverall said, catching sight of Livie.

  Feelings of rage and revulsion clawed up her throat as she stared at the man. She could scarcely see what had attracted Alice to him, but love was blind after all, and she could only imagine Alice would have been bowled over to have been paid attention to. And Daverell was handsome, in a rather slick and slimy way.

  “Does Lady Claire know?” she found herself asking him. Though she’d intended to speak with him, she hadn’t intended to reveal her hand. But now she was in front of him, the very thought of this man destroying Alice by seducing her and then abandoning her, and possibly killing her, had Livie’s good sense fleeing. She wanted the man to be punished. She wanted him to know that she knew he truly was a villain.

  The man seemed taken aback. “Know what, my lady?”

  “Of your philandering ways.”

  He blinked a few times, his posture stiffening as he eyed her warily. “I’m sorry, Lady Olivia, but I’m not certain what you mean. If you will excuse me, I think I shall return to the ball.”

  “Alice was my friend, Lord Daverell.”

  Daverell stopped in his tracks as he went to walk past her. “Is that name meant to mean something to me?”

  He was but an arm’s length from her, and Livie had to resist the urge the club him with her cane. She’d never experienced such a strong urge to hurt anyone before. “Considering you seduced and then abandoned her? Yes, I rather suspect her name would mean something to you.”

  His jaw clamped tightly, and she could see the anger mounting in his gaze.

  “You’re not referring to Lord Chilton’s sister-in-law, are you? The poor girl who jumped to her death after her ruination? Is that the Alice of whom you speak?”

  “You know it is. But did she actually jump?” Livie questioned, knowing saying such a thing was potentially unwise, especially if it were as she thought and he’d pushed Alice. But her grief for her friend was outweighing her good sense. “Or was she in fact, pushed?”

  The man shrugged. “If I am to be perfectly honest with you, Lady Olivia, I really don’t care. Jumped, pushed. It matters little to me.”

  “Perhaps it should matter.” She shrugged. “Especially as she was carrying your child at the time.”

  She could tell that piece of news had shaken him but not surprised him. He was the man who seduced Alice, of that she was now certain.

  “You are talking nonsense,” he stated.

  “Am I though?” Livie replied. “Her death came at a very convenient time for you, didn’t it?”

  “If you are daring to infer I pushed her,” Daverell ground out, “you are completely mistaken.”

  “You have a lot to lose at the moment with your recent engagement, don’t you?”

  “Are you threatening me?” he asked, taking a step closer to her.

  Livie stood her ground. “I’m not threatening you at all. I simply want you to know that I will not rest until Alice’s killer is brought to justice and is locked away for his crimes. Until he suffers and is ruined just as she was. If you had nothing to do with her ruination and death, then you have nothing to worry over, do you?” She smiled at him, hoping he could see how serious she was. “But if you did have something to do with either, you will not like the consequences of your actions.”

  “You are mad, just as she was,” he growled before striding to the balcony doors and disappearing inside.

  “Was that wise?” It was Sebastian’s voice that spoke from the shadows.

  Livie spun around with a gasp. “How did you know where I was?”

  “As I was arriving, I saw you following Daverell out here.” He shrugged. “I guessed you were going to confront him, so I followed to be certain you were safe.”

  That he was protecting her sent a feeling of pleasure through her. “He wouldn’t try anything at a ball.”

  “You’d be surprised at what people will do when threatened, Livie. Regardless of where they are,” Sebastian replied. “You should have more care for your safety.”

  “I didn’t actually intend to confront him so boldly,” she admitted. “My anger got the better of me, but as you can see, I didn’t need protecting, though I do thank you for thinking of me.”

  “I find myself thinking about you a great deal.”

  She gulped, not quite certain how to respond to such a comment. “You do?”

  “Yes, I do.” He glanced over his shoulder at the open French doors leading back to the ballroom. “Dance with me?”

  Her heart started pounding like a steam train. No one had actually ever asked her to dance before, her cane usually scaring t
hem away. “I don’t dance.”

  “Why? Because of your leg?”

  “Yes. That’s exactly why.” Was the man daft? Of course her limp prevented her from dancing. How could it not?

  “Those fops out there might not be strong enough to support you, but I can.” He held his hand out to her. “Dance with me?”

  Her breathing quickened and her palms had gotten clammy. A part of her suddenly, almost desperately, wanted to say yes, but she couldn’t. “I cannot dance with you, Sebastian. Even if you could physically support me, it would create a scandal. You know that.”

  “Do you really care what Society thinks?” He raised a brow. “Surely one dance won’t be so scandalous?”

  “Considering neither of us has ever danced at a ball before? Yes, it would most certainly invite scandal,” she declared, feeling like shaking him and knocking some sense into his head. “Not to mention, my brothers would be incensed and probably try to kill you. So no thank you, I shall pass on your invitation to dance.”

  He stood silently assessing her for a minute. “I will get you to dance with me, one of these days. That, I promise you.”

  “Now it is you who is being an optimist, Sebastian Colver.” Livie whirled around and marched to the doors, her cane clipping next to her.

  “I always keep my word, Livie.”

  She paused at the threshold and looked back over her shoulder at him. He was staring at her with an impenetrable expression. “It will be a cold day in Hell before I ever agree to dance at a ball. If you do wish to dance, then I suggest you ask my godmother, for you will have far better luck with her than me.”

  “I thought Lady Calder has a rule against dancing at balls.” His mouth twitched slightly up at the corners, suggesting he was enjoying her ire.

  “She certainly does,” Livie pertly replied. “Which should illustrate to you how serious I am about never dancing. Now, good evening.” She nodded to him before she turned and strode back into the ballroom, trying not to think of how it would have felt to have Sebastian’s arms around her in a dance, and failing miserably.