by J. E. Clymer
He nodded. “Mrs. Livery. I like the sound of that.” He leaned in closer and she could smell the sour smell of alcohol on his breath. “How was your evening, Mrs. Livery?”
It was a mundane question, but the glint in his eyes and the inflection in his voice sent chills of disgust down her spine. “My husband and I enjoyed our evening.” She said flatly.
Carl licked his lips. “I am sure he did.” He looked at her like he was undressing her in the hall with his eyes.
Belladonna stepped back away from him. “If you'll excuse me, Mr. Livery. I was just going to see my husband.”
Carl waited until she had turned and started to walk. His hand grabbed her arm in a vice like grip. “I sincerely you will always be so...attentive to your husband's needs.”
He let go and she rushed to the study door. Carl laughed at her distress. The Earl was in speaking with George when she stepped thru the door, shutting it firmly behind her.
The Earl leveled an angry stare at her. “George, your wife is in need of some lessons. A woman does not interrupt men when they are conducting business in your study.”
“Belladonna is always welcome in my study, father.” George said slowly. He looked at her for just a moment, with wonder. “Is that for me, Bella?”
Belladonna cleared her throat. “We both missed our morning meal, so I thought we might do well to split this loaf of bread.”
The Earl let out a disgusted sniff. “She should be beaten, George. Loomcroft allows his girls too much free reign, she needs to learn her place.”
“Father, our conversation has been done for some time. I expressed my wishes for you to leave my home yesterday. Today, I am demanding it. If you are not gone by sunset, you will be sleeping on the streets.” George said with authority.
Belladonna slowly made her way to her husband's side. She slipped an arm around his back as the old man stood to leave. The Earl looked at her again. “George did not need you, Miss Loomcroft. Carl does. An annulment can easily be gotten so you can marry the right brother.”
She swallowed hard. “I am married to the right brother.”
The Earl huffed and hobbled out of the study. Before closing the door he met George's gaze. “This is not over.”
The door slammed behind him. George pulled her into a passionate kiss that left them both gasping to breathe. “Are you alright?” Belladonna asked him.
“I am now.” He said before pushing her away. “Don't stand so close, Bella. I do not have the control I would like to have after dealing with him.”
She walked around the desk and sat in a chair opposite him. “Why does your father dislike our match so?”
George slumped into his own chair. “My father prefers to have control over his sons. I have made my own way in the world, not bound to his purse strings and it upsets him.”
She nodded. He looked at her face for a few seconds before leaning forward. “Bella, you are doing it again.”
“What?” She almost squeaked, but it came out a flat and even tone.
“Acting like you don't have feelings. What do you really think?”
Her eyebrows rose in a moment of surprise. She couldn't help but bite her lip. “I wonder how such a decent man such as yourself emerged from that lot. I do not want to be around them, George. I am sorry, but I would rather manage my father's nursery during an outbreak of the coughs.”
George chuckled. “Well, at least we are of a similar opinion. Both of our families are in London, but would it please you to make this our full time home?”
Belladonna smiled. “I think it would be lovely. I am particularly fond of the beach.”
George could feel she was leaving something out. “...and...”
She blushed, turning her cheeks the color of roses and her exposed chest a lovely pink. “If we live in London Cara would expect help with the children. I will not lie; it has been grand not worrying over any children for a few days.”
“We do still have to go back to tell your father you have married. That said, most of my work can be done from here. We should only have to visit London a few times a year.” He pulled off a piece of the bread and chewed on it.
“Is there anything I can do?” Belladonna asked. “I daresay doing naught but reading the day away will not do.”
George nodded. “The house has been in need of some order for some time. Would you feel capable of taking charge of it? I can still do the ledgers if you want, or you can, whatever pleases you.”
She watched him as his attention drifted back to the papers on his desk. She pulled herself off a piece a bread and ate it as he became engrossed in his work. “You truly have work to do, do you not?”
“Yes, my dear, I do.” He said absently.
She pushed herself up out of the chair and walked towards the door. She stopped and looked back with her hand on the door frame. “Will we be leaving for London soon, George?”
He looked up at her for but a moment. “Yes, in two days time. We should not have to stay more than a week in London.”
Belladonna smiled at him with her emerald eyes sparkling. “Then you had best hurry and finish your work. I will be very disappointed to spend tomorrow alone, husband.”
George scarcely thought that he had made it thru all of his correspondence so quickly. It was difficult to force himself to take his time because he didn't want to have to be away from Belladonna at all the next day.
As he worked Belladonna busied herself by acquainting herself with the house's staff. The task kept her busy while George worked and she felt safe from her brother-in-law with the servants by her side. She couldn't help finding amusement in the diversity in George's servants.
The cook, a saintly looking woman in her forties, was actually a reformed loose woman with nine children to her name. How all nine survived, heaven only knows, but the three youngest routinely roamed the manner or attended classes in the schoolroom that George paid for because he refused to allow them to work at such a young age.
The two housekeepers were orphans of the previous town vicar. They heaped praise upon George as their protector. No man from town would bother the twins whilst knowing doing so would land them in from of George. Their aunt by marriage was the town modiste and she was very French. It was certainly for the best that they were not left to her influence alone.
The gardener was a quite sort. She didn't get much out of him but a welcome and a dismissal. The man was in his later years and walked with a painful limp. They didn't have much of a garden and she suspected George employed the man to ensure he had a roof over his head.
“Miss, I'm happy to try to fix anything you like.” The cook insisted.
Belladonna leaned against the table as she gave the older woman her full attention. “Mrs. Caster, what ever you fix will be more than satisfactory. The only time I may make a special request is if we have guests and then I will be sure to request it far enough in advance not to inconvenience you.”
George walked into the scene and smiled. Belladonna would fit well in his household. He walked up behind Belladonna and wrapped his hands around her waist. “If this one gives you any problems just let me know Mrs. Castor, I will see to it she does not do it again.”
Belladonna pushed his hands off of her body and stepped aside. “George...” She hissed at him, hoping her voice was low enough that Mrs. Caster could not hear her. “...it is not proper to be so free with your affections in public.”
He laughed and gave her a quick kiss. “I believe we've had this conversation before, wife.”
“George Livery, you are an incorrigible rake.” Belladonna huffed.
“I thought I was a flirt.” He teased.
Belladonna bit back a laugh. “No, you have more assuredly progressed to being a rake.”
He smiled and led her from the kitchens and towards the bedroom. “Then, Bella, I shall just have to spend the evening and all of the day to come doing any number of rakish things.”
They fell into bed and made love. Alm
ost thirty hours later they set sail for London.
###
Belladonna paced on the deck of the ship as they approached the port of London. Her nerves were getting the better of her. “Are you sure our marriage license will be there?” She asked George again.
He patted her face indulgently. “I am sure of it. The ship it was on was a full three days ahead of us.”
George trusted his men; they would make it to London and get the special license taken care of. He was sure of it as they departed the ship and he was positive of it the moment that they stepped into the foyer of the Loomcroft house.
They waited in the foyer. His hand rested protectively on the small of her back. Suddenly, the study door burst open. Carl rushed Belladonna and took her hands in his. “My love, I was so worried!” He looked over at George. “How can I ever repay you for delivering my wife, brother?”
The color drained out of his face just as quickly as it filled Belladonna's. Her mask of indifference fell into place. “There has been some mistake.”
Martin Loomcroft cleared his throat. “There most certainly has. Belladonna would never marry without my permission.”
Belladonna's voice filled with anger. “I would. Just not to that.” She motioned towards Carl. “Father, this is my husband, George Livery.”
Martin shook his head. “Daughter I have seen the license myself. It looks legal.”
George's mind finally comprehended that legally Belladonna was married to Carl. He rushed his brother and slammed him up against the wall by his throat. “Damn you, Carl! Did it hurt you so badly that I was happy? You can take your bloody paper and keep it. Bella is my wife.”
Belladonna rubbed his bicep. “Put him down, George. I will not see you jailed for murder.”
She turned to her father. “Papa, you can see the truth, can you not?”
Martin could feel the tears threatening to escape is old eyes. “Yes, my dear, I can see the truth. There is naught I can do to change it. With legal paperwork Mr. Carl Livery has every right to you. All I can do is cut off your dowry. It will be waiting for you and Mr. George Livery when you are no longer married to that bottom feeder.”
Carl smiled in victory and walked towards the door. “I will be waiting in the carriage wife, say your goodbyes and be out directly.”
George gripped her arms. “Do not go out that door, Bella. We will figure this out.”
“The runners are already outside,” she sniffed back tears.
Martin cleared his throat. “That blackguard can not keep you guarded at all times. Steal her away, George. The first chance you get, take my little girl out of there.”
Belladonna straightened her shoulders and walked out the door. She was so shocked by the change in her life that she could not even cry. Carl stood beside the carriage and offered her his hand to help her up in, but she did not even glance at him and hoisted herself up into the carriage.
He climbed in behind her. The sallow yellow look of his skin from too much drink appalled her when he pulled her hand into his. “You will enjoy being my wife.” He told her.
Belladonna met his eyes with her own. Her eyes flashed with green hatred, but her tone was flat. “To what ends, Carl? My father will never give you my dowry.”
“Of course he will. No father would live his daughter without adequate care.” Carl declared with certainty.
Her look went blank as she paused for a moment. “Martin Loomcroft did not earn his fortune by throwing blunt away on sentimentality. He has said he will deny my dowry, which means he will deny my dowry.”
Carl pulled her hard into his lap and almost crushed her ample bosom in his grip. He forced a harsh kiss on her mouth that almost made her heave. Belladonna chose at that moment to change tactics. As much as it turned her stomach to do it she wrapped her arms around Carl's neck and pulled him closer.
He broke the kiss with a cruel smile. Belladonna could hardly believe that the man could be so deluded as to think she would have enjoyed that kiss. She was lucky to have retained the contents of her stomach.
“See, I knew you would come to desire me as a husband.” He purred.
She pushed herself of his lap and righted herself in her side of the carriage. “What is done is done. That said, kisses is as far as we can go for at least two months. I do not want any question as to who has fathered my children. As I have lain with George, if we do not wait then I will never be sure.”
“One month would be time enough.” Carl reasoned.
Belladonna did her best to pout. “Do you wish me to look into my child's eyes and debate as to whether I am seeing your eyes or George's looking back at me?”
“I will grant you a two month reprieve from your wifely duties.” He agreed.
Two months. That was time enough to be rescued. She was sure of it. The wheels in her head started to turn. If she was going to be forced to stay with this man for as long as two months then she would make good use of that time. Then she would make him regret ever crossing her. George could finish off the scraps of what was left of his brother when she was done.
Chapter 6
Belladonna woke early the next morning, dressed and hurried downstairs to make her 'husband' tea. She smiled as she pulled the chasteberry out of the cupboard. She fixed herself a cup of tea and then prepared an entire pot for Carl.
She couldn't help but laugh as she crushed six full spoonfuls of the substance and dumped it soundly Carl's tea pot. She forced herself to be solemn, quiet, and calm as she walked the tea up to Carl's study. To her surprise her father-in-law was in the room with him.
She curtsied to the two men. “I must apologize. I thought you might enjoy a spot of tea. I was unaware we had guests.”
The old man pointed at the desk. “Put it there girl, then go.”
Belladonna nodded and did as he asked and then turned to go. Just as she turned the Earl's old hand solidly gripped on of her buttocks. Her face burned and she looked to Carl, who instead of looking outraged, looked quite satisfied with himself.
“She has nice wide hips. Perfect for childbirth. You may have this one for some time.” The old man commented before freeing her.
Belladonna did not listen to the crass conversation, but made her escape thru the door. Once outside she fumed. She would have been angrier, but the first move had already been set into play. It took her most of the night to find the correct herb she need in the library, but she was certain Carl would despair at her surprise.
She wouldn't stoop to murder, but deep down she suspected her plan would result in humiliation so encompassing that Carl would wish for death. Smiling, she tucked the rest of the bottle of chasteberry into the hem of her dress.
Meanwhile, across town George paced Martin Loomcroft's study. “How could we just let her go like that?” He asked the older man.
Martin's strained voiced replied as he tapped his desk. “You know the answer to that as well as I, Mr. Livery. We had no legal right to keep her.”
George felt sick to his stomach. He finally collapsed in the chair across from Martin. “How do we fix this? If he touches her...” His hands instinctively clenched into fists at the thought of his brother touching Belladonna.
Martin shrugged. “Of all my children Belladonna has always been the best at freezing people out. I am sure she will be able to keep the cad at bay. That said, I would also prefer we work quickly.”
George shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “What can be done in the House of Lords?”
Martin looked at the young man with interest. “Well, anything that I do, son, can only be enhanced by your own actions. As you know I am not actually a member of the House and can only call upon its members outside the chamber.”
“Consider my aid a given.” George assured him.
The two men went to work hatching a plan to get Belladonna back.
###
Carl Livery downed another brandy as he sat with his father in an gentleman’s club. It was not a gentleman’s club of note, but
a little hole in the wall that the Earl of Riverton and he frequented. They were both in a sour mood as they drown themselves in alcohol.
“We should be drinking in White's tonight. We are no longer the poor relations of the ton. My marriage to the Loomcroft girl brought us more than enough blunt.” Carl complained.
The Earl growled. “Too bad we have yet to see a shilling of it.”
“Her father would not leave her destitute. I am sure of it.” Carl hedged.
“Would he not?” The Earl mused. “The woman is positively frigid. Tell me, son, do you have a choice of madam tonight?”
“Allana.” Carl replied with a smile. “She is sure to bring far more warmth to my bed than my wife ever will.”