The Bellerose Bargain by Robyn Carr Read Free Book Online

that dropped around her shoulders. Combs, she thought despairingly. A brush and combs would greatly improve her looks, but in the inn, she had shared the one brush with three other maids, and, though she might have made away with it without being caught, it had not occurred to her to take it. She wished now that she possessed a more devious and self-serving mind.
    "He won’t find much to delight himself in," she told the mirror quietly. "When he spies this wench he’ll likely keep running for days."
    Anticipation had churned within Alicia’s stomach several hours earlier when Rodney delivered her to the inn. He had a meal served to her and explained that his young lord’s ship was nearby, and he would hasten to him with the news. "I expect to be bringing Lord Seavers here to meet you very soon." Anxiety drove hunger away and she was unable to eat her meal. Regret grated like rough wood inside her stomach now, for she was very hungry and dinner time was long past. Rodney had been gone for hours.
    The crashing of glass below her caused her to start again, and this time she rushed to the bed to grab hold of the leather pouch that held her coins. There was no place within the practically naked room to hide her fortune, and she greatly feared being robbed and molested while alone in this place. She tucked the pouch into her modest bundle of clothing and gave it a pat, finding the hiding place unreasonably insecure.
    "Fine bargain, this," she hissed. "A hundred pounds’ll fit me fine when I’m dead and thrown in the street."
    The sound of a key in the lock seemed to show her fear was justified, and she turned toward that portal with immediate terror. The clicking, turning, picking, and grinding seemed to go on forever, while Alicia grabbed her small bundle and backed away from the door to the farthest corner of the room. When the door finally opened, she saw the reason for the lengthy fumbling. The man opening the door could barely stand and leaned against the frame for badly needed support. Her first thought flashed: If he can’t walk he can’t kill me.
    "Aha," the man said when he saw her.
    She retreated even more, her back flush with the wall.
    "Ah, yes," he said, his voice slushy. "Aye, you’re the one. And you’ll make a mighty fine bedmate once we get you washed."
    He entered and turned to the door to close it and began fumbling with the lock from the inside. Alicia’s heart was pounding mercilessly as she watched him attempt to lock them both into the room. The process of locking the door took nearly as long as unlocking it had, and when he turned to face her again he had a smile of victory on his face. He looked not vicious but boyish with his grin. She could not help noticing that he was dressed richly and was quite handsome. Mother of God, she silently prayed, do I give thanks that it is not a wretch who attacks and robs me?
    He dropped the key into his jacket pocket and looked her up and down, his grin vanishing and a look of consternation replacing it. "God’s bones, where’re you from and who, heaven help me, is your seamstress?"
    Alicia’s brows drew together in a frown. Then that vanished into a look of astonishment as she wondered how she could be insulted in all her terror.
    "Even your shoes..." he started, halting abruptly to belch loudly. He swallowed and regained his attempt at dignity. "Even your shoes are worthless. Did you slop hogs ‘til coming here?"
    "Leave me alone," she said quietly. "Go away."
    "But I can’t, maid," he said, spreading his arms in mock helplessness. "Destiny brings us together and we are meant...umm...destined to be together... you and I." He shook his head, and his sandy-colored hair flopped about like a thatched roof in a rainstorm. "We need each other."
    "Don’t touch me," she begged, her bundle clutched tightly to her chest as she attempted to melt into the wall.
    "Don’t worry." he grimaced. "God’s blood, would I be here if touching you before you’re bathed were