The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

of the Rookeries,” Demelza interrupted. “A fact that will create far more of a scandal than if you were to run off with a groom.”

“I’ve fallen in love with him,” Livie whispered.

“I know you have, my dear. It’s written all over your face.” Demelza eyed her steadily. “But do have a care, Olivia. It is not just yourself who will be affected by the decision you make regarding Mr. Colver.”

“What are you saying?”

“I am saying that there are consequences to your actions. What you do doesn’t only affect yourself, it has ramifications for all those you love. You must think carefully to determine whether you are willing to sacrifice ever seeing your family and friends again for love. Because, make no mistake, my dear, that is what you may be giving up if you choose to follow your heart instead of your head. And scandal would follow them, too, from your actions. There would be no going back.”

With a sinking heart, Livie realized the truth in her aunt’s words. “I know.”

“One gets caught up in the moment, my dear.” Demelza shrugged. “Entirely understandable, but I do caution you to make certain you understand exactly what you would be giving up to follow your heart. It is a heavy price to pay. Your father would be heartbroken to never see you again, and would suffer Society’s censure, as would your brothers, too.”

“Excuse me, Lady Olivia?” Mrs. Brooks’s voice rang out from the doorway of the library, abruptly interrupting them. “Mr. Colver is on the phone for you.”

Livie blinked, trying to concentrate on what the woman had said. “He’s on the telephone?”

“Yes, my lady,” Mrs. Brooks said. “The device is in Mr. Colver’s study.” There was a note of disapproval in the woman’s tone.

“Would you be able to show me the way?” she asked, as she took her cane and stood.

“Yes, my lady.” Mrs. Brooks nodded. “Please follow me.”

And with that the woman spun on her heel and left the room.

“If you will excuse me, Aunt.” Livie turned and began to follow the woman from the room.

“Just remember what I have said,” her aunt’s voice drifted across the room. “For there would be no going back.”

How could Livie forget it? With a heavy heart, she followed Mrs. Brooks to the study, to where presumably Sebastian would be waiting on the other end of the phone line.

The very thought of speaking with him, particularly after just talking with Demelza, filled her with both anticipation and dread. What did he want to say to her? Especially considering how they had left things earlier.

“Here you go, my lady.” Mrs Brooks gestured to an open door, which housed Sebastian’s study.

She thanked Mrs. Brooks and walked into the room before the door was closed behind her, leaving Livie alone. The room was deeply masculine, with a rich mahogany desk in the center of the space and matching bookshelves lining the walls. And there, on the middle of his desk, was a wooden telephone with the receiver piece lying beside it. She’d never actually used a telephone herself and had to admit she was somewhat hesitant about the thing. Mostly she’d seen only the big wall ones, not the latest desk telephones.

Trust Sebastian to have the latest and best. Still, it looked rather small, and how on earth did one’s voice travel through cable lines to be projected hundreds and hundreds of miles away? It was completely remarkable. No wonder the queen had exclaimed the device quite extraordinary when it was first introduced to her seven years ago by its inventor, Mr. Bell.

Livie eyed the thing, which had brass round pieces on each end, with one end having a black type of scoop attached to it. That must be the piece that you talk into, she guessed. The whole thing was connected to a wooden base with a thick piece of cord. She tentatively picked up the handle piece, noting it was rather heavy, before placing it up to her ear. “Hello?”

“Livie? Is that you?”

“Sebastian?” The voice on the other end was slightly crackly, but she instantly recognized it as his, and her heart slammed in her chest in response. “Where are you? Are you safe?”

“I am, but you’re not,” he said. “It was a trap, me coming to London. The Lads know where you are and are on their way there now.”

Livie felt a moment of panic and quickly scanned the room before glancing out the dark window. Could the man be out there now? “What should I do?”

“Stay inside and tell Mrs. Brooks to get my men to lock the house down like a fortress. I’m on my way there now; we’re just at Kings Cross station waiting for the train to be loaded with coal and then we shouldn’t be too far behind.”

“Very well,” Livie replied. “I’ll do so right away.”

“Livie, I… Damn it, I’m sorry about earlier.” The line began to crackle loudly. “Be safe, all right?”

And then the line went dead.

She stared at the telephone handle for several seconds before replacing it onto its cradle. Confusion was rolling around inside her like a whirlwind. Sebastian had just apologized. What did that mean, if anything?

The sad fact was that even if he did care for her, even only a little bit, her aunt was right, there was nothing that could come from their feelings. Not that Sebastian ever would admit to loving her. He’d made that abundantly clear.

Her being with him beyond the night they’d spent together was nothing but a pipe dream. What they had shared could never again be. But all the same, Livie would hold it close to her heart in the years to come. At least she had that.

The door to the study swung open and Livie glanced up, expecting to see a familiar face. And, though it was familiar, it wasn’t the face she’d been expecting. It was Seb’s young office clerk standing in the doorway.

“Clint, isn’t it?” Livie asked. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“I’ve just arrived a