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

Curtis was the one to reply, before Seb gave them a quick nod and indicted they go. The two men inclined their heads and went in opposite directions as Seb had instructed.

Tucking his spare pistol into the waistband at the back of his trousers, Seb recommenced walking straight to the lodge. An anxiousness over Livie’s well-being made his every footstep feel unbearably heavy as he trudged forward through the forest.

It felt uncannily like the time he’d discovered his mother had been taken and he was on his way to save her. He’d been too late, of course, and with a heavy heart he prayed that if there was a God, he wouldn’t be so cruel as to take away another woman Sebastian loved.

For as much as he’d tried to deny it, as much as he’d fought against it, he loved Olivia.

Hell, he’d started falling in love with her after he’d read her very first letter demanding an audience. After all, what lady would dare demand anything from the notorious Bastard of Baker Street?

Only a woman stupid or extremely courageous in her convictions would do so. A part of him had known then and there that she was different from any other lady he’d met before, and he’d been completely intrigued.

Then when he’d met her in person he’d been captivated, as much as he’d initially tried to distance himself from the feelings she stirred inside him. He had no bloody idea how they could even make any sort of relationship work between them. He was a bastard and she was a duke’s daughter. There was no escaping those two facts. Facts that meant any sort of relationship between them was all but impossible.

But Seb always liked to challenge what everyone thought was possible and what wasn’t. He’d made a fortune from betting on the impossible. But everything was dependent on whether Livie still wanted him. He’d spent the last few days making a blunder of his emotions and doing all he could to push her away.

If she wanted him, then they’d figure out a way to make it work. And perhaps, just maybe, the impossible could happen and a bastard from the streets of the Rookeries could marry a lady from Mayfair. A big if.

Especially when such a union would be certain to raise eyebrows, with the very real potential of Livie being ostracized by her peers and her family. The thought made Seb furious. If anyone in Society dared cut her for marrying him, he’d ruin them with everything in his power, and they’d rue the day they’d even thought to snub her.

As he drew closer to the lodge, he realized he might be getting away with his thoughts, because first he had to save Livie from a madman, and then perhaps if they both got out of the situation alive, he could think about how to protect her from the creatures who dwelled in polite Society.

“If there really is a God up there, I hope you’re bloody listening, because I could really do with a miracle tonight,” he whispered aloud to the night. “I gave up believing in you a long time ago, after my mother’s death, and I know you’ve probably forsaken me after all I’ve done. But please don’t forsake Livie. She’s everything I’m not; she’s so good and kind and full of love. And I swear if you save her and get her out of this situation safely tonight, I’ll believe in you again, and I’ll even go to church. Not every week, but I’ll go.”

The sound of a gunshot echoed into the night. It had come from the lodge.

Seb broke into a run, a sensation akin to panic surging through him as he jumped over logs and wove around bushes. He couldn’t be too late again. Life couldn’t be so cruel.

A minute later, Seb burst through the front door of the lodge, his pistol in front of him and his eyes desperately searching for Livie. His heart stopped when he saw a woman’s lifeless body lying on the floor, her head covered with blood.

“Sebastian!” Livie’s voice called out, and it was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

He swiveled his head to the right and there she was, sitting in a lone chair, with Clint standing next to her, his pistol held to her head. Damn bastard.

“Good, you’ve finally decided to join us,” Clint said. “Now, drop your pistol and kick it to the side, or I will shoot her.” His hand tightened on the trigger, and for a moment Seb was scared the young man might accidentally press it in his show of bravado.

Quickly, Seb dropped his pistol to the floor and kicked it to the side of the room. “Who’s the woman?”

“Lady Chilton,” Livie replied. “She was the one who killed Alice.”

“Why don’t you put your gun away before I hurt you, boy?” Seb’s voice was a low growl, and the pistol in Clint’s hand wobbled slightly. Good, he was slightly fearful of him; Seb would use that to his advantage.

“Call me boy again and I’ll happily shoot you in the leg.” Clint’s voice shook in fury, but then he seemed to compose himself and plastered an odd smile onto his face. “It is time you showed me a bit of respect, Sebastian. I’m the one with the gun aimed at your whore’s head.”

Seb smiled softly in reply, and he was satisfied to see Clint stiffen. He wanted to smash the man’s head into the wall for daring to call Livie that, but he moved not a muscle. “So, what’s all this for, then? Why have you betrayed me? I assume it’s for some sort of revenge. After all, Orestes’s main purpose was to avenge his father’s death. So did I kill your father?”

“You don’t get to demand answers from me anymore!” Clint’s arm shook as he used the gun to emphasize his point, shaking it toward Sebastian. “You should be trembling in fear! I am the one in charge here.”

“I haven’t trembled in