The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies)

by Michaels, Maddison

  “Unless your friend wishes to become a eunuch,” she said in the tones of a lady born and bred, as she deftly lowered her pistol to aim directly between Rowan’s legs, all without removing her eyes from Sebastian’s. “I would suggest you tell him not to reach for his pistol.”

  She said it as if she were suggesting they have tea.

  Rowan’s hand immediately stilled in midair, a look of profound surprise on his face. “Who the hell are you?” his friend asked her.

  Sebastian couldn’t help but smile. “I’m guessing Lady Kaitlyn Montrose,” he answered. “Am I correct?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You know of me?”

  “I do,” Sebastian answered, reclining back in his chair. “Your reputation precedes you. I doubt there are many ladies adept at using pistols and knives, and even fewer who carry them on their person.” He glanced down at the knives she had strapped in sheaths on her belt.

  “Good, that will make matters easier,” she replied, pulling out one her knives and spinning it in her free hand, all the while keeping her pistol steady on Rowan with her other hand. “For you know what I am capable of.”

  Seb couldn’t help but be impressed with her skills. She was indeed a weapon, just like Livie had described. “I do know. But there was no need to beat up my men just to speak with me. After all, a friend of my wife is a friend of mine. Though I wasn’t aware you’d arrived back in the country. Livie will be happy to see you.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Livie is the purpose of my visit.” She suddenly cocked the hammer of her gun. “I will not warn either of you again.” She glanced briefly at Rowan, who had moved his hand closer to his jacket. “Do you wish to never father children? Because do that again and that is what will occur.”

  There was such a look of consternation on his friend’s face that Seb couldn’t help but chuckle. “Leave us, Rowan. And close the door behind you.”

  “Leave you with the she-devil?” Rowan spluttered. “Never.”

  Lady Kaitlyn’s eyebrow rose at the comment, but she stayed silent, her whole body relaxed but braced for action, her weapons at the ready.

  “I’ll be fine,” Seb assured him, watching as Rowan reluctantly stood and, skirting well away from the lady, stalked from the room, shutting the door behind him.

  “You can lower your weapons,” Seb offered. “I will not harm you.”

  Lady Kaitlyn seemed to find his comment amusing, for she laughed. “You could try, Mr. Colver. But I wouldn’t like your chances.”

  A part of Seb agreed. Though she appeared every inch the lady, her eyes showed a depth of darkness that was similar to Seb’s own. The woman had seen horrors, and had most likely killed, too, of that he would lay money on. Plus, she’d obliterated his men in short order, meaning she was clearly a woman to take seriously.

  She uncocked her pistol, though left it resting by her side as she slipped her knife back into her belt. “Now, you can start by telling me how you coerced Livie into marrying you. And I swear to you, if you lie to me, you will not like my response.”

  Seb could tell the woman was genuinely concerned for Livie, and that fact earned his respect instantly, and he knew he had to be honest with her. Clearly, she would fiercely protect those she loved, and Seb really didn’t want to fight and potentially hurt Livie’s friend. Though he was honest enough to imagine he would also be a fair bit bruised and battered in the process, considering how she’d dealt with his men. This was a woman to reckon with.

  “I didn’t coerce her,” he answered. “I love her and she loves me. It’s as simple as that.”

  “The Bastard of Baker Street doesn’t love anyone,” she replied. “’Tis rumored you love only money.”

  “I can’t deny I love money.” He shrugged. “But you’re wrong about me not loving anyone. I love Livie with all my heart, and I will protect her with all that I have. I would give my life for hers in an instant, and that, Lady Kaitlyn, is the truth.”

  They both stayed silently staring at each other for the longest time.

  “I’ve seen what you did to that man Flintock,” Kat’s voice broke the silence. “And I promise you, it’s what I will do to you if you ever hurt Livie or break her heart. Do you understand me?”

  Seb smiled. “I normally don’t take well to being threatened. But considering you are doing so to protect my wife, I like you all the more for it.” And it was true. There was something about Lady Kaitlyn that reminded him of himself. A most unusual lady, and one he imagined would scare most men, regardless of her beauty. Though of course, she wasn’t as beautiful as his Livie. No woman would ever be as beautiful as Livie.

  The door to his office suddenly swung open. “Kaitlyn Montrose! What on earth are you doing?” It was Livie standing there, fury burning in her eyes. “Storming into Sebastian’s office, hurting his poor workers out there, all to do what? Threaten my husband? Before even coming to see me, after months abroad?”

  His wife stalked into the room, her cane decidedly sharp as she jabbed it against the floor until she stood in front of Kaitlyn, her belly protruding between them.

  “You’re pregnant?” Lady Kaitlyn said, appearing slightly surprised and surprisingly uncomfortable as she glanced down at Livie’s belly.

  Who would have thought his wife being pregnant would throw Lady Kaitlyn, when a whole corridor filled with ex-boxers hadn’t?

  “Yes, I am pregnant, Kat,” Livie replied. “And you are going to be this child’s godmother, so you better start getting along with my husband instead of trying to fight with him. Do you understand?”

  Lady Kaitlyn could only nod, an expression of perhaps fear in the woman’s eyes with the news.

  “My darling, surely being angry isn’t good for the baby?” Seb stood and walked over toward the women. “Why don’t you sit down.”

  “Don’t you ‘my darling’ me!” Livie spun around to him. “And don’t you treat me like an invalid, just because I am pregnant with your child.”

  His wife had been a touch cranky over the past few months as she’d gotten larger with his child. Sebastian, on the other hand, had gotten much more patient in response.

  “Perhaps you should sit down, Livie,” Kat said, appearing slightly alarmed at Livie’s outburst. “You seem rather out of sorts compared to usual. And I imagine he’s right, anger is probably not good for the baby.”

  “Of course I’m out of sorts!” Livie declared, throwing her arms in the air. “I had to waddle here like an elephant when I heard news that you had returned to the country, seeking out my husband instead of me.”

  “How did you know I’d returned?” Kat asked with a frown.

  “I asked Fenton to let me know, for I knew you’d be on the warpath if you heard I’d married Sebastian. Thinking I’d probably been forced to do so. Am I correct?”

  Kat had the grace to look slightly abashed. “Perhaps.”

  “Hmph. I knew it,” Livie declared, placing one hand on her hip. “But if you had visited me first, I could have told you the truth of it, that I love him.” Her face softened as she glanced over to Sebastian. “That I love him more than I thought it possible to love someone.”

  “You do?” Kat asked, her eyes intently searching Livie’s.

  Livie nodded. “I certainly do.”

  And whatever Lady Kaitlyn saw in his wife’s eyes must have convinced her, because she nodded before reaching over and hugging Livie tightly but gently. “Then I am happy for you, my dear friend. But I wanted to be sure, and I wanted to make sure he loved you, too.” She glanced over her shoulder back at him.

  “I’m glad I pass muster.” Seb winked at them both.

  “That is still to be determined,” Kat replied with an arch of her brow, but then her eyes narrowed upon him. “Be sure to protect her with your life, Colver. And protect her heart, or I will do as I promised.”

  “What did yo
u promise, Kat?” Livie asked, suspicion laced in her voice.

  “Simply that I would do to him as he did to Edward Flintock. If he hurts you, it is the least he will deserve.”

  Livie merely sighed. “Of course you threatened him.”

  Kat shrugged. “You know I protect those I love.”

  Livie shook her head but smiled. “That I do. Any luck on your trip?”

  “No. But I have not given up hope.” Kat’s eyes turned fierce. “I will find the Chameleon and avenge Victor. But for now, I shall leave you both in peace, for my job in warning your husband is done,” she directed at Sebastian before returning her attention back to Livie. “Are you free tomorrow for me to visit?”

  “Yes,” Livie answered. “That would be wonderful.”

  “Good. I shall see you then.” Kat gave her a kiss on the cheek and then strode from the room, passing the fallen men she’d effortlessly tore through without a backward glance.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like your friend,” Sebastian murmured as he leaned down and breathed in the sweet scent of Livie’s freshly washed hair. “She’s, um…different.”

  Livie laughed. “I did warn you. I do feel sorry for your men, though.” She glanced out into the room beyond, where his men were still moaning as they nursed their injuries.

  “It’s rather impressive what she did to them, without breaking a sweat,” Seb replied. “I never would have thought it by looking at her.”

  “That’s partly why Kat is so successful.” Livie shrugged. “Everyone always underestimates a woman.”

  “I would never underestimate you, my love.” Seb kissed the top of Livie’s head before scooping her into his arms and carrying her over to the lounge by the window.

  “What are you doing, husband?” She squealed as he sat down with her in his lap.

  “I’m seeing that you rest your feet, my dear.” He gently rubbed his hand over her belly and thought about how truly blessed he was to have found Livie. Or rather, to have been found by Livie. “I really was lost before you came into my life,” he murmured against her ear.

  “We both were, my love,” she replied. “But luckily we found each other.”

  “Do you ever regret it?” he asked her. Though she wasn’t shunned by Society, he and her family had seen to that, she certainly wasn’t embraced by them, either, as she would have been if she’d married someone from her own ranks. “Marrying me? And not some earl or duke?”

  “Not for even a second.” She reached her hand up to his cheek and stroked along the length of his scar. “I don’t need a title to be happy. Just your love, Sebastian Colver.”

  He felt a kick under his hand and smiled at Livie. “Well, you certainly have my heart. And I promise I will protect you and our family with everything that I have. With everything that I am.”

  “I know you will, my love.” She gently pulled his head down to her own and kissed him softly.

  Sebastian breathed in deeply. Contentment filling him to his soul. “I love you and our unborn child so damn much, Livie. You are everything to me.”

  “As you are to me, Sebastian.” She returned his smile with such love in her gaze, that Sebastian knew then that this woman who had stolen his heart would hold it until his last breath.

  Who would have ever thought that the Bastard of Baker Street would find love with a duke’s daughter? And that she would love him in return?

  Not for the first time, Sebastian thanked God for giving him Livie. His Livie, forever and for always.

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  Acknowledgments

  Firstly, I wanted to give a very special thanks to my amazing editor, Stacy Abrams, who has been nothing but supportive over what can only be described as a very tough twelve months for me. Her kindness and understanding was so very much appreciated and will always be remembered. Stacy, thank you, you are a wonderful editor and such a lovely lady. I’ll be forever grateful to you for your compassion and flexibility.

  Secondly, I wanted to thank another equally amazing lady; my fantastic agent, Pamela Harty. Pamela, thank you so much for being there for me and always touching base to see how I’m going with everything. You really are an awesome person and I’m very lucky to have you as my agent.

  And finally, a big shout out to all of the crew at Entangled Publishing, who work so hard behind the scenes to make fiction magic happen! A big thanks to you all, you are the glue that keeps everything together and your efforts are very much appreciated.

  About the Author

  Indoctrinated into a world of dashing rogues and feisty heroines when she was a teenager, Maddison Michaels is a bestselling, award-winning Australian romance author who loves to write sexy history with a dash of mystery! Her debut novel, The Devilish Duke, won the 2019 Romance Writers of Australia Historical Romance Book of the Year. Maddison lives in Sydney with her gorgeous hubby and daughter and always starts her day with a cup of liquid gold…coffee (just quietly, she’s addicted to the stuff)!

  Maddison loves hearing from her readers and can be found on the following social media platforms:

  Facebook: facebook.com/MaddisonMichaelsAuthor

  Instagram: instagram.com/maddisonmichaelsauthor/

  Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/maddison-michaels

  http://maddisonmichaels.com/

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