Free The Earl's Bargain (Historical Regency Romance) by Cheryl Bolen Page A

impropriety of
traveling with a man?"
    "Of course not," she countered. "But there's
Ellie to think of, and. . ." She withdrew her gaze from him and
stared into her lap. "Could we bring Ellie?"
    "I see no reason why we couldn't."
    "When would you want to go?" she asked.
    "As soon as you can pack."
    "But Jeremy Bentham's visit is but days
away."
    "Is that more important than a lifetime free
of financial woes?"
    She hesitated.
    "Do you plan to take care of your sister
indefinitely, or does she return to your father's home?"
    "She will never return there," Louisa
snapped, anger in her voice.
    Why did she feel so strongly about keeping
her sister with her? "Then, may I suggest you think of your
sister's welfare. You certainly would not be able to make a home
for her if you had no funds."
    God but he could barely make eye contact
with her. Her eyes were so soulful. There was another emotion in
the depths of those incredible eyes. Was it controlled anger? Why
would she be angry with him? He was merely trying to help her.
    She lifted her chin defiantly.
    He got to his feet. "Think on it tonight.
I'll be here with my travelling coach in the morning."
    Minutes later Ellie came flying through the
door. She had gone out without her bonnet, and her face was flushed
from the sun. "Mr. Coke has agreed to come see Mr. Bentham speak!
Is that not wonderful news?"
    Louisa looked at Ellie sympathetically. How
could she keep her poor sister away from Jeremy Bentham's talk? He
was growing old, and this might be Ellie's only chance to ever see
the great man.
    That night sleep eluded Louisa. She wanted
the things Lord Wycliff offered, but could she really trust him? It
was not, either, right to force Ellie on a trip that would not only
take more than a week but would also prevent her from seeing Jeremy
Bentham.
    She thought about leaving Ellie behind and
going to Cornwall alone with Lord Wycliff, but she did not think
being alone with the man for days on end would be a good thing,
especially since he had a most unsettling effect on her. Not to
mention that he was a man, and they were not trustworthy.
    It was almost dawn when she made her
decision.
     

Chapter 7

    By the time a bright sun streamed through
her chamber window, Louisa was completely dressed in a traveling
costume and sat at her desk writing a note to Ellie.
     
    My Pet,
    I'm am sorry to say I've been called out of
town to attend to affairs dealing with Godwin's estate. I doubt if
I'll be back in time to see Mr. Bentham deliver his speech. Mr.
Coke will do me the goodness of escorting you to see Mr. Bentham,
and you must have Cook accompany you as chaperon. It wouldn't do to
tarnish your reputation. Mr. Coke, especially, would not care for
that at all. All my love.
    Louisa
     
    She dried the quill, then wrapped it in a
piece of old cloth and placed it in her portmanteau with the rest
of her things. Perhaps she could finish her essay on labor
unification during the journey that lay ahead.
    She heard the wheels of a coach rattle on
the street below, and she lifted the bulky bag and carried it
downstairs.
    Once she edged open the front door, Lord
Wycliff bounded up the two steps and relieved her of the bag. She
noted that he too was dressed for traveling. No silken finery
today, nor his ever-present black. Today he wore fawn colored
pantaloons with boots and a greatcoat.
    He gave her bag to the coachman, who placed
it on top the carriage before he hopped opened the door for Louisa
and his master.
    "Before we leave London," Louisa said, "I
beg that you impart to Mr. Coke the necessity of him escorting my
sister to see Mr. Bentham."
    "I have already done so."
    Her brows winged together. "How did you know
I didn't wish to bring her with me?"
    "Because I knew you couldn't deprive her of
the pleasure of seeing Mr. Bentham."
    She shot him an angry glance then lifted the
curtain to peer from the glass. Louisa didn't at all like the look
of the skies. Clouds were gathering, and rain seemed