Free The Bargain: A Port Elizabeth Regency Tale: Episode 2 by Vanessa Riley

Jonas back to their room, but even the slightest move made her shoulder radiate pain. A wince snuck free.  
    Mrs. Narvel took Jonas and stood. Her face still looked broken. “But she may awaken any moment now. We, I could…”
    “I’ll watch over her like I have the past two nights. I’m the closest thing to a doctor to care for the stubborn girl. Go on, Mrs. Narvel. You may take over again for me in the morning.”
    “Yes, sir.” With Jonas waving, the lady left.
    The door closed with a thud.  
    Lord Welling moved from the footboard and dumped his dark blue jacket into the chair. “Well, Precious Jewell, what shall we do to pass the time? Game of cards?”
    He leaned down and put a palm to each cheek. “Much cooler. You got ocean water in your lungs, but you're going to be all right.”
    He balanced against the footboard and pried off his boots.  
    She felt the weight of the bed shift as he lay down beside her. He was fully-clothed and inches from her, but a shiver started in her toes and kept going until everything trembled.
    “You’re cold.” He shifted near and carefully tucked her into his arms. “There, that should keep you good and toasty until the morning. Eliza always said I was a firebox.”
    His heavy arm now enfolded Precious. Her stiff shoulder fit next to his chest. He wasn't moving, and soon his snores began to fill her ear.  
    Half-scared, half-thawed, she stole a breath and willed herself to return to full sleep. Maybe Lord Welling would come into her dreams with his rapier, and murder the evil trapped in her head or drop him headlong into abyss over the side of the boat. If only.

    Something swatted at his face.  
    Barely opening his eyes, he caught the fingers tapping at his jaw. Fingers?
    He released them as he sat up.  
    Wide, almost wild, brown eyes peered at him from underneath him. Somehow, he’d nearly pinned Precious beneath him. “Good morning.”
    “Move,” her voice sounded raspier, more sultry than her normal tones. “Move.”
    He rolled onto his back, avoiding the temptation to pull her with him. He didn't want to frighten his mouse any more than she was. “Are you in pain?”
    With a shake of her head, she shoved on his arm. “Move.”
    He wiggled a little and produced an inch of space and bedsheets between them. “That's all you get. Any more, I’d be on the floor. Dumped from my own bed.”
    The pout on her creamy face was as delightful as vexing her.  
    “You should be on the floor, crowding me. Don't you have a boat to steer? Someone else to tease?”
    “Nope.” He raked a hand through his hair, reordering the sleep-confused style. “Not for several hours.”
    “Then I should get up and go. You’re done with me.”
      “Interesting Precious. You've been injured, but your awakening under questionable circumstances with a man in bed with you. What kind of example will you set for Jonas?"
    She sputtered, spittle drizzling onto her fine scarlet lips. “But it's your bed, your room. You put me here. You kissed me.”
    "Only ‘cause you asked, actually begged, me to."
    Those chestnut eyes exploded. She started thrashing about too wildly. She'd hurt herself. "Nothing happened. You're not mine, Jewell, though my men or Mrs. Narvel may think otherwise. Know that you can trust me.”
    One brow propped like he spoke with a forked tongue. “Like with papers? I was free and you took that away.”
    “Oh, you heard that. I….”
    With her good arm shaking, she started to swing again but stopped. "This is why you, all men, can't be trusted. You lie when your mouths move."
    The poor girl had begun to trust him. A warm feeling grew in his chest as words of explanation bubbled. “You were only free in England. People still capture blacks and take them from England to enslave them again. Now you have registered papers that will protect you in South Africa. Slavery is still legal in all of Britain’s colonies.”
    Her frown widened. “You could’ve given me the