Free Lady Belling's Secret by Amylynn Bright

possible, I think you even bared your teeth at the last one who dared to approach you. If I didn’t know better, I’d think we’ve been playing cards with a rabid dog.”
    Thomas grunted. “I hardly think that I growled at anyone.”
    A polite cough from the other side of the table insinuated that, in fact, he had. “Actually, you did growl. And several times you’ve thrown the cards when you lost.” Dalton made as if to leave.
    “All right.” Thomas threw his hands up in the air. “You win. Maybe I’ve been surly.”
    “Well, obviously we won.” Christian grinned and gestured to the very small pile of money in front of Thomas and the large piles in front of Dalton and himself.
    “No need to be a churl, Christian,” Thomas stated, but he knew he’d been the one acting like a churl.
    “Right then, what are you about for the rest of tonight?” Dalton inquired as the butler went to fetch him his hat and gloves.
    “It’s still relatively early,” Christian noted. The clock announced the hour with two loud chimes.
    “Nothing else for me. If you’re both leaving, I may as well, too. As you two have so succinctly stated, I am not the best company today.” Thomas ran his fingers through his hair.
    Christian took a final drag on his cheroot before stubbing it out in a crystal ashtray. “That’s right. You were up early this morning, weren’t you? You didn’t sleep well last night? Ladies keeping you up?”
    “Just the one,” Thomas muttered. He leaned both elbows on the table and rubbed his face hard.
    “Then maybe a night in, alone, is just the ticket.” Dalton’s suggestion made Thomas laugh a bit humorlessly.
    “Or maybe a warm and willing woman is what you need.” Christian offered up his favorite solution.
    If he was busy in bed with someone else, he couldn’t possibly think about Francesca. Well, it certainly sounded good in theory, but try as he might, Thomas couldn’t bring himself to drum up enough energy to go look for anyone else. Francesca was the one he wanted.
    “Maybe,” he said just to appease his friend, hoping that he would drop the subject.
    “That’s the Thomas I know and love. A real lady killer.” Christian clapped him on the back.
    “Well, best of luck to you in your endeavors.” Dalton chuckled as pulled on his gloves and turned from the table.
    Once Dalton was gone, Christian asked, “You like him? I think he’ll be a more-than-tolerable brother-in-law. Francesca likes him, and after all, she has to live with the man, I don’t. But I think he’d be good to her.”
    “I think he cheats at cards.”
    “He does not and you know it. You really are an ass,” Christian said, laughing when he chucked him on the shoulder.
    “As you said, it’s still early. Where are you off to next? If I’m going out after all, I’d like to suffer as little tedium as possible.” And really, sleeping alone in his bed that still smelled of Francesca held no appeal. He’d just as soon go out.
    “I’m going to Holloway’s. I am sure that you will be able to satisfy your cravings for company there. About now, all of the exquisite married ladies of the beau monde will be looking for a bed partner.” His eyebrows rose up and down in a comically suggestive manner.
    It’s better than sleeping alone. “I should only be so lucky.” Thomas sighed.

Chapter Seven
    Francesca woke up anxious.
    The nerve-wracking dinner from the night before had left her with a splitting headache. She’d gone to bed early, not even bothering to come up with a plausible excuse. She’d simply wandered up the stairs after dinner. Nevertheless, she’d lain awake most of the night contemplating one line that Thomas had said to her last evening in the parlor. One simple, haunting phrase that reverberated in her brain: What if you’re carrying my child?
    She had been so busy worrying about the scandal of her engagement ending in disgrace that it never even occurred to her that she could be facing an even