Free The Bellerose Bargain by Robyn Carr

the coach and helped the driver get the luggage to the ground. "My lady," he urged from outside. The door stood open and Alicia made no move. "Lady?" he questioned. He looked into the coach and saw that she sat back in the seat, her hands folded in her lap and her eyes focused on the opposite seat. She had expressed no fear or apprehension until now. He understood immediately what he must do. His hand rested lightly on hers and he leaned into her gaze. "Lady Charlotte," he urged gently. "We’ve arrived." And in a very soft voice he added, "I won’t leave you right away and I promise you’ll be all right."
    With a deep breath she prepared to disembark, holding on to Rodney’s steady hand the entire time. Her trembling was hidden in the large hand that helped her. Her knees threatened to buckle as she stood on the ground before the palace, but true to his word, Rodney did not allow her to test her strength. He tucked her arm in his and gave her a moment to judge the huge structure and gain her composure.
    Alicia had no way of knowing what portion of the palace they entered. Her wild imagination insisted that just inside the double doors she faced, there would be a huge gallery and a great king on the dais at the end. What she could plainly see were several handsomely garbed gentlemen lounging and laughing with two elegantly gowned young women. The finest dress she had ever worn in her life seemed a rag in comparison. She had risen early in the morning to labor over her hair, for the use of ribbons and pins was new to her, but she could see from the modern and artistic coiffures of the ladies that she was nothing more than a peasant. Her trembling hand uneasily touched what had earlier seemed a daring curl.
    Her eyes met Rodney’s. She was feeling physical pain in her back and legs just from the fear of passing them to enter Whitehall. His eyes were warm and reassuring, his mouth firmly set in a confident smile. He patted the hand that touched his arm and took a step, refusing to delay any longer lest she faint from fear of the unknown.
    Alicia had expected the nobles at the door to present their backs as she passed, so weak was her self-esteem at the moment. But to her surprise, plumed hats were swept off and bows greeted her.
    Rodney bowed in return. "I’ve brought Lady Charlotte Bellamy by His Majesty’s request," he announced loudly. "Can anyone direct me to her apartments?"
    One handsome young man spoke out quickly. "I can’t say where she’s lodging, sir, but her arrival is all the talk. The guard will know and will take you himself." The man then bowed again, and addressed Alicia. "Welcome, my lady. Your servant."
    Alicia smiled nervously, feeling her normal breathing return for a moment. She detected a kindness, and some of the fear dissipated, but quickly returned when she noticed one of the young maids speaking behind her fan to the other, and the laughter was loud in their eyes. Here, as at the inn and other places, she would be cut apart from the other young women and ostracized. Her heart began to flutter anew. But to the young man who had been pleasant, she smiled again and nodded once.
    Within the palace, the galleries were large and spacious, but there was no great hall just inside. Rather, there were bustling servants, lazy guards, and dogs flopped on the floors. The driver of the coach gawked and moaned so as he entered with the baggage that Alicia’s staring did not look so obvious. After questioning several people just inside the door, a uniformed footman went off to ask where the lady was to be taken. Rodney and Alicia were left to wait and watch people pass without a nod or word of greeting.
    Rodney was beginning to chafe at the wait when a servant, not the man sent, but one wearing different livery, approached them in the gallery. He looked the three of them up and down, smirked slightly at the worn baggage, and faced Rodney to ask, "Lady Charlotte Bellamy?"
    Rodney’s eyes glared at the man’s