03 - The Wicked Lady Read Free Page B

months."
    Trevor looked at her skinny arms. He'd wager sh e'd not been eating very well. "You don't have any family?"
    She put the bandages back in the bag. "My mother died two years back, and I ran away from my stepfather."
    Trevor rubbed his chin. "I see."
    Kristen eased toward the door. "I'll just be collecting my brother, and we'll be out of yer hair."
    "I didn't say I was going to let you go."
    His brisk voice stopped her, and Kristen's breath caught. "Why not?  I've fixed yer arm and ye got yer coins back."
    "Maybe I want more." Trevor realized he wasn't too sure what he was thinking about doing was sane, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. It was possible he had the answer for one of his previous problems in this very room. "If I turn you over to the authorities, you could rot in jail for a long time."
    "Aye."  She nodded gravely and stared at him through wide, emerald eyes.
    Trevor knew he had to be insane, but he went on, "What if I offered you a . . ."  he searched for the right word. " A situation?"
    "What kind of situation?"
    "I have a small predicament that you can help me with, and in payment I won't turn you over to the authorities." He knew he was about to make a rash decision. Something he normally didn't do, but he could see the answer to his problem right before him. He could solve everything quickly and with very little effort on his part.
    "I can help ye?" Kristen started laughing. "I can barely help myself."
    "I'm serious, Kristen.  Please sit down." He waited until he had her attention again. "You see, my grandmere has decided it's time for me to marry and produce an heir. I wouldn't consider the thought, but she's been ill. Refusing her, I fear, might send her to an early grave. However, I don't care to attend every function the ton has to offer and fend off all the females looking for a rich husband."
    "So what does that have tae do with me?"
    "If you agree to be my wife, Kristen, I won't have to be bothered with looking for one. I'll have a wife, and you'll be free to do what you like. As long as I approve, of course. And I'll have my freedom, too."
    "Are ye crazy, man?  There is no way I could possibly fit into yer life."
    "I agree you will need a little polishing and ..." He wrinkled his nose. "Definitely some new clothes." He leaned closer. "But I think you're smart, Kristen. You'll learn quickly. What do you have to lose?"

Kristen shook her head, her eyes suddenly sad. "Ye should only marry for love."
    "Don't be foolish. How many loving marriages have you seen?"
    "Tae be truthful, none.  But I do believe love is out there someplace."
    He lifted her chin. "Well, maybe we'll find it. Stranger things have happened." He traced her soft skin with his thumb.
    "Yer joking me?"
    "No, Kristen. I'm serious. This is to be a business arrangement. It will get you off the streets and hopefully into a better life."
    "I don't know." She shook her head again. This whole thing seemed like a wildly spinning dream. " 'Tis tae fast. I need tae think."
    " What is there to think about?" Her cheeks flushed with her stubborn refusal, Trevor pressed on. "You should think of your brother, if no one else. What will happen to him if he stays on the street? He doesn't have that hardness about him now, but he will." Trevor looked her straight in the eyes, sensing the advantage. "Do you want him begging and stealing for the rest of his life? And what will happen to you? The next person whose pocket you pick might not let you off so easily. You'll end up in prison or as someone's whore."
    Kristen felt as though she'd been slapped, but he was right. "What you say is true." A sadness entered her eyes.  "But I'll be your whore, so there's little difference."
    Trevor took her by the arms and pulled her to her feet, looking at her steadily. "No, Kristen. You'll be my wife, and I will not touch you unless you want it also. So you have nothing to lose."
    Nothing to lose . She frowned. She would be losing her freedom. However,