Page 64 of A Scandalous Bargain
Thomas watched as Regan slipped into his chamber. “I think so.” He stood and helped Beatrix up. “You don’t really have to stay. I can say you needed to leave.”
“Absolutely not. I said I would tell her a story, and I won’t disappoint her. What kind of friend would that make me?” She tsked, her eyes narrowing briefly.
Thomas caught her hand before she could move toward his bedchamber. “You are wonderful.” He kissed her wrist and looked into her eyes. “But know this is not the way I imagined you in my bed.”
Her brows climbed her forehead. “You imagined that?”
“Often.”
He felt her shiver.
“Well, this is still quite lovely—for other reasons. Come, I’m going to tell a story about two sisters.”
“Is it autobiographical?”
She lifted a shoulder. “You’ll have to stay awake to find out.”
“Oh, I intend to. After all, I have to take you home.”
The exhalation that passed her lips was tinged with regret. “Yes. But first, the story.” She grinned at him before turning and going into his room.
Thomas hesitated before following her. He couldn’t quite believe how much his life had changed in such a short time—and for the better. Entering the chamber, he stopped short, his breath hitching completely.
Beatrix lay on top of the coverlet next to Regan, who was burrowed beneath it. Both were propped against pillows. As he watched them, emotion curling in his chest, Regan snuggled into Beatrix’s side. Beatrix’s mouth pulled up, and she put her arm around his daughter.
“Once upon a time, there were two sisters, both with fair hair, one tall and one short.” Autobiographical, then.
Regan patted the space on her other side. “Aren’t you coming, Papa? You’ll miss the story.”
He had to clear his throat. “Yes, of course.” He hastened to the bed and slid over the coverlet until he was next to Regan. “Better?”
She looked up at Beatrix. “Continue, please.”
“Now, where was I? Yes, one tall and one short. They were sent away to boarding school by their evil stepfather.”
“What’s board school?”
“A horrible place,” Beatrix said drily.
Thomas made a mental note to ask Beatrix why she’d said that. “It’s a school where students go and live.”
“Will I go there, Papa?”
He leaned down and kissed her head. “No.”
“Because you aren’t evil.” Regan yawned.
“I hope not.”
Beatrix’s eyes met his as she whispered, “Not even close.”
“What happened at the board school?” Regan asked, yawning again.
“The sisters were taunted by the other girls.” Was that true? Thomas wanted to know everything.
Regan looked up at Beatrix. “Why?”
“Because the sisters were smart and pretty, and the other girls were jealous. They did their best to get the sisters in trouble.”
