The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies)

as Sebastian simply regarded her. “Your godmother is the Duchess of Calder, is she not?”
The abrupt change of subject had Livie at a loss for a moment. He had indeed researched her background as thoroughly as she had his. “Yes, she is. What of it?”
“And do you hold any sway with the Dragon Duchess?”
He was referring to Livie’s godmother by her nickname, something no one would dare do to the old woman’s face. Though Livie somehow suspected Sebastian Colver would. “Why are you asking about my godmother? Do you intend to proposition her instead?”
Sebastian’s whole body went rigid and what could only be a look of horror swam across his face. “Good God no, woman. Your godmother is seventy if she is a day.”
Livie shrugged. “She’s sixty-five, actually. But what else am I to think when you blithely mention your lack of female companionship to only then mention my Aunt Demelza?” She was having a surprising amount of fun teasing him.
A reluctant spark of wry amusement crept into his eyes. “Well, you can be assured that my need for female companionship is not so dire. But I do believe we can strike a bargain.”
Livie felt her heartbeat kick up a notch. Whether it was in anticipation of his pronouncement or the shock of discussing such taboo subjects, she wasn’t certain. But, nonetheless, excitement was coursing through her, and every time her eyes glanced to his a sizzling awareness ran through her. “You’ll agree to my proposal to fund the gazette?” She paused as a sudden suspicion gripped her. “What are your conditions to do so?”
“You’re a clever lady, aren’t you,” he commented, slowly rubbing at the stubble along his jawline. “And yes, I do have conditions before I will agree to your proposal.”
“I’m listening,” she said, even though the foreign thought of suddenly wanting to rub her own fingers through his stubble had come unbidden to her. “Though I warn you now, if it has anything to do with your earlier suggestion about your lack of female companionship and me assisting with that, then my answer shall be a resounding no.”
“A shame, but not unexpected,” he quipped with a shrug. “But no, it has nothing to do with that. What I require from you is to get your godmother’s agreement to sponsor Charlotte in Society. And perhaps you might teach her some etiquette lessons while you’re at it, too. Then, once the Dragon Duchess agrees to sponsor her, I will invest in your gazette.”
Suddenly, Livie’s euphoria vanished. Getting Aunt Demelza to sponsor any young lady, let alone the half sister of the Bastard of Baker Street, who apparently needed etiquette lessons, was going to be all but impossible. Aunt Demelza wasn’t secretly called the Dragon Duchess for no reason. The majority of Society thought she ate debutantes for breakfast, and Livie didn’t think they were too far off the mark.
Her aunt was the arbitrator on who was and who was not accepted in Society. Colver had done his research well in that regard. “From what I’ve gathered, you despise Society. Why would you want your half sister to become part of that world?”
“She is soon to turn eighteen, and I intend for her to marry well and have a life of luxury,” he blithely answered. “Marrying into Society will give her that.”
Livie was speechless for a moment. “Do you not think your sister will want to have a say in all of that?”
“She’s too young to know what she really wants.”
“That’s rather arrogant of you, Mr. Colver.” Livie had spent the majority of her life having her father and brothers try to tell her what she should and shouldn’t do. It was suffocating at times. “I’m sure at eighteen you wouldn’t have considered yourself too young for anything.”
“You’re right. I didn’t, and I wasn’t. By eighteen I was already running the Rookeries. However, I’ve had an extremely different childhood to that of my half sister. Thankfully, she has for the most part been kept away from the darkness that surrounds my own life, but because of that, she can be too trusting, wanting to believe the best about people. A trait it seems she may share with you.”
“A compliment, Mr. Colver?”
“No, Lady Olivia. Quite the opposite.” He shrugged. “Naive optimism is a trait that will get you killed in my world.”
Livie didn’t know quite what to say to that. “I suppose it’s lucky then that I don’t inhabit your world.”
“Exactly why I don’t want Charlotte to, either.” He sighed. “I know she won’t like being told what to do, but it will be in her best interests. Though, let us be clear, no one is to know she is related to me. I will not have her reputation tarnished through any association with me.”
There was merit to what he said. Society could be a cruel beast, and if they knew Charlotte was the Bastard of Baker Street’s half sister, it was doubtful they’d ever accept her, even with Aunt Demelza’s sponsorship. “What about my godmother, though? How can I expect her to sponsor Charlotte without telling her the truth of her relationship with you? I will not lie for you, Mr. Colver.”
Sebastian shrugged. “I don’t care what you say to your godmother, as long as you don’t tell her I am Charlotte’s half brother. It’s a secret I’ve done my best to protect for years, and I won’t have some duke’s daughter who is on some sort of self-righteous quest for revenge against the gentlemen of Society disclose that secret to anyone. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,” Livie replied, not particularly liking how he’d described her, even if it was mostly accurate. She wouldn’t lie to Demelza; she’d just have to find a way to skirt the subject.
“I’m serious,” Sebastian reiterated. “I will not have my sister placed in any danger because of being related to me. If you disclose our relationship to anyone, I will bankrupt your brother and ruin him.”
“My brother?”
“Yes, your brother, the future heir to the dukedom, Alexander.