At precisely the one hour mark I was coming out the front door as Bodin was headed up the steps.

Likely to come get me. I gave him a black look.

"I told you an hour." He said dismissively. Taking my valise from my hand and walking to the carriage to hand it over to the Footman who buckled it atop the carriage. The Charter's carriage was sleek and black and adorned with the green and gold coat of arms. Intricately depicted on each side. There was a bit of wood vinery which circled the base of the vehicle to add a bit of flair.

"Ginny isn't coming?" I looked back and saw she was dropping my other bag on the steps and heading back in.

"I'll send for her once you've gotten a little more comfortable so she can be doing things for you here until you're ready for her."

"But my maid is usually sent ahead..." I grumbled.

"I've plenty of maids readying things for you. I've had a room readied for you for some time. And I've lady's maids waiting to serve you."

I shot him a surprised look as he helped me into the carriage. He'd had a room ready for me for some time?

For a single heartbeat I wondered if he planned to move me straight into his chamber? I'll refuse. I'll rip the house down shouting.

Bodin settled in next to me and I gave his profile a long look.

No. He wouldn't do that.

He was too prim and proper to treat me like some mistress to be so easily dismissed.

He wouldn't do that to me...

But I could still recall the sounds he'd made while he moved atop me and the way he'd felt inside me, and I wondered if all that was really true.

What's his game?

He'd told me that he always knew how to play chess but had pretended not to in order to spend time with me.

Is that bluster? If it was really true it meant I'd painfully underestimated him.

He may be playing chess now...

***

He tapped the roof, and the driver reined the bay horses. Making the carriage lurch into motion.

I stared at Bodin staring out the window.

His silence seemed nearly painful.

"Say something." I blurted.

He didn't look at me. "What would you have me say, Belle?"

"Why were you so persistent on this course?"

"Do you understand how things work when a family member passes?" He eyed me. He rotated in the carriage to draw a boot up on the seat next to him. Resting one long leg next to it, the length of the seat. And resting one arm along the propped up knee. Rubbing the finger and thumb together thoughtfully.

"Yes, when the Lord of a house...passes..." I still struggled with the word. "Then the heir apparent can step forward to claim the property and grounds."

"Yes, do you know who that is?"

"No...I assumed it was me."

"Men rarely select a woman as their heir. She still needs a man to make arrangements and help care for her." He gave me a pointed look. "You."

"So?"

He sighed and dropped the back of his head back against the wall. "Your cousin Randy is the next Lord Demetrius."

I hissed through my teeth. "He is not! He's abhorrent."

Bodin sat quietly. Staring at the opposite wall. Still not looking at me. And refusing to engage in the argument.

Bluffing?

***

I hated my cousin Randy.

He'd always insisted on following me and often made crude comments. And once under a table, he'd tried to put his hand up my skirt.

The next day, both he and Bodin were black and blue.

I'd assumed it was because I'd told Bodin, and he'd immediately left. I figured he must've said something to my father and then Randy had hunted him down in vengeance.

He's certainly vindictive.

Father had rarely spoken of Randy. I couldn't imagine him willing Demetrius House to him.

That'd put me straight under cousin Randy's thumb. I shuddered at the idea.

But looking across the carriage I assessed the man who'd ravaged me such a short time ago and wondered if where I was going would really be any different.

***

My mind was running wildly. I stared out the window awhile and was faintly annoyed when I realized Bodin was breathing evenly from the seat opposite me.

He fell asleep? How can he be so relaxed?

I felt like my muscles were so tense, my back might snap.

But it gave me time to stare at him unabashedly. I appreciated the way his breeches tightened along his muscled thighs and his shoulders and biceps seemed to strain his overcoat despite his relaxed pose.

With dark hair curling over his forehead and those penetrating eyes closed for once, he looked like some great painting waiting to be put to canvas.

He'd seemed so aggressive and calculated lately that to see him at ease seemed nearly foreign.

I'd always imagined that even when he looked like that, he was really just wondering what to say or how to interact with people because he was so shy.

Is he right? Was I really wrong all along?

Or was it just another strategy to make me lose my footing?

***

I could remember the heat of him. How his muscles had felt. How he'd sounded but I couldn't remember how he'd smelled.

It seemed odd to me, but I couldn't place an actual smell that Bodin had.

Everyone does. How have I not noticed his? Some morbid curiosity drove me to lean across the seats and try to sniff him.

I couldn't smell anything, so I slid a foot between the seats and leaned into the open. Bracing myself along the door and the edge of my seat. I caught the hint of soap and a masculine outdoors-type aroma.

"What are you doing?" He asked without peeling an eye open.

I squawked in shock that he knew I was there despite looking like he was still asleep.

Just then the carriage dipped into a hole and launched me forward. My feet tangling in my skirts.

Bodin rounded sideways, slamming his feet to the floor as he caught me sprawling across him. His hold keeping me from hitting the wall along his side.