He caught my wrist. Halting me moving the bedding and gave me a dark study.

I blinked at him, offering apologetically. "I should get back to my room before my maid misses me."

Releasing me, he sat up to look at me. The bedding slipping down over his rippled abdomen. "Good Old Ginny."

There was clear dislike in his voice.

"Why do you say her name like that?" I called him out.

"Because I don't like her, don't trust her, and I'm beginning to suspect she may have been part of your father's murder."

Murder?

He was poisoned and Bodin knows it!

But did he do it? My mind was racing. Trying to fully process what he'd said.

Ginny?

I gave him a startled look. "What are you saying?"

He sighed and slid up the back to sit up. Giving me a pensive glance. "I think he was killed, Belle."

"Why do you think that?"

He tilted his head and gave me a chastising look. "Don't tell me you hadn't suspected the same thing."

"I did."

He groaned and deflated as he expostulated. "I can already guess from your tone, you somehow thought I'd be capable of that?"

"Well, did you?" I asked. Despite that the context of what he was saying had already alluded to me he didn't.

I needed to know.

"Of course not!" He tossed his hands. "He was like a father to me too."

I chewed my cheek and looked away guiltily. Feeling foolish for ever having wondered otherwise. Then my head shot up to meet his gaze. "Why do you think, Ginny would do it?"

"Because I believe she's in alliance with Randall."

"Randy?" I shook my head in confusion. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"Ah, Belle." He shook his head. "You're a brilliant woman but sometimes I wonder if what's right before you, could hit you with a stone before you saw it."

I gave him a disdainful look. My lip curling. "Insulting."

"But true." He shrugged. "I've never coddled your emotions. You know that. It was my understanding you always preferred the truth."

"I do." I frowned.

Didn't mean I enjoyed hearing something that rude.

***

"I don't think Ginny even knows him."

"She knows him." Bodin argued. "She went back this last sevennight to meet with him. Did she even bring back what she'd gone for?"

My mouth dipped. "I don't know what she went for."

He was silent long enough I looked at him again. Wondering what was going on in his mind. I found him blinking slowly as if that was evidence enough.

Perhaps it is.

"I'm sure she noticed I was missing something!" I defended.

Why am I defending her? I barely know her.

But she's never wronged me!

That I know of. A tiny voice whispered into my mind.

"Why would Randall need an ally and why would he be behind murdering father?" I exploded. Nearly sobbing at even spitting out the words. I pictured my father's laughing face. His kind demeanor and couldn't imagine anyone harming him. I'd witnessed many of his interactions with Ginny.

He was never anything but kind to her.

She couldn't have killed him!

Could Randall have?

Bodin was watching my face. Giving me time to process the thoughts ripping through my pained mind.

"Why would he do that, Bodin?" I persisted.

"What did he gain?"

"Demetrius House."

"Indeed." Bodin nodded slowly. "But what of the fortune?"

"Most of that is in my dowry."

"So, what else would he need to acquire all your father's worldly wealth?"

I looked at Bodin askance. "He could only do that by wedding me."

"True."

"He's said nothing of it."

"He will. He'd made clear his intentions prior to your father's death."

"To whom?"

"To me, to several acquaintances he didn't know resided in both of our circles and before several of his servants. Which in turn, got word to me."

I shook my head in confusion. Struggling to follow.

"Why would you want word of such a thing."

"Because everyone knows I've always looked after you?"

"What!" I tossed my hands. Glaring at him. "I've never needed taken care of!"

"Belle..."

"In what way, have you tended me?" I crossed my arms over my still-bare chest.

"Your father would have had you wed years ago. Why do you think suitors have not come a-calling."

"I've made my unwillingness to wed apparent." I said acidly.

"A woman of beauty and wealth doesn't truly have a choice in the public eye. Not if her father condones the wedding."

"You think father would've?"

"Don't you?"

I mulled that over.

"He knew he was ill and wanted you taken care of."

"Is that how you persuaded him to make me your ward?" That thought was stunning.

"Yes!" He nodded as if that was evidence. "I was the first to offer and his answer was immediate. Imagine if Randall Demetrius had offered first. Or coerced him to change his will. You could belong to him already."

"Surely, he'd not marry me simply for money. He does have his own." I pointed out. Feeling much relieved to realize it.

"No." Bodin shook his head. "I've had men looking into the matter and found that he has gambled much of that wealth away. And atop that, he has a deep unabiding hatred for me. Which would be greatly assuaged by him possessing you."

"How?" I was more confused then ever. And it was beginning to feel like he was being purposely obtuse now.

"Because all of the country knows I've laid claim on you."

***

He's told them he bedded me. Horror washed over me, and I felt the blood drain from my face. I reached up and hesitantly covered my gaping mouth.

He twisted and caught both my wrists. Half-laughing as he shook his head wildly. "No, Belle. Not like that."

"Then how?" My voice was so soft that even I barely heard it.

"I've told them to back off. Paid people to find interest elsewhere and possibly...dissuaded some from pursuing their course."

"Is that a fancy way of saying you threatened them?" I did know, thanks to Sarah, that Bodin was an adept pugilist and positively lethal in munitions.

Very few were so bold as to challenge him to a duel. At least as Sarah had relayed to me.

One of the many times she'd tried to coax me into lending him more favor.

"Indeed." He gave a grudging head tilt. "It is."

"Why would you do that!" I emphasized each word. Somewhere between horror and rage. Unable to decide which was more prevalent this moment.

"Because I knew you'd no intention of wedding any of them, to save you for myself, and to keep the drama from bothering your already-ill father."

The latter I could certainly appreciate. I could imagine how father would've taken it when I fiercely rejected some man, he'd approved to be my wedded partner.

I'd have publicly spurned him. And, as usual, it would've been my father enduring the shame of my hasty actions.

I'd felt quite guilty for such things before. I knew that often enough, my mouth got ahead of my good sense.

Though I'd never appreciated Bodin pointing it out.

Something he seems to quite enjoy doing.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked quietly.

"Because your innocence is well and gone, and I've no desire to keep secrets from you any longer."