Everything I Do, I Do For You

Chapter 9

She could understand to some extent him trying to woo her. Many had tried and failed before. She had prepared herself for whatever comments he made. But when he had the gall to make a comment about her naked, something had set her off. In that moment, Belinda Bassett had decided that if Kellan Butler wanted her so badly, she would give herself to him. But when the time came she would break him down even more than she had planned for before. It would go against her lifelong dream. She would marry Kellan Butler if he asked, but she would make his married life a living hell.

"No no, it's fine" she composed herself, "Well no it wasn't, but I understand you are sorry."

She watched the embarrassment wash off his face. "I feel... I feel I should tell you about myself. I enjoy boxing. In fact I was one of the best fighters at Oxford." She watched him pretend to fight an invisible foe.

"I hope you studied well there too." She added.

"Of course" he replied, dropping his hands, "I studied history."

"Really?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. I find the failures of Rome and Greece interesting." he confessed.

"Yes but wouldn't a Earl require a more important degree?" she dug into him

"Well... I really had no idea I'd ever be the Earl."

"You're joking!" she didn't realize how daft men could be. No wonder he had taken to Bitty Carterbank.

She watched his face contort slightly, something must have flown into his eye. "I was.. I am a second son. My brother was set to be Earl next. He died earlier last year."

Every plausible retort she had planned melted away from her. Surely someone must have mentioned the Earl's passing, but she was too wrapped up in her personal life to care. "I'm sorry."

"You're not the consumption" she watched his eye twitch again, "So you have nothing to apologize for."

There was an air of uncomfort between the two of them for a few moments. As bad as she felt for saying something so careless, she would not give up on her plan. Besides, if she was with someone, she would get her parents off of her back. "You will dance with me tomorrow night? If you're trying to woo me, you probably should dance with me at least once."

"Oh yes..." his voice shifted, "I guess that means it's working then?"

"No. not at all, I just am being generous. Plus you have yet to see me dance."

Belinda was not a horrible dancer. She wasn't perfect, like her younger sister Caroline, but she was good. Tomorrow, she told herself, she would dance poorly. Unless he enjoyed that, then she would dance most excellently. "Goodness!" she exhaled loudly as she took down her hair after arriving home that afternoon, "this would be challenging." Not that she would shy away from a challenge. She was horribly competitive. When she was younger, she would challenge her two sisters to anything. Even one time she challenged her sisters to see who could skin their knees first. (neither of her sisters had taken up on her offer, so she had one by default.)

She fell asleep that night imagining both possibilities with extravagant glee. She'd enjoy stepping on his toes, watching his mouth wrench with pain. Then she'd imagine him, mouth wide open, being amazed at her skills. If anyone could watch her while she slept, they could not help enjoy watching the nearly rhythmic giggles escaping her sleeping lips.

The next morning, she woke extra early and hurried to meet her mother, "Which dress should I be wearing tonight? I want to look nice with Kellan"

Daphne nearly choked on her tea, "I never thought I would hear you say that. You must like him."

Belinda cocked a smile, "I definitely am enjoying myself." She took the toast from her mother's plate and took a bite, "but I don't think you should be planning anything any time soon."

"Well, as much as I fear what you mean by that, I think that you look the best in your peach dress. It suits your hair nicely." Daphne replied, taking her toast back.

"But that one is so..." Belinda stopped herself from complaining, "perfect. I will get changed after lunch."

Belinda reached for her mother's toast again, but the duchess pulled it back. "Belinda, it is most unladylike to steal food."

"I wouldn't say I'm a lady at all mother," Belinda rang a bell, "but I suppose I could try for your sake."

Later that afternoon she stared down her closet of shoes. She had to pick the ones that could personally hurt someone enough. She'd have to make a sacrifice, she told herself eyeing a pair of small pink shoes. She knew they were too small, they were Amelia's that she had left when she moved out, but darn if she knew that they hurt. Though Amelia could hurt anyone with one accidental step.

Sliding her foot into the shoe, Belinda grimaced, the smiled. "Perfect," she whispered.

"Is everything alright" the duchess called from outside her room.

"Oh yes, I have just found the most perfect shows for tonight."

"Belinda Bassett, I do not think I have ever heard you so excited in all your life"

Belinda laughed, "no mother, I don't think you ever have"