Bewitching The Recluse [BOOK 2 of Price Family Saga]

46. Chapter (Blackmailing The Beast)

When Bella parted her eyes, she turned her gaze towards the windows and was immediately taken aback. "Travis, Travis!" she began to rouse him, to which he grumbled from his slumber. "Wake yourself, the sun is already high! I have not settled matters with Bethany for today, and I would not want Teddy to be left unattended!"

He leisurely opened his eyes, bestowed a smile upon her, and caressed her cheek, while she knit her brows. In the cool aftermath of the skirmish, he did not appear as dire as he did in that moment – his left eye was bruised and swollen, a trace of blood lingered at the corner of his mouth, and his gaze was clouded, as if fever consumed him. "Good morrow to you as well, my love," he uttered and then sighed, "you may not have reached an accord with Bethany regarding Teddy's care, but I have made arrangements with Lady Kendall, and he is presently in her charge."

Bella was nearly staggered by this revelation. "But-but for what reason?" she inquired sharply, "What if she absconds with him from our midst?"

He slowly shook his head. "No such thing shall befall him; my people are vigilantly overseeing matters. We required her escort, and in return, I had to pledge her time with Teddy," he smiled at her, "you appear so endearing when you fret over my brother."

She grinned and reclined beside him, resting her head on his chest, eliciting a groan, prompting her to promptly withdraw.

"I beg your pardon, my love," she murmured softly, gently caressing his cheek, sensing the steeping warmth beneath her touch.

"No need for apologies," he replied, tenderly running his fingers over her hand, his arm limited in movement.

Although they had shared many mornings in such a manner, Bella couldn't shake the feeling that this particular morning held a different air, though she struggled to pinpoint the cause. Travis suddenly ceased his caresses and whispered to her, "Yesterday our lovemaking was too swift I admit, my dear, but today I find myself unprepared for a repeated improved performance, unfortunately."

Bella chuckled and shook her head. "Dearest, today it is my turn to attend to you. I shall venture to the kitchen for sustenance and libations."

Yet, as she traversed the entrance hall, a cluster of servants caught her eye, standing together and peering at something.

"Is there some matter afoot?" Bella inquired, prompting near-startled reactions from the servants.

"Um, we discovered this at the doorstep this morn, Miss Ward," one of the servants explained, handing her a piece of paper.

An uneasy feeling washed over Bella, confirmed as she swiftly perused the paper. Bringing it to Travis, he, in a predictable fashion, became immediately displeased. It was a pamphlet crafted much like the prior one. This time, the headline read:

FIRE UPON THE ROOF OF MARLBOROUGH ESTATE,

accompanied by an illustration depicting Travis' residence. Beneath the headline, more text was revealed: Our poor esteemed oaf TSA - were you aware his estate has succumbed to flames six times already? A truly extraordinary tally, hinting at an enduring and patient adversary. Does he bear this fate alone, or does a mysterious force of RSA from beyond the grave exact vengeance for his premature demise caused by CSA?

Travis was tempted to crumple and consign the paper to flames, but this time he had someone within the household who could offer elucidation on his queries.

"I shan't let that old hag slip behind the curtains of her feigned innocence once more, that's for certain," he uttered with ire, promptly rising from the bed, his movements accompanied by stifled groans of pain as he commenced attiring himself.