Wicked Passions: Book 1 in the Wicked Love Series

Finally Safe

“What? I didn’t think you were one of those ‘Ladies’.” He said, mocking her again.

She shook her head and sighed. “That is not what I meant. I mean Mrs. Hunter, the Winthrope’s housekeeper, was teaching me how to run a household. I know how to balance ledgers, and pay bills and I knew where my, Lord and Lady Winthrope were spending money they didn’t have.” She caught herself. She almost told him that Lord and Lady Winthrope were her aunt and uncle. Amelia didn’t want to admit to this man that she was once a member of the nobility. She had enough of the humiliation from her aunt.

“I knew about this place. Well, I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I knew that my, Lord Winthrope was spending money here.” Amelia almost called Lord Winthrope her uncle again. This time Robert seemed to notice.

“The Winthropes are no longer your masters. You want to be my new housekeeper, fine. But don’t make me regret it.” He said with a stern warning, the hint of anger returning to his voice.

Amelia was overjoyed. She had a job. She could save money and book passage to America and to George. She would be able to start over and put the nightmare she had been through behind her.

“Thank you, thank you.” She squealed with joy as she clasped her hands together. She bounced on her toes lightly. “You won’t regret this, I promise.” Amelia was so excited that she stepped forward, threw her arms around Robert’s neck, and gave him a hug, standing on her toes to do so. Her salvation was so close that she momentarily forgot she had thought that this man might be the devil himself.

Robert stood rigidly for a moment. Slowly he wrapped one arm around Amelia’s waist and then the other wrapped around her. Amelia felt herself being pulled closer to him. She rested her head on his chest, feeling comfort for the first time in years. His hands started to roam up her back as he inhaled her scent. Amelia could feel his large hands on her body. She was aware of his body pressed against her and felt a stiffening in his breeches. The feeling of comfort was replaced by something Amelia had not felt before. She wasn’t afraid he would hurt her, but she was unsure of what he would do. She loosened her hold and looked into his eyes. She knew at that moment she needed to keep this man at arm’s length from her or she would be in trouble. Amelia pushed herself away and grabbed some of the ledgers off the desk.

“Well, I should get started.” She said, making a show of shuffling papers around. “Lots to do.”

“Are you sure you want to start so soon? I could think of something else you might enjoy.” He grinned again at her nervousness.

Amelia stood straight up and rigid. Suddenly, Amelia had an image of Robert undressing her and caressing her naked body. The thought of his large hands on her body made her shiver with delight.

“No, no,” she said, shaking her head to clear the image from her mind. “I’ve got a lot to accomplish.” She turned away from him to go back through the paperwork on the desk.

“That is a shame.” He said, grinning. “I thought you might like to wash all that flour off.”

Amelia pulled her lips in a tight line, not amused that he used her discomfort as a joke. “No, I’m fine.” She responded.

“Alright Princess, but what shall I call you?” Amelia tilted her head to the left and thought for a moment. She really didn’t want to share much of her past with this man she met and was not sure she could trust him. ‘Would he even believe me if I told him?’. She thought.

“A name, Princess. Any name will do. Or would you like to be my Princess?” he said.

“Lee,” she said quickly, ignoring his comment. “My name is Lee.”

“Your surname?” He asked.

“Just Lee.” She said quickly, flipping through the papers again without really looking at them. She was giving her hands something to do, hoping that if she appeared to be busy he would leave her alone.

“Well, just Lee, find out what is happening with my money and you will be my new housekeeper.” He spoke as he walked to the door. He was almost out of the room when he turned around and said “Oh and one more thing, Lee. Your quarters are right through that door there.” He said, pointing to a door to his right. “I would appreciate it if you would wash that flour off your face and hair. I’ll find you something appropriate to wear.” He laughed as he left.

Amelia sat at the desk and slumped in her chair. With her elbows resting on the desktop, she placed her head in her hands and shook her head. She knew that life with this man would be more eventful than life with the Winthropes. Amelia took a few moments to gather her thoughts and decided cleaning herself up would be for the best. She walked into the small adjoining room that Robert had pointed out to her. It was large enough to hold a narrow bed, a dresser with a small oval mirror, and a tub. A cedar chest sat at the foot of the bed. The walls were painted in the same shade of blue and a rug matching the one under the desk was beside the bed. The blankets and linens on this bed were much nicer than the ones that the Winthropes used for their servants. A fluffy down comforter in a cream color covered the narrow bed. Even the furnishings looked newer. Amelia didn’t want to ring for a maid to bring her hot water to bathe in since she had nothing to change into, so she wiped off as much of the flour as she could and fixed her hair. She noticed there was no lock on the bedroom door, and felt that Robert was the type of man that would come and go as he pleased despite the room’s occupants. The fireplace was also in the main room, so if Amelia wanted to stay warm on cold nights she would have to leave her bedroom door open.

Settling down at the desk, Amelia started to go through the old ledgers to see if she could catch any errors. Ms. Pryce did keep meticulous notes on everything. A small maid entered the room carrying a tray of food. She was thin and fair-haired with blue eyes too large for her small face. She looked deceptively young. The girl coughed to signal to Amelia that she was there.