Desires of a Baron Read Online Free

the conviction in his voice stole Lucy’s attention momentarily.
    She stilled her hands and looked at her son as he seemed to straighten to his full height of four feet and eight inches.
    “I’m a man, like him,” he continued, his face turning crimson. “There’s no need to embarrass you—or him.”
    Or him.
    The words stole her breath away. Seth did have some concerns. Ones he’d likely never bring to her. She licked her lips, but couldn’t speak and just moved out of the way when he took over unfastening the man’s trousers.
    Wordlessly, she made her way out of the room and to the hall where she leaned against the wall, closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. If the idea of Lucy seeing a man’s naked form caused her son to panic so much, the very idea of just how he came into existence might kill him. Especially since it’d be her who’d have to inform him.
     
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    When she awoke, the sun was already shining in her window, letting her know she was late for her post at the bakery. She scrambled off the settee she’d dragged into Seth’s room to sleep on and after giving the beaten man a very quick once-over, she rushed to work. Mr. Swenson, her employer, wouldn’t be pleased she was late, but she prayed he’d be understanding when she explained the events of the previous evening.
    He wasn’t.
    Worse yet, she was sacked.
    “ But I need this post,” she said before she could stop herself. There was nothing worse than begging; but though she detested begging, she did need this position. Without it she and Seth couldn’t afford to stay in their house past the end of the month.
    “ Then ye shouldn’t be late.”
    “ But it was only the first time. Surely—”
    “ No,” he snapped, his lips thinning. “If yer too tired after a night of entertainin’ a strange man in yer bed, then ye don’t need the post that bad.”
    Understanding filled her then. Two months after she’d begun working for Mr. Swenson, he’d offered her a proposition that would allow her the freedom of staying home to tend her house and make friends about the village while spending her nights with him. She’d declined. She might be a fallen woman, but she would be no man’s mistress. Ever.
    Biting her tongue to keep in a stinging retort that would likely only make her look bad, she bobbed a quick understanding and with a chest filled with dread exited the bakery.
    They’d likely have to move.
    Once news got out that she’d been sacked from Swenson’s Bakery, and why , she might not be able to get another decent post.
    No. She shouldn’t think like that. She’d worked at the bakery for three years. Surely she’d be able to find another position.
    Mulling over her other employment options, she took the longer way home. The dark-haired stranger who was still sleeping (and breathing) when she’d left hadn’t been wearing a coat. She wondered if perhaps she’d find it somewhere along the lane or among the sticks and trees.
    She saw nothing.
    Not even her carafe.
    Of course.
    “Mama, he’s awake!” Seth hollered just as she’d come into view of the house.
    Finally some welcome news, she thought as Seth ran over to her. “That’s wonderful, Seth.” And she meant that. “Has he said anything?”
    He nodded and fell in step beside Lucy. “Lots.”
    “Oh?”
    “ Well, he’s from London. He works with his father who does something with a bank so he has pots of money.”
    “ I see you asked him the important questions,” Lucy said only a fraction sarcastically.
    “ Indeed,” he chirped, not daunted one jot by her tone. “He’s unattached. Not even a betrothed or anything.”
    Lucy wanted to groan, but before she could, her son continued.
    “Just think, Mama, you could marry—”
    Lucy halted her steps and pulled him to a stop. “Seth,” she began, turning to face him. “I know you’d like a—” she swallowed so she wouldn’t choke on her words— “father, but