Page 23 of Bluebell’s Fate

Bell felt the blush rise on her cheeks. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter. It is wonderful to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you better. Nathaniel was just about to give me a tour of the house. Would you care to join us?”

Mrs. Carter wrung her hands together and fidgeted on her feet. “If you should wish it.”

The housekeeper was uncomfortable, that much was certain. But why, Bell was not at all aware. “Am I pulling you away from something else?”

Clearing her throat, Mrs. Carter looked down at her hands. “I’m afraid I’m needed in the kitchen for a spell, my lady. Otherwise, you might be eating burnt bread for supper tonight.”

Bell laughed. “Then by all means, don’t let me stop you. I dare say Nathaniel and I can manage on our own.” It was a relief that the woman didn’t seem hesitant to spend time with her. It was equally telling of how many responsibilities this one woman likely had on her. Bell had no idea how many servants staffed Cairnsby Cottage, but the number would not be nearly as high as the small village of people that waited on her family at Gardner Manor.

A look of relief washed over Mrs. Carter’s face before she excused herself and made her way to the back of the house.

Bell felt the woman’s absence keenly, for now it was only her and Nathaniel once more. As much as she’d love to get to know her new home, Bell’s nervousness crept up on her once again. Sutton had disappeared with the carriage as it rolled to the back of the house, and with so few servants, it seemed the entire house was as private as a bedchamber.

Nathaniel stepped up beside her and held out his arm. “You have a gift for putting people at ease, it seems.” She took his arm and swallowed.

“Thank you.” If only she could say the same for herself. Surely, she ought to feel safe within the walls of her own home. Not that she felt like she was in any danger, but why did her stomach writhe like a nest of snakes? It was getting ridiculous, the number of battles she fought within her own mind about her new husband. He was a gentleman, but he was a rake. He was considerate, but he’d kissed her the first time they met. He was handsome, but—well, it seemed her heart and her mind could at least agree on that.

“This is the parlor.” Nathaniel began, spinning Bell in a circle so that she might take in the room. He seemed completely oblivious to her nonsensical nervousness.

Nathaniel conducted her through the parlor, pointing out the four bedrooms the cottage held. One of these rooms had been converted into a study, two were for her and Nathaniel, and another at the end of the hall they didn’t look in because it needed cleaning. He also showed her the dining room and the kitchen. Cairnsby Cottage was beautiful and humble. It had everything Bell could want: a room to herself, simple furnishings, and a touch of personality in every room. It reminded Bell of a place from a storybook. If only she wasn’t married, she felt she could find adventure here.

After a wonderful dinner of white soup, asparagus, and bread that was decidedly not burnt, Nathaniel showed Bell up to her room. “I’ll be rising early to check on some things up at Cairnsby Hall. Please feel free to rest late from our journey. I’ll see you tomorrow evening for dinner. Mrs. Carter will have everything prepared precisely at six o’clock.” He smiled at her.

Bell saw right past that smile. He had no idea what to do with her. Instructions to sleep all day and then share a meal together before sleeping again was not at all what she’d been hoping for. “I’ll familiarize myself with the house while you are away.”

His eyes lit up at her suggestion. For a moment, she thought he’d change his mind and would remain with her. But she had sorely misunderstood his reaction. “That is an excellent idea. I’d love to hear what you find tomorrow evening.” He bowed formally before he left the room.

What had Bell expected to happen? He’d told her he would give her space. But to formally bow to one’s wife each evening did not put them on the friendliest of terms. Then again, she didn’t know how she’d prefer him to act instead. Pretending a relationship existed between them was not at all appealing either. Apparently, the act of getting married did not solve any of her concerns about getting to know her husband. If a relationship of any sort were to grow between them, she would need to make a greater effort.

Sutton helped her change into her nightdress and unpinned her hair.

“Thank you, Sutton. Are your accommodations suitable?”

Her maid nodded in typical fashion. “I’ll be needing nothing, my lady.”

“I’m happy to hear that. But still, if you need anything, please do ask.” As much as Bell had appreciated Sutton’s natural timidity the past couple of years, Bell sorely needed a friend.

When the door closed behind Sutton’s exit, Bell placed a candle next to her bed on a small table. She was alone. Luckily, she harbored no fears about the door that connected her room to Nathaniel’s. He’d proven to her that he’d installed a locking mechanism on it that only opened from her side.

Setting her sketchbook across her legs in bed, she began to draw. She drew the purple settee where she’d sat so close to Nathaniel, trying to depict what they might have looked like when Bell realized she felt like she was home—her head on Nathaniel’s shoulder, and no one the wiser that their marriage was anything but a love match. Aside from his acting the part of a gentleman, he’d not made so much as an indication that he wanted to get to know her better. That was going to have to change. But how?

Her small candle cast long shadows across the unfamiliar room, turning the vase of flowers on the writing desk into the silhouette of her mother with ostrich plumes atop her head. Bell imagined what the Lady Gardner would say to her. “You got yourself into this mess, Bell. Surely, I’ve trained you well enough to make the most of it. He is lucky to have you: you are a Gardner after all.”

Bell shivered. She was nothing that her mother expected her to be. Perhaps that was why she was so easily given away to Mr. Payne. Bell wouldn’t have lasted a week in the midst of a London season. She may not even last a week at her new home. But if her husband expected her to sleep all day and be completely useless the remainder of the hours, he was in for a shock. For although Bell had lived in an imaginary world for much of her life, it wasn’t as if she couldn’t decipher what was real…most of the time. This was her new reality, and she would make it one she could enjoy.

Chapter Sixteen

Nathaniel had set out early to Cairnsby Hall, and he’d accomplished everything on his list. It had been a long but fruitful day. His faithful man of all work, Wilson, was tying his cravat for dinner. Nathaniel tipped his chin up slightly. “Stars above, it’s been a productive day.”

Wilson’s eyebrow lifted on his head, and he tried to tuck a smile between his teeth.

“What is that look for?” Nathaniel asked.

Wilson cleared his throat, but he was clearly trying too hard not to crack his facade to speak.

“Here I thought you were smiling because of my pretty face.” Nathaniel laughed. “Out with it, Wilson. What’s so humorous?”

“Typically, a man such as yourself would be smiling like a fool because he was going to go down to dinner with a beautiful woman. You,” he tugged on Nathaniel’s neck cloth, “are grinning ear to ear because of a completed list.” He shook his head. “It’s not something I can understand.”