Page 33 of Bluebell’s Fate

Her mother, the Countess Gardner, would be mortified if she knew Bell was even considering manual labor. However, Bell was desperate to do anything to feel less alone in this empty cottage.

There were two doors at the end of the corridor. The first door led to a cleaning closet, which was convenient. The second door was still a little stiff to open, but easier than it had been the day previously. The hinges creaked loudly, and Bell winced. She took one step inside the dust-covered, chaotic room and pushed her lips to the side, considering. Everything, from the wall papers to the rugs to the drapes and matching bedding, was differing shades of blue. Even the ceiling above her was painted blue, like the sky on a clear summer day.

Venturing further into the room, Bell picked her way around some broken glass and fought the urge to cough. When was the last time this room had been aired out? Had the events in that letter been some of the last things to happen here? She went to the window, and with substantial effort, forced it open. The view outside was a large, old ash tree. A slight breeze that still smelled like rain blew what was left of the blue floral drapes beside Bell, and the musty aroma of the room slowly began to dissipate. It would take days to make this space inhabitable for Rose and Frederick, and if she was being honest with herself…it wasn’t a task Bell could accomplish on her own.

She walked distractedly out into the corridor, down the stairs, and back to the dining room. Her bread and jam still waited for her, and she began nibbling on the sweet offering.

One thing was obvious, Bell would need to enlist Mrs. Carter’s assistance, and Sutton’s as well, if there was any chance of hosting Rose and Frederick at Cairnsby Cottage. Nothing would be updated, but Rose could abide a very blue room for a few nights, couldn’t she? Bell thought over some of the ways she could give the room life. A couple bouquets of flowers would go a long way, as well as a stack of books. If only there were a few pieces of art she could hang on the walls, it would be just the thing. But Bell still hadn’t had time to discuss the particulars of their financial situation with her husband. Until she did that, she wouldn’t waste their financial resources on something so frivolous as art. Perhaps she could draw something.

Bell asked for a couple vases from Mrs. Carter as well as some scissors. Then, she went out the back door toward the garden. Most of the vegetable plants she’d been shown were still small, but they looked healthy. She walked past the kitchen garden and a small empty field to where an overgrown flower patch hid behind a copse of trees.

Something about the space looked different from when she’d last been here. Having found this spot on one of her walks, she felt like the garden was a friend. Nothing seemed to have been moved, but it felt as if someone else had been here. Perhaps Mrs. Carter found time to come here as well?

She cut stems of purple columbine, forget-me-nots, pale pink cuckooflower, and yellow cowslips, and combined them with sprigs of a laurel bush. Her heart lifted with each moment spent in what she imagined was her own little wild garden. To be able to bring some of this beauty indoors was something she ought to have done days ago. How perfect it would be to make her little cottage into something of a garden—a small piece of nature to keep her grounded in her new responsibilities as a wife. Could she eventually redesign the blue room into a wild space? She could fill it with plants to enjoy all winter. Maybe then her spirits wouldn’t flag so desperately through the cold months as was common for her.

Bell shook her head. The chances of her convincing Nathaniel to turn a part of his house into a private woodland were not good. For one, she’d have to muster up the courage to ask it of him. And he was so practical. No, this was an idea best left in her mind. She took her magnificent bouquets back to the house and showed them to Mrs. Carter. “Would you help me make the blue room habitable? I’d like to be able to entertain guests of my own in the future. Perhaps even Rose and Frederick can stay there, if we can accomplish it fast enough.”

Mrs. Carter smelled the floral creations, and her eyes crinkled in the corners. “Mr. Payne has asked me to prepare it for guests, but he has asked that the undertaking be in secret. I’ve been so busy learning my new role, I haven’t had time to slip away to begin. His parents wouldn’t encourage him to be entertaining for quite some time. The idea seems quite frivolous to them.”

Bell nodded her understanding. “I do not wish to make any large changes, Mrs. Carter. It is simply a matter of washing the linens and cleaning the space. I don’t anticipate inviting people to be here with us often, especially if it would be a burden on the estate.”

Mrs. Carter turned away and placed the vases on the kitchen table. “I’ll begin today, but please don’t mention it to his parents. I’m happy you have also come to me with the task. I’ve been wracking my brain as to how to accomplish it without anyone knowing. Now it won’t be so difficult.”

Wilson entered the kitchen and bowed to Bell. “Lady Rose Hastings here to see you, my lady.”

Bell smiled. “Thank you, Wilson. I’ll be right there.” She thanked Mrs. Carter and asked for her to send a tea tray. Then she followed the middle-aged Wilson to the small parlor.

Rose sat tall on one of the purple wingback chairs like a general prepared to lead an army. “Where is Nathaniel?”

Bell’s stomach sank into her shoes. She’d tried to forget his absence, but it came back in full force upon her heart. “I believe he is up at Cairnsby Hall.”

“Poppycock. I’ve spent all morning with both of your in-laws, and I never saw him.”

Bell felt her jaw drop as if to speak, but no words came to her. Where would her husband go if not to Cairnsby Hall? And why would he tell Mrs. Carter that he would be there if he was going somewhere else? That familiar feeling of dread settled in her heart once again. Who was this man she’d married? “Where, where is Frederick?” she fumbled.

“He has strict orders to be his charming self and not allow your father-in-law much room to breathe.” She smiled. “I assure you, they won’t know what to do with us after today.”

Bell scrunched her eyebrows together. “And that is a good thing?”

“Of course.” Rose stood tall and winked. “Would you care to go for a walk?”

Although Rose asked, Bell felt her words were more of a direction, one she’d happily comply with. “I’d enjoy that.” Bell gathered a shawl from her room and met Rose at the door.

Mrs. Carter turned into the small entry with a tea tray. “I’ll just keep this hot for your return, my lady.” She bobbed a curtsy.

“Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” Bell and Rose said in unison.

“Actually, do you mind if I take a few biscuits for the walk?” Rose asked, her face looking a little pale.

Mrs. Carter brought the tray over, and Rose selected a few treats before they left the cottage.

A string pulled tight around Bell’s heart. She’d missed her sister. Although they’d never been anything alike, they had always been constant for each other. Ever since Rose had married two years ago, Bell understood more and more of how much her older sister had protected her from the pressure of entering society as a diamond of the first water. That particular expectation was no longer a looming threat over Bell’s head, but so much more was at stake now. Her future being set in this marriage, Bell had to learn how to be happy in her relationship with her husband.

They walked along the same lane that Bell and Nathaniel had taken the previous night. But this time, Bell’s heart didn’t beat in erratic rhythms as it tried to decide how she felt. “You and Frederick are very different, aren’t you?”

Rose laughed lightly. “Yes. You could say that. It seems you are facing a very similar situation in your own marriage. I’ve never met a man so wholly logical as your husband.”

“Are you saying I am illogical?”