Page 38 of Bluebell’s Fate

He cleared his tight throat. “Let’s just say, it’s about time this room had a new purpose.” His parents would be furious that he’d even come in here. They always treated this corner of the house like the plague. That was why the project needed to be handled with a measure of secrecy. He didn’t want them to be even more upset with him than they already were.

Bell noticeably bit back more questions. “Are you saying that this is a little too blue for you? I can’t imagine why.”

He chuckled. “There is no little about it. Feel free to decorate the room as you see fit. This space needs new memories.”

Nathaniel knew that Bell would give him that. He might end up in a fairy’s house when all was said and done. He didn’t care. In fact, his grandmother would love it.

He looked at Bell, and her gaze shifted to her toes. Was she embarrassed for some reason? Or did she already know what it was that would bring her joy in this room? “Do you have any ideas?” he asked.

Bell laughed, a little too high. It was answer enough. Apparently, she had plenty of ideas about this ridiculous room. Hopefully, in time, she would share them with him.

Nathaniel rolled back his shoulders and clapped his hands. “How can I help?”

Bell chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t you have other things you are working on?”

“I am where I want to be.” He took her hand. “With you.”

She squeezed his fingers, and he looked down at their clasped hands—the sunshine from the window filtering in and highlighting the dust motes flying around them—then she handed him the broom.

A few hours later, they had all the blue linens hanging on a line to dry. Mrs. Carter had shooed them both away while she set to work washing walls. Nathaniel was covered with sweat and dust, and Bell matched him. Her chestnut hair had long escaped its coiffure, and her cheeks were a pretty pink. For the first time, they’d worked together toward a common goal. Cleaning the blue room wasn’t going to make Nathaniel any more financially stable, but ridding the cottage of the poisonous space had been more cathartic than Nathaniel could have expected.

They parted to wash before it was time for tea. Wilson helped Nathaniel make himself presentable for the second time that day. The valet finished tying Nathaniel’s cravat when they both heard a knock at the door. Wilson left to answer it, and Nathaniel finished his preparations by running a comb through his hair.

Wilson stepped back into the room and bowed. “Lady Rose Hastings and Mr. Frederick Hastings to see you, Sir. I’ve deposited them in the parlor.”

“Thank you, Wilson. Please let Lady Bluebell know that I will entertain our guests until she can join us.”

Wilson left, and Nathaniel made his way down the staircase and across the corridor to the parlor. “Good morning, Lady Rose, Mr. Hastings.”

Mr. Hastings stood and arched a blond eyebrow. “Is it? I’ve been wondering all night and morning. Have you settled things with Bell?”

Lady Rose cleared her throat as if in warning.

Her husband pushed on. “Oh, don’t tell me you weren’t just as curious. I saw the many letters you were writing to your father last night. I’m certain they were about Bell’s situation here. However, it seemed like you burned most of them.”

“I didn’t burn all the letters, Frederick.” She motioned for Nathaniel to take a seat. “I’m only deciding on which letter to send: the one telling my father that Bell is adjusting well to her new role as a wife, or the one asking him to put a price on Mr. Payne’s head.”

Of all the absurd conversations Nathaniel had heard throughout his life, the only one more outlandish than this current conversation had been the one he’d had in Bluebell’s woods on the day they’d met. He found he couldn’t keep a smile from his face. “I cannot claim how well Bell is adjusting to our marriage, but I can tell you that we have come to an understanding of sorts. I believe she is much improved since you left her with me yesterday.”

Lady Rose cracked a smile. “Thank the heavens for that.”

Chapter Twenty-five

The sound of a laugh echoed through the house, and Bell knew it must be Frederick. Knowing that it was him and likely Rose, Bell found herself anxious to see them. After the way she left Rose last night, she was excited to show her sister that she was well. Her hair was still wet from her bath, so Sutton tied it in a simple knot at the base of Bell’s neck before she left the room. Frederick laughed again as she descended the stairs and entered the parlor.

Rose crossed the space and hugged Bell. “Have you been sleeping the day away? Your hair is still wet.”

Heat sprang to Bell’s cheeks. “Not at all, Nathaniel and I were working on a project this morning.”

Frederick waggled his eyebrows. “A project, huh? What type of project would bring a blush like that to your cheeks?”

Bell hid her face in her hands. She knew her brother-in-law was a terrible tease, but she wasn’t accustomed to it yet. “Oh, no. It’s nothing like what you must be thinking. I…I believe we will have a room prepared for you and Frederick by tomorrow evening.” She smiled over at her husband.

Rose looked sheepish. “Oh…I, well…I hardly know what to say. That was very thoughtful of you, but Frederick and I need to return home today.”

Bell tilted her head to the side, even as her excitement sunk to her slippers. “So soon?”

Frederick guided Rose to sit on the sofa beside him and motioned for Bell to take a seat as well. “I cannot, in good conscience, wait for another day. Your sister has a tendency to be sick in the mornings, and I’d like to get her home where she can be more comfortable.”