Page 53 of Bluebell’s Fate

“Perhaps we can save this conversation for another time,” Mr. Payne suggested in a tone more mild than the look he gave.

There were too many unspoken words in the conversation. Try as she might, Bell’s imagination was as lively as it had ever been. What was the history with Miss Stone? And why was Mr. Cutler’s mother struggling so much when her son was doing just fine in London? “Nathaniel,” she said to the table at large. “I believe our company is causing your parents unrest in their home. Perhaps we ought to leave and allow them time to finish their conversation.”

Nathaniel stood and moved behind Bell’s chair. “I believe you’re right.” His lips tugged up. If he was trying to hide his joy at leaving, he was doing a poor job at it.

The butler stepped into the room just as Nathaniel was helping Bell from her seat. “You have visitors, Mr. Payne.” He bowed.

“I do not take visitors during dinner.”

“Yes, sir.” The butler hesitated. “But it is Lord Gardner and his son, Lord Winberg. They told me they won’t take no for an answer, sir.” He bowed again, likely so his employer couldn’t read his face.

Bell felt like the rug was ripped from beneath her feet. Her father and brother were here! She stumbled quite inelegantly past the butler, out of the dining room, and into the corridor, only vaguely aware of Nathaniel and her godmother flanking her.

Ash ran to her and barreled into her open arms. She held him tight, and then sank to the floor brimming with joy, her brother on her lap. She kissed the top of his head. “Ash, I’ve missed you.” Her eyes stung as she blinked back tears.

“I missed you too, Bell.” He looked up at her with his piercing blue eyes. “What’s wrong? Father brought the dueling pistols.”

“Ash,” Bell’s father boomed.

Ash stood tall and tugged on his miniature suit coat while Nathaniel helped Bell to her feet. “Yes, father?”

“Behave yourself, son.” Bell’s father, the Earl Gardner, stood rigidly in the middle of the corridor. His arms were folded across his chest, his stance a little wide.

Nodding to his father, Ash turned back to Bell. “We came to check on you.”

Godmother stepped up beside Ash. “It’s nice to see you again, Lord Winberg.”

Ash smiled at Godmother. “And you, Mrs. Hamilton.”

Mr. Payne stepped from the dining room to join them. “Lord Gardner, Lord Winberg, what a pleasant surprise. How were the roads?”

Bell’s father raised both his eyebrows. “Rose tells me she hasn’t heard a word from Bell for well over a week, and you think I came to discuss the state of the roads?”

The color leeched from Mr. Payne’s face. “Wha…what?”

After the dinner conversation Bell had just been subjected to, she didn’t even feel badly for accidentally neglecting to write to her sister. Mr. Payne’s reaction did make her wonder what it was that Rose had threatened before she’d gone home.

Bell’s father gently took her hand and pulled her to his side. “Let’s go home.”

Home? What home was he talking about? She had the greatest suspicion that he wanted to take her back to Gardner Manor. Ash’s eyes danced with joy, and she knew that her suspicions were correct. How had this conversation tipped her life into chaos again? Her life here wasn’t ideal, it was messy, and difficult…but Nathaniel was here. She didn’t want to leave him. “I’d love to show you my home, father.” She sought Nathaniel’s eager gaze and nodded to him before looking back at her father. “Only, can we take your carriage? We walked here.”

“Of course.” A muscle ticked in Lord Gardner’s jaw as Nathaniel stepped up to Bell’s other side.

She was beyond grateful for Nathaniel’s choice to support her in the tenuous circumstance—she’d known he would—he was a good man. In fact, between Nathaniel, Lord Gardner, and Ash, Bell was surrounded by good men. Each of them was dear to her in different ways. She turned her eyes up to her father. “Rose was right in sending you.” She sent a meaningful glance toward her in-laws. They had been warned and had failed to rise to Rose’s expectations; they deserved a measure of censure from her father. “Nathaniel and I are going to wait in the carriage while you and Godmother settle things here.” Bell tugged her husband’s arm, and he led her outside without looking back. She heard her father’s commanding voice resonating off the walls around her as he berated their manners, but she hardly registered what he was saying; all her focus was on getting out of the contentious environment.

As soon as they passed out through the front doors, Nathaniel dipped his head close to Bell’s ear. “Are you feeling unwell? Would you like me to carry you, Bell?” His voice was soft and clear.

She laughed and squeezed his arm. “I should be able to make it to the carriage.”

“And deny me the opportunity of holding you?”

She felt her face get warm. Then she chided herself. This was her husband who could still be in love with the mysterious Miss Stone. She thought back to her bed chamber when he held her in his arms and kissed her like she was as important as the air he breathed. She wanted him to hold her again, but she didn’t trust herself at the moment. “We’ll save that for later.”

He placed a kiss on her forehead. “Promise?”

Maybe Bell was weak, desperate for Nathaniel’s love, but she wanted nothing more than to hear his story from within the circle of his arms. “I promise.”

There was a lot to talk about, and her charming husband had a story to tell. Bell had her own secrets as well. She still hadn’t confided in Nathaniel about the mysterious letter she’d found from the woman named Linda. Since the letter had no connection to Nathaniel, it was not her business to show him the contents. But she was beginning to feel guilty for keeping the letter a secret.