‘Nothing at the moment.’
She looked at Belle. ‘I trust you intend to put those flowers in a vase before they wilt. Then I want to speak to you.’
Belle went to the vase that sat on one of the tables and thrust the flowers in the water. She took a deep breath in an effort to suppress her anger. She should be more charitable towards Lady Georgina and understand that it was only concern for her nephew that prompted her hostility. Instead, she sensed there was something other than Justin’s well-being that motivated Lady Georgina to involve herself in his affairs.
She finally turned around.
‘Brandt, I suggest you find Westmore and let him know we have arrived,’ Lady Georgina said.
Salcombe frowned. ‘I thought you would prefer to rest after the journey.’
‘I am not the least bit fatigued.’ She smiled thinly. ‘Go. I wish to speak to Lady Milborne in private.’
He looked over at Belle. ‘Do you know where Justin is?’
‘I am not certain. I know he meant to see one of his tenants and then was to go to Haversham Hall.’
‘I’ll find him.’ He hesitated and seemed about to say something more, then changed his mind. ‘I will return shortly.’
His footsteps echoing in the hall left Belle feeling adrift. She forced herself to look at Lady Georgina. ‘I believe you have something to say to me.’
‘Oh, I do. I do not know what game you are playing, but I’ve no intention of allowing you to ruin my nephew’s life. You may consider yourself the mistress of this house, but you are not. Nor will you ever be. I will see to that even if it means I completely ruin you in the process. And your family.’
Belle met the woman’s gaze, not wanting her to know how much her threats frightened her. She had no doubt Lady Georgina would do exactly as she said. ‘You may rest assured that I will not be mistress of this house or of any house in Justin’s possession, either now or in the future. Is there anything else you wish to say to me?’
‘I suggest you make plans to leave here as quickly as possible. Tonight, preferably. There is no reason for you to remain. There is an inn in the village. You can stay there and then you can go in the morning. I will, of course, loan you the funds.’
Belle felt heat rise to her cheeks. ‘I do not need your money.’
A footman entered with the tea tray. Lady Georgina directed him to set it on the table near her. She rose and picked up the teapot in a movement that was still graceful. ‘I will have some tea. I would ask you to join me but you will, of course, want to pack your things.’
Belle stared at her for a moment and then turned on her heel without saying a word.
‘Is that not Brandt coming up the drive?’ Marguerite asked. ‘On one of your horses?’
‘Brandt?’ Justin’s brow shot up but he turned to look anyway. He was about to leave Haversham Hall and had just stepped out of the front entrance. She was not mistaken—the horse cantering up the long winding drive of Haversham Hall was from his stable and the rider was indeed his cousin.
What the devil? He ran down the steps leading from the front entrance to the drive and waited for his cousin to halt the grey gelding next to him. From his cousin’s dusty appearance he thought it was unlikely Brandt had changed from his travelling clothes. ‘What are you doing here?’ he demanded, although he suspected he knew very well.
‘Looking for you. Lady Milborne thought you might be here.’
Justin scowled. ‘I trust you were civil to her.’
‘Civil enough, although I cannot say the same for Aunt Georgina, which is why I thought it prudent to fetch you home as quickly as possible. As well as to warn you.’ He looked over Justin’s shoulder. ‘Good day, Marguerite.’
Justin had not heard her approach. She stood next to him. ‘Lady Georgina is here?’ she said, her expression dismayed. ‘Why ever would you bring her?’
‘I trust you have a reasonable explanation,’ Justin said coldly.
‘I don’t. She either came with me or by herself. I suggest you return home and rescue Lady Milborne.’
‘I intend to.’ Justin started towards his horse.
Marguerite caught up with him. ‘I am coming to Falconcliff as well.’
‘Why?’
‘Because Belle will need a friend. A female friend. You must go now, but I will be over as soon as I change into my riding habit.’
He glanced down at her slightly rounded belly. ‘I doubt if Giles will be pleased to have you cantering all over the countryside.’ He could tell from the stubborn look in her eye that she would not listen to him.
‘Hardly all over the countryside, just next door. I’ll leave a note for him and let him know we have been invited for dinner.’ She smiled. ‘Besides, Dr Moore has emphasised that exercise in moderation is quite good for ladies in my particular condition.’
‘I’ll leave Brandt to escort you. Don’t argue,’ he said before she could open her mouth. He doubted Dr Moore knew Marguerite’s definition of moderation. He took the horse’s reins from the groom and mounted in a swift, easy movement.
‘Don’t let her canter,’ he said to Brandt.
‘Have no fears on that score. I’ve no desire to incur Haversham’s wrath. I will see you shortly. Don’t do anything rash.’
‘I won’t make any promises.’ He urged his horse into a trot and started down the drive. He had no idea what his aunt hoped to accomplish by coming here. No, that was not true, he knew exactly what she wanted to accomplish.
Belle folded a pair of silk stockings and placed them in the valise. She and Ellen had almost finished packing her clothes and only her jewellery and a few other small items remained. She stared down at the valise for a moment, and tried to think what she was to do next. Her mind seemed to be completely blank.
She supposed she should ask for a carriage to be sent around. She was loath to leave without telling Justin, but she feared he would try to stop her. Or perhaps he wouldn’t. Surely he would see how awkward it would be to have his mistress under the same roof as his cousin and aunt. She was undoubtedly a hypocrite, but she still could not feel it was right to conduct an illicit liaison when one’s relations slept down the hall.
But, oh, how she would miss him.
‘What are you doing?’
Justin’s snarl jerked her out of her trance. She spun around. He stood in the doorway of the bedchamber, dressed in riding breeches and coat, specks of mud on his boots, his crop still in hand.
‘I…I am packing.’
He advanced into the room. ‘What the devil for?’ His gaze fell on Ellen who stood near the wardrobe, a pair of gloves in her hand, her eyes wide. ‘I would like to be private with Lady Milborne.’
‘Yes, your Grace.’ Ellen set the gloves down on the dresser and scurried out.
Without taking his eyes from Belle, Justin closed the door behind him and came across the room. ‘Why are you packing?’ he asked softly.
Her eyes must be as wide as Ellen’s. ‘Because I cannot stay here with your aunt and cousin. It…it would not be proper.’
‘Did my aunt put that idea into your head?’
‘No, not exactly.’ She swallowed at the look in his eyes. She might not need to find a room at the inn because he might strangle her first. ‘It would be very awkward for everyone. Perhaps I am rather prudish, but I do not think it is at all the thing to have a mistress under the same roof as one’s family.’
‘Indeed. And why not? Do you worry they might guess what we do when you come to my bed at night?’
‘Well, yes. And it is immoral.’
‘Do you feel immoral when you are in my arms each night?’
‘That is not the point.’ Her face was heating and she felt flustered. ‘I cannot stay any longer. And your aunt would like this room.’
‘I suppose you said you would give it to her.’ A brief sardonic smile crossed his face. ‘Then you may share my room with me.’
‘Will you please be reasonable?’
‘N
o.’ His hands went to her shoulders. She heard his crop fall to the ground before he hauled her to him. Her heart slammed against her ribs at his expression and her knees started to shake. She should resist him, push him away, but instead her arms crept around his neck. When his mouth met hers, her arms only tightened and she returned his kiss with an equal passion. She would not be in his arms like this again.
They were alerted by the knock on the door. Belle lay with her head on his chest and his arm encircling her. She had closed her eyes, wanting to pretend they could be like this for an eternity. She opened her eyes just as Justin stirred.
‘Belle.’
Marguerite’s voice brought her firmly back to reality. She moved from his embrace and sat up. ‘Yes. I…I am here.’ Although the door was closed and locked, her cheeks heated and she felt as self-conscious as if Marguerite had actually come into the room.
‘I merely wanted to let you know that Giles and I have arrived. After you have dressed I would like to talk to you.’ There was a pause. ‘You can let Justin know we have arrived as well.’
‘Yes.’ Her voice was shaky. She waited until she heard Marguerite move away from the door before looking down at Justin.
His mouth curved in a wicked smile. ‘See, that was not so bad. You sounded quite calm as if having people knock on your door while you engaged in an immoral activity is a common occurrence.’
She gave a little laugh. ‘I could not see that having hysterics would serve an useful purpose.’
‘Probably not.’ His gaze roamed her face. ‘Should we engage in another round of immorality before dinner?’
‘No! Most certainly not!’ This time her cheeks flamed. She climbed out of bed. ‘It is very rude to leave your guests to entertain themselves while we are up here doing…doing this. I still have not moved from this room and I must finish packing.’
He sat up and caught her wrist. ‘I won’t let you leave.’
She looked into his face. ‘I have no choice. You must see that.’
His eyes were serious. ‘Then I leave with you.’
‘Justin…’
‘Stop arguing with me.’ He released her wrist and rose to a sitting position. He was naked and she tore her gaze away from the sight of his lean, muscular body, a body she knew more intimately than her own. She found her shift on the floor and picked it up.
He came up behind her and turned her to face him. ‘I will see you at dinner.’ He touched her cheek with a gentle finger. ‘Don’t worry, Belle. Everything will come out right.’
She nodded and wished she could believe him.
Chapter Fifteen
Marguerite was not alone when Belle paused in the doorway of the drawing room. Lady Georgina was already there, as were Giles and Salcombe. Marguerite sat on one of the sofas near Lady Georgina, who was seated in a stiff chair. The two men stood by the windows. As she moved into the room, silence fell for a moment, and then Lady Georgina turned to Marguerite. In a loud voice she asked if she had heard from her eldest sister.
‘I have,’ Marguerite said. She rose and went towards Belle, her hands outstretched. ‘Dear Belle, how nice it is to see you again!’
Belle took Marguerite’s hands. ‘Thank you,’ she said and hoped Marguerite knew how much she meant it.
Marguerite smiled. ‘Come and sit by me on the sofa.’ She had a gleam in her eye and Belle could see she intended to challenge Lady Georgina.
Lady Georgina’s mouth tightened when the two women sat down. Oh, dear. Belle did not want Marguerite to fall victim to Lady Georgina’s wrath because of her.
Marguerite smiled at Lady Georgina. ‘How nice it has been to have Belle in the neighbourhood! We have become very dear friends, you know.’
‘Have you?’ Lady Georgina glanced at Belle. ‘Then you will be most disappointed to know Lady Milborne is to leave. Tonight, in fact. Is that not so, Lady Milborne?’ Her expression dared Belle to contradict her.
‘I…’ Belle began.
‘But she will not be going far.’ Marguerite smiled again, this time her smile held more than a little triumph.
‘No, not far at all,’ Justin said from the doorway. He had changed into pantaloons and a black coat. His face was grim. ‘In fact, she will not be going anywhere.’
‘Oh, but she is.’ Marguerite met his eyes. ‘She is coming to Haversham Hall.’
Belle wandered into the library and stood at the window. In less than half an hour she would leave for Haversham Hall. She had sought out Jackson and thanked him for his kindnesses and had been touched when he said, rather hesitantly, that the household would miss her.
The water blended in the darkness of the night. The magic was not there tonight—she felt cold and alone, despite knowing she would be with a friend tonight. The arrival of Lord Salcombe and Lady Georgina had smashed the illusion of being in a faraway, safe place where all things were possible. The real world had intruded again and any hope that there would be a magical ending had gone.
She turned when she heard footsteps. Justin stood a little behind her. ‘I thought I might find you here,’ he said.
She moved towards him. ‘I came to bid the sea farewell.’
‘You are not leaving forever,’ he said. ‘You will be back.’
‘I hope so.’ She did not think she would, but she did not want to argue with him now. ‘It is probably time for me to go. I do not want to keep your friends waiting since they are kind enough to have me.’
‘They are your friends now as well.’ He frowned a little. ‘I have something I want to say to you, but now is not the time. I will call on you tomorrow.’
‘I would like that.’ She would brace herself to say goodbye. Perhaps it would be easier away from Falconcliff. ‘We should return to the drawing room.’
‘Yes.’ He still frowned, but said nothing more as he followed her from the room. He was preoccupied even as he handed her into the Havershams’ carriage and she already felt as if the beginnings of a chasm had started to crack between them.
Belle was sitting on a bench under an arbour in one of the gardens that surrounded Haversham Hall when Justin called late the next morning. Caroline had been with her for nearly an hour but had just been summoned by her governess to finish a lesson.
She looked up when she heard footsteps on the gravelled path. He strode towards her and she slowly rose and waited for him.
Justin stopped in front of her. He was dressed much as he had been yesterday when he came to her bedchamber and she wanted nothing more than to throw herself in his arms again. Instead she said, ‘Hello, Justin.’
‘I want to talk to you.’ He ran his hand through his hair and she knew he was tense.
‘I know.’ Her eyes searched his face. His expression was hard to read. ‘What is it?’
‘I want you to marry me.’
Her heart hammered against her chest and for a wild moment she wanted to tell him ‘yes’. She shook her head. ‘Justin, I…I cannot.’
‘Why not?’ He frowned. ‘Is it because of your marriage to Milborne? God only knows, I could not blame you for being reluctant, but I promise you marriage to me will not be like that. I will draw up a contract outlining your rights if you wish.’
‘No. It is not that.’
‘Then what is it? The past? Do you think I hold it against you? I told you I believe you. The past does not matter.’
Tears sprang to her eyes. ‘Doesn’t it? How can you say that?’
He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. ‘Because it does not. You have proved yourself to be warm, and generous and brave, and that is all that matters to me now. I want you, Belle. I want you to be with me, I want to wake up with you each morning. I want you to bear my children. Our children.’
‘That is why I cannot!’ She felt more anguished than she had ever thought possible. ‘I cannot have your children.’
‘You do not want children?’ He drew back a little. ‘I rather thought after seeing you with Caroline and William that you were fond of
children.’
‘I am.’ She took a deep breath. ‘But I cannot have children. Not yours. Not Lucien’s. I…I am barren.’
He stared at her for a moment. ‘How do you know that?’ he finally asked.
‘Because more than anything Lucien wanted an heir. He was most…most diligent in his efforts to ensure there would be one. But after three years of marriage I never conceived. So, you see, marriage between us is impossible.’
‘How can you be certain that it was not Lucien who was at fault?’ he asked quietly. His eyes were on her face.
‘He called in a physician who dealt with such things. He put me on all sorts of regimes but in the end he said that it was his opinion that I was barren.’ She could not bring herself to tell him Lady Georgina’s contention that Lucien had illegitimate children.
‘It does not matter to me. I want to be with you.’
‘It may not matter now, but it will in the future.’ She saw he was about to protest and she took his hand. ‘You must listen to me. I can tell you all the things you know about your responsibility to your title and your family and your lands. That you need an heir to carry your bloodlines. But even more than that, you need children of your own. I saw how you were with Caroline and William—how much you love them and how happy you are when you are with them. Marguerite said so herself, that you will be an excellent father. I cannot deprive you of that. You would grow to resent me and I would carry the guilt of not giving you what you most desire.’
‘I desire you. Nor would I resent you because of such a hand of fate. My title and the entailed properties would pass out of the direct line but they would go to Brandt so I cannot be too bitter. I have every intention of becoming an exemplary godfather.’
‘It will not be enough.’ She pressed his hand tighter. ‘There is your family as well. They resent me with good reason, but if I marry you it will drive even more of a wedge between you. I am not completely stupid—I could see even last night that relations between you and your cousin were not as they should be.’
Nicola Cornick Page 18