Page 28 of Bluebell’s Fate

Mr. Hastings coughed, but Nathaniel could have sworn he was covering a laugh. His green eyes lit with mirth.

“You married my sister, Nathaniel. And you wonder why it is I am here.” She tilted her head to the side, and looked at him as if he was not in full possession of his faculties.

Bell jumped into the conversation. “Rose and Frederick were on holiday in Italy when we were wed. They came as soon as they heard the news, to wish us well.” His wife forced a smile. It didn’t reach her eyes. Not that Nathaniel had seen her true smile since Bell was last with his grandmother, but he remembered it well. “I’ve invited them to stay for dinner.” Her tone sounded unsure, as if she needed permission. Guilt ate at Nathaniel all the more for it.

“They are more than welcome to stay. I can have a room made up for them at Cairnsby Hall for the night.” He put his hand atop of Bell’s, and squeezed her fingers; for the slightest moment, she squeezed back. That small touch wedged itself into Nathaniel’s lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe. He didn’t know what it meant, or if it meant anything at all, but he was painfully aware that he wanted to know, and to understand his wife. How did Bell interact with her cold, regal sister? Was their relationship strained? Or perhaps she was more blessed in her siblings than Nathaniel had been with Edwin. There was nothing for it now but to put them up for at least one night. When the Hastings were tucked safely away in Cairnsby Hall, he’d ask Bell how long she would want them to stay.

Mr. Hastings shifted his weight, drawing Nathaniel’s attention back to the current conversation. “Thank you.”

Nathaniel’s mind raced. Thank you for what? Oh, yes, for allowing them to stay. He dipped his head toward Mr. Hastings in acknowledgement.

Lady Rose caught Nathaniel’s eye. “Would you be so kind as to show us a little of your grounds while we wait for dinner?”

“Certainly.” Nathaniel tucked Bell’s hand in the crook of his arm and gave her a smile that he hoped was reassuring. They led the couple from the house and down the front steps.

Lady Rose stepped forward and took Nathaniel’s other arm. She looked around him to address her sister. “You won’t mind if I steal your husband for a few moments, will you Bell?”

Bell’s eyes went wide, and her face drained of color, reminding Nathaniel of a full moon. What was it she feared from this situation?

“I’d be happy to walk with you, Bell.” Mr. Hastings took Bell away from Nathaniel.

Nathaniel felt very much like an animal shut into a cage, but he couldn’t extricate himself from his new sister-in-law without offending her. He watched Bell take Mr. Hasting’s arm and set off ahead of them. If she felt an ounce of the concern he did, he’d burn whatever bridge necessary to put her more at ease. But then, Bell laughed. A noise so pure, and sweet it made Nathaniel ashamed of himself. Was it only him that couldn’t make her happy?

Lady Rose cleared her throat. “She’s quite beautiful, isn’t she?”

Nodding, Nathaniel tried to swallow his shame, a five-letter word he despised. “She certainly is.”

Shame was the first five-letter word Nathaniel had come to hate. His cousin Ian had spelled it out for him as children. It was just after Nathaniel had failed at an attempt to get his father’s attention while the boys were playing a game of knucklebones. “S-H-A-M-E.” Ian had spelled. “It’s a shame that no matter what you do, Edwin will always come first. Why even try?”

That word and its five letters were pounded into Nathaniel’s mind with the consistency of a war drum. As he got older, he realized it wasn’t just shame that he despised, but many other five-letter words as well.

Lady Rose sighed. “Tell me, Nathaniel, what do I not know?” Her brows pulled low in confusion. “My mother informed me that Bell was ruined for showing you the way out of her woods, but I can sense that there is more at play here. Have you hurt her in some way?”

“No.” Nathaniel pulled his thoughts to the present. He was only slightly less baffled than Lady Rose as to why her sister would be acting oddly. “I have been all that is proper since the day we wed.”

“And what of the days before you were wed? Were you a proper gentleman then?” Her tone of accusation struck a nerve.

“I have always been a gentleman, I assure you. Your sister has nothing to fear from me.”

Nathaniel could feel the fight leave his companion. “Then what is making her so miserable? Bell has always been the most lighthearted of my family. Her creativity seems to have vanished. Of all people to be able to claim their own happiness, despite her circumstances, I would have wagered my entire inheritance that it would have been Bell.”

Nathaniel felt the accusation to his bones. He felt as weary as a ninety-year-old man. “I assure you. I feel the wound acutely.” He’d fooled himself into thinking she was adjusting quite well; she’d been out on walks and, according to reports from Mrs. Carter, Bell was well on her way toward taking the reins of running the house.

But Nathaniel didn’t question Lady Rose’s accusation. He’d known that Bell wasn’t quite the same as when he’d met her. They were both adjusting to this new life—but miserable? He had no idea Bell was affected so acutely. He needed to make it right. Perhaps her sister would assist him. “She was different when we met.”

“Did you like her then?”

Nathaniel felt like his collar was suddenly too tight. No, he hadn’t just liked Bell when they’d met. He’d been entranced by her. He cleared his throat. “That would be putting it mildly.”

Lady Rose smiled for the first time he’d witnessed. “Good.” She nodded her approval. “Do you feel capable of recreating those feelings?”

He shook his head. “I was not myself when I was in her woods, Lady Rose. I don’t even know how to pretend to be who I was then.”

She stopped walking and turned to face him head on. “You seem like a logical man, Mr. Payne. So, you’d best figure it out.” She put her hands on her hips. “I won’t sit idly by while my sister is miserable.”

“Were you taught the art of making threats in your home growing up? Aside from Bell, it seems to be a common theme with the lot of you.” Nathaniel arched one eyebrow at her. He looked up the path to where Bell was walking with Mr. Hastings. “If you would excuse me, I need to go check on dinner.” He bowed curtly, turned back to the house, and walked away.

“Oh, Mr. Payne.” Lady Rose called from behind him. “I wish you luck.”