Page 34 of Bluebell’s Fate

“Are you denying it?” Rose challenged.

“Certainly. I am not nearly as organized in my thoughts as Nathaniel is, but I like to believe that my thoughts make sense.” Most of the time, especially since she’d stopped telling stories.

Rose nodded. “Then why are you having such a difficult time understanding the feelings he is developing for you?”

Bell shook her head. “He doesn’t have feelings for me. If he did, he would be here. But he’s not.”

They walked in silence for a few moments. “Where do you think he is?” Rose asked.

Bell shut her eyes tight. “I don’t want to know.”

“Why not? If you knew where he was, it would likely put your mind at ease.”

From what Bell suspected her husband was doing, nothing could be further from the truth. She’d always wanted to be cherished in her marriage. Instead, she feared she was just the face of his wife while he was out enjoying himself with other women. Bell had been told that men had mistresses, and that they could be discreet in their affairs, but she’d wanted something more. In all the stories she’d ever dreamed up in her woods, the hero had been faithful, and true.

“Bell,” Rose whispered. “Where do you suspect your husband to be?”

Bell could only shake her head. It would hurt too badly to voice her worries.

Rose immediately turned them around back toward the house. “We are going to find him, and then you won’t have to wonder any more. This is utterly ridiculous.”

Bell’s legs began to shake as if she’d been dumped into a bath of cold water. Did Rose not see that this would only make things worse? The last thing Bell needed was to see her husband flirting with another woman…or worse.

Chapter Twenty-two

Nathaniel waved to the architect, Mr. Smith, as the older gentleman exited the crowded inn. Despite how much trouble Nathaniel had caused today, Mr. Smith had been remarkably helpful, even cheery throughout the entirety of their meeting. Originally, the plan had been to build a conservatory off the back of Cairnsby Hall, but after spending even minimal time with his parents last evening, he knew that the conservatory ought to be at the cottage. It was an odd request to build such an expensive structure onto a smaller home, and it had taken longer than Nathaniel had planned for to make the necessary adjustments to the building plans, but it would be worth it. This way, he could give Bell a place to feel peace and contentment all year.

He checked his pocket watch and felt a moment of alarm. Had his meetings truly taken up his entire day? If he didn’t hurry back home, he’d miss dinner. He straightened all the papers and drawings that lay across the table into a tidy stack, then put them into his bag.

Miss Harris, the innkeeper’s daughter, leaned over his shoulder. “Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Payne?”

He turned to answer her and was surprised to see her face only inches from his own. He looked down at his bag again. “No, you’ve been wonderful today. I thank you.”

A voice cleared behind him. “Wonderful at what, exactly?”

Nathaniel turned, and saw Lady Rose, standing next to a pale-faced Bell. He scooted from his chair and bowed to his wife. “Bell, is everything alright? Please, come take a seat.” He pulled out a chair and turned to the innkeeper’s daughter. “Miss Harris, would you fetch some tea, please?”

She blushed, bobbed a curtsey, and left toward the kitchen. Nathaniel helped Bell sit in the seat Mr. Smith had recently been occupying. She didn’t look well at all. He looked to Lady Rose. “What has happened?”

Lady Rose simply raised one eyebrow at him, making him feel as if he were seven-years-old and still unable to lace his shoes correctly.

“You won’t tell me?” he asked.

Lady Rose glanced at her sister and shook her head. “No, I don’t believe that is my place. It will be far more effective for you to speak with Bell. I do believe you might need more privacy though. Frederick is just outside, and the two of us are planning on dining with your parents this evening.” She stepped closer to Bell and crouched beside her. “Take a slow walk home together and tell him about your day.” She squeezed Bell’s hand, but Bell’s color only continued to drain from her face.

“Is she able to walk?” Nathaniel whispered to Lady Rose as she stood up again.

Lady Rose narrowed her eyes at him. “I am choosing to put some faith in your intentions right now, Mr. Payne. If you turn out to be unfit for my sister, I will put a price on your head,” she hissed, and then left in a swish of skirts.

Nathaniel sunk down into the chair next to Bell. He would wager that his own face was as ghostly as hers. He already knew he was unfit for Bell. Could he prove otherwise? She was the daughter of an earl, for goodness’ sake. He was an unwanted son, and an under-qualified husband. He wanted to drop his head into his palms and rest his elbows on the table to think, but he didn’t want Bell to be more worried than she already was. Instead, he pulled his chair a little closer to hers. As it was getting near to supper time, the inn was quite full with travelers and men finishing up their meetings.

Nathaniel forced a smile. “Let’s take a cup of tea.”

Bell glanced around the crowded room and nodded. It was as if her lips were glued shut.

Nathaniel didn’t quite know what to do or say while they waited, so he settled his gaze on the grains of the wooden table. If something was terribly wrong, Lady Rose would have let him know, certainly. “It seems unlikely that the cottage has caught fire, or that a family member is seriously ill.”

Bell’s eyes went wide but she simply shook her head slightly side to side.