Page 49 of Bluebell’s Fate

“Godmother!” Bell shouted before she threw off her covers and tried to wiggle off the bed.

“Stay right there, child. I’ll come to you,” his grandmother chastised with a smile in her voice. Grandmother hurried across the room, much of her energy restored.

“Don’t tell me Nathaniel has you believing I am an invalid.” She winked at Nathaniel. “I’m doing very well.”

Nathaniel felt a flush rise to his cheeks. He wondered if Bell knew how inspiring she was to the people around her when she wanted to be. Never had he seen the staff warm to someone so quickly. It seemed Bell’s influence gave people a reason to smile, a reason to believe in hope. He let himself out of the room and closed the door.

They wouldn’t miss him. It was simply the way things had always been, but the realization still sliced at his shredded heart.

Chapter Thirty-one

Bell melted into her godmother’s warm embrace. She was here! Magic crept back into Bell’s heart; tantalizing in nature, and practically begging Bell to lean into it, to forget her insufficiencies. She’d been debating on the best course of action to earn Nathaniel’s love, and her best plan so far was to be more responsible and predictable. How did she balance those traits with everything her godmother had taught her? Over the years, Godmother taught her that there was strength in vulnerability, and honor in being true to herself. She’d made sure that Bell knew she was not facing the world alone. How could she be responsible, and be true to herself? How could she be predictable, and vulnerable?

Godmother pulled away slightly. “Now then, how are you feeling?”

Bell blinked away her heavy thoughts, sighed, and sank into the pillows on her bed. It seemed Nathaniel had scoured the entire house for pillows to make her more comfortable. She smiled a little at the ridiculous picture she made for her godmother. “I’m feeling much better than it looks. Nathaniel has been overly cautious in my recovery.” She looked over her godmother’s shoulder to see Nathaniel, but he was gone.

Godmother clucked her tongue. “Now what has caused that look of worry?”

“I just thought…never mind.” Bell forced a smile. “We have a room prepared for you, and it’s wonderful.”

Her godmother was shaking her head. “None of that changing the topic business while I’m here.” She reached over to the bedside table and put a cup of water in Bell’s hand. “What were you thinking a moment ago?”

“I thought Nathaniel would stay.” Bell bit back the disappointment. She didn’t want him to have to watch over her all the time, but she’d loved his company. He was likely exhausted. “But he has been in here for so long, I’m certain he has an entire list of tasks to accomplish.”

“Oh pish. Him and those lists.” Godmother walked to the door and stepped outside. Bell felt like a young child again, hoping for any attention from her mother. Her neck burned with embarrassment. What would Nathaniel think of her? He’d spent so much time caring for her—he deserved a break.

The sound of footsteps outside her room made her pull her blankets a little higher, if only she could disappear beneath them. But she didn’t want to look more childish than she already felt, so she stayed frozen, her eyes on the door until her godmother came into the room, a dutiful Nathaniel right on her heels.

His eyes held only concern as he came to her side. “Can I get you anything?”

Bell opened her mouth to reply, but what could she say? I missed you. No, he’d only been absent for a couple minutes—that would be absurd. Instead, she closed her mouth, and shook her head side to side, feeling every bit the fool.

“I think Bell will feel better once she’s had a bath. I’m going to talk to Mrs. Carter about heating some water,” Godmother said. “Nathaniel, why don’t you help Bell get up and move around a bit?”

“But I’m only in my chemise,” Bell blurted before she thought better.

Nathaniel blushed fiercely; Bell had never seen him rattled…and it was entirely endearing.

Godmother chuckled. “So, the two of you haven’t figured out all that yet?” She motioned vaguely to Bell’s bed with a twinkle in her eye. “It’s no wonder there is still so much misunderstanding between you.” She took Nathaniel’s hand and smiled up at him. “She’s not going to bite.” She dropped his hand and strode to the door without another look back.

Nathaniel ran his hand down his red face. “I’m sorry about her.”

Bell laughed. She couldn’t hold it in. It must have been the mixture of awkward embarrassment and disbelief.

“Are you laughing because of all our misunderstandings?” Nathaniel’s voice held mock solemnity, and it only made Bell laugh more.

“No,” she squeaked out between breaths. “I’m laughing because she doesn’t think I’ll bite.”

She didn’t know what had come over her, but the laughter wouldn’t subside, it only grew in strength. Nathaniel’s deep chuckle added to her own, and the sound filled Bell’s heart—she’d never heard him laugh before. He took a few steps closer to her bed.

“Be careful,” Bell said, hands extended from her body to ward him away. “You never know when I’ll attack. For all you know, I could be a pirate.” Another fit of giggles burst out of her. It was all just so ridiculous.

Apparently, her warning had the opposite effect on Nathaniel, because he closed the gap between them, and sat on the edge of her bed. The laughter died on his lips, but his smile remained. “You may not be aware, my lady, but I’m the infamous Pirate Nathaniel. I’m not afraid of you.” He was close enough she saw his Adam’s apple bob in his throat when he swallowed.

Bell sat forward even more in her bed, her breathing shallow. She’d never seen him pretend before, and it was the most attractive thing she’d never imagined. “Pirate Nathaniel? You seem quite certain of yourself. Are you sure you have nothing to fear from me?”

He inched ever closer to her, his gold-flecked eyes boring into her own. “Absolutely.”