Page 16 of Bella Darcy is on the Run

A faint smirk touched his lips, which irritated her more than the frown had done.

They continued upwards until the road opened onto Dunstanville Terrace, where a row of handsome houses stood above the harbour. They were substantial without being grand, their pale fronts turned towards the water and their tall sash windows commanding a magnificent view across the bay. Beyond the rooftops below, the late afternoon sun glittered over the water and caught against the sails of the ships at anchor.

Captain Harwood slowed before one of the smaller houses towards the end of the terrace. It was three storeys high and painted a warm, weathered cream, with dark green shutters and a slate roof. A short flight of granite steps led to a black-painted door beneath a simple fanlight, while a narrow passage at one side appeared to lead towards a garden at the rear. There was nothing particularly remarkable about the house itself, but the view was extraordinary. From the upper windows Aunt Lydia must be able to see the whole harbour.

"Here we are, ladies," Captain Harwood said, leading Bella to the front door and lifting the knocker to give three sharp raps.

Bella stared at the house. After five days of imagining the moment she would finally reach her aunt, a sudden wave of apprehension washed over her. It was incredibly rude to appear on someone's doorstep unannounced, even if they were family, and although this was indeed her aunt Lydia, Bella had not seen her for many years. The woman might not even recognise her now that she was fully grown.

She dropped Captain Harwood's arm and began fiddling nervously with the material at the front of her dress.

The door opened and a maid appeared, looking rather surprised to find the small group crowded onto the doorstep.

"Captain Harwood," she said, dipping into a curtsey.

"Good afternoon. I have brought Mrs Bennet some visitors."

The maid glanced from Bella to Clara and, after the smallest pause, said, "Of course, sir. If you would wait here, I shall see if Mrs Bennet is at home."

She disappeared into the depths of the house, leaving Bella to endure a silence that seemed to stretch on for an age. She had almost convinced herself that Aunt Lydia would refuse to see them when the maid hurried back and bade them follow her inside. They entered through a large, bright hallway. The walls were freshly painted white and crammed with pictures, many of them of the sea or boats bobbing on the water. Every size and scale and quality of picture imaginable was displayed, from amateurish watercolours to glorious seascapes. The maid hurried them past the vast collection and led them into a parlour, where three women sat crowded around a small tea table.

The room was well appointed and comfortable, but undeniably feminine. Crocheted rugs had been thrown rather haphazardly over the backs of chairs, the mantelpiece was lined with pretty trinkets and an embroidery box appeared to be overflowing with ribbons. Novels were stacked in a precarious tower by an armchair upholstered in pretty chintz fabric. There was a cosy, domestic clutter to the space, but it was the view that caught Bella's attention. The large windows framed the harbour below and the great sweep of blue water punctuated with white foam beyond it.

"Captain Harwood and his friends, Mrs Bennet," the maid announced in a stilted voice before bobbing another curtsey and scurrying away.

A tall blonde woman who was still exceptionally pretty, with dancing grey eyes and a frothy yellow-coloured gown, rose immediately. "Captain Harwood! What a surprise and a delight. I have not seen you in some time, and you have brought guests. How delightful."

"Mrs Bennet." He bowed. "I have brought a relative today rather than a guest."

"Oh!" Her eyes flew to Bella and then immediately back to George. "Is this your sister? Or a niece? Or perhaps you are engaged, Captain Harwood? How exciting. We must all have tea. Pray introduce me."

"You misunderstand me, madam," he said, that irritating smirk once again crossing his fine features. "I have brought one of your relatives. This is Miss Bennet."

"Aunt Lydia," Bella said in a small voice. "It is Bella. I know you have not seen me for some time. And I… well I thought it would be pleasant to visit," she finished weakly.

"Bella? Little Bella?" Her aunt practically leapt over the crush of furniture to reach her and took both of Bella's hands in hers. "Let me look at you. Of course you are Bella! You look so like your papa, but I can see much of Lizzie in you too. Oh, this is a delight." She looked past her towards Clara. "And this must be your maid?"

"Yes. This is Clara."

"Mrs Bennet," Clara said, bobbing a curtsey.

"Clara, the kitchen is further back and down the stairs to the right. Tell Cook that I sent you and she will ensure you have a hot meal and something good to drink."

Clara remained where she was, looking wide-eyed at Bella and clearly uncertain whether she ought to abandon her to the strange little group. Bella gave her a small nod, and after another curtsey Clara disappeared into the hallway.

"But you are here!" Aunt Lydia exclaimed, turning back to Bella. "And Harwood found you. How fortunate. Is Lizzie with you? Or your papa? Any of your sisters? Perhaps dear Jane?"

"No," Bella said, giving a meaningful glance towards Captain Harwood and then towards the two other women, who were peering at her over the back of the settee with great interest. "I travelled with Clara on a private matter. May I speak to you alone?"

Captain Harwood took the cue at once. "I shall leave you to your family business. Mrs Bennet. Miss Bennet. Mrs Gossling. Miss Blaine."

With a bow, he turned and took his leave. Bella watched him disappear through the doorway and felt herself relax by a small degree.

"Oh, my dear, whatever is going on?" Aunt Lydia said. "You must come and sit. I shall call for tea."

She crossed to ring the bell in the corner of the room before gesturing towards the two women on the settee. "And this is dear Hattie and Amelia. You may say anything you wish to say to me in front of them. They are my dearest friends in the world and will not breathe a word to anyone."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, dear," said the smaller and plumper of the two women.