Page 52 of Bella Darcy is on the Run

"You were not discreet in any way, shape or form."

She closed the ledger with a sigh. "I admit I have not been attending to my numbers as I ought, but that is hardly unusual. You have far outshone me as a student of Pemberley’s many intricacies. I fear you are fast becoming my parents’ favourite child."

George smiled and leaned closer. "Your mother and father dote upon all three of you, and I know for a fact that your father is very proud of everything you have learned and undertaken since we returned to the estate."

Bella felt heat rise into her cheeks and ran one hand over the worn leather cover of the ledger. "Well, I am glad Papa thinks so. I sometimes suspect he must look at me and wonder how a daughter of his can remain so entirely unmoved by columns of figures."

"I do not believe you are entirely unmoved by them." George leaned back in his chair and regarded her with an expression of great seriousness. "You become particularly animated whenever you discover that a tenant's roof requires replacing or you think the kitchen has been charged two shillings more for sugar than you think reasonable."

"That is different. Those are matters that concern people. People interest me greatly. Numbers by themselves are dreadfully dull."

"Ah." His eyes dropped pointedly to the ledger. "Then I fear we have confirmed your crime. You have not been attending as you ought."

Bella narrowed her eyes at him. There was something in his tone she knew very well indeed. "I have attended."

"You have stared at me for the better part of an hour."

"I glanced at you on occasion, George. Mainly to check you were behaving yourself."

"You ravished me with your eyes."

"I did no such thing." She crossed her arms across her chest.

George smiled widely, his dimple appearing in his cheek "I fear, Mrs Harwood, that if you have not been attending to your lessons as you ought, I shall have to devise some sort of punishment. It is the husbandly thing to do." His eyes flashed wickedly.

Bella stared at him for one second before a laugh escaped her. "George Harwood, do not even think about it."

That was precisely the wrong thing to say. George rose from his chair with deliberate calm, and Bella immediately pushed hers backwards and narrowed her eyes at him. "George."

"I have been entrusted with your education," he said, coming around the table towards her with a gravity that was entirely undermined by the laughter dancing in his eyes.

"You have been entrusted with no such thing." Bella stood as well, putting the chair between them. She knew that expression and where it usually led. It absolutely could not lead there in her Papa's study.

"Your father would surely expect me to support him in maintaining proper discipline."

"My father would have an apoplexy if he heard you speaking in that tone," she said, although she was already struggling not to laugh as George continued his slow progress around the table. "And I would remind you that I am a married woman of one-and-twenty, not a troublesome schoolgirl."

"That is true. And it is therefore fortunate he has gone to inspect a tenant’s drain." He paused, considering her with exaggerated seriousness. "Although your conduct this afternoon has been decidedly troublesome and I am afraid there must be consequences."

Bella's laughter escaped then, despite every attempt to maintain her dignity. "George Harwood, do not even think about it."

His smile broadened. "I fear it is already far too late for that."

Bella was still laughing when she darted around the end of the table. George followed at a much more leisurely pace, which was particularly infuriating because they both knew perfectly well that he could catch her whenever he wished. She moved behind her father's chair and held up one hand in warning.

"Do not come any closer."

"I am merely attempting to converse with my wife."

"My wife, my wife," Bella mimicked. "You have become intolerably possessive since acquiring one."

"I went to great trouble to acquire you. I intend to enjoy it."

The words did something warm and ridiculous to her insides, which was precisely why she failed to notice that he had moved around the opposite side of the table until it was too late.

"George!"

He caught her around the waist as she tried to escape, hauling her back against him while she shrieked with laughter. Bella twisted in his arms and attempted to push him away, but George was much stronger than her and held her fast.