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“Thank you,” Belle said, “for taking me in. I’m in your debt.”
“Oh, heavens, think nothing of it. It’s only the right thing to do.” She continued to press the ice against several parts of Belle’s swollen ankle.
Belle glanced up at Stephen, who had taken a step back, toward the wall. As soon as their eyes met, he gave her an encouraging smile, which she had no hesitation in returning.
“What is your name, dear?” Mrs. Stanton asked.
“Hannah Brown.”
“I am Anne Stanton,” she said. “And you’ll meet Lily and Julia soon. They went to the market, but they should be back soon. In the meantime, we should get you acquainted with your new room, shouldn’t we?”
Belle gave her a grateful smile. In truth, she was dying to get some rest. Somehow, the ride from the abandoned house to London had drained her. “I would love that, thank you.”
“It’s no problem, my dear.” Joyfully, Mrs. Stanton got to her feet. Belle sensed rather than heard Stephen approach and when his hands slipped under her thigh, his other arm banding behind her back, she nearly sighed into his touch.
There was something about being carried by him that made her toes curl in her shoes. She didn’t dare look up at him, didn’t dare bring her face so close to his. But she couldn’t help curling into him, her fingers tensing as she resisted the urge to put her head on his shoulder.
It wasn’t just the pounding of her heart that confused her. It was the dryness of her tongue, the way her body tensed with need as his strong arms banded around hers. She’d never felt anything like this before, the yearning for more than just that kissed they’d shared.
I need to control myself. He is a stranger!
But he didn’t feel like one, and that was what baffled her the most.
Mrs. Stanton led the way, Mr. Stanton at the back. She was a rotund woman, and her curves were accentuated by the simple yellow dress she wore. She ushered them up the stairs, then down the hallway as they passed by several rooms. Their home was by no means near the size of Auldwood Manor, but Belle was surprised at its space.
That they had two daughters and had a spare bedroom must mean they were quite comfortable financially. Since Mr. Stanton was a physician, it was easy to believe.
The room she would be staying in was at the end of the short hallway. It was small but livable, with a tiny wardrobe and a wash area in the corner. But despite the fact that this was only a spare room, it felt homey, as if someone had occupied it for a while.
Stephen lowered her onto the bed. Like last time, he was slow in pulling away, as if he didn’t want to stop touching her. Belle refused to meet his eyes, all the while wishing for the same thing.
“Do you like it?” Mrs. Stanton beamed from the door.
“Oh, yes!” Belle said quickly. “It’s wonderful. Thank you again.”
“You just rest up, Hannah,” she said as she came over to tuck a pillow under her leg. “You missed breakfast, but I’ll have an early lunch made for you soon. I’m sure Robert neglected to give you something to eat, didn’t he?”
Belle giggled at the same terribly lacking scathing look Mrs. Stanton tried to give her husband, to which he responded with a sheepish smile. “No, that’s not it,” she tried to say. “I had no appetite.”
“How sweet of you to make excuses for him,” Mrs. Stanton said, lifting her chin. When she glanced at her husband again, her eyes were filled with humor and warmth.
“She is quite fond of me, Anne,” Mr. Stanton spoke up. “Would you like to know why?”
“Is it because you were so talkative and annoying that you gave her little choice but to accept you?” Mrs. Stanton asked.
Mr. Stanton shook his head instantly. “It is because I amloving.”
Mrs. Stanton huffed a loud laugh as she approached her husband. She pinched then patted him on the cheek. “I can’t deny that. Come, let us leave her alone to rest.”
Mr. Stanton beamed at his wife and placed a hand on the small of her back as he followed her out the room. Belle stared after them, still smiling at the exchange. Then, after a few seconds, she determinedly kept her eyes on the door, very aware that it was now only her and Stephen in the room.
As Lady Belle, I would have never allowed myself to be left in a room alone with a man.
She ignored the rules of etiquette blaring in the back of her mind and finally looked up at him. “Did I thank you already?” she asked with a smile.
Stephen’s returning smile made her heart pound. “A few times too many, I’d say. Are you comfortable here?”
“Very much. They seem like a sweet couple.”’
