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“Do you know much about him?”
“Not any more than what my husband has told me, unfortunately. If you want more information on your savior then you’d best ask Robert when he gets home.”
She kept her tone light and idle as she asked, “And when will that be?”
Belle could feel the weight of Mrs. Stanton’s stare and she didn’t dare meet it. “You sure are eager to see him again?”
“I’d like to thank him once more for his help,” Belle said with a shrug, knowing the lie sounded foolish.
“I think you thanked him enough as it is. When Robert returns, I’ll get him to send him a letter inviting him to supper, if that’s what you want.”
“No!” Belle said quickly. “That’s…there’s no need. I don’t want to bother him.”
“Something tells me it won’t be any bother at all.” Smiling, Mrs. Stanton tucked Belle’s hair behind her ear. Belle couldn’t decipher what the smile meant. “He seems like a good man. I’m sure he will come by to see how you are doing.”
Belle said nothing. Mrs. Stanton was right. Stephen did seem like a good man. And a good man wouldn’t leave her all alone, not after that kiss they had shared. Perhaps if they hadn’t, he would have no reason to come back, since he’d done enough already.
What if he doesn’t? He said he would but…
It bothered her suddenly that she knew so little about him, other than his name, and his first name at that. Belle didn’t know what he did for a living, if he lived in London, if he had responsibilities that meant it would be difficult for him to see her.
All she knew that he had the softest lips. And had soulful eyes that made her mouth go dry. And strong arms that made her feel protected and…desired.
Belle desperately hoped her face wasn’t as red as it felt.
“The meal was wonderful, Mrs. Stanton,” she said, hoping she’d be able to distract herself from the image of unruly brown hair and green eyes. “I’m afraid I’m too full to go on any longer.”
“You ate quite a lot, my dear. I’m happy to see that your appetite hasn’t been affected by your fall.” Mrs. Stanton rose and picked up the tray, beaming. “I’ll have the girls come keep you company while I head down to the market to fetch things for dinner.”
“So soon?” Belle asked in surprise.
“Well, it’s best to go early so you have the time to get everything that you need. Haven’t you been to the market where you live?”
Belle shook her head, her tongue formulating a lie before her brain could. “I have a sister who usually took care of it. I’m afraid I never paid it much attention.”
“Heavens, that reminds me a lot of Julia. If that girl could spend all her days holed up in her room, she would.” Mrs. Stanton laughed at the thought.
Belle could only manage a smile as she watched Mrs. Stanton leave. So far, she hadn’t managed to get herself found out, but she wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to keep it up. No matter how she was dressed, she was the daughter of a duke. She was Lady Belle. More and more, those pieces of her that she was trying to hide would rear their heads, and the Stanton family wasn’t foolish. If she wasn’t careful enough about what she said in the future, she was sure to be found out.
Resting her head on the pillow, Belle sighed and stared up at the ceiling. This time, when she thought of Stephen, she didn’t bother trying to push the image of him aside. She went through everything, from the moment they met to the moment they parted. She lifted her hand to her lips at the memory of his pressed against hers, how blank her mind had gone, how even the pain dissipated.
Was this what it felt like to desire someone? To have her stomach clench with want at the thought of another kiss? Of his hands going farther than they have before...
I hope he comes to visit me soon.
