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“I am,” Belle said confidently.
“And I have faith in her,” Stephen cut in. When she looked at him, he gave her a broad grin. “If anything can go up against her, it’s you.”
Lily harrumphed. “We’ll see about that.”
Belle looked at Stephen. Stephen looked back at her. Then they both looked at Lily with crooked brows. Robert and Anne laughed, and Julia nudged her sister with her elbow saying, “It looks like you’re up against an unbeatable duo, Lily.”
Lily only huffed a good-natured laugh.
“Oh, yes,” Stephen said, turning his attention to Robert and Anne. “You said you had something you wanted to say?”
“Oh, right.” Robert clapped his hands loudly and took Anne’s hand. “Well, Lily and Julia are already aware of this but Anne and I will be celebrating the 20thyear of our marriage on the morrow’s evening. I’d like you both to be here, if you can.”
“Twenty years of marriage?” Belle gasped. She wanted to look at Stephen, but she resisted the urge.What will he say when he sees the longing in my eyes?
“It’s impressive, isn’t it?” Julia asked, her voice filled with pride. “And they’ve been in love every day since they’ve been married.”
“There have been a few rough days, of course,” Anne said, even as she gazed lovingly at her husband. “But I cherish every moment we’ve had together.”
Robert rubbed the back of his head, seemingly unused to showing affection before company. Belle’s smile widened at the blush on his cheeks.
“I’ll be here,” Stephen announced. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“It’s sure to be quite festive,” Julia said with a knowing smile. “Lily and I have something special planned.”
“Oh, goodness,” Anne sighed. “That makes me more nervous than it should.”
And they all laughed. The conversation went on to other things, and before she knew it, dinner was over. As Lily and Julia cleared the table, Robert leaned closer to Belle to ask, “Are you strong enough to make it back up the stairs?”
The ache that had been bothering her throughout dinner had dimmed somewhat so she was sure she could make it if she tried. But when she looked at Stephen, noting how he too was waiting on her response, she decided to fib a little.
“I think I might have worn myself out for today. I won’t be able to make it back on my own, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll take you then,” Stephen said instantly, getting to his feet. Without hesitation, he scooped her up into his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding back her victorious smile.
He began carrying her toward the steps, leaving the Stanton family behind. Conversation struck up behind them, but Belle could focus on nothing but the mad beating of his heart, as if it was trying to match her own.At least, I’m not the only one affected by how close we are.
“Dinner was lively this evening,” he commented as he brought her into the room. Belle’s heartbeat tripled when he closed the door with his foot.
“As it usually is,” she said with a smile. A stab of need went through her when he laid her onto the bed, and they were no longer touching each other.Since when did I become so reliant on his touch?
“I still can’t believe Robert and Anne have been married for so long. I know you mentioned it before but to hear it from them feels...”
“Real?” he asked with a grin.
She nodded. “I never thought two people could be in love for so long. I’ve...never been around anything like that before. My own parents aren’t as fond of each other as you would think married couples should be.”
To her surprise, Stephen only nodded. “It seems we are the same on that point because neither were mine. Even before my Father died, I knew they didn’t love each other.”
Belle was surprised by that. She supposed loveless marriages were as possible among commoners as they were the nobles.
“But tell me about you,” Stephen went on. “Tell me about your parents.”
Belle took a moment to respond, contemplating what she should say. “My Mother is kind and sweet, although she is a bit timid. I’m afraid my Father has a lot to do with that, though. Ever since I was little, I watched how harshly he treated her and how she would withdraw within herself as time went on.”
“That’s horrible,” Stephen gaped.
Belle let out a bitter laugh. “It is, isn’t it? My Father is very domineering and controlling. My Mother has such a soft heart that she never stood a chance.”
