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“That is true,” Julia jumped in. “I thought I’d be uncomfortable seeing how affectionate you two are. When Lily fancied the young lad a few houses down, they were so sweet with each other that it made me a little ill.”
“Julia!” Lily’s face went bright red. “Now is not the time to reminisce about the things I’ve done. We’re talking about Hannah. Now, Hannah, please tell us what you said in response to his proposal.”
“I accepted, of course,” Belle said. “How could I not?”
“Then why do you look so sad?” Lily asked.
Belle looked away. She was foolish to think her perceptive friend would not know that something was wrong right away. “I only feel conflicted,” she began.
“Are you uncertain of whether you should marry him?”
“Yes, a bit. I know I love him,” Belle said quickly. “And I truly want to marry him with everything in me. In fact, I would leave London tonight with him if he were to ask me.”
“I am confused, then,” Julia said. “Why are you so conflicted?”
“There are...things about my past that I have not yet told him. I want to...but I don’t know how. And I don’t think I will be able to elope with him if I am not completely honest with him.”
“I understand that,” Lily said with a nod. “I suppose you are feeling guilty then because you believe you haven’t been very truthful with him.”
“I...”
“You needn’t explain yourself to us,” Lily said tenderly. “Stephen loves you, Hannah. And because he does, I’m sure that whatever you have to say to him will not matter in the end. I am sure his feelings will not change.”
“And if you are not comfortable telling us everything yet,” Julia said, placing her hand gently on Belle’s arm, “you don’t have to say anything. It doesn’t matter to us.”
“Julia...Lily...” Belle looked away. “I...thank you. I promise you that I will tell you everything. But have to say it to Stephen first. He deserves to be the first to know.”
“We understand,” Lily said.
Belle smiled. For the first time since Stephen’s proposal, she truly felt as if everything would be all right. She was about to say as much to her friends when she heard a familiar voice that made her blood run cold.
She turned to the door of the living room. The voice was far and then, after a moment, she could hear Anne speaking. Both Lily and Julia were listening as well, but Belle didn’t take her eyes off the door. Her heart was pounding in her ears.
“Does Mother have a visitor?” Julia wondered aloud.
“It sounds like a man,” Lily said. “Who do you think it is?”
“I’m not sure.” Julia grinned at her sister. “Should I go see who it might be?”
“No!” Belle said quickly, grasping her by the arm. Julia frowned in confusion.
But Belle didn’t get the chance to explain. She didn’t even know if shecouldhave explained. All of a sudden, the door banged opened and the person she dreaded seeing the most stormed into the room.
“Ah, there she is!” the Duke of Auldwood bellowed with a horrifying grin on his face. Belle had only ever seen it a few times in her life and she understood that it didn’t mean he was happy but that he was so angry he could only smile.
She quickly got to her feet, staggering backwards. “Father!”
The Duke stalked forward. Anne appeared at the door, her face riddled with confusion. Belle’s mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find the right words to say.
Finally, she settled on one question, which she aimed at her father. “How did you find me?”
The Duke came to a stop. Lily and Julia had also risen to their feet, going to stand by their mother as they watched the exchange. Belle glanced at them to see Julia whispering at Anne, who whispered back.
“Did you think I would truly stand for such insolence and rebelliousness?” the Duke asked as he tilted his head to the side. “I hope you have had your fill of this madness, Belle, because it is time for you to leave.”
“Belle?” The question was a whisper of confusion. Belle didn’t know if it came from Lily or Julia and she didn’t dare to look at them.
“Come, Belle,” her father demanded, turning on his heels. “We are leaving.”
