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Hannah visibly gathered herself and nodded. “I will consider your proposal, My Lady.”
“That is all I wish,” Belle said. She patted Hannah on the shoulder with a soft smile before she continued on her way to the parlor.
Once she arrived, she did not stop to rest. She wandered over to the window, thinking on the conversation she would soon have. She felt stronger now, braver now that she had made such a bold decision. But that did not erase the fear of seeing her father again, not knowing what he might try to say or do.
Soon, the Duke and Duchess of Auldwood arrived. The Duchess went straight to Belle’s side, hugging her tightly with a long breath of relief. When she pulled away, there were tears in her eyes.
“You worried for me, Mother?” Belle asked, her heart breaking at the sight.
“No,” the Duchess said, shaking her head with a watery smile. “I knew you were in good hands. I only missed you, my dear.”
Belle attempted to return the smile, even though she knew her mother was speaking half-truths. Deciding it was best not to address it, she took her mother by the hand and led her over to a long chaise. Then, she faced the Duke.
His imposing features made her heart thud painfully against her chest. Belle refused to cower before him, refused to let her eyes fall from his, and yet, she could feel his power thrumming through every inch of his room.
“Why have you returned?” asked the Duke.
Belle stiffened.I...was not expecting that.“I have not. I am only here to speak with you.”
“About what?”
Belle was uneasy. She tried not to fidget. “I wish to tell you and Mother of my plans. I will be married in Gretna Green. Afterwards, the Duke and I have plans to travel. It will be quite some time until you see me next.”
The Duke said nothing. He only watched her with impassive eyes. Belle nearly let out a frustrated breath. She had expected a reaction out of him, at the very least.
“Mother,” she said, turning to her. “I promise I will write you often. Father, you may do with my dowry as you wish. Unlike you, I have no use for wealth. Perhaps you can use that to make up for the lost business opportunity I caused you.”
The Duke’s left eyebrow twitched. The Duchess rose and went to sit next to him. At first, Belle thought she was only being her usual subservient self, but then she patted her husband on the hand, giving him a small encouraging smile.
Belle frowned at them both. “Is there something you would like to say?”
Again, the Duchess looked expectantly at the Duke. Belle’s frowned deepened. She’d never seen her mother look at her father with anything but sadness and fear.
The Duke caught his wife’s look and straightened, clearing his throat. “Belle, I would like to extend my apologies to you.”
Belle waited a beat. She looked at her mother, who was wearing a soft, happy smile, then back at her father. “Pardon me? I believe I might have heard incorrectly.”
The Duke sighed. “You have every reason to be skeptical of my apologies. I have not treated you as well as I should have. I placed my own interests above yours and, because of that, I turned a blind eye to your pain and suffering. I should have understood my wrongdoings when you ran away, and yet, I was only driven by my anger and selfishness.”
Belle’s eyes grew painfully wide when her father placed a gentle hand on her mother’s knee. “On the day of your wedding, when you left with the Duke, I was furious. To keep from creating more gossip, I kept myself still, but I had every intention of going in search of you. Your Mother stopped me before I could.”
“Mother?” Belle gasped.The same withdrawn lady who doesn’t dare to look her husband in the eye?
“She shouted at me, in fact,” the Duke said with a small chuckle. “I think that might have been the first time she’s ever done such a thing. She stopped me before I could leave and made me see what a terrible father and husband I have been all these years. Driven by my greed, I didn’t consider the feelings of my own wife and daughter and my actions are what led to everything that happened. So, Belle, please forgive me for all that I have done.”
For the first time in a very long time, the Duke of Auldwood gave her a bright smile. Belle could hardly believe what she was seeing. “I hope you see how sincere I am. I understand that you are in love, and that you wish to be with the Duke. I will not stop you. In fact, I want to encourage you to do as you wish. I have dictated your actions for far too long.”
“Father, I...I do not know what to say.” Belle swallowed, blinking rapidly. It was a lot to take in, but throughout it all, Belle felt the sincerity. “Thank you, Father. You do not know how much your apology means to my peace of mind. I only wish we could have done this sooner.”
“Then allow me to apologize once more for taking so long.”
Belle chuckled. “I will accept your apology. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.”
“You are welcome, my dear,” said the Duchess of Auldwood, in a strong, normal voice. Pleasure spread through Belle at the sound of it.
Suddenly, she was overcome with emotions. She rose, holding out her arms. The Duke instantly got to his feet and wrapped her into a tight hug.
They stood there for a while, saying nothing. Only holding each other. Belle felt the honesty in his embrace, the love that had taken so long to show. And for that short while, she allowed herself to bask in the feel of it.
