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CHAPTER13
The next day
Bella awoke, full of anticipation. Despite the chill in the air, she performed her ablutions quickly, deciding she could stay warm if she hastened. It had been too many days since she had seen Slade and was eager to see him. Never had she considered he might wish to court her. Now, he vividly occupied her dreams, enriching them so much that she woke to make sure it was but a dream.
The fireplace crackled with warmth, throwing off sparks inside. Mary must have stoked it recently, anticipating she would soon wake.
A scratch sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Bella replied.
Mary walked in carrying a tray with chocolate, toast, and bacon. Milady, I thought you might want to break your fast with a light fare before going downstairs.”
“Mmm. You know my weaknesses, Mary. I love chocolate and bacon.” Bella noticed that Mary schooled her face to show no expression, in her typical fashion when she disagreed with something Bella liked. She bit her cheek to keep herself from laughing. Mary had often made comments on Bella’s love of bacon but relented and now, often brought some upstairs for her in the morning. “Do you not simply love the smell?” Bella teased.
Mary snorted. “Perhaps you should hurry and eat it before the countess smells it and investigates. I am not sure she is of the same mind as you, where bacon in the bedroom is concerned.”
“Did you just snort?” Bella laughed.
“I am sorry, milady. It slipped out,” Mary managed, before both girls snorted and began to laugh simultaneously.
“Your mother may hear us, milady,” Mary fretted, when she was able to calm herself.
“Mama would never eat bacon or snort,” snickered Bella, suddenly feeling carefree. “I shall sit on the bed and take my time with this delightful repast. However, after enjoying my bacon, I will brush my teeth and wash my hands again, or I will smell like it all day.”
Pleased with her blue and white lawn dress, with a pleated triple frill at her neck, Bella dressed in a hurry after eating. She sat patiently while Mary coiffed her hair. The maid secured extra pins in case Bella’s hat blew from her head. The dress would be perfect with her navy wool pelisse. She loved the coordinated silver trim on the edges and sleeves.
Her mother opened the door and stuck her head inside. “My dear, he will be here soon, and you have not had time to break your . . . fast.” She spoke the last word on a sniff. “Have you had bacon in here, again?”
“Could you be smelling it from the dining room, Mama,” Bella asked, trying her best to swallow the giggle that threatened.
“I do not think so, do you, Mary?” Her mother feigned a look of irritation for a minute before allowing her face to break into a smile. “I declare, Bella. You have everyone involved in your mischief. See that you add an extra dab of rosewater. You do not want your beau to think you smell like . . . food.”
Bella glanced at her mother who was struggling to maintain a straight face. It had become more of a game, and lately, Mama had resigned herself to her daughter’s quirks.
“Mama, I will make you a bacon aficionado one day, too!”
Her mother laughed. “I enjoy a piece occasionally. However, the smell lingers so long that I deny myself rather than deal with that.” She looked at her daughter. “You look lovely. Hurry down, my dear. I would like to know you had more than a piece of toast and a few strips of bacon to sustain you, and your young man will be here soon.” She gave her daughter a peck on the cheek. “I will meet you in the dining room. Now, hurry.”
Mama did not have to ask her to hurry. She had but one goal today—to see Slade.
* * *
An hour later, Slade’s carriage arrived in the drive. He picked up the carefully wrapped bouquet of pink roses from the seat next to him. The note her father had shown him replayed heavily in his head. It had been almost a week ago when he had taken her for a ride in Dover.
With everything happening with Graham, he had completely forgotten seeing the man in the large felt hat watching them from across the pond. He had gone back to the site and found what might have been a smeared footprint in the marshy area next to the pond. He could not be certain. Arriving home and finding Graham had taken the nightshade had completely thrown him. And now, Bella’s life was being threatened—perhaps, by Lady Caroline Evers.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” came the pinched voice of the Rothmore butler. He took Slade’s hat and coat. “Lady Bella is waiting in the parlor,” he said, indicating Slade should follow him. “Shall I take the flowers, Your Grace?”
“That will not be necessary, Gordon,” Lady Bella said, meeting them at the door.
“Yes, my lady,” the man sniffed and left the room.
Bella leaned in and sniffed the pink flowers, fingering a couple of petals. “You know these are my favorite,” she sniffed the bouquet once more. “Thank you, Slade.”
Slade watched her touch the flowers and imagined her long, lovely fingers combing through his hair. The thought sent an unexpected feeling of excitement thrumming through him.
Bella turned and showed the flowers to her mother, who smiled approvingly. “Let me take care of those, my dear,” she said, reaching for them. “I will ask the housekeeper to place these in your room.”
