Julia Justiss (31 page)

Lady Anne patted her hand. “This has all been so sudden, I know. You needn’t decide yet what you wish to do. Now, there are several others waiting to see you.”

Lady Anne walked over to tug on the bellpull. Belle expected, with both anticipation and dread, that she would summon the gentlemen to rejoin them, but when the door opened a few minutes later, two young women entered.

The first was the girl who’d been riding in the park
with Jack and Kitty, whom Belle assumed must be Jack’s sister. The second was the young lady who’d accosted her in the theater lobby—Bellingham’s daughter.

“Miss Germayne, so good to meet you at last! I’m Dorrie, Jack’s sister, and
your
sister is now one of my dearest friends. My fiancé, Lord Winston and I, plus all his family, will be delighted to welcome you into society.”

“As will I,” Miss Bellingham said. “But first, please accept my most profound apologies! Not until I insisted the solicitors let me examine Papa’s will did I learn what you had done for my mother and I. ’Twas both generous and compassionate. I can never thank you enough.”

“You needn’t thank me,” Belle replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “The wealth rightfully belonged to you.”

“By right, perhaps, but by law it would have been yours, had you not acted as you did. I should be even more grateful if you will allow me to play some small part in rectifying the…the wrong my father did
you
.”

After a rap at the door, Watson entered to ask, “Should I show in the other folks now, your ladyship?”

“Please do,” Lady Anne replied, turning to Belle. “If you will forgive me for giving orders in your own home?”

Her mind flitting from thought to thought as she tried to comprehend the possibilities offered by this unexpected support, Belle hadn’t yet found the proper reply when another lady entered the room. “Kitty?” she gasped.

Her sister halted on the doorstep, her eyes widening. Then she ran across the room and threw herself into Belle’s arms. “Oh, my dear Constance, it
is
you! Until this moment, I didn’t dare believe it was true!”

Not for nearly seven years had Belle been embraced by a member of her own family. Tears welled in her eyes as the girl clung to her.

Finally Kitty let her go, wiping away tears of her own. “But here I am, standing about like a watering-pot, when I meant to introduce you to your family!” She motioned to the older couple now coming toward them. “Constance, this is Aunt Mary and Uncle Thaddeus.”

The gray-haired woman stared at Belle and clutched her husband’s arm. “Sweet heaven, Thaddeus, how she resembles our Kitty!” The old gentleman, too, appeared astounded.

“Lord Bellingham was an infamous rogue, stealing you from us,” Kitty said hotly. “Dorrie’s brother said he told you Uncle Thaddeus didn’t want you, when in truth he paid the innkeeper to tell us you were dead. He even had a tombstone erected for you!”

“You mean,” Belle said slowly, “Bellingham never contacted you about me?”

“Contacted us?” Uncle Thaddeus said. “No! Until Captain Carrington found us two weeks ago, we had no idea you were not buried beneath that marker. If I’d had even the slightest reason to suspect you’d survived, I should have searched the length and breadth of England for you.”

“But we can be a family again now, can’t we, Constance?” Kitty asked anxiously. “I know you must be angry with us for…for abandoning you, but please say you will give us a chance to start again.”

“I was never angry with you. And I would love to be a family again, but—are you sure you wish to associate with me? I may bring discredit on you all.”

“No longer,” Lady Anne inserted. “Miss Germayne, you will shortly be received by some of the best society in London. But now, everyone, I believe we’ve overwhelmed Miss Germayne quite enough. If you would all withdraw to the library, I believe Watson is bringing tea.”

Before leaving, Kitty hugged her, and Aunt Mary squeezed her hands, as if not quite believing Belle to be real. After they went out, Lady Anne smiled an apology. “Forgive me again for usurping your authority.”

“Since I scarcely know what I am about at the moment, let me thank you for your assistance.”

“There is one last thing I wished to mention to you—my son, Jack. Please, before you object, indulge me. I am not privy to what has passed between you, nor do I wish to be, but I know my son loves you. Nor does he give his affections lightly. I assure you, if any man can be loyal for a lifetime, it is my Jack.”

“I don’t doubt his constancy,” Belle acknowledged.

“As for protecting your independence, you can have your solicitors draw up documents giving you full control over your own wealth. Jack will not object.”

Belle smiled. “Nor do I worry that Jack covets my fortune, such as it is.”

“Then, Miss Germayne, I must ask, do you love my son?”

“Yes,” Belle replied simply. “But I don’t know if that will be enough.”

Jack’s mother studied her for a moment. “Rupert?”

Belle nodded, relieved that Lady Anne seemed to understand, knowing she could never bring herself to explain what he’d done. Or how it made her feel.

“I won’t insult you by saying I understand what you’ve experienced. But neither has anything in your life prepared
you
to imagine the joy of marrying a man you love and respect, sharing his life, bearing his children. If you let the…barbarity Lord Rupert committed keep you from reaching for happiness, then though you never see Rupert again, he accomplished his aim.” Holding Belle’s gaze, she said softly, “Don’t let him win, my dear.”

Leaving Belle to absorb her words, Lady Anne rose. “Jack is waiting to speak with you. This has been a morning of shocking surprises, and as I can’t promise that he will not again press his suit, if you would prefer some time to compose yourself, I will send him away.”

It would be better not to see Jack until she’d ordered her tumultuous thoughts, reflected upon all she’d learned and decided what she meant to do next. But knowing he was so near, the need to see him, talk with him, outweighed caution and prudence.

“I will receive him,” she heard herself say.

When the door opened a few minutes later, Belle had to avert her gaze. She’d not had long to reflect, but already she’d begun to realize what an incredible gift he had offered, believing in her, traveling for weeks about England to trace her origins, enlisting his own family’s support, bringing about a reconciliation with her nearest kin. For which he had demanded nothing but her love, freely given. Could she not match his courage?

She heard him stop before her. “If you cannot even look at me,” Jack said, his tone wry, “then I fear whatever plea Mama made on my behalf was not forceful enough.”

“Your mother is a very wise lady,” she replied, gazing up at last into the face so dear to her, it made her ache.

“If that means she’s recommended that you marry me straightaway, I agree.”

“Oh, Jack, how can I ever thank you? But still—”

“Belle, I don’t want your gratitude! Besides, whatever I saw restored to you was already yours by right, as much as the property and wealth you returned to Bellingham’s family. Over the next few months, you will be able to regain your place in your family and society. Much as I still want you for my wife, I can withdraw my suit while you establish yourself in your new life. All I beg is that while you do so, you will let me stay your friend.”

Belle smiled, love for him melting some of her anxiety and trepidation like the sun dispersing a morning mist. “You’ll never take more than I gladly give?”

He smiled back. “Never. When I rode to Bellehaven that day, fearing Rupert might have harmed you, knowing I might never see you again, I realized that I would gladly accept whatever part you are willing to give me in your life. So, shall we let our bargain stand?”

Gratitude welled up that he was not pressing her for a decision now. “Our bargain stands.”

S
IX MONTHS LATER
, Belle sat beside Jack as his carriage conveyed them to her house in Mount Street. So much had transpired, she mused as she studied the dear, familiar profile of the man beside her. She’d been introduced at a ball given by Lady Cowper herself, attended by all the Patronesses and every notable in the ton, including Welling
ton and the Prince Regent. Thereafter, no one with aspirations to society had dared slight her.

In fact, to Belle’s great satisfaction, with the influence of the important connections Lady Anne had amassed added to her own charms and handsome dowry, Kitty had drawn the attention of several highly eligible suitors and ended her Season engaged to a fine young nobleman possessed of large fortune and an old, respected name.

The highlight of the succeeding summer had been attending the bride as Dorrie and Lord Winston pledged their vows, followed by a long visit to Carrington Grove. Jack had delighted in showing her around his estate. Though she’d feared the intimacy of living in the same house, he’d treated her throughout with meticulous respect.

In fact, did she not know for certain he was a man of deep passion—and occasionally glimpsed the banked heat in his eyes—she might believe he no longer desired her.

For he had been true to his word, an ever-present friend who never demanded more. With the acceptance of society and his steadfast affection, she’d slowly begun to regain her confidence and self-respect. And as her recovery accelerated this past month, she’d begun to chafe at the limited nature of their relationship.

“Did you dance the leather off your slippers tonight?” Jack asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“Nearly,” she replied with a chuckle. “Sometimes I wonder whether ’twas wise to have wanted to join the ton. We’re scarcely home one night in ten, I’ve danced until my feet blister, and ’tis only the Little Season.”

“I’m thankful to have claimed a fair number of those dances—no mean feat, given your crowd of admirers.”

It was a perfect opening, if she now had the courage to take it. “Jack,” she said, her heart beginning to thump against her ribs, “speaking of admirers, is…is your obliging offer still open?”

For a few, very long moments he said nothing.

“Of course, if you’ve changed your mind,” she added, glad the dimness of the carriage lamps masked the heat rising in her cheeks, “you’ve every reason—”

“Of course I’ve not changed my mind,” he interrupted. “Belle, do you mean to say you’re finally ready?”

“To marry you? To be your wife in every way? Yes.”

Jack seized her hands and kissed them, then gave a shout of delight, dissipating her concern that he now had reservations about wedding her. “We shall have the banns read this very Sunday.”

“Well…we’ve waited so long, I don’t think I wish to wait for the reading of the banns.” She knew the instant her meaning penetrated his consciousness, for his whole body alerted and a dazzling smile lit his face.

“Sweeting, though I don’t wish to deprive you of the usual pomp and ceremony, if you’re of a mind to hurry, I happen to have a special license I’ve been saving for just such an eventuality. Do you wish to make use of it?”

“I do. For months now, I’ve been struggling to rid myself of the ugly memories of Rupert and what he did. Once, long ago, you showed me what loving can be. I want you to help me banish the nightmares for good, replace them with the joy and wonder only you can show me.”

His fervent grip on her hands bespoke his eagerness. “We can be married tomorrow and begin tomorrow night.”

“I was rather hoping perhaps we could begin—now.”

“You are that sure you are ready?”

“No. But I trust you to stop whenever I ask you. Do to me whatever I tell you. Jack, I want to end tonight with you in my bed.”

“As you wish, then, my dearest love.” Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her gently. “Tonight and every night to come.”

Then, a grin lighting his face, he banged on the carriage wall and commanded the coachman to spring the horses.