Belle gaped at her, torn between chagrin and astonishment. “B-but I didn’t ... I never meant to ...”
Violette waved an airy hand and settled herself down in a chair, kicking off her shoes and tucking her feet up beneath her. “Oh, I know you meant to have Lord Nibley,” she said, giving Belle an apologetic smile, as she must look increasingly appalled. “It was quite obvious, you know,” she added, though not unkindly. “But really, you are just what Edward needs, and it simply seemed like the best solution all around.”
Belle sat down before her legs gave out. “It did? I do?” she croaked, not entirely sure she had the questions the right way around, but too startled to figure it out.
“Oh, yes,” Violette nodded. “You see, now you and Miss Lucretia are secure, and I already know that we get on famously, so I’m thrilled to have you both for sisters.” This was said with such enthusiasm that Belle couldn’t doubt the sincerity of her words. “And poor Edward.” She gave a heavy sigh and shook her head. “He was such a jovial, happy fellow before he went away. Never took anything seriously. Used to drive me mad, actually,” she added with a sad smile. “But now ... well, you’ve seen.”
Belle nodded. Indeed, she had.
“He needs a strong hand, Belle. May I call you Belle?”
“I wish you will,” Belle replied with a smile that faltered a little. “I’m afraid we had a dreadful row earlier,” she admitted. “And ... actually, he rather frightened me.”
Violette looked at her with regret and nodded. “I’m so sorry. But Edward would never hurt you, physically, at least, I’m certain of that much. He just doesn’t have it in him. Though I wouldn’t put it past him to go out and pick a fight. He’s not past punishing himself, you see. It’s quite likely you’ll find him coming back bloodied and bruised on occasion.” Belle gasped at the idea and Violette shrugged, implying she didn’t understand it in the least either. “But he won’t physically hurt you. Not ever,” she continued. “I’m afraid I cannot speak for his tongue, though. He ... he has it in him to be rather cruel.”
“I have discovered,” Belle replied with a grim smile.
Violette looked pained and Belle felt guilty for some reason she couldn’t fathom. Only that Violette had done so much and been so kind, and she seemed to be placing her hopes in Belle returning Winterbourne to the man he’d once been. It seemed too unlikely to be plausible.
“I will try,” she said, her voice gentle. “I will do my best to be a good wife to him and not ... not to anger him too much.”
“Oh no!” Violette cried, looking genuinely appalled. “That’s what everyone does! It simply doesn’t work. If no one challenges him, he gets away with being rude and odious, and it just gets worse. No, no, Belle, I beg of you. Whatever you do, do not allow him to bully you! Don’t placate him, whatever you do.”
Belle let go of a breath of relief, because she never had been able to keep her tongue between her teeth, and heaven knew the marquess brought out the worst in her. But could she really stand up to that angry, rude man, day after day? Well, she’d just have to grow a backbone, she supposed, because she would not spend the rest of her days cowering in her room.
“I’ll do my best,” she said with a smile.
Violette beamed at her and reached out to take her hand. “I know that you will,” she said, giving her fingers a squeeze.
“Has Crecy read her way through the library yet?” Belle asked, eager to change the subject to safer ground, but Violette looked puzzled.
“Oh, I haven’t seen her since this morning,” she replied with a frown. “I assumed she was in her room. Have you not seen her?”
“No,” Belle said, her voice faint. “She went out riding hours ago.”
Crecy would not have come upstairs without calling in on her. Belle had simply assumed she’d found a good book and forgotten the time. To be truthful, she’d been so consumed by her own problems that she hadn’t really given Crecy much thought. Guilt burned and her heart gave an uneven thump as she looked out at the skies, it was almost dark now, and it looked like it might snow again. She turned to Violette, too frightened to speak.
Violette leapt to her feet, her tone brusque. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she’s here, we’ve just not seen her. Come along, let’s go and track her down.”
Belle nodded, but with her heart in her throat, and hurried down the stairs in search of her sister.
Chapter 16
“Wherein a ceremony ...”
Crecy had not been seen since she’d left the house this morning in the company of a groom. The groom had returned about an hour after they’d left, having been given the slip. Belle was informed in no uncertain terms that her sister was a bruising rider, and whilst Crecy might have glowed with pleasure from the man’s accolades, Belle felt rather differently. All she could imagine was her sister, lying in a ditch as the temperature plummeted.
She stifled a sob and was about to demand a search party be mounted immediately when Crecy strolled through the front door.
Her face was flushed with the cold and her hair all awry, but other than that, her eyes were sparkling and she looked perfectly lovely and full of life.
Belle wanted to strangle her.
“Crecy!” she exclaimed with relief, still not sure if she wanted to hug her sister or throttle her. “Where on earth have you been?”
“Sorry, Belle, Mrs Russell,” she said, looking a little sheepish as she saw the groom she’d abandoned and various other members of staff gathered around and clearly discussing her whereabouts. “I got lost.”
“And no wonder!” Belle threw back at her. “What were you thinking, going off without a groom or anyone to chaperone you? How could you? Anything could have happened.”
Crecy blushed and put up her chin a little. “Well, it didn’t, Belle, and I said I’m sorry already. I am cold however, and famished. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go and dress for dinner.”
Belle watched her go in mute astonishment and could only echo Lady Russell’s words as the old lady leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Keep an eye on that one, Miss Holbrook, she’s full of secrets.”
Belle experienced a chill of foreboding as she knew only too well that Lady Russell was right. She didn’t believe for a moment Crecy had been lost. Which begged the question, where the devil had she been?
***
Belle did not manage to get anything further from Crecy, who was adamant she’d been lost and nothing more. With her own future a more immediate concern, Belle had to let it rest, for now, at least. For now, she stood before the looking glass in her best blue gown as she prepared to go downstairs and marry the Marquess of Winterbourne.