It was so tempting to reach out to him, to take his hand, but rather like facing a terrified horse, she felt he would simply shy away, so she just offered him a smile.
“That’s alright,” she said, her voice gentle. “We’ve both got frightful tempers, that much is obvious, and there a lot of adjustments to make.” She tried to keep her limbs still but the cold was biting painfully now as her shivering increased. “I’m terrified of this place,” she said, waving her hand at Longwold in general. “It’s huge and frightening and beyond anything I have ever dreamed of, and I can’t imagine how strange it must be for you, to return to the life you once had, after everything you’ve seen and experienced.” Nonetheless she tried to imagine it, turning back towards him with a sad smile. “A bit like trying on a favourite coat and finding it suddenly three sizes too small, perhaps?” she suggested, hoping it didn’t sound flippant. “You know the wretched thing ought to fit, but it’s uncomfortable and chafes, and it doesn’t keep you warm like it once did.”
His eyes widened a little, though she couldn’t read his expression. However, after a brief pause, and to her enormous relief, he got to his feet, stumbling only a little. Then he offered her his hand.
She reached up and took it, finding his fingers as frozen as hers, but his hand strong and calloused and so much larger than her own. He pulled her to her feet and for a moment she believed he might say something, offer her some crumb of comfort, some common ground.
“Get inside before you freeze to death.”
Apparently not.
The words were gruff, and he turned on his heel and strode away. On the plus side, he was walking towards the house.
Belle stood watching him and shivering before she realised that the advice, at least, was sound.
“Knew I was right about you.”
Turning in surprise, she realised that Charlie was still lingering, and was grinning at her like she’d actually accomplished something.
“Well, I got him indoors at least,” she replied, though her heart felt somehow bruised and weary.
“Nah, m’lady. Ye got a way about ye, just like I thought, an’ ye did a sight more n’ that,” he said, offering his arm as she slid on the icy cobbles.
“I did?” she demanded, hoping he was right but feeling sceptical.
“Ye did,” he agreed, nodding and chuckling at her incomprehension. He paused and turned to face her, his voice warm. “You spoke to him, and ‘e didn’t shout ye down, or get up an’ leave, nor order ye away, neither. He listened.”
From the expression on Charlie’s face, she understood that this was something marvellous, and she could see the hope growing in his expression. Now all she had to do was live up to it.
Chapter 18
“Wherein Crecy gives a pep talk and Belle starts her own manoeuvres.”
It was hard to face Crecy the next morning, but Belle knew there was little point in hiding her humiliation and her husband’s troubled mind from her sister. Besides, Crecy would never judge her and it would be too hard to try and shut her closest kin, and indeed her only real confidant, out of this, her greatest challenge.
So, after breakfast, and with a confiding smile in her sister’s direction that promised revelations - though not of the kind she might be expecting - they returned to Crecy’s bedroom. Waiting until the lady’s maid who had been appointed to Crecy - Violette’s hand, once more - had left them alone, Belle let out a sigh of relief.
Crecy was wide eyed as she flung herself down on the bed, heedless of creasing her lovely dress and demanding, “Tell me everything! What was it like?”
Belle gave her a rueful smile and shrugged. “I have no idea.”
A while later, once Belle had given her an outline of the events of the night before, the two sisters sat together in silence. Belle felt guilt at having discussed her husband with her sister; after all, such matters should be private, but without Crecy, she had no one in whom to confide. Yes, Violette was growing to be a friend, but they knew each other so little. Her sister knew her inside and out, her talents and her failings, and her heart. That was comforting.
Crecy sighed and sat up, staring at Belle with an air of determination that was really rather unnerving. “Everyone I have heard speak of your husband always talks of him before the war. The man was not only well-liked, he was loved, Belle. He was invited everywhere, and it seems no one was surprised by his heroics on the battlefield. All of this speaks of a man with a good and noble heart, don’t you think?”
Belle nodded; after all, she could hardly disagree when she’d remarked the same. But that man did indeed seem to have died and been lost somewhere in France. “Yes, Crecy, I do. But how do I find that man if he is determined not to return?”
Crecy pursed her lips and lifted her hand, holding up one finger. “You need a strategy,” she said, sounding oddly sure of herself. “Firstly, you must get to know him. Speak to the staff about him, find out what he likes and doesn’t like, and try to use that information to your benefit. Show an interest in things that interest him. Follow him if you have to, go where he goes, force him into conversation with you, even if you argue. Don’t be frightened off. If you don’t interact with him, even if it’s not exactly a positive experience, well, you’ve already lost.”
Belle frowned a little, but shrugged. It made sense, she supposed.
Crecy held up a second finger.
“You are now the Marchioness of Winterbourne. Take control. Find your own place here. If he sees how capable you are - and you are capable, Belle,” she said with such a warm smile that Belle could only return it. “Well, he won’t be able to do anything else but respect you. I doubt a man like that will give his confidence or his heart into the keeping of a woman he doesn’t hold in high esteem.” Belle looked doubtful at that but sat up a little straighter as Crecy tutted and rolled her eyes. “Belle, you have kept the both of us, and that wretched woman, clothed and fed on a shoe string. You may not have managed a grand household, but truly, keeping us respectable on the budget you’ve had to work with, that’s nothing short of a miracle. And you know how good you are with people, the staff will love you and want to please you, you mark my words. Longwold will be child’s play in comparison.”
Belle bit back the retort that was brewing on her tongue, feeling her sister was coming in a bit strong there. Still, she couldn’t doubt the confidence and assurance she saw in Crecy’s eyes. So ... well, she’d do her best to live up to that expectation.
“Thirdly.” Belle watched with growing trepidation as Crecy lifted a third finger. “You’ll have to seduce him, Belle.”
“Crecy!” she exclaimed, feeling very uncomfortable at discussing this with her younger sister. Maybe Violette would have been a better choice?
“Oh, Belle,” Crecy replied, mimicking her shocked tone. “Do stop being such a goose. I know what happens between a man and a woman.”