“You can’t let him push you away, Belle,” Crecy said, her voice low as she stroked the head of the bewildered-looking magpie.
Belle smiled at her sister and nodded. “I know that, Crecy, and believe me, I have no intention of letting him succeed.”
Chapter 25
“Wherein Belle takes a lesson in seduction.”
Belle did not attempt to speak with Edward again that day, nor did she seek him out that night. He was too raw and angry to even make the attempt. But the next day, she determined she would confront him and put to rest any fears that he had that he had hurt her on purpose or could do so again. She would learn better how to deal with the terrible nightmares he suffered, and never wake him in such a manner again.
Lord and Lady Falmouth returned in the early afternoon, and Belle did her best to play the welcoming hostess. She tried to be merry as she oversaw the decorating of the house. Vast swathes of evergreen, rosemary, and glossy holly with its blood red berries adored lintels, windows, and the grand stairway, and Belle made little posies of Christmas roses to be placed amongst the greenery on the mantles. It had been a job she’d been looking forward to, but it must have been clear that her mind was elsewhere. With a heavy heart, she watched as the footmen lifted a kissing bough of evergreen and mistletoe, with apples and bright red ribbons making it festive. She wondered if there were lovers among the servants, and how many mistletoe berries would be missing for each stolen kiss by the time Christmas was done. Would any be hers and Edwards?
Belle knew well enough that some families, especially among the ton, had relegated such decorations to below stairs, feeling them inappropriate for proper company. But she was mistress of Longwold now, and such traditions made her feel a part of the place and its history. It made her feel as though it was truly home, her home. From the warmth and enthusiasm that the servants gave to the decorating, she felt she had made the right decision.
Once the great castle was beautiful and festive in its lush green finery, Belle went to find some peace in the library, only to discover that Violette had followed her. She had thrown herself into the decorating with characteristic joy, and Belle found she liked her new sister more and more.
“How are you, Belle?” she asked, her voice full of sympathy.
Belle did her best to return a reassuring smile, but found it hard to pretend everything was as it ought to be. “Well enough,” she replied, gesturing for Violette to take a seat beside her.
Violette took her hand, her eyes full of concern. “You won’t give up on him, will you, Belle?”
Belle looked at her in astonishment. “What? Of course not! Surely you do not think me such a feeble creature as that?”
“Oh no,” Violette exclaimed, but there was deep concern in her eyes. “Only, I know how ... how difficult Edward can be, and I know you did not love him when you married, but ... Oh, Belle, if you’d have known him before, you would have fallen for him in a heartbeat, I promise you that.”
Belle gave a soft laugh and shook her head. “You need have no fears on that score,” she said, her voice low.
Violette stared at her, a slight smile curving over her lovely mouth. “You love him?”
Belle nodded. “With all my heart, but I fear that I am not enough to heal him.”
Violette grasped her hand between both of hers. “You are, Belle, I know you are. You must just keep trying, please.”
Belle laughed, touched by Edward’s sister’s devotion to him. “You have my word that I will, Violette. It’s just ...”
“It’s just…?” Violette pressed.
Belle squirmed a little inwardly, she wasn’t sure Edward’s sister was the right person for such confidences. “It’s just ... the only time ...” Belle paused again and took a deep breath. “The only time I can get close to him at all is ... is when ...”
“Oh!” Violette exclaimed, as she began to understand. “Yes. Yes, I see.”
Belle watched as Violette pursed her lips. “Well, if it weren’t my brother, I could maybe suggest ... but…” Belle smiled as Violette pulled a face.
“It’s of no matter,” Belle said with a heavy sigh that said otherwise. If she was more experienced in such matters, she could seduce the man, but as it was she couldn’t even get near him, let alone have any idea what to do if she managed that much.
“Celeste!” Violette said suddenly, startling Belle out of her reverie.
“What?”
Violette got to her feet and pulled at Belle’s arm, tugging her until she followed. “You must speak with Celeste,” she said, her voice firm.
“Oh, but ... no, I couldn’t,” Belle exclaimed in horror. “I hardly know the woman!”
“Oh, pish!” Violette exclaimed. “You only need be in Celeste’s company for half an hour to know you love her, and when I decided to elope with Aubrey ...” She paused suddenly, going a little red. “I’m sorry, have I shocked you?”
Belle gave a short bark of laughter. “You’re talking to the woman who trapped your brother into marriage,” she said, her tone dry.
Violette grinned at her. “Well, anyway,” she carried on. “Celeste gave me the most wonderful and ... intriguing advice. She’ll know just what to suggest.”
So, Belle trailed along in Violette’s wake as the poor earl was ejected from their suite of rooms so that his wife could have a private talk with Belle. If he had an inkling of the reason why, he said nothing, his grey eyes placid if rather intrigued, but Belle was never more mortified.
For most of the next couple of hours, Belle simply listened, feeling as though her cheeks were on fire. But Violette had been perfectly correct. Celeste was a mine of information on the subject, and not the least bit hesitant in sharing it.
“So, you see,” Celeste replied, reaching for what must have been her third slice of fruitcake as Belle topped up their tea cups. “It is really very simple, oui?”
Belle nodded, though her stomach had tied itself into a knot. It was certainly simple enough, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t rather daunting, though.
Celeste gave her a shrewd look. “Do you think that your ‘usband, ‘e cares for you?”
Belle smiled, enchanted as everyone seemed to be by the countess’ pretty French accent.
“I think he does, a little, at least. He ... he desires me.”
Celeste gave a little snort of laughter. “Of course ‘e desire you. You are perfectly lovely.” She popped a piece of cake into her mouth and chewed, her expression thoughtful. “Getting a man to desire you is the easy part,” she said with a sigh as she placed a hand over her heart. “The ‘eart, though, getting ‘is ‘eart is another matter. Alex was very difficult,” she said, shaking her head.
“Really?” Belle said in astonishment. For all she thought of the earl as a rather terrifying man, he had never hidden the fact that he was utterly besotted with his lovely wife.