Belle sighed and hitched her skirts up. He was only five years old, by her reckoning, and on the scrawny side, but she still doubted she could carry him. But maybe she could help him come down by himself.
Half way up, her courage deserted her and she made the mistake of looking down.
“Oh, my,” she murmured, clinging to the ladder for dear life.
“I know,” the boy said with a grave tone, staring down with his wide eyes. “That’s why I’m stuck.”
Belle muttered that it wasn’t a terribly helpful remark and advised him to heed his Da’s advice in the future.
Once at the top, and after a fair deal of discussion, she persuaded the boy to turn around and back onto the ladder, placing his feet onto the rungs with care. Once he was on, the two of them just stayed still for a moment, both of them quaking and breathless.
“You ain’t gonna swoon?” the boy demanded in terror, clinging to the ladder with white knuckles.
“Certainly not!” Belle replied with asperity, though she did feel rather light-headed. “Now come along, one rung at a time, you can do it.” Except the boy was frozen and wouldn’t budge an inch in either direction.
Little by little, she managed to coax him down a couple of rungs, but by now, he was sobbing in earnest, and Belle at her wits end. “Come along now, little man. What would your brothers say if they saw you crying so? Buck up now, you’re a brave soldier.”
By the time they were half-way down, Belle was perspiring and her arms aching under the strain. The boy was still wailing, despite Belle’s best efforts, though now she rather thought it was the idea of the tanning his mother would give him, rather than fear of falling. The noise, however, must have alerted whatever voices she heard drifting in from the lane, and the next thing she knew, a furious voice was bellowing up at her.
“Belle!”
Belle was so startled that she missed her footing and her arms were too tired to take her weight. She fell, thankful that it wasn’t far, at least, but instead of hitting the ground, was scooped up by none other than her husband. Having a rather softer landing was appreciated, and she might have been grateful for that fact if it weren’t for the glittering fury in his eyes.
Rather than face her husband’s obvious wrath, she turned back to the boy to discover Mr Abram plucking the young fellow off with one hand. “Come now, Timmy. Your poor mother has been searching high an’ low for you, ye young varlet.” With a touch to his forelock, the man lifted young Timmy into his arms and hauled him away. Leaving Belle with Edward.
Who was clearly furious.
Deciding that a good offensive was far better than a good defensive, Belle glared back at him.
“What on earth were you thinking, shouting at me like that? I was doing perfectly well before you frightened me half to death!”
Edward was white faced now, his breathing harsh, and, too late, Belle realised that she had misjudged.
“Edward,” she said, her tone softer now. “Edward, I’m fine. I was perfectly safe, and you caught me, in any event. No harm done.” She reached for his hand but he snatched it away, backing towards the door. “Edward,” she called, as anxiety kicked up in her chest. “Edward, I’m fine.” Edward turned and left. “Edward!”
By the time Belle had run outside, Edward was gone, and Belle knew she wouldn’t see him again that day.
***
“He’ll be back soon, Belle. He’s so much better than he was, anyone can see that.” Crecy gave her a sympathetic smile, her grey eyes full of concern. “He just needs to calm himself, you know that. Once he’s settled down, he’ll be back here begging forgiveness.”
Belle smiled at Crecy and nodded, but her stomach was in knots.
“Come now,” her sister said, gesturing towards the untouched bowl of soup in front of her. “Eat up. You must keep your strength up.”
Crecy’s mouth twitched a little as she spoke, and Belle narrowed her eyes at her.
“What do you mean by that?” she demanded.
Her beautiful sister pushed an errant curl from her eyes with irritation and smirked. “I’m not stupid, Belle, and I know you better than I do myself. You’ve never had a fondness for peppermint tea, and you’ve always loved roast pork and lamb. Especially the fatty cuts.” Crecy snorted with amusement as Belle swallowed convulsively. “I’m so happy for you,” she added with a broad grin. “I hope it’s a boy,” she added with a wicked glint in her eyes. “I shall teach him to play in the dirt, and tell a badger’s skull from a fox’s, and how to tame a magpie.”
“Have mercy, Crecy, love,” Belle begged, feeling rather overwhelmed and a little alarmed, as she well knew Crecy meant every word. “And besides,” she added with a sniff. “It’s probably a girl.”
Crecy pursed her lips. “Actually, that’s even better,” she added after a moments reflection. “I’ll teach her all the same things, and then she’ll be a sight more interesting than all the other simpering débutantes when she’s grown.” Crecy gave a dark chuckle as she looked back at Belle, clearly reading her face with accuracy. “You love me, really,” she taunted, sticking her tongue out at Belle until she gave in and laughed.
“Does Edward know?” she asked, her voice gentler now.
Belle shook her head. “I’ve wanted to tell him, but I’m afraid how he’ll take it, and after today ...” She trailed off, knowing she need not elaborate.
Although Edward’s morbid thoughts were growing fewer and more manageable, more and more of them included Belle and revolved around his fears for her. She’d been anxious enough about his reaction before today, but now she felt she must keep the news to herself for as long as she could.
“You mustn’t say anything,” she said to Crecy, who looked horrified at the idea.
“As if I would!”
Belle sighed and nodded. “Forgive me,” she said, wishing Edward was home. She just wanted to curl up in bed and sleep, knowing that he was safe beside her.
A knock at the door startled them, more so as Garrett and the other staff usually made a scratching sound, which Edward said was easier on the nerves.
A moment later, Garrett came through the door, looking uncharacteristically ruffled. “Forgive the intrusion, my lady, but I must beg leave to go and help in the south barn. It’s on fire, and with the wind blowing as it is, it could catch the castle, too, if we don’t act fast.”
“Oh my word!” Belle exclaimed, setting down her spoon with a clatter.
“Please, my lady,” Garrett begged, looking appalled at having frightened her. “There is no need for concern. I took the liberty of sending to the village for help, we’ll have it under control in no time.”
“And Lord Winterbourne?” Belle demanded as Crecy rose and crossed around the table to take her hand.
“We’ve not yet seen his lordship,” Garrett replied, but he was obviously eager to be gone, so Belle sent him on his way with a plea to take care.
“He’ll be fine, Belle. You know he’ll be hiding out in the woods somewhere like he always does.”