Lord Salcombe and Lady Georgina arrived in the late afternoon of the next day. Belle had just come around the side of the house from the garden when she saw the carriage in the drive. She stopped. She did not recognise the crest, but she recognised the tall, brown-haired man who alighted. He turned to help another occupant down and her heart took a sickening dive when she saw Lady Georgina.
Justin had said nothing about visitors. But then she had not seen him today except for a brief moment at breakfast. Last night had been the first night since she had arrived that she had spent in her own bed. To her chagrin she had developed a slight headache and had nearly fallen asleep in the coach on the trip home from Haversham Hall. Justin had helped her up to her bed and sent Ellen in to look after her. He had been solicitous, but had seemed as preoccupied as she was and, after dropping a quick kiss on her forehead, had left her.
She had awoken this morning, her headache gone, but unable to quite shake the melancholy she had felt since last night.
Lord Salcombe had seen her. His eyes were fixed on her face and she could almost imagine their look of thinly veiled disapproval. She forced herself to go forward and he moved to the side of the carriage to wait for her. By now, Lady Georgina had spotted her as well.
She forced a smile to her face. ‘Good day, Lady Georgina, Lord Salcombe.’
Lady Georgina’s cold grey eyes met hers. ‘I see you have made yourself quite at home.’ Her gaze went briefly to the flowers she had picked.
Belle lifted her chin, refusing to buckle under her disapproval. Salcombe’s expression was harder to interpret. ‘These are for the drawing room. Justin is out on the estate. I am not certain he knew exactly when you would arrive, otherwise I feel sure he would have been here to greet you. You will have to make do with me instead.’
‘He did not know we were coming,’ Salcombe said.
‘Which undoubtedly explains why he is not here.’ She knew she was not being very cordial, but she felt edgy and defensive. ‘You must come in.’
Lady Georgina ignored her and took Salcombe’s arm. ‘I do not wish to stand out here all day.’ She started up the steps without waiting for Belle.
Belle trailed them into the hall where Mrs Keith stood. While Belle had been talking with Salcombe and Lady Georgina, the footmen had brought in the luggage which was now in the hall. Mrs Keith’s austere face lit when she recognised Salcombe. ‘My lord, ’tis good to see you.’ Her expression was merely polite when she turned to Lady Georgina. ‘My lady. I fear the Duke said nothing about your arrival.’ She cast Belle a puzzled look.
‘It is a surprise,’ Salcombe said. ‘We did not send word we were coming.’
‘I see. Well, then you will be wanting your usual suite, I imagine. It is the one at the far end of the west wing. Should I ready the blue bedchamber for Lady Georgina, my lady?’ she said to Belle.
Lady Georgina’s mouth had tightened with suppressed fury. ‘The blue bedchamber will not suit me at all. I would like the one at the south corner.’
Mrs Keith turned dismayed eyes to Belle. ‘But…’
‘That will be fine,’ Belle said. ‘You can prepare that bedchamber for her.’ She was not about to argue that she already occupied the room for she feared it would only cause more distress for everyone.
Lady Georgina had already started up the staircase to the drawing room. Salcombe and Belle followed, but just outside the drawing room door she was stopped by Salcombe’s hand on her arm. She looked up at him, puzzled that he would touch her. Salcombe removed his hand. ‘I have a message for you from Lady Chloe,’ he said quietly.
She was startled. ‘Do you?’
‘Yes.’ He pressed a note into her hand. ‘She is concerned about your well-being.’
‘Thank you,’ she said and wondered how such a thing had come about when it was so apparent he held her in no esteem at all. ‘You are very kind.’
‘Not at all.’
‘You have spoken to Chloe, then? Is she well?’
For the first time a smile touched his mouth. ‘I think so.’
Good heavens. He actually liked Chloe and more than just a little, if she was not mistaken— Which explained why he had delivered Chloe’s message.
She realised she was staring at Salcombe. ‘I am glad,’ she said softly. ‘Thank you for letting me know.’
He inclined his head and waited for her to pass into the drawing room. Lady Georgina had already removed her bonnet and pelisse and had seated herself on one of the sofas. ‘I will ring for refreshment. What would you like, Brandt?’
‘Nothing at the moment.’
She looked at Belle. ‘I trust you intend to put those flowers in a vase before they wilt. Then I want to speak to you.’
Belle went to the vase that sat on one of the tables and thrust the flowers in the water. She took a deep breath in an effort to suppress her anger. She should be more charitable towards Lady Georgina and understand that it was only concern for her nephew that prompted her hostility. Instead, she sensed there was something other than Justin’s well-being that motivated Lady Georgina to involve herself in his affairs.
She finally turned around.
‘Brandt, I suggest you find Westmore and let him know we have arrived,’ Lady Georgina said.
Salcombe frowned. ‘I thought you would prefer to rest after the journey.’
‘I am not the least bit fatigued.’ She smiled thinly. ‘Go. I wish to speak to Lady Milborne in private.’
He looked over at Belle. ‘Do you know where Justin is?’
‘I am not certain. I know he meant to see one of his tenants and then was to go to Haversham Hall.’
‘I’ll find him.’ He hesitated and seemed about to say something more, then changed his mind. ‘I will return shortly.’
His footsteps echoing in the hall left Belle feeling adrift. She forced herself to look at Lady Georgina. ‘I believe you have something to say to me.’
‘Oh, I do. I do not know what game you are playing, but I’ve no intention of allowing you to ruin my nephew’s life. You may consider yourself the mistress of this house, but you are not. Nor will you ever be. I will see to that even if it means I completely ruin you in the process. And your family.’
Belle met the woman’s gaze, not wanting her to know how much her threats frightened her. She had no doubt Lady Georgina would do exactly as she said. ‘You may rest assured that I will not be mistress of this house or of any house in Justin’s possession, either now or in the future. Is there anything else you wish to say to me?’
‘I suggest you make plans to leave here as quickly as possible. Tonight, preferably. There is no reason for you to remain. There is an inn in the village. You can stay there and then you can go in the morning. I will, of course, loan you the funds.’
Belle felt heat rise to her cheeks. ‘I do not need your money.’
A footman entered with the tea tray. Lady Georgina directed him to set it on the table near her. She rose and picked up the teapot in a movement that was still graceful. ‘I will have some tea. I would ask you to join me but you will, of course, want to pack your things.’
Belle stared at her for a moment and then turned on her heel without saying a word.
‘Is that not Brandt coming up the drive?’ Marguerite asked. ‘On one of your horses?’
‘Brandt?’ Justin’s brow shot up but he turned to look anyway. He was about to leave Haversham Hall and had just stepped out of the front entrance. She was not mistaken—the horse cantering up the long winding drive of Haversham Hall was from his stable and the rider was indeed his cousin.
What the devil? He ran down the steps leading from the front entrance to the drive and waited for his cousin to halt the grey gelding next to him. From his cousin’s dusty appearance he thought it was unlikely Brandt had changed from his travelling clothes. ‘What are you doing here?’ he demanded, although he suspected he knew very well.
‘Looking for you. Lady Milborne thought you might be here.’
Justin scowled. ‘I trust you were civil to her.’
‘Civil enough, although I cannot say the same for Aunt Georgina, which is why I thought it prudent to fetch you home as quickly as possible. As well as to warn you.’ He looked over Justin’s shoulder. ‘Good day, Marguerite.’
Justin had not heard her approach. She stood next to him. ‘Lady Georgina is here?’ she said, her expression dismayed. ‘Why ever would you bring her?’
‘I trust you have a reasonable explanation,’ Justin said coldly.
‘I don’t. She either came with me or by herself. I suggest you return home and rescue Lady Milborne.’
‘I intend to.’ Justin started towards his horse.
Marguerite caught up with him. ‘I am coming to Falconcliff as well.’
‘Why?’
‘Because Belle will need a friend. A female friend. You must go now, but I will be over as soon as I change into my riding habit.’
He glanced down at her slightly rounded belly. ‘I doubt if Giles will be pleased to have you cantering all over the countryside.’ He could tell from the stubborn look in her eye that she would not listen to him.
‘Hardly all over the countryside, just next door. I’ll leave a note for him and let him know we have been invited for dinner.’ She smiled. ‘Besides, Dr Moore has emphasised that exercise in moderation is quite good for ladies in my particular condition.’
‘I’ll leave Brandt to escort you. Don’t argue,’ he said before she could open her mouth. He doubted Dr Moore knew Marguerite’s definition of moderation. He took the horse’s reins from the groom and mounted in a swift, easy movement.
‘Don’t let her canter,’ he said to Brandt.
‘Have no fears on that score. I’ve no desire to incur Haversham’s wrath. I will see you shortly. Don’t do anything rash.’
‘I won’t make any promises.’ He urged his horse into a trot and started down the drive. He had no idea what his aunt hoped to accomplish by coming here. No, that was not true, he knew exactly what she wanted to accomplish.
Belle folded a pair of silk stockings and placed them in the valise. She and Ellen had almost finished packing her clothes and only her jewellery and a few other small items remained. She stared down at the valise for a moment, and tried to think what she was to do next. Her mind seemed to be completely blank.
She supposed she should ask for a carriage to be sent around. She was loath to leave without telling Justin, but she feared he would try to stop her. Or perhaps he wouldn’t. Surely he would see how awkward it would be to have his mistress under the same roof as his cousin and aunt. She was undoubtedly a hypocrite, but she still could not feel it was right to conduct an illicit liaison when one’s relations slept down the hall.
But, oh, how she would miss him.
‘What are you doing?’
Justin’s snarl jerked her out of her trance. She spun around. He stood in the doorway of the bedchamber, dressed in riding breeches and coat, specks of mud on his boots, his crop still in hand.
‘I…I am packing.’
He advanced into the room. ‘What the devil for?’ His gaze fell on Ellen who stood near the wardrobe, a pair of gloves in her hand, her eyes wide. ‘I would like to be private with Lady Milborne.’
‘Yes, your Grace.’ Ellen set the gloves down on the dresser and scurried out.
Without taking his eyes from Belle, Justin closed the door behind him and came across the room. ‘Why are you packing?’ he asked softly.
Her eyes must be as wide as Ellen’s. ‘Because I cannot stay here with your aunt and cousin. It…it would not be proper.’
‘Did my aunt put that idea into your head?’
‘No, not exactly.’ She swallowed at the look in his eyes. She might not need to find a room at the inn because he might strangle her first. ‘It would be very awkward for everyone. Perhaps I am rather prudish, but I do not think it is at all the thing to have a mistress under the same roof as one’s family.’
‘Indeed. And why not? Do you worry they might guess what we do when you come to my bed at night?’
‘Well, yes. And it is immoral.’
‘Do you feel immoral when you are in my arms each night?’
‘That is not the point.’ Her face was heating and she felt flustered. ‘I cannot stay any longer. And your aunt would like this room.’
‘I suppose you said you would give it to her.’ A brief sardonic smile crossed his face. ‘Then you may share my room with me.’
‘Will you please be reasonable?’
‘No.’ His hands went to her shoulders. She heard his crop fall to the ground before he hauled her to him. Her heart slammed against her ribs at his expression and her knees started to shake. She should resist him, push him away, but instead her arms crept around his neck. When his mouth met hers, her arms only tightened and she returned his kiss with an equal passion. She would not be in his arms like this again.
They were alerted by the knock on the door. Belle lay with her head on his chest and his arm encircling her. She had closed her eyes, wanting to pretend they could be like this for an eternity. She opened her eyes just as Justin stirred.
‘Belle.’
Marguerite’s voice brought her firmly back to reality. She moved from his embrace and sat up. ‘Yes. I…I am here.’ Although the door was closed and locked, her cheeks heated and she felt as self-conscious as if Marguerite had actually come into the room.
‘I merely wanted to let you know that Giles and I have arrived. After you have dressed I would like to talk to you.’ There was a pause. ‘You can let Justin know we have arrived as well.’
‘Yes.’ Her voice was shaky. She waited until she heard Marguerite move away from the door before looking down at Justin.
His mouth curved in a wicked smile. ‘See, that was not so bad. You sounded quite calm as if having people knock on your door while you engaged in an immoral activity is a common occurrence.’
She gave a little laugh. ‘I could not see that having hysterics would serve an useful purpose.’
‘Probably not.’ His gaze roamed her face. ‘Should we engage in another round of immorality before dinner?’
‘No! Most certainly not!’ This time her cheeks flamed. She climbed out of bed. ‘It is very rude to leave your guests to entertain themselves while we are up here doing…doing this. I still have not moved from this room and I must finish packing.’
He sat up and caught her wrist. ‘I won’t let you leave.’
She looked into his face. ‘I have no choice. You must see that.’
His eyes were serious. ‘Then I leave with you.’
‘Justin…’
‘Stop arguing with me.’ He released her wrist and rose to a sitting position. He was naked and she tore her gaze away from the sight of his lean, muscular body, a body she knew more intimately than her own. She found her shift on the floor and picked it up.
He came up behind her and turned her to face him. ‘I will see you at dinner.’ He touched her cheek with a gentle finger. ‘Don’t worry, Belle. Everything will come out right.’
She nodded and wished she could believe him.