Page 7 of A Gentleman's Guide to Save a Lady
“You can still keep your activities a secret,” Jo put in.
“It would be quite bothersome to keep my secret a secret if I embarked on a wild affair, which in itself would only add to the pile of secrets.”
“I do not see how,” Evelyn replied in a thoughtful manner. “You need only to set aside a few hours for the affair. It needn’t come between you and any of your other activities.”
Belle shook her head. The topic of their conversation burned her ears. Her friends were relentless, and she’d admit that they argued good points. But while they had found a compromise in their marriages, Belle would never be able to.
She took another sip of her tea, wishing it were something stronger. “I will not be swayed from my decision to remain unattached, not even for some tawdry affair.” At their sullen expressions, Belle added, “But I shall consider the merits of your argument, though I make no promises.”
“Your consideration is all we can hope for,” Evelynappeased.
Hah! Belle narrowed her eyes on her friends. They would not stop their pestering on this front—she was sure of it. But she was equally sure of her abilities to withstand any match-making attempts on their part.
But you do not trulywantto withstand their attempts.
Belle cursed her inner voice. It was yet another secret she held close to her heart—closer even than the other. She’d always wanted to marry, to be part of a family. Yet, it was the one thing she knew she’d never do.
“Yes, well, my time is better spent on the exquisite gowns I am designing for us,” Belle finally replied, hoping to end that particularly thread of their conversation. As soon as the words left her lips, however, St. Aldwyn and Westfield sauntered into the room.
Against her will, Belle’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of Westfield.
Drat. Why did he have to be so blasted handsome?
As always, not one hair on his blonde head stood out of place. He was leaner than St. Aldwyn, though they stood at the same height. His broad shoulders were slightly less pronounced, and where St. Aldwyn appeared hard around the edges, Westfield was striking. He wore his standard easy smile, one that brightened at the sight of his sister, Evelyn. A twinge of envy pinched her heart at the obvious display of affection between the siblings.
“What are you ladies up to?” St. Aldwyn asked with a broad smile, his eyes never leaving his wife. “Not plotting my demise, I hope?”
“Now why would we plot your demise, husband?” Jo asked, her voice syrupy sweet.
“Because I’ll pummel any man who dares flirt with my wife and she does not approve of my violence?”
Jo only laughed merrily. “Is this your attempt to discover the reason for James’s presence at the masked ball?”
“Perhaps the giant did not take note that you are spoken for?” There was an edge to his voice even though his smile remained in place.
Belle nearly snorted at the obvious display of male possessiveness. Had it not occurred to the men that perhaps James might be courting her? The idea annoyed Belle.
“I’m not spoken for,” she replied in a soft tone, her smile taking on a wicked edge.
St. Aldwyn’s hard eyes locked onto her.
Belle blinked innocently. It was clear he did not like the idea of Shaw being around his wife often—something that would happen if Shaw were indeed courting her. “You will recall I was in conversation with Mr. Shaw before your wife arrived,” she added in way of further explanation.
Out of the corner of her eye, Westfield stiffened.
“I was not aware you had decided to join the marriage mart,” Westfield muttered after a long pause.
Belle shrugged in response. “I haven’t.”
Her friends cackled at the matching looks of utter confusion that graced the men’s faces before understanding dawned on them. Their eyes widened the moment it did.
“Belle!” Evelyn exclaimed. “You will give them heart failure with your wicked sense of humor!”
Belle waved Evelyn’s comment aside. “Is it not astounding how men can be so easily shocked by the words of a lady?”
“Ladies should not speak such shocking words,” Westfield snapped, the easy charm of his smile gone.
“And men should not rule the world, yet here we are,” Belle countered.
