Page 107 of Harpy of the Ton
“Clever girl!” she said. “It takes a brave sailor to play the part of the enemy.”
“Don’t you hate Bonaparte for being the enemy?” Roberta asked.
“One man’s enemy is another man’s hero,” Bella replied. “When a man believes he’s doing something good, we shouldtry to understand, rather than revile him. Of course, there are men who knowingly commit acts of wickedness. I hope I never encounter such a man.”
Lawrence’s gut twisted with guilt. She might as well have been talking about him.
“You’re home early, Lawrence,” she said.
“I am,” he replied. “It’s a special occasion for which I want you to wear your best gown. And children?” He turned to three pairs of eyes watching their exchange. “Can you see to your own supper tonight? William, Jonathan—don’t leave it all to your sister.”
“Yes, Papa,” they chorused.
Lawrence took Bella’s hand. “Perhaps you might wear your brooch tonight.”
“I couldn’t—it’s too fine.”
“Nothing’s too fine for you.”
Her shy smile threatened to melt his heart.
“I’m content with…” She lifted her hand to her neck, then hesitated. “Of course I’ll wear the brooch, if it pleases you. Well—I’d best set out my gown.”
She stepped up on tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth before returning inside the cottage. As she reached the door, she lowered her hand from her neck, and he caught sight of her throat.
Her necklace was gone.
*
“What a deliciousmeal, Mrs. Colt,” Bella said. “Thank you for taking such good care of us.”
“No trouble, Mrs. Baxter,” came the reply. “I pride myself in saying that my steak pie would stand up to anything served on any lord’s table.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
Bella smiled, her eyes glistening in the candlelight. How different she was to the creature who’d first arrived at Ivy Cottage—who’d turned her nose up at a good stew and found fault with the way Lawrence held his knife, the way he chewed his food, how he drank his ale…and probably how he took a piss.
The innkeeper’s wife cleared the plates then left, with the promise of a glass of port each, on the house. Bella leaned across the table and took Lawrence’s hands.
“Thank you,” she said. “I should admonish you for your extravagance. Your money could be put to better use, but I’ve enjoyed tonight very much.”
He lifted her hands to his lips. “Have you?”
“I felt like a lady, being served by others. Have we done this before?”
“No, love.”
“Then I shall treasure tonight all the more.” She glanced about the parlor. “Imagine what it must be like to be waited on like a lady, every day.”
“Would you like that?”
She let out a sigh, a flicker of longing in her gaze. Then she shook her head. “What would I do if others did everything for me?” she asked. “If I dined like this every night, I could never appreciate it. Whereas tonight, I can savor the pleasure of a special occasion, and enjoy it all the more.”
Lawrence’s conscience clawed at him as she expressed such pleasure in indulging in a tiny crumb from the life he was denying her.
“Lawrence,” she said, and his stomach clenched at the gravity of her tone, “there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you. I think perhaps now is the moment.”
Shit.
