Page 100 of Harpy of the Ton
Footsteps clattered on the stairs, and the children appeared.
“Time for supper,” Bella said. Not pausing to glance back at Lawrence, she swept into the kitchen, where she served them insilence and picked at her meal. The children watched him, fear and accusation in their eyes.
Damn her—did she seek to spoil his children with trinkets and turn them against him?
But other than admonishing William for chewing with his mouth open, she said nothing, acknowledging Lawrence with a nod when he rose from the table to resume work in the study on what he’d begun to callthat fucking garden design.
He still couldn’t picture the garden.Something different, Mr. Trelawney had said. Something to transport his wife to another world. Foolish man—pandering to a woman. But the prospect of a hefty fee was enough to weather the whims of any woman, provided Lawrence could come up with a design she liked.
Tiredness overcame him, and he reached forward to extinguish the candle. Then he saw it.
A small packet on the corner of the desk.
He reached for it, unlaced the string, and opened the wrapping with the nameBeachamp’s, Midchesterhandwritten on the front. Inside was a neatly folded, cream-colored neckerchief. He lifted it to his face and brushed it against his cheek, relishing the softness of the silk and the faint aroma of roses.
He’d torn his best neckerchief last week when he dressed for church.
And Bella had noticed.
He moistened his thumb and forefinger, pinched the candle wick, which sizzled before the flame died, then exited the study.
Low voices came from the children’s bedroom. Why weren’t they asleep?
He crept to the top of the stairs. Their door was ajar, and he peered through the crack.
Bella sat on Roberta’s bed, Jonathan in her arms, and the twins squashed either side of her. William clutched a smallwooden horse in his hands, and Roberta had a toy boat tucked under her sleeve—their gifts from Midchester.
Had Bella bought anything for herself?
“When a lady is in need of solace,” Jonathan said, studying the book in his hands, “she must not disturb her father or husband with her concerns. Instead, she will turn to her maid…”
“Very good, Jonathan,” Bella said, turning the page. “You read well. Mind you take care of your spectacles.”
“I will, Mama.”
“Tell Mrs. Chantry she must ensure you look after them as well.”
“Will she be angry with me for not going to school?”
“Leave her to me,” Bella said.
“What if you’re not there?”
“Then you tell me, and I’ll go and see her.”
“No,” Jonathan said, “I mean what if you’re no longer here—with us?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Bella asked.
“Are you going to leave us?”
All three children stared at her, and Lawrence held his breath.
Bella smiled and shook her head. “Of course not.”
“Papa said—”
“Take no notice of Papa,” she said. “I suspect he was just tired after a long day. He works very hard for us, doesn’t he?”
