by Sally James
Bella stared at him, wondering whether she was dreaming. ‘You mean - what do you mean?’
‘If I offered for you now, would you at least consider it?’ he asked.
She was speechless. This was something she’d longed for, but since that time in Bath had begun to think would never happen.
‘Bella? Did I give you such a disgust of me you can’t even consider it? I will wait for your decision.’
‘Oh, no! I’m not disgusted!’ she said hurriedly. ‘There’s no need to consider! That is, yes, I’ll consider it, but do I have to? Can’t I just say yes please?’
For a moment he stared at her, then, smiling, pulled her towards him, and she went into his arms. She raised her face and he covered it with kisses, delightful, feathery kisses which grew more and more intense. Then he captured her mouth and Bella felt as though she was floating on air. When, breathless, they broke apart, she could scarcely believe that it had happened.
‘Why? I mean, I’m not pretty, and I’m fat. There are hundreds of girls better looking than me.’
He laughed, a trifle unsteadily. ‘Are you trying to deter me?’
‘No! Of course not, but you could have anyone.’
‘You’re beautiful to me, and you are not fat - just a delicious armful. Why should I want a beanstalk whose bones would stick into me when I held her close?’
Bella giggled. ‘You can’t accuse me of that.’
‘I think I fell in love with you when you challenged Lambert at that inn. No other girl would have had the courage. Then, in Bath, you were so outspoken against what you saw as injustice, whether it was a dog or a child, even children you’d never seen.’
Bella kissed him. ‘Rags will enjoy it at Dorney Court’ she said provocatively, and he laughed. ‘You refused to take him before.’
‘You’ll have to come with him. But Bella, why me? I’ve been so difficult, I must have hurt you so much.’
She frowned. ‘I don’t know. There are men more handsome than you - ‘
‘That puts me in my place!’
Bella tapped his arm. ‘Don’t be a fop! I just knew, when I first saw you. I’d never felt like that before, for any man. I could scarcely believe it when you began to pay me attentions.’
Once more he drew her into his arms.
A long time later they began to talk. Bella told him all about her plans for housing orphans, and he told her more about the depredations his sister-in-law had caused at Dorney Court.
‘I have begun to put it in order, and it will be ready for you. When can we be married? I’ll have to come and see your father. And Bella, you are not going to spend your money on me or my house.’
She smiled and kissed him. ‘It would be my house too. Can I not spend just a little? I want to help. But I promise you most of my money will be spent on my orphans, and on persuading other people to help support them.’
Some time later, as they sat, arms entwined, talking and making plans, they felt the boat give a slight lurch. They sprang to their feet and looked over the side. Bella began to laugh helplessly.
‘Oh, no! The tide has gone out, and we’re marooned! I wonder if we can walk across the sand?’
They heard a shout from the shore, and saw Alexander riding towards them, leading two horses. He dismounted, tied the horses up, and came cautiously down to the bank. As soon as he stepped onto the sand he sank up to his knees, and staggered hastily backwards.
‘Didn’t you see the tide was going out?’ he called.
‘I don’t know what we could have done about it if we had,’ Lord Dorney replied, laughing. ‘If King Canute couldn’t control the sea, what hope would we have had? In any event, we were too preoccupied.’
Alexander frowned. ‘You’ll have to wait until the tide turns, which will be hours yet.’
‘We have food,’ Lord Dorney said. ‘We’ll just have to find ways to keep ourselves occupied.’
Belle giggled. ‘You’d best go back to the inn, and come back for us when you can launch the rowing boat. We’ll have to wait.’
Alexander looked disapproving. ‘It’s getting dark. You’ll have to spend the night here. But don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. Your reputation will be saved, Bella. No one knows you are here, and none of us will give the game away.’
‘You mean I might be compromised and Richard will have to marry me?’ Bella asked, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.
‘Yes. Richard? You don’t mean - ?’
‘You can wish us well, dear boy. Before Bella has been compromised.’
‘Oh, that’s famous! Well, I’ll leave you now, and come back in the morning, when the tide’s turned.’
He waved and rode back towards the village. Lord Dorney took Bella into his arms. ‘I warn you, my dearest love, that I shall be impatient, I don’t want to waste another day before I marry you.’
‘Nor I,’ she said softly. ‘It’s my dream come true.’
Copyright © 2007 by Marina Oliver
Originally published by Robert Hale [UK] (ISBN 978-0709084228)
Electronically published in 2012 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228
http://www.RegencyReads.com
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.
