Belle sipped her tea again. “What else?”
“As soon as I finish here, I’m to return to Carlisle and continue my investigation. Baron has charged me with catching Pennywhistle in the act of trespassing on the railroad’s land, perhaps even catching him in an act of sabotage.”
“And my father?”
Arundel met her gaze over his teacup. “Nothing, not even an order from the queen, comes before returning your father to you.”
“And once he is safe, you’ll be gone.”
Slowly, he sipped his tea again, his gaze never leaving her face. “Your life can return to the way it was.”
She nodded. “That’s all I wanted.”
“I won’t trouble you any longer.”
“You have been quite a lot of trouble.”
“Then you’ll be glad to see me go.”
“Very glad.” She set her teacup on the table. “And I’m sure you will be happy to return to your life.”
“I won’t have to hear lectures on tea.”
“You won’t miss that, I’m sure.”
“Not at all,” he said, but his tone said otherwise. Belle wanted to ask the obvious question—was he lying as much as she was? Would he miss her as much as she feared she’d miss him?
“Arundel—”
A tap on the door had them both jumping. Arundel waved a hand. “That must be the bath I ordered.”
“Bath? When did you order that?”
“I believe it was when you were engaged with the tea selections.” He rose and went to the door, opening it for a pair of footmen, who carried in a large tub. Four more followed, each with two large buckets of water. “Put that one in the bed chamber,” Arundel ordered, crossing to open the door for them. Belle gaped as she watched the parade of servants carry the tub into the other room and fill it with water. Their task completed, the men filed out and a maid entered, arms full of white towels and a basket of soaps and other toiletries on her arm. Arundel directed her to the bed chamber, and then she too marched out, leaving them alone.
“The doctor said not to get your stitches wet,” she told him, feeling rather stupid at having nothing better to say.
“I’ll have them fill the tub only halfway when it’s my turn.”
“Your turn?”
“You should go before the water turns cold.”
“I should—the bath is for me?” For some odd reason, Belle felt her cheeks heat. “But I didn’t ask—”
“Well, if you don’t want it, I’ll tell them not to bring the second tub and use it myself.”
“Second tub?”
“A shallow one for me. I thought I’d have it put in here and let you have the bed chamber.”
“That’s thoughtful.”
“Hmm. But if you don’t want it—”
“I do.” She rose. A bath like this one was a rare treat as it was a serious undertaking to fetch, carry, and heat enough water for a bath. She and her father usually made do with cold water and a rough towel. She’d been given warm water at Lady Keating’s, but not enough to submerge herself or to wash her hair. Belle looked at the bed chamber then back at Arundel.
“I assure you I will not disturb you. The key to the door is on the dresser. Lock it if that makes you feel better.” Another knock interrupted them. “That will be my bath.”
