Belle’s temper sparked at his threatening tone.
“Need I remind you that I needn’t have informed you of my part in any of this mess? And how convenient for you to lay the blame on my doorstep.” She paused, her tone indignant when she continued, “I did not attend spy school, and unlike thespies in this room,I was not even aware a French one infiltrated our country at the time. Even then, I still intercepted a criminal, obtained and protected stolen information, put my life in danger and never breathed a word of the entire episode to anyone. That is more than you can say about many.”
If Derek Shaw was shocked at her outburst, he did not show it, but Belle thought she saw a flash of admiration in his eyes.
“This isn’t just a dire matter, Shaw,” Grey growled, “It’s a bloody dangerous mess. My wife and I will not partake in this.”
“I believe it is too late for that, husband,” Evelyn whispered. “If this Edgar discovers Belle has not died as he believed, then none of us will be safe.”
The men glanced at each other as the truth of her words sunk in. Evelyn had only echoed what Belle had known from the beginning. By association, their lives were in peril.
“Well, I for one am looking forward to some adventure!” Jo chirped. She silenced her husband with a look when he started to protest. “Come now Damien, you’ve been sulking about the house in boredom and I’ve been made to watch. Domestic bliss outside the bedchamber does not suit either of us.”
James’s bark of laughter echoed through the room and Belle had to suppress a chuckle. Bless her heart, Jo knew just how to break the tension with her inappropriate statements.
St. Aldwyn sighed in dramatic fashion. “I do not sulk, but alas, you may have a point, my dear.”
“I always do,” Jo murmured with an impish smile. She turned to Belle. “Do not worry, we will catch this villain.”
Evelyn nodded. “You will never carry this burden alone again.”
Belle’s tears did flow this time and she embraced her friends. It occurred to her then she had been entirely wrong. They’d never abandon her. They had accepted her mistake without a moment of doubt or judgment. Even if it was really her burden to bear, she was grateful for their continued friendship all the same.
Derek cleared his throat, his expression grim. “If he knows you are alive, Lady Belle, perhaps we can draw him out with that knowledge.”
“Over my dead body,” Westfield snarled. “He already hurt her once. I will not take the chance with her life or anyone else’s.” His face was pinched with something akin to pain, yet his emerald eyes refused to meet her hers.
One moment he acted like the protective male and the other he was blatantly furious with her. She did not understand it.
Derek did not bat an eye. “That is not your call, but Lady Belle’s.”
Belle’s gaze flicked between the two men, before settling on Westfield. By his clenched jaw, she could tell he wanted to protest Derek’s statement. Her heart lurched a little in her chest then. Did he perhaps care for her beyond his gentlemanly obligation to protect all females? Was his interest perhaps personal?
She shook her head to clear it of the notion and looked away. “He is right, Westfield. If Edgar discovers I’m alive, he will come for me. It will be the best opportunity to catch him.” Her stomach jolted at the words.
“Damnation, Belle! You will put your life in danger again?” Westfield growled.
Belle turned back to him them, her neck craning to catch his regard. “My life is already in danger, lest we catch him.”
His lips curved in distaste, but he said nothing, only continued to clench his jaw. Resolve entered his eyes and the lines of his face. She sensed that he seemed to have come to a decision that he did not see fit to share.
Oh dear.
“We will keep watch on you every moment, Lady Belle. You will never be alone. You have my word,” James said.
Belle nodded, still wary of problems to come.
“What would you have her do?” Westfield asked.
Derek ran a hand through his disheveled hair, a sign that he was a man of many thoughts. “I propose Lady Belle go about her normal routine. If Edgar is about, she will have to do no more than that.”
Evelyn and Jo nodded to that.
“I agree,” Belle murmured distractedly. “He was at the masked ball; I am certain of it. It only stands to reason that he will attend other events, as well.”
“What!” Evelyn and Jo both screeched simultaneously.
Westfield cursed.
