Jo snorted. “I heard he cast up his entire stomach and wept like a babe when you were taken.”
“Oh posh, he did not weep, but he did lamentaround for a bit,” Evelyn admitted.
“And of course he’d blame the water. Falling over his own feet must be a horrifying prospect for him,” Jo said with a huff.
He’d been sick?
Belle’s heart sped up like a race horse at the thought of Simon suffering because of her. He’d dived into churning waters for her. The revelation combined with her responding concern for him shook her to the core.
“I dreamed he read to me,” Belle murmured, recalling soft murmurings of his voice.
“Oh, that was no dream. He read to you for hours from a book about gardens. We got so tired of hearing about shrubberies, we chased him away to get some sleep,” Evelyn murmured.
“And get a reprieve for our ears,” Jo complained.
Belle’s lips twitched. It would seem he was still attempting to make up for his blunder.
“I should thank him then, for saving me. And James, too, of course.”
“I daresay you will not be able to live it down. Men are pesky beasts,” Jo offered.
Belle groaned. “Yes, well, Westfield never wanted me to act as bait, so there is no escaping that arrogant complaint.”
His notion that a woman should remain sheltered and protected against the outside world had already been teeth grinding, she could only imagine what it would be like now. It would be impossible to live with him. He would hound her every step. Already her mind raced with ways to prevent that from happening.
Perhaps she should just stay here with Jo, although that would not stop him from staying, as well, with St. Aldwyn being his closest friend and all. She could always inform her servants to lock him out of her home, but that wouldn’t stop him from bribing them. It was quite astonishing what that man could accomplish and get away with. Not to mention distracting.
“I take it they did not manage to catch him?”
Belle did not need to say who she referred to.
Evelyn shook her head; regret reflected her bright blue eyes. “By the time the men fished you out of the ocean, he’d already put too much distance between the ships.”
Belle shuddered at the thought what might have happened if they hadn’t managed to catch up.
“You will all be in danger now.”
“Hush, we were all aware of the dangers from the beginning.” Josephine exchanged a glance with Evelyn.
Belle’s heart sank. “What is it?”
“Well,” Evelyn murmured, taking a seat on the side of the bed. “Grey is ushering me to the country. I’m so sorry, Belle. I wanted to stay, but it appears I am with child.”
Belle pulled her friend in for a hug, kissing her on the forehead. “I’m so happy for you! And I get to be an aunt.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Of course not! You must think of your family—your child. Grey is in the right this time. Heshoulddrag you to the country.”
A light knock on the door drew their attention and Simon poked his head through the opening. His eyes found Belle instantly, examining every little line of her before he turned his gaze to his sister. “Your husband awaits you, sis.”
Evelyn glanced back to Belle and murmured her goodbyes, tears in her eyes. “I’ll be back soon.”
Belle nodded, her throat tight with emotion as she watched her friend take her leave. She would miss Evelyn but was glad she would be safe from any further danger. De Roux had proved a formidable opponent before, now he appeared even more ruthless. How did one beat a man who possessed no remorse and was merciless in his villainess exploits?
Belle was jostled out of her musings when Simon sat down on the side of the bed. Belle noted with dismay that Josephine had disappeared along with Evelyn.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
