Chapter 16
War. The term implied two or more parties being and odds with one another. In Belle’s case, the blackguard with putrid breath wished her dead and she, in return, desired him gone of this world. Simon wished to marry her, and in return, she desired the same, but circumstances forced her to stand her ground. Her brothers insisted they keep their distance from her, where Belle wished to close that distance.
In times of war, one had to be smarter than the opposing party, or victory would be lost. But even in such times of turmoil, it was only right to take the time to reflect and maybe even enjoy a brief reprieve. It was why Belle and Jo sat gathered in her brother’s study sipping brandy.
“Simon wants to marry me,” Belle confessed, noting the lack of surprise on her friend’s face.
She sighed.
“Oh?” Jo murmured. “I take it you declined his offer?”
Belle shot her a look. It was quite obvious that she had, or she would not be sulking, and draining her brother’s prized brandy.
“Would marriage to him be so bad?” Jo asked.
Absolutely.
The hearth’s fire illuminated the room in a warm glow. Outside the wind howled and the rain clattered heavily against the window, adding to Belle’s brooding mood. At least in such weather, one did not have to worry about dark-cloaked figures roaming about.
“I will not marry for some misguided sense of duty.”
Or any other reason.
But Belle did not delve into true reason with her friend. There were some scars one felt obliged to keep close to heart. To bare it open seemed unbearable.
“Of course not!” Jo agreed. “One should always marry for love.”
Ah yes, love.
The reason that crushed all reasons.
Belle had to give the word credit. Death and destruction had been committed in its name, assuming the history accounts were correctly interpreted. A bit maudlin in the way of thinking, even for her, but Belle wasn’t inclined to feel any happiness at the moment.
“Has he seduced you?”
The question caused Belle’s wide-as-saucers eyes to whip to Jo’s innocent ones. “What would give you that idea?”
A knowing smile coated her face. “His insistence on the matter.”
“His instance is nothing but his deeply-rooted male honor, demanding he marry the chit he may or may not have ruined with his presence in her home.”
“Oh come now, no man’s honor is rooted that deeply, not even Westfield’s. So how was it? Spectacular, I presume. A man as controlled as he must be wicked indeed.”
“Jo!” Her cheeks flushed bright red, but after a moment she admitted with a sigh, “Well for one, his shock to discover my virtue still intact rather put an abrupt ending to things the first time.”
“What?” Jo sputtered on a laugh. “How utterly rude of him!”
“I nearly took his ears off.”
“And quite rightly so!” Jo agreed. “I would have gelded him if it were my husband. Men are so ill-informed sometimes.”
Jo paused. “Well, you’re no virtuous woman now.”
“No, I’m not,” Belle confirmed, her face transforming from a frown to a wicked smile.
“Has he made it right?”
“Made what right?” Belle asked, innocently taking another sip.
