Nate scrutinized him. Without lifting his head from his hand, he said, “You fell for her. You’ve never fallen for anyone before, so it took me a minute to identify that look. But”—he circled his hand around Luke’s face, then William’s,—“’tis like his was early on with Charlotte. Yearning.”
Luke’s cheeks warmed. “She is a compelling woman. And she helped me a great deal.”
“I bet.” William snorted. “I agree she is a strong lady, like Charlotte. Did she help you in bed, too?”
Luke frowned. “That is not what I meant. She supported me as I overcame my craving for spirits, she encouraged me to find a purpose without directing me, and she answered a slew of questions I had about costs and such to set up the venture.”
“I notice he didn’t answer the question.” Nate slid a look at William.
“She is an excellent resource, a businesswoman. And... her business is pleasure.” William arched a brow at Luke as he finished, and Nate snorted in his beer.
“Was.” Luke’s voice was sharp. “She’s retiring.”
“Really? Does Charlotte know that?” William asked, surprised.
“I’ve no idea. Anyway, I don’t care what she did. Hellfire, Charlotte was no virgin when you found her.”
William’s back shot straight. “’Tis a little different.”
“How about this, then? How many wenches have I bedded in my life? You were always on the straight and narrow at school, and Nate here was working too hard, but you know I was at the bars and often in someone else’s bed. What is the difference, other than her bank account is a lot fuller than mine?”
“I suppose,” William nodded slowly, exchanging a look with Nate.
Luke wondered if they disagreed with his perspective or they were realizing they needed to tread more carefully on this topic.
William added, “She’s lovely and funny, and an excellent friend to Charlotte. She’ll always be welcome in my house. I did not mean anything of it, other than contemplating what your father might say.”
Luke wasn’t sure he believed that, but he let it drop. It might take his friends a bit of time to get used to the idea of him wedded to Belle. Hellfire, it was takinghera bit of time.
“My father is my next hurdle. I wish to have more progress to show on the Free Your Spirits program before I inform him of it. When I do, I shall tell him of my plans to wed Belle.”
“Wed?” William asked.
“What did you think I had planned?”
“That’s right. You said she’d retired.” His friend’s tone was equanimous. He turned to Nate and added, “Look at our friend, all grown up, finding purpose and considering marriage.”
The three knocked tankards in a toast.
Luke declined to share the added layer of angst around sharing his love for Belle with his father. There were some things a man did not share even with one’s closest friends.
The next morning, he directed the servants to pack his bags. He wrote a note to Belle, assuring her he hadn’t given up, but he’d gone to face his father. He hoped to get a reply, but when he hadn’t by the following day, he called for the carriage to begin the long trip north.
Chapter Twenty-One
Knowing Charlotte wasalso an early riser, Belle speedwalked to her friend’s house, hoping William was not there. Thankfully, he wasn’t, and she could enjoy their long-standing tradition: whoever was struggling spilled her woes over breakfast and heard the other’s thoughts and advice.
“Belle!” Charlotte kissed her on both cheeks before asking the footman to send a request to the kitchen staff for Belle’s favorite breakfast, coddled eggs.
“Hello, love. How are you?”
“I am trying to take your advice and allow William to court me.” Charlotte narrowed her gaze. “How are you? Is this about the footsteps in your house when I was there?”
“Yes.” Belle threw herself into a dining chair and grabbed the teapot, pouring for both of them.
“New patron?”
“No.” Belle folded her hands around her teacup to tether herself and struggled to meet her friend’s gaze. “I haven’t shared this because of everything going on with you and William these past months, so please do not be angry.” She brought Charlotte up to date on her retirement plan, her wish to marry and have children, and her use of the Black Widow’s matchmaking.
