“Ah.” North turned to her. “You have my gratitude, Belle, for taking such good care of my son.”
Luke chose then to smirk at her from behind his father.
She grimaced. “I did it for him. At the time, I did not even know he was your son.”
North came forward to take her hands and lean in for a kiss.
She turned her cheek so his lips skimmed her cheekbone.
He did not comment, tucking her arm through his to lead her into the house. “Welcome. I am still struggling to adjust to the sight of you here. I never thought the day would come when you’d be in Northumberland. However did you manage that carriage ride?”
She grimaced. “Not well, if I’m to be honest.”
He led her into a front parlor, done in dark blues and dark woods, with ecru seating and an oatmeal rug with patterns in maroon and several shades of blue to brighten the space. Cream-colored drapes hung at the windows.
Once in the room, she stepped away from North, glancing back for Luke.
He strode forward and bussed her cheek as well, murmuring, “I am thrilled to see you, love.”
Ugh. This was every bit as awkward as she’d imagined, but the endearment, said quietly enough that North didn’t hear it, warmed her heart, even if a future together still seemed impossible to her.
“Tea?” North asked. At her nod, he rang for it and gestured them all to seats. “What brings you so far out of your preferred environment? Not that it isn’t good to have you visit, but I confess to surprise and curiosity.”
Belle chose a chair and sat, twisting her hands in her lap. The men chose seats as well, North in a matching chair and Luke across from her on the closest end of the sofa. Directing her gaze to Luke, she countered his father’s question with one of her own. “How much have you two talked?”
Luke’s left cheek creased in a half smile. “Your timing is impeccable as always. We were at the heart of it when you arrived.”
North was frowning. “I don’t understand.”
Belle turned to him. “I got to know Luke quite well”—she shot Luke a glare when he coughed to muffle a laugh—“during his stay with me. When I realized your connection, I could not reconcile the image of the father he portrayed with what I knew of you. I thought...” She swallowed.
“I am at a loss, my dear. Could you finish that statement?” North asked gently.
“I thought I might help. Bridge the gap, so to speak.” She shrugged.
Luke leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Whilst I appreciate you coming, Belle, I must learn to fight my own battles. ’Tis overdue, don’t you think?”
“What is this about a battle? I am lost,” North said, swiveling his head side to side.
Luke was still staring at her, and Belle was enthralled.
He straightened in his chair. “Besides, how am I to prove myself ready for marriage and children if I cannot see my way through a conversation with The Earl?”
She widened her eyes and shook her head in minute gestures, attempting to stop him.
“Marriage?” North’s voice was tighter and louder. “Luke? Can someone explain here please?”
Luke smiled and bounced his eyebrows at her as if to say,You came here. I can do with that what I like.
She stifled a groan. Perhaps this hadn’t been her best idea.
Turning to his father, he said, “Yes. I fell in love with Belle during the weeks I stayed with her. I am determined that she be part of my future. However, she feels it is an inappropriate match. Finding out that I was your son cemented that in her head. I’d planned to continue my wooing after the holidays upon my return to London. But”—he sent her another smile—“I am glad to see I do not have to wait.”
“Luke,” she hissed, grinding her teeth at his brows raised in feigned innocence.
Chapter Twenty-Four
North blinked thenblinked again. “You—you’re in love? As in lovers?”
