“What do you think of Northumberland?” the earl asked her.
Luke leaned forward to hear her response.
“’Tis deuced cold, but the people in town were lovely. I suppose their warmth makes up for some of the outside temperature. And I imagine it is quite pretty on nice days, overlooking the sea.”
“See? All that fuss about life outside London, and you were missing this picturesque area for years.”
It was time to intervene. He did not like the other two walking down memory lane for too long. Belle was his. “I imagine she might not have seen it the same way before now, just as I wouldn’t have. So much of one’s view of the external depends on their internal experiences.”
“Well said,” Belle agreed, nodding.
His father sat back. “Luke, I confess I invited you here for two purposes. I of course wanted to spend the holidays with you if you were amenable—”
“Ha.” Luke couldn’t contain his snort of disbelief. “Youorderedme here.”
“Yes, well, I did not trust that you’d come of your own volition... never mind, it does not matter. I was wrong to do that, and I’m sorry.”
Belle smiled encouragingly at his father.
Luke merely nodded. “Thank you. What was the second reason?”
His father opened and closed his mouth twice, blushing.
Luke had never seen him at a loss for words. He was astonished.
North took a breath and said in a rush, “I met a widow in Old Shoreston, and we’ve grown closer. I’d like to introduce you to her.”
Luke’s brows shot to his hairline. Well, apparently the earl was not jealous of Belle, at least. But introducing him to an untitled widow seemed superfluous, unless...
The earl continued. “I know it may seem sudden, but we’ve spent a lot of time together over the past year. We’d talked about a Christmas wedding but I was not sure how you’d react to it all, so we did not plan much.”
“Awedding?” Luke’s voice betrayed his shock.
Belle murmured, “Congratulations, North. I hope I may meet her, if circumstances allow.”
“That would be lovely. Now, we’ve discussed many issues today. Perhaps I should leave you with your guest and time to think about it all, and we can speak again at supper?”
He’d been eager to spend time alone with Belle, and while that hadn’t changed, his father’s announcement had distracted him. The offer returned him to the most important issue. “Yes, thank you.”
The earl stood and held his hand to Belle. “Walk me to the door, my dear?”
She glanced at Luke before nodding and allowing him to tug her upright.
Luke’s gaze narrowed on them hovering by the portal.
His father leaned in, speaking in low tones. Nonetheless, Luke heard every word. “Belle. Thank you again for helping Luke. I can see his affection for you, and I think you harbor feelings for him, too. I’ve always thought of our time together fondly, and I can’t think of a more wonderful match for him. If you care for him as he does you, I encourage you to reconsider your decision on matrimony. You have my blessing, if that was a concern.”
Belle started to cry, and North took a step toward her as though to comfort her.
Luke paced forward. “Thank you, Father. I’ll handle this.”
Without waiting for his father to depart, he tugged Belle around and encircled her with his arms, hugging her tight against him.
“I missed you, wench.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Belle was overwhelmed.Pride for Luke’s willingness to stand up to his father was followed by concern at North’s interrogation and not knowing the reason behind it. All that gave way to a war between fear and longing when his parting words to her resonated with what Charlotte and the Black Widow had both said.
