“We want to know,” he started in a low voice, “how much time you have left.”
The question seemed to catch Belle off guard. Her grip on Andrews’s arm tightened noticeably and the gulping noise she made exposed the truth. Belle was dying and she had likely known about it for some time.
“Who told you? Did that Dr. Barkley tell you something? Or perhaps it was your friend Hall.”
“Hope deduced it.”
“Hope?” she repeated, somewhat surprised, gazing at her niece. “But I never told you.”
“Told her that you were dying?” Graham continued to ask, noticing her flinch at his indelicate language. He shook his head. “How long have you known?”
“Several months now, I suppose.”
“Months? And you didn’t think to tell anyone?”
“If I had my way, I’d have been dead before anyone even realized I was ill,” she said as she struggled to come forward. Andrews helped settle her into an overstuffed wingback chair. Graham came towards her to help, but she swatted at him with her cane. “Leave me be.”
“Let me help you.”
“I do not need anyone’s help.”
The noise of shuffling paper caught everyone’s attention. When they looked up, they saw Rose trying to carry several papers with her out of the room.
“I think I should just be going,” she said softly.
“No, Rose. Stay. You’ll need to hear this,” Belle said, her ring-clad fingers clanking against her cane as she tightened her grip. Taking a deep breath before she continued. “Dr. Hall was the first to suspect it. I had been dealing with a significant amount of discomfort since last summer and Dr. Hall insisted on a full examination. He discovered a growth near my hip. Apparently, it has grown significantly since then, which means I’m not long for this world. It why I insisted that I only deal with Dr. Barkley from now on. At least he allows me to bully him. He’ll let me die in peace.”
Hope felt her throat tighten.
“Are you in much pain?”
“Yes, but I’m made of tougher stock than most.”
“The doctor mentioned something about a surgery,” Hope said. “Not Dr. Barkley. Dr. Hall.”
“Yes, he wants to filet me. Well, my answer to that is ‘absolutely not,’” Belle said stubbornly. “I’ve no wish to be carved up by anyone, especially Dr. Hall.” Her clear gray eyes pleading in her disgruntled face.
“What about a trip to the continent? Perhaps to your vineyard?” Hope said. “Would a warmer climate help at all?”
Belle sighed.
“Please, let’s not speak about this anymore. It’s far too morose for my liking.”
“So, you wish for everyone to go about their lives as if your own life isn’t slowly fading away?” Graham asked.
“Yes.”
“No,” Hope interrupted. “How can you expect any of us to do such a thing?”
“Because I demand it. Now,” she paused, glaring at them. “What’s all this from your letter last night about already being married?” Belle asked, her tone authoritative again. “We’ve already ordered hundreds of flowers and it cost a king’s ransom for the amount of food we’re preparing for the event.”
Hope bit her lip, feeling ashamed for not thinking of all the work and expense that had gone into the wedding planning.
“Um,” the gentle voice of Rose piped up. “I might have a suggestion.”
“We can’t just toss it all away. I’m rich, not wasteful,” Belle continued, ignoring Rose. “There has to be something we can do with it.”
Rose cleared her throat.
