The Wedding Game(66)

It took almost a minute to remember that she had decided years ago that she did not want to get married and was happy with things just the way they were. ‘I am far too old to marry,’ she said, forcing her smile to be as bright as Belle’s. ‘And Father still needs me. I shall remain here and take care of him.’ Not that Geoffrey Summoner needed caring for. She had never met a more independent man in her life. ‘Perhaps I will get a cottage near Mr Templeton’s home so I can come to your house in the afternoons, as you do to mine. Then I might help with the mending and other things you do not like.’ But the thought of a lifetime spent re-stitching Belle’s spoiled hems made her want to weep.

Her plans had not been as noble and selfless as she had thought them. She had assumed that she would simply follow Belle in marriage. She had wanted to arrange a future that would suit her own needs as much as her sister’s. But she had forgotten that even a man as gentle and kind as Guy Templeton might not want to share his life with a sister-in-law who could not be bothered to find a husband.

‘I will have Mary and Guy for things like that.’ Belle was glancing out the window of the sitting room towards the street in front of the house. Then she leaned forward in her chair, too excited to be still. ‘He is here! He has come to take me home.’ Now her face lit with a smile that was different from the one she used to wear. There was a warmth and depth to it that had been missing from her childlike joy for parties and dancing.

Belle was in love.

Before she could stifle it, a sob escaped from Amy’s lips. It was just as Ben had always claimed. She was jealous of her sister. And she was angry at the fact that she had given so much and, in the end, there was nothing left for her. She had no love of her own and her sister did not need her.

‘Don’t be sad.’ Belle’s hand was on her cheek again, her husband’s arrival forgotten. ‘Guy promises that he will take good care of me.’

Who will take care of me?

Of course, she did not need anyone to take care of her. She was quite capable of making her own decisions and managing her own life. But at a moment like this, she could not help but wonder if it might be nicer not to be so completely independent.

‘I will miss you,’ she whispered, cupping Belle’s face in her palms.

‘You do not have to miss me. We can be neighbours.’ Belle beamed at her again. ‘You must marry Mr Lovell. Guy says he lives so close we can walk there.’

‘But...’ Was it really necessary to explain, again, that a woman had no power in this? ‘I cannot just decide to marry Mr Lovell. He must ask me. And there is no reason for him to do so.’ None that she could admit to, anyway. Without thinking, she touched the locket that hung at her throat.

‘I know something you don’t know.’ Belle was trying to look smug as a kitten in the cream. But since she could not manage to stop giggling, the effect was spoiled.

‘Not about this, I’m afraid.’ Amy pulled Belle’s hand from her face, clasping it in her own.

‘I know that you like Mr Lovell, even though you pretend that you do not.’

What point was there to lie about it now? ‘Yes, I do.’

‘And he likes you, too. That is why he’s talking to Papa.’

‘He’s talking...’ She paused in confusion. ‘When did he talk to Father?’

‘He is talking to him right now,’ Belle said. ‘I saw him come in.’

‘You saw him?’

‘I have been watching out the window for Guy,’ she said. ‘And when I saw him on the street...’ she pointed towards the front door ‘...he saw me in the window, and he...’ She held her finger up to her lips to indicate silence.

Amy shook her head. Belle was not making much sense. But then, she often got more confusing when there was something important to convey. ‘Mr Lovell wanted you to keep his visit a secret?’

Belle frowned. ‘Did I do wrong?’

‘No,’ Amy assured her. ‘I am sure he just wished to surprise me.’ It was far more likely that he had business with her father and hoped to save them both the embarrassment of a meeting. If he left the house as quietly as he arrived she need never know he had been there.

Belle had no intention of allowing discretion. She stood and tugged on Amy’s hand to pull her to her feet. ‘You should go to him.’

‘No, Belle,’ she said quietly. ‘I am sure, if he wants to see me, he will come.’

‘She is right, Belle. Ben must come to her.’ Guy Templeton was standing in the doorway, with Mellie the terrier pulling on the leash in his hand. He dropped the leather strap and the dog ran past his mistress to throw himself on to his favourite spot on the sofa.

‘Guy.’ Belle dropped her sister’s hands and went to her husband, pulling him into the room.

‘My angel,’ he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. ‘How was your afternoon?’

‘I made a pillowslip,’ she said. ‘It is very bad.’

He looked down at it. ‘It is.’ Then he whispered something in her ear that made her laugh.

‘Templeton.’ Their father was standing in the doorway Guy had vacated. He was glaring at his new son-in-law with an expression of thinly veiled contempt.

‘Lord Summoner.’ Guy looked back at him with a serene smile devoid of offence. He took a step closer to Belle in a subtle display of possession. ‘I have come to collect my wife.’