The Belle: A Historical Romance Novella by Violet Knight

Author:Violet Knight [Knight, Violet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Sir Ulric

I fear Lavinia is avoiding me. She didn’t seem angry yesterday when I pulled away from her, but I knew she had wanted more. I had wanted more. I had wanted so much more.

I spent that day working in the gardens, working extra hard to make up for the work I didn’t do yesterday.

And I avoid my father for fear he’ll notice the blushing.

I had kissed Lavinia yesterday.

And it felt so right that I could hardly conceal my feelings.

The thought that Lavinia might be angry at me doesn’t crush me, either. I know that I will have to explain my situation to her. I know deep in my soul that when Lavinia learns the true reason my father and I left France, she will understand.

Lavinia would understand why I had to pull away.

She understands everything about me — I know she does. It’s why we could communicate even before we could communicate. She is just . . . my love.

I love her.

I love her so much.

I love her so much that, as my fingers weave through the soil, coaxing beauty from the earth, the only thing that interrupts me is the shattering sounds of approaching hooves.

It’s past noon, and it appears that the St. Claires have a visitor. I stand, unable to look away from the massive figure as it approaches their front door. A chill runs down my spine as I see him — the largest man I have ever seen, clad with dirty armour and a scarred face missing an eye.

I instinctively know that the dark brown marks on his armour are dried blood.

His warhorse is the largest I've ever seen. As Lord Edward leaves the front of the house, the man dismounts. The man stands nearly two feet taller than Lord Edward, and even the usually unshakable Lord Edward takes a couple of involuntary steps backward out of fear.

My heart races in anticipation of what might happen. Will this man attack Lord Edward? Or will Lord Edward expect something from him? Is this man another suitor for Lavinia?

The man has such an imposing presence, each detail sharpening my fear. The scowl he gives Lord Edward is like a thunderstorm, dark and menacing. "My name is Sir Ulric Radcliff," he declares loudly enough that I can hear him. "I come to ask for your hospitality for a couple of nights while my horse rests and I recover before heading home."

Despite the appearance of being a barbarian, he seems to have good manners at least. I relax a little, sensing that the man will not harm anyone here — provided he receives hospitality.

"Oh, of — of course," Lord Edward stammers.

Within seconds, a stablehand takes Ulric’s large warhorse to be watered and fed while Lord Edward leads Ulric into the house.

I know Lavinia is in the house. I pick some fresh flowers and enter the home. A hasty plan takes form in my mind: if anyone asks, I am there to change the flowers in the vases.

Making a show

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