His Irreplaceable Belle by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books

Chapter 10

“My dear, you are looking utterly fatigued.”

Belle wrapped her arm around her aunt’s as they made their way toward home. “I am, Aunt Augusta. I truly am. Would you be terribly put out if we stayed at home tonight?”

To be perfectly honest, she had had her fill of society. Not because the people she met with were overly disagreeable, it was the need to smile and be charming which was beginning to grate and take a toll.

“I am not opposed to a quiet evening at home.” Her aunt paused. “Are you certain you only require rest? You are not becoming ill, are you?”

“I am well,” Belle assured her aunt. “I am just tired.”

For a distance, they walked on in what Belle considered to be welcome silence. Her weary ears and mind welcomed the peace that quietness brought. However, she new the peace would be fleeting, as, soon, thoughts of Fritz would once again enter her mind. It did not matter that she had resolved to give him up, he still occupied a large portion of her thoughts and filled her heart to overflowing with an ache which nothing could ever remove. She swallowed and blinked rapidly against the tears which threatened.

“I heard Miss Philip questioning her niece about Mr. Norman.”

“Please,” Belle begged, “speak of anything but him.”

“I think you will find this of interest.”

“I do not think my tired mind can find anything to be of interest at the moment.” She brushed at a wayward tear.

Her aunt was silent but only for a moment. “It seems Miss James has decided that she and Mr. Norman will not suit as anything more than friends.”

“Oh?”

“And it seems he is not unduly disturbed by such a thing. In fact, Miss James said that he seemed relieved.”

“Oh?” It was the only word which Belle’s mind and lips seemed capable of forming.

“Her aunt was truly disappointed by this turn of events, as was her mother, and I can understand why. Mr. Norman is as fine a gentleman as I would wish to have anyone I loved marry.” With her free hand, Aunt Augusta squeezed Belle’s forearm where it wrapped around her own arm.

It was a small gesture, but the meaning and comfort which lay behind it and her aunt’s words were not insignificant. Belle knew just how dearly her aunt loved her.

“Miss James said,” her aunt continued, leaning a bit closer to Belle and using a softer voice, “that he admitted to having lost his heart long ago and not having one to give to anyone.”

“Oh, Aunt.”

Another tear slid down her cheek and was quickly brushed away. To think that the sorrow which her family had caused him still kept him from finding happiness was nearly too much to bear. She would gladly disown each and every one of them and sail away to the furthest reaches of the earth if it could bring him happiness.

“He loves you,” her aunt whispered. “He still loves you.”

“But it can never be,” Belle protested as they turned down the street which would lead them to her aunt’s home.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.