Page 83 of Saved By the Belle

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m not at liberty to explain,” Belle said, sitting opposite her. “It has to do with Hew’s work.”

His mother let out an annoyed huff. “His work,” she said, her tone dismissive. “That work will be the death of him.”

“It almost was,” Belle said, sipping the tea. Earl Grey Cream was not her favorite, but it was comforting and familiar. “He was badly injured.”

Hew’s mother took a sip of tea and eyed her over the rim. “I take it he has recovered.” She sipped again. “What exactly is your relationship with my son?”

Belle shrugged. “I love him.”

His mother’s eyes widened.

“He says he won’t ask me to marry him, but I think he will. I’ll say no, of course. He’ll have to talk me into it.”

The woman coughed and set her tea on a small table before it could spill. “My, but you are a forthright young lady. I have the feeling if I ask what you were doing in the bed chamber with my son, you might just tell me.”

“Just now, we were both asleep,” Belle said. “I’m sure all of this must be a shock to you. I must be the last woman you want to marry your son. I work at a tea shop, and I think your son said you are the daughter of a duke.”

“And yet you sit there and speak to me as though you are my equal.”

Belle knew she should apologize, but she was too tired, had been through too much at this point, to care. “I imagine you won’t be giving Hew your blessing to marry me then.”

Hew’s mother sputtered, and Belle thought this might be a good time to excuse herself.

“Allow me to see if he’s awake.”

She rose but just as she did there was a brisk knock on the door. This hotel was insufferable! She had more peace at her shop. The door opened, and Willoughby Galloway poked his head inside and spotted Belle. “Looks like you had a good night,” he said, “despite having to be forced out of the warehouse at the docks.”

Belle cleared her throat and glanced at Hew’s mother. Galloway stepped inside, closed the door, then froze. “Er, Lady Eleanor.”

“Mr. Galloway. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Er—I was sent to help Hew with the...with...”

“His work,” Belle supplied.

“Yes. Er—how is Uncle Blue?”

Belle was rather surprised that Galloway seemed to know Hew’s mother, but then she should have remembered that it seemed everyone in the upper classes knew each other.

“Ernest is quite well. I will tell him you asked. And your own parents?”

“Very well. If you see them don’t mention me. They don’t know I’m in Town, and there will be hell to pay if they find I didn’t come and visit. In fact, I should go pay a call right now. Make everyone happy.”

“Wait a moment,” Belle said, not wanting to be left alone with Lady Eleanor again. “If anyone is leaving, it’s me. I’ll dress and wake Hew. He’s the one you both want to see.” Belle padded back into the bed chamber, opened the door, and found Hew already half dressed. He scowled when he saw her. “There’s my dressing robe.”

She might have scowled back, but the curtains had been partially opened, and she could see him clearly in the daylight. She had a quick flash of his broad chest moving against her breasts and those slim hips fitting between her thighs.

“That look is dangerous,” he said. “It makes me want to forget about Will on the other side of the door and drag you back to bed.” He crossed to her, took her shoulders, and kissed her. Belle wouldn’t have minded Hew’s suggestion in the least. She was half tempted to take him up on it. Until she remembered.

“Your mother is in the other room,” she said.

Hew jolted backward. “What?”

“Your mother—”

“Good God.” He began floundering about, searching until he found a shirt and pulled it over his head. “Why didn’t you say that straightaway?”

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