Page 22 of The Rogue’s Runaway Bride (Rogue of Her Own #3)

“G oodness, my old eyes are seeing double. Could ye have a twin ye did not know of, lass?”

Mrs. Gilroy made her way to a chair and plopped down upon the overstuffed cushion. A slight smile played on her careworn features as she studied Belle and the young woman who’d arrived bearing a rolling trunk—presumably filled with clothing—Miss Eleanor Blake.

As she exchanged greetings with the visitor, Belle wondered if Mrs. Gilroy might well benefit from a new pair of spectacles.

She and Miss Blake shared a superficial resemblance, though not nearly as dramatic as the housekeeper’s observation.

Miss Blake’s hair—the color of fresh-churned butter, quite a bit lighter than Belle’s honey-hued curls—framed her perfect oval face with soft golden waves, and her features were more finely etched, as if a fairy tale sprite had come to life.

Her blue eyes gleamed with warmth and a hint of the mischief Mrs. Gilroy had described.

For her part, Miss Blake’s ever-so-slightly raised eyebrows betrayed she shared Belle’s take on Mrs. Gilroy’s remarks.

“It’s delightful to finally make your acquaintance,” Miss Blake said. “Since I returned from the continent, I’d heard so much about you. I was hoping we would eventually cross paths.”

“I’d imagine you’d expected it might be under different circumstances,” Belle said, managing a faint smile.

“Of course, I’d expected to find you at a ball or Lady So-And-So’s soiree. But this is delightfully unconventional, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I suppose that is one way of putting it,” Belle said lightly.

“Indeed,” Mrs. Gilroy agreed. “I do hope yer aunt enjoyed her trip, Miss Blake.”

“Please do call me Ellie. Miss Blake is so very stuffy.”

“Ellie?” Mrs. Gilroy’s brow furrowed. “I’d thought ye went by Nell.”

“I did. But I’ve grown rather weary of that pet name. It’s time for something new.” The expression in her gaze hinted at a story she hadn’t yet told. “You’d asked about Aunt Tilly. Oh, she had a grand time. So grand she hasn’t come home.” She punctuated her statement with a wink.

“I see,” Mrs. Gilroy said. “Well, good for her. She’s a kind woman. Always had a smile for me when she visited Miss Macie.”

“Aunt Tilly is one of a kind,” Ellie said. “I like to think I take after her.”

“I’d say ye clearly do.” Mrs. Gilroy stood and made her way to the sideboard. “Might I pour ye some tea?”

“Perhaps in a bit.” Ellie turned to Belle.

Her mouth curved up at the corners as her gaze drifted to the inches of Belle’s shoes exposed by the too-short hem.

“So, my dear, as it’s not a grand idea for you to pay the dressmaker a visit at this moment, I’ve brought her wares to you.

I presume you’re in the mood to do a bit of shopping. ”

*

I can breathe again. How wonderful!

Gazing at her reflection in the bedchamber mirror, Belle pulled in a deep breath.

The fabric of her blouse moved with the rise and fall of her bosom with a bit of room to spare.

The white cotton was practical and comfortable, and she’d no longer have to worry about sending a mother-of-pearl button flying off like a projectile with every unpredictable sneeze.

She twirled around once, twice, smiling to herself as she confirmed the hem of her new indigo wool skirt fell precisely in the right spot.

A ripple of sheer delight coursed through her.

For as long as she could remember, trying on pretty new clothes had seemed a ritual of each season.

Party dresses adorned with ruffles. Opera gowns with velvet capes.

Pretty frocks for a spring dance. Over the years, she’d tried on more dresses and skirts and blouses and gowns than she could hope to recall.

She’d endured so many errant pins pricking her skin in the course of dress fittings, she’d come to dread the very idea of paying a visit to the seamstress.

But now, she was simply thrilled to have something to wear that fit her contours without quite literally threatening to pop at the seams. Something that was hers .

“I like it.” Ellie regarded the simple ensemble with a look of keen-eyed appraisal. “The lace collar on the blouse truly suits you.”

“I favor it, too.” Belle ran her fingertips over the smooth fabric. “More than you might imagine.”

“Oh, I think I have some idea,” she said. “To be stranded with only the clothes on your back... how awful.”

“It might not have been so bad if I’d been wearing something more practical at the time.”

“Come to think of it, I had a dream like that one night. As I recall, I was stranded on some remote island. But as it turned out, I was not alone. The most deliciously wanton pirate had washed ashore with me.” Ellie grinned. “Oh, my, I suppose it wasn’t so bad after all.”

“That could be a very promising circumstance,” Belle agreed as an image of a dashing buccaneer strolled into her thoughts.

Tall and broad-shouldered with deep brown eyes that drew her in, he was dressed in black from the bandana on his head to the tips of his polished boots.

Even his hair was dark, save for the faint hints of gray at his temples.

Goodness. Her fantasy pirate bore a striking resemblance to Jon, didn’t he? Quick as she’d conjured the image, she blinked it away. Perhaps the stress of her time in London had driven her ever so slightly mad.

“Try this one,” Ellie said, displaying a demurely fashioned dress made of delicately patterned pale blue fabric. “I think it will look lovely on you.”

Belle took the dress and stepped behind the screen to try it on. She’d no sooner slipped into the garment than the door creaked on its hinges, announcing an unexpected visitor. The cheerful tinkle of Heathy’s bell accented each of his jaunty steps.

“Heathy, I’d forgotten you were here,” Ellie said with undisguised delight. She reached down to pet the dog, who eagerly soaked up the affection.

“I take it the two of you are acquainted,” Belle said as she buttoned the dress.

“Anyone who is a friend of Amelia MacLain gets to know Heathy. She adores that pup. Spoils him silly,” Ellie said. “Amelia’s husband, Logan, has developed quite a soft spot for Heathy as well. It’s quite surprising to see the bond that grew between them.”

“I presume Logan is Mr. Mason’s business partner,” Belle said, becoming acquainted with the names of those close to Jon.

“Mr. Mason, is it?” Ellie’s forehead furrowed.

“There’s no need to be formal with me. He’s been Jon to me since I was a girl in braids.

And I have to tell you, I know that the two of you had, shall we say, a prior acquaintance.

” A sly smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Macie told me all about the American miss who’d nearly taken the starch out of her brother’s shirt. ”

As a sudden awkwardness settled over her, Belle’s breath caught in her throat.

“It’s true that Jon and I had known each other.

.. some time ago.” Collecting her thoughts, she toyed with the buttons at the cuffs of the dress.

“But I could not say that I am the American miss in question. I’d imagine there were others. ”

“Oh, it was you. How could it not be?” Warmth gleamed in Ellie’s eyes.

“Macie will be delighted to discover her brother has risked causing a stir while acting the white knight. After all the worry he had over her so-called scandals, Jon Mason whisks an heiress away from a dangerous man. How very unexpected. And exciting.”

“It has all been quite utterly unexpected.” Belle considered Ellie’s words. “But exciting is not the word I would use.”

“Perhaps not,” Ellie conceded. “But it is high time Jon took a chance on something not tallied on a balance sheet.”

Belle continued to fiddle with her cuffs. “He is entirely devoted to his business endeavors, isn’t he?”

“He is dedicated to seeing his responsibilities through. For years, he’s been a major force behind his family’s business ventures.

Before he went to New York, he’d also been quite the rogue when he wasn’t putting together some deal or another.

But then, something changed. After he returned from America, Macie couldn’t get over the change in her brother.

He threw himself into the business with such intense focus, she was concerned about him for a time. ”

“That hardly seems a change from the man I knew during that short time when we were first acquainted,” Belle said. “He was highly devoted to matters of business.”

And, for an achingly short time , her.

“Macie felt he’d lost some of his spark, some of his wry wit,” Ellie said as she offered Belle a walking suit in a beautiful rich plum hue. “I do hope I haven’t said too much.”

“Not at all,” Belle said as she slipped out of the blue dress. “This suit is absolutely beautiful,” she observed, hoping to change the topic.

“Oh, it is lovely. This ensemble will work well with your coloring. And it is modest. After all, you must pass as a proper governess,” Ellie said, scooping up the dog to give him a rub behind the ears.

“I take it Heathy has already developed a fondness for you. He doesn’t trot after anyone he doesn’t like. ”

“I’d say we’ve gotten along quite well.” Belle smiled over the screen. “He reminds me of my old dog. Angus was such a good pup.”

“Amelia adores dogs as well, as you can tell. I expect that the two of you will get along famously when she comes home from the Highlands.”

“Will she be returning shortly?”

“She’s expected back by the end of the month.”

“How disappointing,” Belle said. “By then, I will likely be on my way back to New York. I would truly enjoy making her acquaintance. And I cannot wait to meet Macie. I’ve heard so much about her.”

“She is a true original,” Ellie said. “I believe she may be home within a fortnight.”

“I do hope so,” Belle said. “I look forward to getting to know her.”