Chapter 8

“Aren’t you glad to see me?”

He seemed to have changed a bit overall: his clothes were nicer than the last time she’d seen him, and his skin seemed a little brighter and smoother. She nodded her head vigorously.

“I’ve missed you so, so much, and in your last letter you said you wouldn’t be able to come for a while – did something happen to your plans?”

“They told me that sailing might be difficult this month.”

“What does that mean?”

He deftly deflected.

“I’m in Dietrich to dispose of some property, and I heard there was a hunting festival going on, so I thought I’d stop by and see if I could catch a glimpse of my lady.”

Liam reached out and gently stroked her disheveled hair.

“Looks like I was right to come after all.”

Her cheeks warmed uncontrollably at his words. He was still such a sweet, gentle man that she was ashamed of her lies. She wondered if people like him really existed in the world. Guilt slowly crawled up like a snake and strangled her. She was torn between wanting to tell him everything and be comforted by him, and wanting to keep it all to herself.

The debate didn’t last long. No lover would be want their lover to be in a physical relationship with another man, even if he wants a future with her, and if Liam ever found out about her relationship with Aiden, he might not be so kind to her then. Belviana swallowed hard and squeezed Liam’s hand.

“You’re selling your properties, did something happen to you?”

“The ship’s a little more expensive than I thought, and the captain changed his mind at the last minute, asking for more money to travel without a record of our departure. If we sell the property, we should still be able to sail early next month.”

“No, Liam. By next month, I’ll be the duchess. How much more money do you need?”

“They say I need five times as much.”

Five times. She could have given him any amount of jewelry once they got back to the manor, but they were in the middle of a hunting festival. She’d packed as little as possible, so she didn’t have much money to offer even if she were to return to the cottage. She nervously clasped her hands together, then hurriedly unclasped her earrings.

“How about this?”

Belviana untied a pair of earrings and a necklace studded with large blue diamonds and placed them in Liam’s hands. If she went back to the hunt as she was, some prying eyes might point out the fact that jewelry was missing from her body, but it didn’t matter. Liam held out both hands, his expression stony.

“I can’t take what you’ve got.”

“It’s all for our future, and I’ll send you the rest of the money as soon as I get home.”

Belviana placed the diamond in Liam’s large hand again. Liam slowly took them in both hands. He carefully wrapped the jewelry in his handkerchief and slipped it into his pocket.

“Belle. I really didn’t want to do this to you……. If only I’d been more capable.”

“Don’t think of that in the least.”

“I’ll write to you as soon as the arrangements are finalized.”

Liam pulled Belviana’s hand into his own and clasped it. The warmth of her hand on his was enough to bring a tear to her eye. Raindrops pattered on their hoods, and a hound barked in the distance. Liam slung the leather bag he’d brought with him over his shoulder as if he were in a hurry to leave. When she realized that if she let him go, she wouldn’t see him again for a long time, she couldn’t keep up the pretense of nonchalance any longer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him.

“Liam, I know we don’t have a lot of money right now……, but can’t we just run away right now?”

He sighed, not very deeply.

“I’d love to take you with me right now, but we still have unfinished business here. There’s property to deal with, a house for us to buy, and even our escape route isn’t complete yet, and if we do, neither I nor you will get very far before we’re caught.”

“Please, Liam……. I, I really can’t take it anymore…….”

“You’re going to have to hang in there. For the sake of our happy future.”

“…….”

“I’ll get going now.”

He released Belviana’s hand with a rather cold grip. Anxiety was probably closer to instinct than anything else. Belviana tugged on Liam’s cuff as he hurried to leave.

“Wait, Liam. Wait a minute.”

“What’s going on?”

“I need you to kiss me……..”

He looked troubled, but then, as if he couldn’t help it, he bent down and briefly pressed his lips to hers. A lukewarm contact, neither engaged nor deeply engaged. She sighed, a sigh that would have been satisfying enough before, but none of it was satisfying now. She swallowed hard at the unease. Liam gave her a troubled look.

“If we move in together, we’ll have plenty of time, and our separation will be short-lived.”

“……You promise?”

“I promise, I’ll write to you.”

The sound of hounds were getting closer. Liam fastened his bag once more, and hurriedly disappeared into the grass.