The Forgiven Scoundrel (Tricking the Scoundrels #5) Read online

  “Yes, ma’am. I suppose that would be fair.”

  Belle broke the biscuit in half, offering the bigger piece. Soon the kids were running off eating their treat at the same time.

  Henry stopped and ran back. “Thank you, Rosie,” he said hesitantly, unsure if he should call her by name or not.

  “You are most welcome, Henry.”

  His face lit up and Belle lost what remained of her heart. She fell in love with the sweet boy. Henry reminded Belle of herself. Lost.

  Belle watched the children play while she caught up with Claire. Soon they watched Alice gather her charge and leave. After Claire and the children left, Belle remained for a few more minutes. She closed her eyes, letting the peace of the park soothe her soul before she returned home. Belle would need to hurry and change before any customers arrived. This time in the park today lasted longer than usual. Maybe she should retire to the country? The hustle and bustle of the city was starting to take its toll. While she'd enjoyed it for years, now Belle only wanted open skies and fresh air. Or maybe just time away. Belle had thrived in the city. The excitement of London made her come alive. But she would ask Sheffield if the offer of his home along the coast was still available.

  Belle walked back along the path, the sun starting its descent into the night. She headed back to the life that differed so much from the one she portrayed as Rosie.

  “YOU ARE LATE, BOSS.”

  “I know, Ned. Please fill me in.”

  Ned explained who was on duty and which guests had arrived already. With the season not in full swing, most families were still away at their country estates. That left the gentleman bored and seeking attention. Belle gave further directions to Ned then started back to the office.

  “Sheffield awaits you in your private parlor,” Ned called after her.

  “Why did you not tell me earlier?”

  “Because he said he would wait until you were available, when I told him you had not returned from your walk.”

  Belle nodded and then hurried to the parlor. She missed her friend. The need to be in the company of somebody who understood her grew stronger.

  “Alex, my dear, I was not aware that you had returned to town.”

  Sheffield rested on Belle’s sofa, nursing her fine whiskey. She had the stiff drink smuggled in to cater to the clientele. Sheffield’s long limbs stretched out on the sofa, like he used to when he was a customer and bored with London’s delights. Since his marriage to Lady Sophia Turlington, Sheffield never graced the brothel again. Once in a blue moon, he would play cards. But not often. Belle missed his companionship. Why did she still remain so sentimental?

  “Yes, Sophia wanted to welcome Dallis and Rory’s newest addition. Do not tell Sophia, but I suspect she is jealous of Sidney getting the baby all to herself.”

  “Your opinion is safe with me.”

  Belle sat across from Sheffield. For years she would rest beside him and lay her head on his shoulder while they shared their problems. Other times, he would just hold her, always knowing when she needed affection. It felt strange not to do so now.

  Sheffield frowned at Belle’s pensive mood. Any other time she would tease him unmercifully. However, this evening he sensed Belle's melancholy when she entered the parlor. Now she sat across from him, lost. The hell with propriety, Sophia would understand. Rather, she would scold him for not offering affection sooner. No prying eyes would witness it. Nobody dared to enter Belle’s private chamber without permission.

  Sheffield patted the space next to him.

  “No, those days are behind us, Sheffield.”

  “No, they are not and will never be. The dynamics of our friendship has not changed, nor will it.”

  “What about Sophia?”

  “I can hear her now, berating me for not offering sooner. She would have her arms open if she were present. Now come over here. I can tell you are in need of a hug.”

  “I'm sorry, but I must refuse your offer of comfort. It would not be proper.”

  Sheffield’s laughter shook his shoulders. “There has never been one moment of our friendship which has ever been proper. So why should we change the course of it now?”

  “Because you are a happily married man. You are no longer a bachelor who can disregard the standards of society.”

  “Belle, I am a duke. I can do whatever the hell I want. And right now I want to offer comfort to a friend in need. Either you move your beautiful body or I will come to you.”

  Belle rolled her eyes at his arrogant tone. Sheffield had to have every situation his way. Reluctantly, she sat down beside him. He pulled Belle to his side like always, holding her close. Sheffield stroked a hand up and down her arm, soothing away the sense of loss consuming her all day.

  “What is it, love? What has caused you to look like you lost your best friend? Since I am here, I know that is not the case.”

  “I miss him something fierce today. I have tried not to think of him and I refuse to say his name. But for some unknown reason I cannot stop myself from reminiscing of our time together.”

  “Ah, Belle.” Sheffield was at a loss on how to respond. From time to time Belle would reflect on the past. He was glad he stopped by for a visit. When these moods overcame Belle, she would become depressed for days on end.

  Belle snuggled deeper into Alex, seeking the comfort he gifted her with. She would confess to Sophia and beg forgiveness later. Now she only wanted to savor the affection of someone who cared. Sheffield whispered inconsequential comments to distract her, soothing tattered emotions.

  “There was a lad at the park today, playing with the Parker children.”

  Sheffield knew of Belle’s walks through the park nearby. Belle shared with him about the outings and the people she befriended over the years. People that meant nothing to him, but he listened patiently anyway. He understood the time Belle spent away from the brothel was healthy for her wellbeing. Sheffield remained quiet, waiting for Belle to continue. This boy must have been the catalyst for her unstable emotions.

  “I would judge his age to be around seven years old. He was very polite and held a look of profound sadness. I learned he had recently lost his mother.” Belle explained about the biscuit incident and how she watched the lad play. “The boy would have been around the same age as ...” Belle choked back a sob, but couldn’t contain the tears.

  Belle was racked with sadness, remembering the time in her life when she most wanted to disappear. Sheffield pulled her on his lap, wrapping both arms around Belle, trying to soothe her anguish. There were no words that could prevent this sadness. All the memories came flashing back in a tidal wave of images. The happiness of discovering her pregnancy. The secret rendezvous to tell her lover the news, and instead being informed of his betrothal to another. The heartbreak endured at the betrayal. How her family disowned Belle. Sheffield’s kind offer of friendship and support. Every single memory of the child growing in her body, and a love that grew stronger than anything she experienced before. Then the horror of a difficult labor, every recollection of loss and death. Her precious baby. Not only had Belle lost the love of her life, but the only connection left of him too. If it weren’t for Sheffield, Belle didn’t know where she would be today. Belle owed him more than ever could be repaid.

  “His name is Henry. Is it strange that I felt a connection to him, something that cannot be explained?”

  “No, my dear, it is understandable. You have much in common.”

  “I hope to see him again.”

  “Do you think that would be wise? Perhaps you should visit another park, my dear.”

  “Henry needs showing that somebody cares. Obviously, the boy’s welfare does not concern his father, considering the poor choice of the governess hired to look after him.”

  “Belle, you would be opening yourself to a heartache that would not be good for your state of mind.”

  Belle wrapped a hand around his cheek and smiled sadly. “But if it would ease his heartache, I can endur
e the pain. He is but a child.”

  Sheffield kissed her palm. “You have a heart of gold, Belle. Now tell me more of this boy you wish to befriend.”

  There would be no persuading her otherwise. Sheffield decided he must keep a close eye on Belle during this friendship with the boy. He needed to discover the identity of the child’s father and convince him to hire a better governess. Sheffield had watched Belle throughout the devastation of losing her child and the man who Sheffield once considered a friend. Sheffield would do whatever he had to do to protect Belle.

  Belle talked to Sheffield late into the night. It was the first time that she had ever neglected her business. Her newfound energy directed toward helping a little boy was the only thing she thought about. When the hour grew even later and Sheffield should have returned home, he continued to keep Belle company. Even when she drifted into a slumber.

  Sheffield watched the beauty fall asleep in his arms. Her loveliness like no other. Well, except for his wife, Sophia. The man who Belle had gifted her heart didn’t deserve such devotion. He had destroyed Belle at her most vulnerable and he didn’t even remain to pick up the pieces. Sheffield had, and he would continue to do so. While Belle was an attractive woman, he'd never crossed that line with her. Their strong relationship, never physical, was held together emotionally. He would protect her to the end. Sheffield rose and carried Belle into the bedroom through a secret door. He laid her on the bed and pulled up the covers. Sheffield knew she wouldn’t rest for long, but hoped she would. The dark circles under her eyes were proof of many sleepless nights. Sheffield would enlist Sophia’s help to encourage Belle to use their home along the coast. Belle needed to get away before she became too attached to a certain young lad.

  Chapter Two

  Belle smiled, walking inside her home after time spent at the park again. She'd found Henry alone and looking scared from being left unattended. No other children played because of the light drizzle. The poor boy sat drenched and was near tears. Belle sat next to him and soon had him giggling. An umbrella shielded them from the light rain. They shared all the biscuits, since the Parker children wouldn’t be at the park. Her heart already felt lighter. When Alice finally returned to gather the boy, Belle pulled her aside and scolded her on neglecting her charge. But Alice looked down her nose at Belle and told her to mind her own business. Well, Belle would not. She'd forgotten to ask Sheffield to find out who the boy’s father was; she would send a note now.

  Belle entered the parlor, intending to write the request, and she pulled up short. Four beautiful women and one baby had invaded the room. A delightful baby who cooed at her entrance. Belle’s face lit with joy that her friends had come to visit. However, the shocked look on their faces was confusing her. Every lady sat with their mouth wide open, and looked back and forth between them, hoping somebody could explain. Explain what?

  “Hello, ladies. What do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

  Sophia rose and wrapped Belle in a hug. “I missed you while I was away. When I called on Dallis yesterday to see her precious bundle, she informed me you had not called to see the new babe. So we decided to come to you. We understand why you will not visit us, even though we disagree.”

  Belle returned Sophia’s hug. “I have missed you also, all of you. I have wanted to visit the babe, but I do not want to bring scandal to your families.”

  “Pssh. What nonsense,” Dallis replied, settling the babe in Belle’s arms.

  Belle gazed at the child who seemed to smile at her. The creature was precious. In awe, she moved to sit on the sofa, cradling the child close. Her finger rubbed along the softness of the baby’s cheek. A tear slid down Belle's face unnoticed.

  “Belle?” Dallis asked.

  Belle raised her eyes to their concerned gazes. A wistful smile did nothing to dismiss their concern. “She is adorable.”

  Sophia had sent a secret message to everyone. Alex had urged her to invite the women to Belle’s, but wouldn’t tell her why. He mentioned how he'd paid Belle a visit and that she needed her friends. When Sophia asked Alex to explain why, he refused, telling her it wasn’t his story to tell. Sophia contacted everybody, and they'd rushed over, hoping the babe would help with whatever troubled Belle. But it did the opposite, causing Belle to cry. Belle wasn’t herself, that was more than obvious. Even down to the style of her dress, which shocked them when Belle strolled into the parlor.

  This wasn’t the ravishing beauty who had captivated them when they first met her. They had never seen Belle in anything other than a form-fitting dress hugging her curves, hair falling graciously around her shoulders with a curl dangling near her breasts. Instead, before them now was a lady dressed in a simple blue day dress with hair pulled back in a braid. Belle appeared years younger. When Sophia looked closer, she understood that this was who Belle truly was, not the professional act Belle needed to portray for business. This was a gently bred lady who led a simple life.

  Dallis gathered and passed the baby to Kathleen. Dallis’s relationship with Belle differed from Sophia and Sidney’s. However, from their first meeting a connection that could never be explained strengthened their friendship. Dallis believed something from Belle’s past haunted the beauty. She gathered Belle’s hands after she'd dried away the tears.

  “Belle, we come as your devoted friends out of concern. Please allow us to help you through your troubles, as you have helped us with ours.”

  “You are too kind, Dallis. All of you are, to come to me in my time of need. Sheffield sent you, am I correct?” She directed her question to Sophia.

  “Yes, he said you needed us, but did not tell me why,” answered Sophia.

  “I assumed as much. But as excited as I am to visit with you, you need not trouble yourself on my account. I suffered a slight setback, but all is well.”

  “Bull,” Sidney said.

  “Excuse me?” Belle arched an eyebrow.

  “You heard me correctly, my lady.”

  Belle’s sarcastic laughter filled the room. “My lady?”

  “Yes,” they all replied.

  Belle paused, humbled by their adamant answer. She looked at each lady and the determination on their faces. They meant to discover her secrets and Belle wouldn’t be rid of them until they knew. She should have known Sheffield would sabotage her with these ladies. Nay, friends.

  “Belle?” Sidney urged.

  “Very well. Where shall I begin?”

  “The beginning is usually the best place,” Dallis said, squeezing Belle’s hand for encouragement.

  Belle feared she would lose each lady’s friendship after they heard her story. She couldn’t bear any more loss. Before she told her sad tale, Belle decided to test the water with Sophia first.

  “Before I begin, I want to offer you my apologies for the previous evening. During Sheffield’s visit he offered me comfort that I sought, in my selfishness, to have a man hold me in his embrace. I took advantage of your friendship by seeking such comfort from your husband’s arms.”

  “Please stop stalling, Belle, and confide in us your sorrow. If my husband gave you the comfort you needed, then I am proud that he cared for a friend. I know nothing untoward happened between you two. I trust both of you with my heart. So you will not scare me away. Now spill.”

  “We all feel that way, Belle,” Kathleen said.

  Belle looked each one of them deep in their eyes and saw how they considered her. She was their friend. Because of these ladies’ husbands, Belle now held a friendship with them too.

  Belle opened her heart, telling them how her life came to be. Every joy, every heartache. Every high, every low. They each took a turn holding her hand and drying her tears. She finished the story with the newfound joy of meeting Henry at the park, and how she had taken him under her wing. However, she'd carefully never revealed Phillip's identity, and they knew better than to ask.

  "Oh, Belle, we never imagined,” Sidney said.

  “How can we help?” asked Sophia.

/>   “Can you have Sheffield inquire to whom the boy’s father might be? I would like to meet and explain to the gentleman how he has hired an incompetent governess.”

  “I will have Alex try to discover his identity. Do you think it will be wise to confront this gentleman? He could hold enough power to destroy you.”

  “But I hold a lot of power in my own right, Sophia. Plus, I have many influential friends.”

  “Perhaps, after we find out who this gentleman is, I can host a dinner party that you must come to,” Sidney said.

  “One of your dinners would not be the best thing for Belle,” Dallis said.

  “Nonsense, it is time to be rid of her feelings for this mystery scoundrel of her past and meet a new gentleman to make her happy. She has already fallen in love with his son. Who is probably a small replica of his father. It would be perfect,” Sidney argued her case.

  “Sidney, I know your heart is in the right place, but I do not think Belle wishes to entangle herself with your matchmaking,” Sophia said, expecting that Belle would never entrust her heart to anyone again.

  “Who was he, Belle?” Kathleen asked, despite herself. “The man who hurt you?”

  “I made a promise to myself to never speak his name again. It hurts too badly.”

  “All the more reason to move on. While we all offer our husbands for you to use for comfort, you need a man to love you. If you know what I mean.” Sidney waggled her eyebrows.

  All the women gave into a fit of laughter. Sidney always lightened the mood with her quirky sense of humor. Belle held out her arms again to hold the babe. As the ladies enjoyed their tea and cake, Belle relaxed and enjoyed the simplicity of the moment. Today she only wanted to savor the gift of friendship. Tomorrow was another day.

  Chapter Three

  Phillip sat in the dark, watching his son sleep. He'd never thought he would love the boy like he did, but Henry was his life. The heartache they both shared bonded them closer than ever. His beloved Julia had been gone for a few months, but they still grieved as if she only passed away yesterday. The sadness lurking in Henry’s eyes grew every day. Phillip had hoped that by coming to London, a change of scenery would alter their emotions. It only made Henry miss home more. Home, what a farce. It had been a prison to Phillip since the day he wed Julia. Because of another man’s mistake, the chains bound him to a life he didn’t wish for. Recently, Phillip kept recalling a past that was but a distant memory. Sometimes he wondered if it had only been a dream. Something he had imagined to help him survive.