A Defiant Liaison

XXI

"Shit hits the fan so fertilizer can rain." Jackie Viramontez

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XXI.

"May I escort a lady inside?" Peter asked, still rubbing his pride as he climbed to his feet, Belle's posture straightening simultaneously.

Her eyes flicked to both Cecily and Grace, both of whom had joined their gathering. Peter could sense a little bashfulness from Belle all of a sudden, and it frustrated him that she had grown so shy so quickly when she had appeared so excited only a moment ago. He wished she would not allow her nerves to get the better of her.

"I am not a lady," Belle whispered, as though it were a confession.

Peter's face fell as he realised that Belle had grown self-conscious over his use of the word "lady". She observed the ladies around her, and she believed that she did not belong. While his initial thoughts were of his own frustration, Peter had to remind himself that Belle was conditioned to believe this. She had lived most of her life being treated as though she had the worth of a sewer rat.

Before Peter could assure her, Cecily interjected.

"Hogwash!" declared the dowager duchess.

Peter grinned as Cecily's exclamation elicited a jump of surprise from Belle. Her golden eyes flicked back to him. "What is hogwash?" she asked him, again in a whisper. "Hog is pig, no?" Belle's eyes flared with shock at the realisation. "Does she call me a pig?"

Were Peter not already stupidly in love with this woman, that would have been the moment that did it. Belle's expression of horror was terribly amusing, and Peter knew that he would be going to hell for laughing, but he could not help it. Nor could anyone else.

Peter never wanted to surprise Belle with touch, but he put his arm around her in a secure, comforting manner, just as she became terribly embarrassed by the laughs of their party.

"What did I say wrong?" stressed Belle. "Do they all think I am a pig?"

"No, no," Peter promised. "Hogwash means nonsense. What you said was nonsense, rubbish, not true," he explained. "Her Grace was defending you. There was absolutely no mention of pigs," he assured her. "Besides, you are every bit a lady to me."

"Oh, dear Belle, how terribly cruel of us to laugh so," Grace cried, her voice filled with regret, though Peter could still tell that his sister was amused at the situation.

"Well said, Peter," Cecily commended. "You are every bit a lady, my dear girl," she added to Belle. "I have found the best women in my acquaintance to be the ones that society witches would look down upon. You will find that I have marvellous taste," she then said, commending herself, before adding, "and an even sharper tongue. Should you feel that anyone in attendance tonight requires a dressing down, do not hesitate to find me. Have a lovely evening." She smiled slyly. "Adam?" Cecily turned to the duke. "Will you escort Grace and I inside now? I fear blue does nothing for my complexion."

"Blue, however, suits Grace so well, Mother. I thought we might stay out in the cold a little while longer," Adam replied teasingly, before securing both his wife and mother on either arm and leading them towards the assembly hall.

Peter and Belle followed last, following Jem and Mrs Denham inside. The music was merry, and the first dance was already in full swing. The Beresfords were fashionably late to make their entrance.

Belle's grip on Peter's arm was tight, but her expression had returned to that of her original excitement. She was standing up on her toes, attempting to peer over the top of the crowds, though that was quite impossible with her short stature.