A Defiant Liaison

XXXIII

"I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you." Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

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XXXIII.

Belle abandoned her breakfast and darted out into the foyer to meet with Peter. The moment he saw her, he smiled.

Belle felt such warmth and security when she was in Peter's presence, especially now that she had returned to Ashwood. Though she knew that she was safe here, and that no harm would ever befall her, it was another thing entirely to be beside Peter.

She supposed that this was what it felt like to be in love.

Peter's arms opened, and it felt like the most natural response in the world to jump into them, her arms fixing themselves around his neck as he gripped around her waist and spun her.

Belle still feared touch. She hoped one day that this fear wouldn't trouble her. It was a reminder of her past and seemed to be the one that would not go away. But Peter's patience had been exactly what she had needed as she learned to trust him, and her fears did not trouble her when she was with him.

Belle and Peter had only parted the day before, but their reunion seemed as though they had been separated for months. It did not bother them, though. They had known what it was to be separated, and unjustly against their will.

When Peter returned Belle to her feet, still holding onto her waist, he looked over her shoulder and said, "Could I please trouble a servant to fetch Miss Desjardins' cloak, Mr Cole?" he asked politely.

The butler bowed his head once and replied, "Of course, Mr Denham."

Peter's eyes returned to Belle's, and he said, "There's a little break in the drizzle today. Would you like to take some air with me?"

Belle nodded.

Mr Cole returned promptly with Belle's cloak, and Peter helped her to put it on. Belle fastened the buttons before she took Peter's arm as he led her outside.

It was indeed very cold outside, but the air was fresh, as it always was after rain. The drizzle had washed away the dusting of snow that had fallen overnight, and the great lawns before Ashwood House were green and glistening. The clouds hung low, and the air was indeed very grey, but Belle saw great beauty in it. There was always beauty in the land of which one could walk upon it as a free woman.

"How are you this morning?" Peter asked her as the descended the stairs towards Ashwood's gravel driveway.

"I am well," she replied. "I am with you." Belle's cheeks flushed with colour. She hadn't managed to stop herself from uttering something so forward.

But Peter didn't mind. He never seemed to mind. He seemed to enjoy when it was not him blushing. Peter grinned down at her. "I do so love when your cheeks are rosy."

"It is becoming a habit."

Peter chuckled. "One I quite adore."

They stepped off of the driveway and onto the lawn. The dew of the morning immediately soaked through the hem of Belle's dress, but she didn't mind very much at all. She just naturally leaned into Peter's side as they walked, as though they had been walking together all their lives.

"I ran into Mr Andrews this morning," Peter told her, and his change in tone told Belle that this was something that he had been mulling over telling her about.

She focussed her eyes forward. "Oh? What did he say?" Belle had seen Mr Andrews at church on Christmas, but she had not spoken to him. She had actively tried to avoid everyone in the village save for the Denhams.