the problem. She had hoped her bluff of not marrying unless he loved her made him confess his feelings, but no. And time was running out. Would she be strong enough to turn his proposal down?
A little hand tugging on her skirt interrupted Harriet’s worrying thoughts. “Are you getting married, my lady?”
She crouched down to answer little Betsie, the five-year-old daughter of Mrs. Watson, a widower. Her husband, one of the tenant farmers, had died of lung fever two years ago. Mrs. Watson and her three children lived in an estate cottage and was supported by her father. Harriet visited their cottage often to ensure they were doing well. She had a soft spot for Betsie. It was Mrs. Watson who had gifted her cat, Sir Lancelot. “I suspect I shall marry one day.”
“Mother says you are marrying Lord Bladestow and that you will have to leave Hearthstone.”
Trapped. What on earth did she tell the little girl? “Nothing is decided yet,” she whispered, hoping no one else could hear.
Betsie threw her arms around Harriet’s legs. “Then I hope you don’t marry. I don’t want you to leave,” and the little girl began crying.
Just then a shadow fell over them and Harriet looked up into Blade’s handsome face. It was obvious he didn’t like the little girl’s tears either. He bent down and plucked her up into his arms, and her cries immediately stopped. It appeared even little girls were not immune to Blade’s smile.
“Betsie is it? How would you like to put the angel candle on the top of the tree?”
She clapped her hands together. “I can’t reach.”
“You will if I lift you.”
Harriet handed Betsie the candle and Blade lifted her over his head and the little girl, with help from Blade, attached the candle at the top of the tree. While still up high, Betsie looked around the room. Spying her mother, she waved and called out, “Look, Mama,” and she pointed to the tree.
Blade swung her down into his arms. Betsie flung her arms around his neck and placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek. “I don’t mind if you marry Lady Harriet as long as you bring her home for Christmas each year.”
Blade laughed. “What about every other Christmas so I can spend a few Christmases with my family.”
Her face scrunched into a frown. “I suppose that would be all right.” She looked him in the eye and asked, “Do you love Lady Harriet? Mother says I should only ever marry if the man loves me like my Papa loved her.”
Ariane and Diane had to stuff their fists in their mouths to stop from laughing. Harriet froze, utterly mortified.
Blade turned slowly to stare at her as he uttered, “Your mother is very wise, Betsie, and you should remember her words. I think love is a very honorable reason for marriage.”
Little Betsie nodded as he set her down, not realizing he hadn’t answered her question much to Harriet’s dismay.
“If you will excuse me, ladies, I see Trello beckoning me.”
Every female in the room watched as he made his way through the milling children toward the terrace.
“Well, I never,” uttered Ariane. “What do you think he meant?”
Harriet sighed. “Who knows? It almost sounds like I’ve made my point about marrying for love. It’s likely he’s decided not to propose at all since he doesn’t love me.”
“I can’t believe you two. It’s obvious the man’s in love with Harriet. I thought that when he was here last Christmas. I mean, he spent most of his time with you, not Trello. I’d expected him to court you this season. There must have been a reason he didn’t because I’d bet my life on it he loves you.”
Diane’s words took her breath away. “You’re too young to understand.”
“Not so young I can’t read people.”
“I must admit. I too always thought he held a tendre for you. We both did. That’s why we had those dreams of a double wedding. Why didn’t he court you this season?”
“He did have a good reason. Something for Prinny involving Princess Charlotte.”
Diane smiled and handed Ariane another holly bush to add to the tree. “I knew it.”
“If he loves me, why won’t he tell me?”
Ariane brushed the sticky fir fronds off her gown. “Some men don’t know how to say it. It’s frightening to say those words and not know how it will be received. I know. Will you let him slip away because of that? Can you learn what’s in his heart with no declarations of