Quinn, unable to suppress his growing suspicion, cast a piercing look at the pair. His intense gaze caused Belle to swallow nervously. This was not the moment to provoke him, the divorce papers she so desperately needed would remain out of reach if she did. She had to act quickly before the situation worsened.
"What else could we possibly be discussing, save for you?" She replied, her tone calm but sharp. Then, as though shifting focus, she inquired, "Were you not able to get another gown for her?" Her gaze moved toward Sofia, who remained in the ruined dress.
Belle's thoughts raced. Had the guard Hezekiah sent to delay them failed in his task? Why had Quinn and Sofia returned so swiftly? Or had Quinn grown suspicious?
"The guard who was meant to escort us was suddenly called away," Sofia answered before Quinn could. Her tone was light, almost dismissive, as she offered a smile in Belle's direction. "So I told him not to trouble himself. I managed perfectly well." And added.
Belle stiffened at Sofia's sudden friendliness. Sofia had never so much as acknowledged her existence before now. What has changed? The last time they crossed paths, Sofia hadn't spared her a glance. Yet here she was, smiling as though they were acquaintances.
"Oh, I see," Belle replied, forcing an apologetic smile. "My apologies once again for the inconvenience." With that, she quickly moved to take her seat, hoping to clear the tension.
Quinn's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he, too, took his seat. Yet unease gnawed at him. Something felt amiss. The way Hezekiah and Belle had been standing, their expressions taut with purpose, suggested a conversation of grave significance. It troubled him.
While Quinn trusted Hezekiah, he could not shake the feeling that some scheme was being hatched, one that he would undoubtedly disapprove of.
"So, Sofia," Hezekiah said suddenly, his voice cutting through the charged silence. "Pray, tell us, how was your experience at the border with that stoic fellow?" His question was accompanied by a faint smile, an effort to lighten the mood and redirect attention.
"It was…" Sofia began, launching into a detailed recounting of her experiences. She peppered her tale with jokes and sarcasm that drew frequent laughter from the King. His amused reactions worried Belle, who could barely conceal her discomfort.
To her, it was painfully clear that Hezekiah's interest was feigned, his charm carefully calculated. Quinn, however, was entirely genuine in his admiration of Sofia. Belle had witnessed his devotion firsthand and often pondered how Sofia had managed to captivate him so completely.
Before her marriage to the Duke, Belle had been just as striking as Sofia, perhaps even more so. Yet that had not been enough to secure her husband's affection. She had done everything within her power to protect their marriage, enduring six months of relentless arguments before he departed for war.
The night before his departure, he had returned home drunk, stumbling into her chamber. In his drunken state, he seduced her, leading to their first and only intimate encounter. To her astonishment, it resulted in a pregnancy. She had been overjoyed, believing their child would mend the rift between them.
But when he returned from war, it was with Sofia at his side, a woman more radiant, more accomplished, and more captivating than Belle in every conceivable way. The comparison had been devastating, leaving Belle to question her worth and the purpose of her existence.
Absentmindedly, Belle lifted her gaze toward Sofia, only to find herself locking eyes with two cold, angry eyes. The intensity of Quinn's gaze unsettled her, and she quickly looked away, intimidated by the aura he exuded.
Was he still suspicious of what she and the King had discussed?
"She is but a step away from you, Quinn. Stop staring as though she might vanish into thin air," Hezekiah jested, noticing the tension in the room. His words prompted Quinn to avert his gaze, much to Belle's relief. She quietly exhaled, thankful for the diversion.
"I fear she might disappear soon," Quinn replied, lifting his glass to take a measured sip. Though his tone was calm, his words captured the attention of everyone present, leaving an uneasy silence in their wake.
Belle and Sofia exchanged subtle glances, understanding the underlying meaning of his remark, while Hezekiah regarded Quinn thoughtfully. Was this about the divorce Belle had mentioned? Or was it something else entirely? Quinn's thoughts were notoriously difficult to unravel. Hezekiah had long accepted that his friend was a mystery, one he could never truly decipher. It still surprised him how much more conversational Quinn had become since meeting Belle. Before her, he had been a dull, distant man. The story of how they had met remained a mystery, as Quinn had refused to share it with anyone.
The visit stretched on for several hours, with Hezekiah making every effort to distract Quinn so that he could finalize the contract with Belle. Yet Quinn's unrelenting focus on her thwarted his plans at every turn. For someone who claimed to feel nothing for Belle, his behavior suggested otherwise.
As much as Hezekiah wished to claim Belle for himself, he found himself hoping, however fleetingly, that Quinn might change his mind and embrace her instead.
"Be sure to visit me…if your husband permits it," Hezekiah said at last, his tone light but laced with challenge. His gaze shifted meaningfully toward Quinn as he spoke.
"You should concern yourself more with the affairs of the kingdom," Quinn retorted coolly.
Hezekiah burst into laughter, as though he had anticipated the response. "What a dull man," he muttered under his breath, watching the group retreat to their respective carriages.
He pondered how Quinn might react once Belle became his after the divorce. Would he fight to reclaim her, or accept the loss with grace? They had both sworn never to covet what belonged to the other, but the moment the divorce papers were signed, Belle would no longer be Quinn's. Whatever the outcome, Hezekiah knew he couldn't turn back now. Deep down, he relished the prospect of seeing how things unfolded between him and Belle.
Would she succeed in giving him an heir and securing his rule? Or would she change her mind in time? Hezekiah prided himself on reading people, and one thing he had discerned about Belle was her inability to bring harm to anyone.
As Belle approached her carriage, a guard suddenly appeared by her side. Before she could react, he slipped something into her hand and vanished without a word.
She frowned, glancing around for the guard, but he was nowhere to be seen. Left with no choice, she climbed into the carriage and unfolded the paper in her hand. Its contents were brief but clear: Meet me at the town square in two days by 8 p.m.