Chapter 22: Countless ways to win your heart
"Why have you not wed Sophia since your former wife departed?" Aurora inquired, turning to face Quinn, who sat visibly irritated by the turn of conversation.
"Why do you concern yourself with matters that do not pertain to you?" He retorted coldly, rising to take his leave.
"I am not concerned," Aurora replied with a huff, resuming her meal. "I simply feel pity for you." She shook her head, pondering why he had yet to marry Sophia after the grand display he had made when he first brought her into their circle. It now appeared he had no intention of taking responsibility for any woman. Poor Sophia, how she would regret the day she seduced a married man and shattered Belle’s heart.
"The food is tasteless," Quinn muttered abruptly, though no fault lay with the meal. With an air of disdain, he strode out of the dining hall, his frustration evident.
Hezekiah, observing the scene with a knowing smile, merely returned to his food, satisfied by Quinn’s reaction. He relished these moments. Quinn, his once-proud friend, needed to learn humility. Yet Hezekiah was not ready to let go of Belle, Belle was his, and no lesson would allow Quinn to claim her.
As the meal concluded, one by one the company left the dining hall, leaving Belle the last to rise. She intended to visit the library and check on the servants still hard at work cleaning.
"Off to the library again, are we?" Quinn’s voice came from her left as she turned a corner. Startled, Belle instinctively clapped her hand over his mouth, pushing him back against the wall.
"Must you always follow me? Leave me be and mind your own affairs," she demanded, her voice low but firm, though her quickened breathing betrayed her voice. How could he, the Duke of the North with countless responsibilities, find the time to follow her about as though he had no duties at all?
"If I were to leave you be, how would you survive without me?" He teased, a mischievous smile lighting his features.