Misconception

Chapter 34

The kitchen was hot and humid from all the preparations for the small dinner party the Stevensons were hosting. Everyone was running around in panic as Nellie was trying hard to finish the food.
“Oh, for the love of God, lad! Stop and give those tomatoes to Bella!” Nellie cried out in exasperation and James paused with the knife in his hand.
“What? I am doing all I can!” he argued as he begrudgingly handed the knife to Bella who took it and shook her head at him.
“You’re too slow!” Nellie said as she pulled the burning pan from the fire and placed it on the counter.
James glared at his aunt and did a funny impersonation of her while flailing his arms around. Bella tried to stifle a laugh and James smiled crookedly at her as he sat down in a chair.
“I did not tell you to sit! Go and wait for the guests to arrive!” Nellie yelped at him and James groaned.
“Why? I have no manners. Isn’t that what you always say to me?” he drawled and Nellie looked like she was ready to burst from anger.
“Bella! Tell him!” she exclaimed and this time Bella did laugh.
“For once do as you’re told.” She said to him and he rolled his eyes as he reluctantly stood up.
“Fine. Save me some salad, will you?” he winked before he walked away and Bella chuckled quietly as she picked up some onions.
“Bella?” Nellie asked as she leaned against the counter to take a breath.
“Hmm?” Bella looked over her shoulder at her.
“Are you feeling better? You’ve been…glum lately.” The older woman asked as she wiped her hands on her surprisingly white apron.
“I am fine, Nell. That lamb is not going to be though unless you take it out of the oven soon.” She pointed behind her and Nellie’s eyes widened.
“Oh my!” she rushed to get the meat out, “My old brain’s getting rusty.” She mumbled and Bella was thankful. She had not desire to talk about herself at the moment because no one could understand.
“They’re here!” James said as he poked his head in the kitchen. He was wearing a big grin.
“What?” Bella asked with a frown when she noticed his smile.
“You have to see the woman that has just arrived.” He made some hand motions and Bella scowled.
“Such a gentleman.” She muttered and he chuckled.
“Don’t worry, Bella, you’re still my girl.” He said and Nellie slapped his injured hand as she passed by him to get to the cupboards.
“Stop being crude about the Master’s guest. And keep your eyes down.” His aunt scolded him as she placed a bottle of oil next to Bella.
“If I had kept my eyes down how I was supposed to escort them inside?” he asked and Bella sighed.
“Get out of here!” Nellie shooed him away and he gave a last smirk before he disappeared.
“Isn’t it a bit late for dinner?” Bella asked once she was done and Nellie shrugged.
“The guests have just returned from the Caribbean. They couldn’t help it.”
“Oh. What are they?”
“Merchants. Surprisingly enough they are very young.” Nellie said quietly.
“Oh.”
“Yes. They are brother and sister. The woman is about Mr. Christopher’s age and very…” Nellie looked around and leaned closer, “…scandalous. She is still unmarried and has been famous for her escapades with all kinds of men.”
“Oh, God!” Bella couldn’t help but laugh and Nellie smiled at her.
“That’s more like it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you laugh.” Bella blinked and shrugged with a soft smile.
“So anyway, their name’s Rousseau and they have even sided with outlaws in order to get richer.” Nellie said as she started serving the potatoes into a large plate.
“So…why is Mr. Stevenson doing business with them?” Bella asked with confusion.
“Because they are powerful, dear. Power is a vile thing if you ask me.” Nellie sighed as she handed four china plates to her and patted her on the back.
“On your way back go to the cellar and bring some wine. I am sure they’ll need it.” Nellie called and Bella nodded before she walked away.

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Bella shook her head and snorted as the woman’s voice still rang in her ear. She was beautiful but it was something in her eyes that as suspicious. Even the conservative Christopher was taken with Miss Mirabelle the curvaceous, voluptuous blonde who was chatting and giggling with the masters of the house.
Bella shook her head and stifled a loud laugh as she stepped onto the last step of the stairs that led to the dim lighted cellar. She raised her hand to unlock the door but she found it already open. She pushed it widely and brought her candle forth to light the room. She stepped further inside and she took notice of the door that led to the back side of the house. She had never seen it before. She shrugged and headed for the wine bottles that were stored in the far side of the cellar. The air was cooler down there and she took a minute to enjoy it before she headed for the door.
She stepped outside and didn’t bother to lock since someone had already been down there before her.
As she turned to head to the stairs she collided with someone. A familiar scent or smoke, salt and rum assaulted her nostrils and her eyes widened.
“Need some help with those, love?” Jack’s voice was low and husky as he reached for the three bottles in her hands.
“What…How did you get in here?” she asked and she tried to push away the relief that flooded her at the sight of him.
He smirked and leaned slightly forward while he managed to grab two of the bottles.
“Did you break in through the cellar?” she hissed quietly and he shrugged while he started examining the bottles in the dim light of the hall.
“Will someone notice if I take sip?” he asked as he licked his lips with a raised eyebrow and she snatched one of the bottles from him.
“Yes. You can’t be here now.” She said quietly as she grabbed his sleeve and pushed him to the wall, away from the stairs.
“Why not? You’ve locked your window. It’s rare for me to say it but your attitude makes me feel used.” He stated as he rolled the bottle he still held in his hands.
“Excuse me? You feel used? What am I supposed to say, Jack?” she asked angrily while managing to keep her voice down.
His eyes bore into hers as he cocked his head to the side and reached out to touch her cheek with his finger.
“I love it when you say my name.” he murmured as his finger trailed down her flushed cheek.
“Are you drunk?” she asked with wide eyes when her knees threatened to buckle at the way his gaze set her heart on fire.
“Slightly.” He replied as his finger reached her jaw and tapped it lightly.
“That explains it.” She choked out as he dropped his hand from her face and used it to trace the skin above her neckline.
“Explains what?” he asked and she pulled slightly back so his hand fell from her skin completely.
“Your words.” She replied and he frowned.
“I have to admit that I do turn rather poetic when I drink.” He said with glittering eyes and she shook her head to break his spell.
“Either way, you have to leave and I need to get back upstairs.” She said as she took a step back.
His hand seized hers before she had the chance to flee and he tugged her close.
“I’ll wait.” He murmured, “I have to speak to you. Tonight.”
“I don’t know what time I’ll finish. Someone could see you. There are guests.” She sputtered and he furrowed his brow.
“Guests?”
“Yes. Rousseau something…”she said and he paused.
“Rousseau, you say?” he asked as he gazed towards the stairs.
“Yes. Brother and sister.” Bella replied and from the look on his face the name was familiar to him.
“Mirabelle Rousseau?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and she nodded.
“Bugger me!” he exclaimed with amusement and Bella seized the opportunity to pull her hand from his grip.
“You know her.” It was a statement not a question.
Jack’s head turned towards her and he shrugged, “Can’t say that I approve the company your masters keep but she is something.” He said as he reached out to tuck some hair behind her ear.
His words and the implication they hid angered her for someone reason and she slapped his hand away roughly. Jack seemed surprised and didn’t say anything when she snatched the bottle from his hand and stepped away.
“I can’t talk right now.” She muttered again.
“When then? I can’t stay in London forever.” He said with a sigh and her eyes rose to meet his.
“Oh, I see. Of course, I forgot. You need to go treasure hunt.” She snorted with bemusement.
“Will you ever believe anything I say?” he sighed heavily as he pushed away from the wall.
“Will you ever talk truthfully?” she shot back.
“I am!”
“Okay.” She said softly and he blinked.
“What?”
“I believe you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Bella!” James’ voice came from the top of the stairs and she gasped.
“Coming!” she called back before she turned to Jack, “I have to go.” She walked away towards the stairs and he followed.
“I won’t be here when you come back.” He said gruffly and she swallowed hard.
“I know.”
“I have to leave. Before dawn.” He clarified and she stared at him before she dropped her eyes away.
“Alright.” She whispered and in two strides he was in front of her.
“I owe it to Joan. That and a good spanking.” He muttered and Bella frowned, “In a non-sexual way.” He added and she couldn’t help the small smile that formed on her lips.
“Alright.” She whispered as he cupped the back of her head and pulled her close to his parted lips.
“Are you still mad at me?” he murmured and with every word his lips brushed against hers.
“A little.” She breathed and he smirked.
“Come with me.” He spoke and his breath fanned over her lips, causing her to shiver.
“Bella! Did you slip or something down there?” James called again and Bella closed her eyes in defeat.
“I can’t. I need to go or he’ll come down here.” She whispered and he closed his eyes tightly shut for a few seconds before he crushed his lips against hers in a hungry kiss. As soon as it had started it was over and when Bella opened her eyes he was gone.
She took a deep breath before she walked up the stairs to where James stood.
“Are you okay?” he asked as soon as he saw her and she nodded.
“I thought I saw a rat down there and I had to look around.” She said as he took the bottles from her.
“Rat? Wait till Nellie hears. She’ll have a heart attack!” he laughed and she managed to smile a bit.
“That’s true.”
“Come on. The vultures are waiting for their precious wine.” He motioned towards the hall and she nodded before she followed him in silence.
“Guess what I heard?” he called over his shoulder as they walked.
“Hmm?”
“The Rousseau siblings will be staying here for a while.” James whispered and Bella closed her eyes.
“Great.” She muttered as she took two bottles from him and headed for the kitchen, her mind still on the man with the rum-scented breath.

End of chapter 34