Free Duke of a Gilded Age by S.G. Rogers Page B

hand would not fade from his fingertips quite so quickly. I shouldn’t have done that. She’s engaged, after all. And yet…had she felt nothing, wouldn’t she have pulled away more quickly? Perhaps Belle was too polite—or too concerned for her father’s continued employment—to rebuke him openly. I’ve put her in an awkward position, haven’t I? I should be more guarded and considerate in my behavior toward her.
    “I’m sorry Belle, if I took advantage of your kindness just now. It won’t happen again.”
    A long silence followed his words.
    “Thank you, Wesley,” she said finally.
    Her response was so soft that had he been less attentive he might have missed it in the din of the general conversation surrounding them. Wesley couldn’t bring himself to look at Belle’s face, for fear he would see relief in her hazel eyes.

Chapter Seven
    The SS City of New York
    A T RIO O F S EAGULLS circled overhead as the ferry pulled alongside the dock at Bedloe Island. The awkward tension between Belle and Wesley seemingly dissipated as they joined the short queue to disembark. After they set foot on the dock, they practically raced toward Lady Liberty with coltish glee. Mr. Oakhurst and Lady Frederic followed at a more leisurely pace, reuniting with their children in the observation balcony at the top of the pedestal.
    “It’s a splendid view, but I’m rather keen to climb all the way to the top,” Belle said. “Would anyone care to join me?”
    “Belle, that’s quite a climb,” Mr. Oakhurst said, wide-eyed. “It was one hundred ninety-two steps to this observation deck. I’m told there are one hundred sixty-two additional steps to the crown!”
    “Then we’ve already done the hard part,” she replied.
    “If only I were filled with your youthful energy! I’m content to wait for you right here,” Lady Frederic said.
    “I’ll go, Miss Oakhurst,” Wesley said.
    Belle giggled conspiratorially. “Somehow I knew you would, Your Grace.”
    They joined the end of a small group waiting to go up. As the group of four children and two men filtered into the stairwell, Wesley made a sweeping gesture with his arm.
    “After you, Belle.”
    “Oh, no. Unless he’s escorting her on his arm, a gentleman always precedes a lady on the stairs when ascending, and follows her when descending.”
    “More rules for gentlemen I’ve never heard of? This process of civilizing me requires constant vigilance.”
    “The forging of a magnificent sword always requires heat and a hammer, but I’m certain the results will be worth it. After you, Wesley.”

    A sensation of light and warmth filled Wesley’s chest as he mounted the narrow metal steps. Belle just compared me to a magnificent sword, didn’t she? He loped upward at a good clip until reality began to stake a claim on his muscles…and his thoughts. Best not to read too much into anything. Nevertheless, it must mean Belle has put what happened on the ferry in the past. What a resilient and sweet temperament she has! He continued to climb more deliberately, pausing every so often to listen for the sound of her footsteps on the stairs. Excited chatter from children echoed within the statue, from higher up on the staircase. About halfway, he stopped climbing and peeked over the side of the spiral.
    “Hullo down there!” he called out.
    His voice reverberated against the copper sheeting that formed Lady Liberty’s robes. Two spirals below, Belle leaned over the railing and turned her face toward him. With a merry smile, she waved.
    “How do you climb so fast?” she replied.
    “Why are you so slow?”
    “It’s these wretched skirts. But fear not, I’m right behind you!”
    Her head disappeared and Wesley resumed his upward trek. When he reached the small observation deck a few minutes later, perspiration was rolling down his forehead. The closeness of the quarters forced him to remove his top hat and even then he had to take care not to hit his head. He longed to