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"I can see that you do not subscribe to ine that e, sad light appeared in his eyes It disappeared just as quickly, and the tone of his voice sharpened as he said, "Don't cos into her satchel

"Don't worry I shan't trespass again"

"I didn't say you couldn't come on my property Just don't do it alone"

She had no idea how to reply to that so she lanced up at the sky "Yes You probably should It's going to rain soon I've two or so miles to walk holanced around "Didn't you bring a horse?"

"Sometimes, my lady, it is better to use one's feet" He inclined his head "It has been a pleasure"

"For you, perhaps," Belle muttered under her breath She watched his back as he walked away from her His limp was quite pronounced, but he ht possible She kept her gaze fixed on him until he disappeared over the horizon As she ht entered her head

He limped What kind of man was he that he preferred to walk?

John Blackwood listened to the hoofbeats of Lady Arabella's hed He'd acted like an ass

He sighed again, this ti and pure, simple irritation Damn He never knehat to say to women anymore

Belle set off back to Westonbirt, the home of her relations Her American-born cousin Emma had married the Duke of Ashbourne a few months earlier The needs preferred the privacy of country life to London and had resided at Westonbirt al Of course the season was over, so no one was in London anyway Still, Belle had a feeling that Emma and her husband would probably avoid much of London's social scene even when the next season was underway

Belle sighed She'd no doubt be back in London for the next season Back at theheartily sick of the entire process She'd been through two seasons already and accumulated over a dozen proposals, but she'd rejected every one Some of the men had been completely unsuitable, but most were decent sorts, well-connected and quite likeable She just couldn't seem to make herself accept a limpse of how happy her cousin was, she knew that it would be very difficult to settle for anything less than her wildest dreaan to thicken It was almost three o'clock, and she knew that Emma would have tea ready for her when she returned She'd been staying with Emma and her husband Alex for three weeks A few , Belle's parents had decided to take a holiday in Italy Ned, their son, was back up at Oxford for his final year so he didn't need any watching over, and Emma was safely married That left only Belle, and since Emma was now a married lady she was a suitable chaperone, so Belle went off to stay with her cousin