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Belle couldn't iement Eotten into together, it was quite ah of relief as she rode up a hill and Westonbirt rose over the horizon The , narrow colu across the facade Belle was already starting to think of it as horoo as she tried to dodge the raindrops which had started to fall at a furious rate She stumbled up the front steps but before she could push open the heavy door, the butler opened it with a flourish

"Thank you, Norwood," she said "Youfor me"

Norwood inclined his head

"Norwood, has Belle returned yet?"

The feh the air, and Belle heard her cousin's footsteps clattering along the floor of the hallway that led to the foyer

"It's starting to get quite wet out there" Eood! You're back"

"A little wet, but none the worse for the wear," Belle said cheerily

"I told you it was going to rain"

"Do you feel responsible for me now that you're an old married matron?"

Eht of that "You look like a drowned rat," she said plainly

Belle e my clothes and come down for tea in aus today"

"Oh, good I'll be right down"

Belle headed up the stairs and through the labyrinth of hallhich led to her rooed into a soft blue dress, and headed back downstairs The door to Alex's study was closed and she could hear giggling, so she wisely knocked before she entered There was a moment of silence and then Emma called out, "Coby theout to be She and Alex couldn't ht no one was looking Belle's sreider She wasn't exactly sure about the particulars ofhad sonant Belle pushed open the door and walked into Alex's very large, very masculine study "Good afternoon, Alex," she said "How has your day been?"

"Drier than yours, I understand," he said, pouring so the tea entirely "Your curls are still dripping"

Belle looked down at her shoulders The fabric of her dress was da to do about it, I suppose" She settled down on the sofa, and poured herself a cup of tea "And hoas your day, E over various books and reports from some of our lands in Wales It looks like thereout there to investigate"

"You are not," Alex growled

"Oh really?" E anywhere for another six ly at his flame-haired, violet-eyed wife "And probably not for another six after that"

"If you think I' to lay abed until the baby comes, you're e here"