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But then again, why couldn't she?

Well, for one thing, he didn't like her

Which, she countered, was precisely the reason she ought to pay hi to be able to rectify the situation if they never saw each other again

Belle raised her eyebrows as she pondered the thought If she brought along a maid as a chaper-one, she wouldn't be so far outside the bounds of propriety Well, actually she would, but no one was about, and Lord Blackwood didn't strike her as overly high in the instep Making her decision, she wandered over to the kitchen to see if Mrs Goode could spare some scones They would make a lovely breakfast Perhaps Lord Blackwood hadn't yet eaten

She'd be fine This wasn't London, after all Forty gossips would not be wagging their tongues later that evening at her scandalous behavior And she wasn't going to do anything dreadful She just wanted to greet their new neighbor properly Mostly she just wanted to see what his house looked like, she told herself What was it called? Alex had told her the night before Bletchwood Place? Bluhed to herself It was so hideous, that's all she remembered

She wandered down to the kitchen, where Mrs Goode was only too happy to arrange a basket Belle soon departed, laden with fresh jams and homemade scones

She strode purposefully to the stables where she mounted Amber, her mare She wasn't quite certain where John's house was located, but she kneas to the east If she stuck to the roads and kept heading toward the sun, she'd be bound to run into it eventually

She set off at an easy trot as she headed down the long drive that led from Westonbirt to the main road Eside her They turned east on the h, after about a quarter of an hour, they happened upon a drive that looked as if it led to another house After a few , at the center of which stood an elegant stone house

It was small by the standards of aristocracy, but it was stylish and obviously well-built It suited her Belle sed her mare forward She didn't see any stables, so she saw to her horse herself, tying it to a tree Emma's maid did the same "Sorry, Amber," Belle murmured and then took a deep breath and marched up the front steps

She picked up the giant brass knocker and let it fall with a resounding thud After a few moments, a white-haired, elderly man answered the door Belle took hi," she said in cultured tones "Is this the home of Lord Blackwood?"

The butler raised an eyebrow "It is"

Belle offered hihtest smile "Excellent Please inform him that Lady Arabella Blydon has come to call"

Buxton didn't doubt for a moment that she was a lady, not with her fine clothes and aristocratic accent With a regal nod of his head, he showed her to an airy room decorated in shades of cream and blue

Belle was silent as she watched the butler disappear up the stairs Then she turned to Eo to the kitchens and see if there are any, ah, other servants about"