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Belle looked up at the deep sound of his voice "Oh, hello, Lord Blackwood" She glanced lightly at his disheveled hair "I hope I didn't wake you"

"Not at all," he lied

"I thought that perhaps we didn't get off to a good start e

She took a breath and continued "Right Well, I thought I should greet you to the neighborhood I brought you so to break your fast I hope you like scones"

John flashed her a wide smile "I adore scones And they're just in time for breakfast"

Belle frowned at his overly ao with the what on earth had possessed her to co for some tea and coffee and then seated hilanced mildly around the roo a maid, but she went off to visit your servants I would have had Emma accompany me, but she wasn't yet up and about It's early, you know"

"I know"

Belle sed and continued "It really isn't that important, I don't think This isn't London, after all, where one's every ossips And it's not as if I'er"

John's eyes raked appreciatively over her decidedly feminine form "Aren't you?"

Belle flushed and stiffened in her seat She looked hi behind his sardonic facade "No, I don't think I am," she replied resolutely

"You shouldn't have come here alone"

"I told you, I didn't come here alone My maid-"

"Your maid is in the kitchen You are here in this room Alone With me"

Belle's ed to speak "Well… yes, of course… but…"

John stared at her, thinking that he'd like nothing better than to lean over and kiss those soft lips which were opening and closing with such consternation He shook his head slightly as if to banish the thought Get a hold of yourself, John, his inner voice warned "I apologize," he said abruptly "I certainly did not mean tolady to call upon a bachelor unescorted"

Belle s her tension "I am rather uncolanced over at her saucy expression and wondered if she had co deliberately to torture him

"Besides," Belle continued, "I didn't think you would be such a stickler for etiquette"

"I a ladies, however, are"

A servant brought in tea and coffee, and Belle quickly offered to pour She handed hi herself sorow up in the area?"

"No"