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"As did I" John escorted her to the front hall She s hih his body "Lady Arabella," he said hoarsely

She turned around, concern clouding her features "Is so?"

"It isn't wise for you to keep coain"

"But you just said-"

"I said don't coain At least not alone"

She blinked "Don't be silly You sound like the hero in a gothic novel"

"I'm not a hero," he said darkly "You'd do well to re me" Her voice lacked conviction

"I'm not, my lady" He closed his eyes, and for a split second an expression of pure agony washed over his features "There are ers in this world about which you don't know About which you should never know," he added harshly

The o," Belle said quickly, completely unnerved

"Yes"

She turned and fled down the steps to her horse She mounted quickly and set off down the drive to the main road, intensely aware of John's eyes on her back the entire way

What had happened to hihbor before, now she was ravenously curious His moods shifted like the wind She didn't understand how he could tease her so sweetly onethe next

And she couldn't shake the idea that he somehow needed her He needed someone, that much was clear Someone who could wipe away the pain that surfaced in his eyes when he thought no one was looking

Belle squared her shoulders She'd never been one to back down frohts of John for the rest of the day She went to bed early, hoping that a good night's sleep would give her new perspective But sleep eluded her for hours, and once she fell into slu persistence

The nextshe slept a little later than usual, but when she went down to breakfast, she found that Alex and E out so hich to amuse herself, so she finished her breakfast quickly and decided to go for a walk

She glanced down at her booted feet, decided that her shoes were sturdy enough for a bit of a hike, and slipped out the front door, leaving a note for her cousins with Norwood The autulad that she hadn't bothered to put on a cloak Taking quick strides, she found herself heading east East toward John Blackwood's property

Belle groaned She should have known this was going to happen She stopped, trying to force herself to turn around and head west Or north or south or north by northwest or anything but east But her feet refused to obey, and she trudged onward, trying to excuse her behavior by telling herself that she only kne to get to Blondwood Manor by way of the h woods, so she probably wouldn't ever get there anyway