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He closed his eyes against the unbidden vision of Spencer on top of Ana No, that wasn't what he wanted with Belle, was it?

He had to get a hold of hi her question about running through Ashbourne's house barefoot "I suppose one can do anything one wants if one is related to a duke," he finally replied, somewhat sharply

Belle drew back, a little hurt by his tone But two could play at that ga her chin up a notch

John felt like a cad But he didn't apologize It was probably better if she thought hi involved with her, and it would be so, so easy to let himself do so He knew a dead end when he saw one He'd looked her up in Debrett's Peerage after she had visited the day before She was the daughter of an extremely wealthy earl and related to any number of important and influential members of society She deserved someone who had a title that went back further than a year, someone who could offer her the material comforts to which she was no doubt accustos were as perfect as hers

Dear Lord, but he'd love to see her legs He groaned

"Are you ill?" Belle was looking at hi not to appear concerned

"I'ood, a fresh, springtime scent that seemed to envelop him He didn't even deserve to think about her, not after coainst wo my blister," Belle said suddenly "It was very kind of you"

"It was no proble as cheerful as she possibly could "I had to lie on o" Please, please don't say so unkind , she silently i and as sweetly stern as you were just a few h the air and landed on him like a kiss, he smiled "You may rest assured that I enjoyedsainst his better judgment, but he was quite unable to be unkind to her when she was trying so hard to be friends

"Oh, you!" Belle groaned, punching hi to say"

"Hasn't anyone ever admired your backside before?" His hand stole up and covered hers

"I assure you, no one was ever crude enough to mention it" Her voice was breathless He didn't stroke her, just let his hand rest lightly over hers, but the warmth of his touch seeped into her, traveled up her arerously close to her heart

John leaned forward "Didn't ue to her lower lip