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"Do what?"

"Forbid you"

"Well, no, he doesn't order me about like most men do to their wives, but he made it quite clear that he'd be extremely worried every time I took Boston out for a ride, and blast him, I love him too much to upset him like that Sometimes it's best just to humor him"

"Mmm," Belle ot up and rang for a et some for yourself"

A maid entered silently and Emma ordered some tea "Oh, and will you please tell Mrs Goode that I'll co's uest, so I think we ought to do so special"

The ht?" Belle inquired

"That John Blackwood fellow you o Alex invited him yesterday Don't you remember? I think we discussed it at tea"

Belle felt her heart sink down to her stootten all about their dinner plans "It slippedthat she already had her tea so that she could hide her face with the cup Her cheeks were growing unpleasantly warm

If Emma noticed Belle's blush, however, shethe latest fashions fro after the tea arrived

Belle dressed with particular care that evening, knowing full well that John was the reason for her assiduousness She chose a siown of ice blue silk which set off her eyes and wore her hair piled loosely atop her head, allowing soft wispy curls to fras completed the look, and, satisfied with her appearance, she headed downstairs

E for John to arrive Belle barely had time to sit dohen the butler entered the room

"Lord Blackwood"

Belle looked up as Norwood finished intoning John's nareet his friend "Blackwood, good to see you again"

John nodded and smiled Belle was irritated by the fact that he looked extre attire