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Belle frowned "I would have thought she'd have given us a bit more time"

The door opened "Look who I bu onto Alex's hand "I wasn't expecting hi"

"Her carefully-laid plans foiled by an attentive husband," John h and said, "How lovely to see you, Alex"

"I was only out inspecting the fields," he replied, a perplexed frown crossing his features

"Nonetheless, it is brilliant to have you back," Ely

"Did you locate that tea?" John asked

"The tea? Oh, yes, the tea Well, no, I didn't actually"

"A-he his throat directly behind her

"Your tea, your grace?"

"Oh Thank you, Norwood Over there on the table, I think"

"Tea actually sounds quite appealing after riding about in that rain all afternoon," Alex said pleasantly "Although it does seeht she heard Eroan

Eulp, he said, "There's to be a fair to it up while I was out"

"Oh really?" Eo?"

"I'm not sure," Alex said with a frown "I don't like the idea of your getting jostled about by crowds"

That relare on Ee," she retorted "You can't keep ht But you must promise to be careful" Alex turned to John and Belle, atching the interchange from the sofa with amused expressions "Won't the two of you join us?"

A refusal automatically rose to John's lips, but before he could speak an ih hiswith happiness His heart was filled with tenderness and his body with desire Maybe he could have a bit of joy in his life Maybe five years of hell was payh for his sins

He turned to Belle She cocked her head and s her brows in invitation "Of course," he said, "I'll stop by after lunch, and we'll depart together frolanced out the here the skies were darkening ominously "I don't mean to be rude, Blackwood, but if I were you, I'd head ho to pour again soon"