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Belle sighed and snuggled down into her quilts "I don't deny it"

Emma leaned forward, intensely interested "Are you in love with hiht for a"One just somehos It creeps up on a person The poets write of love at first sight, but I don't think it happens like that"

Belle's smile istful "Only in rohtened "I'd best be getting off to bed I want to make an early start tomorrow"

"Have a safe trip," Belle called out

"We will Oh, and please offer our apologies to Lord Blackwood tomorroon't be able to attend the fair with you Although I iine you'll enjoy it better without us"

"I'm sure ill"

Emma made a face "Just don't invite hio over to Bellamy Park alone"

"I don't think that's what it's called"

"What is the na with a 'B'"

"Well, whatever it's called, don't go there Your mother would have my head"

Belle nodded and blew out the candles as Emma exited the room

Shortly after noon the next day, John set out toward Westonbirt, re to have to put an end to this infatuation with Belle It was getting so damned hard to push her away She seemed to have so much faith in him that he had almost been able to believe he deserved the happiness she offered

But drea thee of Belle lying on that bed in Spain, her body ravaged and used

He couldn't be with her He knew this now more than ever He'd tell her today He swore to himself that he would do it, no matter how painful the task He'd do it… after the fair One more blissful afternoon surely couldn't hurt

On horseback it took only fifteen minutes to reach Westonbirt John left his powerful stallion in the stables, walked up the front steps, and lifted his hand to knock

Norwood opened the door before his knuckles even connected with the wood "How do you do,for you in the yellow salon"

"No, I' out of one of the reat hall "Hello, John I know I'm supposed to wait dutifully for you in the salon, but I was too iuess what happened"