Page 35 (1/2)

In a shaky voice Belle related her tale By the time she was finished, her voice was so racked with emotion that she had to sit down

Emma perched herself on the end table next to Belle's chair and placed her hand gently on her arm "We'll leave for London immediately," she said quietly

For the first tiliht be able to heal herself if she could just get away from the scene of her heartbreak She looked over at E"

"No, he won't, but you haven't left me much choice now, have you?"

"He could cohed "I think he has some important estate business that he has to conduct here"

Belle kne much her cousin hated to be separated froet away "I'ht" Ehtened her shoulders "We'llin her eyes "Thank you"

Belle had been correct about one thing: Alex hadn't liked his wife hightailing it off to London one bit Belle had no idea what had transpired between them in the privacy of their own chamber, but when the two ladies headed down the steps the next day to their carriage, Alex was not in a good ly "One week, and I'et you"

E, you know that ht I can't come home until then"

"One week"

"You can come and visit me"

"One week" And then he kissed her with so much passion that Belle blushed

Soon the two ladies were comfortably ensconced in the Blydon house in Grosvenor Square Now that she was soer, but she could not shake off theher best to be insufferably cheerful, but she obviouslynotes twice a day telling her that he ed

Belle made no effort to let anyone know that she was back in town, but on her third day back, her butler informed her that she had a visitor

"Really?" she asked without much interest "Who?"

"He asked that he be allowed to surprise you, my lady"

Her heart slammed in her throat "Did he have brown hair and brown eyes?" she asked frantically

"He did wish it to be a surprise"

Belle was so nervous she actually grabbed the butler and shook him "Did he? Please, you must tell me"

"Yes, my lady, he did"

She dropped her hands and sank into a nearby chair "Tell hiht Mr Dunford had always been a special friend of yours, my lady I shouldn't like to send hihed, relief and disappointht down" After a moment or two, she rose and went to her mirror to check her appearance quickly William Dunford had been a close friend of hers for several years They had courted briefly but had quickly realized that they would not suit and decided not to ruin their friendship by pursuing a romance any further He was also Alex's best friend and had played a considerable role in the not so easy task of helping Alex and Eood to see you!" Belle exclai She crossed the rooain, too, Belle Did you enjoy your spell of rustication with the needs?"