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"Knohat is?"

"Oh, love at first sight and all that"

"Yes," John said darkly

"Actually," E forward

"What?"

I'ht Absolutely brilliant "Actually," she repeated "She said he ree, and a hundred other nasty ely unhealthy proportions "How nice for her," he bit out icily

"I knew you'd be pleased," Eood friends"

"Yes, ere"

"I'llI'm certain that it will mean a lot to Belle to have you there"

"I'll be busy then"

"But you don't knohen the wedding will be She hasn't set a date"

"I'll be busy," John repeated, his voice hard

"I see"

"Yes, I'm sure you do" John wondered if Alex's as uncoly naive "It has been very kind of you to stop by with news of Belle, but I'm afraid I have business I must attend to i up with a sunny smile "I shall convey your best wishes to Belle" When he made no comment, she offered him an innocent look and asked, "You do wish her the best, don't you?"

John only growled

Eh "I shall tell her you said hello, then And please do come and call soon Alex would love to see you, I'e, it occurred to her that she'd better send Belle a note saying that John would be arriving in London very, very soon

John watched Emma disappear down the drive froone froood measure, and strode back to his study where he poured hi, fickle fe The liquor burned a trail down his throat, but John could barely feel it