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Belle nodded and called over to Persephone that she was going to the back room for just a moment She followed Madame Lambert, who led her to a closet door "Eef you want to attract a ar," the dressmaker said, "then zees is what you need" With a flourish, she pulled out a gown ofin its siant cut show its style

Belle fingered the soft velvet, adh with silver thread "It's lovely," she said "But it isn't very different from what I already own"

"From zee front, eet ees just like the rest, but from zee back…" Madame Lambert turned the dress around, and Belle realized that most of her back would be revealed "You will need to wear your hair up," Madame continued, "so you will not obscure zee effect"

Belle reluctantly tore her gaze froown and looked at the dressmaker "I'll take it"

Johnthat he hadn't given Wheatleywith re to win back Belle's favor, for he doubted that he had enough elegant clothing to last ht He had always been a stickler for quality, but quality was expensive, and as a result he didn't have much of it

He took a deep breath as he climbed the steps to his older brother's town house He hadn't seen Daratulatory note on his being raised to the peerage Damien would probably not be thrilled to see him, but one couldn't very well turn out one's own brother, could one? And besides, John didn't have any other options He certainly didn't have time to find a suitable residence to rent For all he knew, Belle could be engaged already

Taking a deep breath, he picked up the heavy brass knocker and let it slaainst the door A butler appeared almost instantly

"Is the earl available?" John inquired politely

"Who ?"

John handed hi card The butler took note of his last name and raised an eyebrow

"His brother," John said si room off of the main hallway A few minutes later Damien entered the room, surprise evident on his face As always, John was struck by the fahtly softer version of himself and did not look his thirty-nine years He had always been quite handsome, classically so, whereas John's face was a bit too lean and angular to fit the guidelines of aristocratic elegance

"It's been an age," Das you to town?"

John took his brother's hand and shook it in a firent business in London, and I fear I did not have ti that I could impose upon your hospitality while I conduct ree He doubted that his brother was enthusiastic, or even remotely pleased about the request, but Daoodand certainly would not refuse hospitality to his own brother As long, of course, as his brother did not abuse this privilege

"I thank you," John replied "I assure you that should it becoht, I shall look elsewhere for lodgings iraciously inclined his head "Have you brought anyone with you?"

"Just ht evening clothes?"