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"I hadn't noticed any decline in the frequency of your attempts"

John shot her a look which said he did not entirely appreciate her hu is that I'ht that was just about the sweetest thing she had ever heard

"I just cli an unsteady branch, and then vaulted through aat an extre," John said, pulling off his gloves and brushing himself off "Just to be alone with you"

Belle sed as she stared at hi the fact that he had actually referred to his injury without bitterness or despair

"You wanted a ro to get more romantic than this" Out of his pocket he pulled a crumpled, red rose

"Will you marry me?"

Overco in her eyes She opened her mouth but no words came out

John stepped forward and took both of her hands in his "Please," he said, and that single word held such pro furiously

"Yes, oh yes!" She threw herself in his arhtly for severalthe feel of her waro," he murmured into her hair "Back at Westonbirt I tried so hard to push you away"

"But why?"

His throat tightened

"John, are you ill? You look as if you've eaten soht for words He wouldn't deceive her He wouldn't enter into a e based upon lies "When I told you that I wasn't the ht I was-"

"I remember," she interrupted "And I still don't understand what you er on her lips "There is so the war"

Wordlessly, she took his hand and led him to her bed She sat and motioned him to do likewise, but he was far too restless

He turned abruptly and strode over to the , bracing hiirl was raped," he blurted out, thankful that he couldn't see her expression "It was my fault"

Belle paled "Wh-what do youwith, "That's how it happened At least that's how I reh