Page 54 (1/2)

"I'll help you" Belle sht not have said as ht there in his eyes

"Good Now if you'll excuse ot to jump back out your , slide down that tree, return to Da a special license"

"A special license?"

"I'er than I have to With any luck we'll be married by the end of the week"

"By the end of the week?" Belle echoed "Are you et officially engaged until roaned as he picked up his boots and uttered a curse which was co back?" he asked in a very low voice

"I'm not certain"

"Would it be possible for you to offer an estiine" Belle forbore to point out that they would have to wait at least another month or two after her parents returned before they could actuallyOf that she was certain

John swore again "If they're not hoive you away Or call your brother down from Oxford I don't care which"

"But-"

"No buts If your parents ask questions, you can siet married"

Belle sed and nodded What else could she do? "I lo… " She lost her courage, and the rest of the sentence re Be careful getting down that tree It's rather tall"

"Three stories, to be precise"

His wry grin was infectious, and Belle felt the corners of herup as she followed hioodbye" His lips touched hers in one last, passionate caress

Belle barely had tiloves, and disappeared outside She rushed to theand looked out, watching him with a sone out the door," she muttered to herself "Persephone's room is in the opposite direction" Oh well, it wasas he didn't break his fool neck on the way down Belle leaned out thea little further and sighed with relief when she saw his feet touch the ground He leaned down to rub his bad knee, and she winced in syht, leaning against the sill with a dreamy expression on her face London could be beautiful on ocassion, she mused Like noith its deserted streets, and-

A ht her eye Was that a man? It was hard to tell Briefly she wondered what soht