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Chapter 15

"Where on earth did you come up with acrazy idea like this, anyway?"

"No lanced over at her reluctant partner in cri next to her in front of John's brother's house at three in thehis ire

He scowled as he gave her a leg up into the tree "I' until I see you depart froh the front door"

Belle didn't look down at hirabbed the first branch "I wish you would There's no telling how long I ht be inside"

"That's what I'm worried about"

"Dunford, even if he detestedme home That's just the sort of man he is You needn't worry about my welfare when I'm with him"

"Perhaps, but what about your reputation?"

"Well, that's my problem, isn't it?" Belle hoisted herself up onto the next branch "This is much easier than it looks Have you ever climbed a tree, Dunford?"

"Of course I have," he replied in an irritated voice She was now even with the second-story s Not for the first ti her talk hiain, if he didn't help her, she'd probably have come alone, which was even more insane He'd never seen Belle like this before For her sake, he hoped this Blackwood fellow felt the same way about her

"I' the sturdiness of the branch which would have to bear her weight as she moved horizontally toward the"Will you promise me that you'll leave once I'"

"Please," she pleaded "You'll freeze out here"

"I'll leave only if Blackwood coentlehed to himself He'd not be able to protect Belle's virtue-if there was anything left to protect, which he sincerely hoped there was-but at least he could reed, and started inching her way along the thick branch toward theAfter about three seconds on her hands and knees, a better idea offered itself to her, and she straddled the branch, thankful for the breeches she had swiped out of her brother's closet Using her ar When she reached the , the branch sagged perilously, and Belle quickly clie Below her she could hear Dunford's footsteps as he scurried toward the building, obviously certain that he was going to have to catch her as she plunged toward the ground

"I'm fine," she called out softly She started to push theup

John akened by the sound of thescraping against its fraht sleeper, and the recent attack against his life had honed his senses even further With one fluid htstand, rolled onto the floor, and crouched next to the bed, his leg screaainst the suddena bit of trouble getting theopen, he took advantage of the delay and grabbed his dressing gown His back to the wall, he made his way around the periht next to theHe would not be surprised this time