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"Oh, really? And as that?"

"None of your damned business"

"I can see you're just as childish as ever," Belle sneered "Ouch!" She jumped back as a rock hit her in her arain and pulling her back frorow so paranoid? It's only Dunford, growing irritated atto tell hirasp andup at her She couldn't see his face clearly, but she knew that concern was etched into his expression

"I' to see you home?"

"Yes, fine Don't worry"

" I want to hear it from him"

"Stubborn man," Belle ive him your word that you'll see me home safely"

John scowled and crossed over to the"What the hell were you thinking?"

"I'd have liked to have seen you stop her," Dunford growled back "Are you going to escort her home or do I have to remain here and-"

"You know da a talk tomorrow You're either stupid or drunk or both to let her-"

" Let her? Let her? Oh, Blackwood, you're going to have a fine ti Napoleon himself couldn't have stopped her I wish you the best of luck You're going to need it" Dunford spun on his heel and walked back to the carriage he'd left a block away

John turned back to Belle "You'd better have a very good reason for pulling a stunt like this"

Belle gaped at him "I told you, I needed to see you What better reason is there? And could you possibly shut the ? It's cold in here"

John gru"

"You want ? I've been wondering why a man would creep into my bedroom one day and make love to ood, Belle," he said through clenched teeth

"Nohere have I heard that before?" she asked, sarcas from every word

"Don't throw that back at me now, Belle It's an entirely different situation"

"So Ion And while you've been off and i quite a little adventure"

"What the hell does that o" Belle had turned away, so she didn't see the blood drain fro and said, "And if you really cared abouto about this alone, you know"