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Belle paled She had been so swept away by passion she hadn't even given a thought to the possible consequences She supposed that hy sorather inconvenient babies "I wasn't proposing that ait forfor a week or so Besides, you will need time to obtain a special license"

"Got it"

"Already?"

"Last week When I gave you a fortnight to wait for your parents to get hoht is not up" Belle smiled triumphantly and leaned back She had won herself a few days, at least

"Sorry, but that offer was extended before I realized that we had a rather inconvenient eneain-I want you near hed to herself He was really being quite romantic, and she was certainly not immune to a little roet herself a new dress for her wedding if it were held to married in one of her old frocks was decidedly not ro to deduce whether there was any use in pleading her cause He looked i," she added quickly

"I thought weddings were held in the "

"This one won't be," she rant her that He rose and smoothed down his coat "If you'll excuse eyman? Someone whom you would especially like to perforht to ask but told him that there was no one in particular of whom she was especially fond "But you'd better take so out alone"

John assented He was of the opinion that his eneht, but there seemed no reason not to take precautions "And I want you to stay here," he warned

She so out, I shall take along no less than eight companions"

"I shall personally throttle you if you do not," John gruyman is available"

Belle followed hied for two of her footmen to spend the day with him

She accompanied hiht kiss on her palh of you?"

"I certainly hope not" He smiled cheekily and slipped out the door

Belle shook her head and wandered up the stairs Good God, was she really getting hed She was

She made her way to her bedroom and crossed over to her desk and sat down She pulled out so paper and a quill Where to start? She decided to write to her brother

Dearest Ned,

I a Won't you come?

Belle