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She smiled and slipped the cryptic note into a creaet him down to London in a hurry Her note to Dunford was identical except that she included John's name Not that it would come asquite as mysterious, so Belle decided to be frank Besides, her cousin already knew quite a bit about her relationship with John

Dearest Ereat joy, John and I have decided to reat haste

Belle frowned as she wrote that Emma would certainly think the worst Of course, she would be correct, but Belle was not inclined to think of the recent events in her life as the "worst" anything Nevertheless, she continued on in her missive

I realize that this is terribly short notice, but I hope that you and Alex will be able to co Unfortunately, I do not yet know the exact ti

Belle's frown turned into a grimace That was a lot of "unfortunatelys" for as supposed to be a joyous event She was really ant writing, she quickly finished up the note

I iine you're surprised I'm a little surprised myself I'll explain it all to you when you arrive

Much love,

Belle

She was just about to take the letters downstairs and ask a servant to suers when Persephone walked by her open door

"Goodness, you're up early," the older lady exclaie to point out that she had never precisely gone to bed

"Any particular reason?" Persephone persisted

"I' married tomorrow" No reason not to be blunt

Persephone blinked like an owl "Excusecontinued Belle revised her opinion slightly and decided that her chaperone resembled an ordinary owl not so much as a somewhat deficient one After a few ained her voice "Is it someone we know?"

"Why, Lord Blackwood, of course," Belle snapped irritatedly "Who else?"

Persephone shrugged her shoulders "He has not come by for some time"

"I'd hardly call a few days 'some time,'" Belle said defensively "And anyway, that isoing to congratulate me?"

"Of course, dear You know that I think he is a very fine man, but I feel that I have somehow failed in my duties as your chaperone However will I explain this to your parents?"