Page 74 (1/2)

She appeared at the top of the steps, panic evident on her face "John? Is so on?"

"I just wanted to see you, that's all" He s to relieve her tension "Do you always ask three questions when one would suffice?"

"For heaven's sake, John, you scared the life out of h as it is"

He crossed the distance between the to o back to your room and talk"

"Our room," Belle said with a sniffle

"What?"

"Our rooer"

"I don't want you to have one either Belle, ill have a normal life soon I promise you that"

Belle let him lead her to their bedroo scared, John," she said softly

He pulled her to hirance of her hair "I know, darling, I know But let's put off that fear for the ht now"

Her lips quivered into a tiny smile "This very second…?"

"All there is is uorously to her ear And then it wasn't enough

His hands curved around her backside, pulling her even ainst hi to her hands and wrists once he was through with her neck He had just moved back to her left earlobe when they heard a voice at the door

"Ahem"

John didn't even turn, just waved his hand at the offending servant

"Ahem!"

The voice was more insistent so John reluctantly tore himself away from Belle and twisted his head toward the door An extre there with an odd expression on her face John had never seen her before, although she did have theset of blue eyes-really, really blue, rather like…

An uneasy feeling crept through him as he slowly turned to Belle, as still rather firainst his body She looked ill Very ill Alreen

"Mother?"

John ju speed

Caroline, the Countess of Worth, peeled off her gloves with an efficiency that bordered on fury "I see you've been very busy since I've been gone, Arabella"