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Belle had the good sense to keep her et a good look at George Spencer, who had risen to leave just after John He passed right by the, "My lady"

The only bright spot in John's nighted expression on Belle's face He had no doubt that she would have had a fair portion of Spencer's face under her fingernails if he hadn't been holding her firmly by the arm

Once Spencer was safely out of the shop, John yanked her around to face hi?"

Before she had a chance to answer hirabbed Emma si?"

Persephone looked at Dunford and s for her turn, but lared at all three women

"John," Belle said "I don't really think this is the tiave the to have to leave"

John growled Persephone took that as a sign of agreehtly

John growled again and this ti

Belle looked up at her husband "Shall we go?"

He walked out, and since her ar with him When they reached the street, John turned to her and said curtly, "Did you bring a carriage?"

She shook her head "We hired a hack"

This didn't see while he hailed down another one They rode home in absolute silence She stole occasional looks at his profile and noticed that aviolently

He was furious She peeked over at hiain The twitch had speeded up Beyond furious He was only waiting until they got home so he wouldn't embarrass her in front of the driver

She supposed she should be thankful for small favors

The hack pulled up in front of the Blydon mansion, and Belle scurried out while John paid the driver She raced up the front steps, through the hall, and into the rear drawing roo to avoid John-well, perhaps she would have tried if she thought she had any chance of getting aith it But as it was, she was si to choose a room which was as far away from the servants as possible

John was only a few steps behind her, so co He slammed the door behind hi?"

"I orried about you"

"So you followedwith Spencer? Pardon me if I don't commend your common sense"

"But-"

"Do you understand what kind of man Spencer is?" John exploded "He rapes wo of the, word rape?"