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"Don't underestih in Duniord's case, perhaps only lust is necessary"

"You woundhis hand dra I aher emotions"

"Aren't you?"

John, Alex, and Ee with considerable interest and amusement "I had no idea you were such a formidable adversary, s about me," Belle scoffed She sat back with a self-satisfied sh"

A queer feeling settled in John's sto every moment of it"

Chapter 23

"Merciful heavens!" caed She'd forgotten about Lady Tued in the soprano register

"A carriage accident," Alex said sht, we decided against turning back and changing We're just a bit rue, it had been decided that Alex, as the highest ranking roup, should act as their spokesperson His speech, which was accompanied by his most debonair s race," she gushed "I'm so honored that you accepted my invitation It has been many years since we've seen you here"

Belle noticed that Alex's sht "A mistake I must rectify," he said

Lady Tuesture which did not suit a lady of her years and girth When she finally stilled her eyelids, she looked straight at John and said, "And who have we here?"

Belle stepped forward "My husband, my lady"

"Your what?"

Belle stepped back The screech had returned

John took Lady Tumbley's hand and kissed her knuckles "John Blackwood at your service, my lady"

"But Lady Arabella, my dear, I mean, Lady Blackwood, I just, well, I hadn't heard you'd been ?"

In other words-why hadn't she been invited?

"It was quite so"

"Teeks ago? An entire fortnight? And I hadn't heard?"