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"It was in the Tiht to read the newspaper more often," Belle said sweetly

"Perhaps I should If you'll excuse me" Lady Tumbley smiled aardly, bobbed a curtsy, and darted into the crowds

"Our first objective has been fulfilled," Belle announced "Within five minutes everyone will know that, one, our crue mishap, and two, I have "

"In other words, everyone will knoe're here," John said "Including Spencer"

"If he cohtfully "I doubt he's been invited"

"Ifs easy enough to sneak into such a large party," Dunford said "I've done it a few ti, "What do we do now?"

"I suppose we ht to try to stay in close proxiht need help"

Belle looked around Lady Tulittered with candles, jewels, and smiles The ballroom was one of the ing the rooht that the Tuhts up there peeping down at the elegant lords and ladies below Belle sighed to herself, praying that she and John would get through this evening without harht someday be able to behave similarly

For the next hour and a half, the quintet played the roles of innocent partygoers Belle and John had no dearth of ishers, most of whom didn't bother to hide their insatiable curiosity about John and their hasty naling their approval of the match But more importantly, they were able to keep an eye out for Spencer while John and Belle were busyspy, darting around the ballroo the entrances and exits

After nearly two hours, Caroline, Henry, and Persephone finally arrived and made their way immediately to Belle and John "You wouldn't believe what happened to us!" Caroline exclaie accident?" John deadpanned

"How did you know?"

"You had a carriage accident?" Belle said, horrified

"Well, it was nothing dangerous The left rear wheel slipped off, and we tipped a bit to the side A bit uncomfortable, but no one was hurt We did, of course, have to return hoe, however, and as a result we are extremely late" Caroline blinked a few tiown "I say, that dress wasn't meant to be crushed velvet, was it?"

"We were the unfortunate victie accident as well," John said

"You don't say!" Persephone exclaimed, and then she made her way to a table laden with refreshments

"That's odd," Lord Worth put in "Very odd"

"Indeed" John's expression was gri, Lady Worth, Lord Worth I must say, I had expected to see you earlier Er, Blackwood, if I could have a moment alone with you"