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John excused himself and met with Dunford a few yards away "What's happened?"

"He's here And looking furious He cauess is that he wasn't invited Either that or he's afraid the butler will call out his na dress No one will look twice at hi to try so we can do until he makes the first move"

"Just be careful"

"I will Oh, and Dunford? Keep an eye on Belle, will you?" John sed convulsively and searched his brain for the right words "It would be very difficult forhappen to her"

Dunford's lips curved into a tiny smile and he nodded "I'll keep an eye on you, too It would be very difficult for her should anything happen to you"

John caught his gaze They didn't know each other very well, but they were bonded by their feelings for Belle, Dunford as her longtime friend and John as her passionately devoted husband

John turned back to Belle and his in-laere busily greeting a heavyset couple who'd co their sorrow that they hadn't been able to attend the actual cereht the tail-end of the conversation, and had to bite his lip to keep fro her teeth, obviously trying hard not to point out that they hadn't been invited Her eyes lit up when she saw him return

"Our friend has arrived," he said quietly

"Oh, who is that?" Caroline inquired

"Just an acquaintance of John's fro so

"You o seek him out, then"

"Oh, I think he'll find us," John said archly

Caroline's attention was then captured by a friend she hadn't seen since she'd returned from Italy, and Belle quickly turned to John and asked, "What are we going to do now?"

"Nothing Just reilant"

Belle took a deep breath and pursed her lips She wasn't feeling especially patient "Have you told Alex and Emma?"

"Dunford did"

"So we just stand here like sheep while he plots his nefarious scheried from her rowl?"

"I ht have done"