"My Name is Belle"

Chapter 4

Okay, I know I had a lot of spelling/grammar mistakes in the previous chapter. Gah. It was 1 in the morning, and was too sleepy to catch it. But yes, here is chapter 4...Enjoy:)

Previously from Chapter 3:

Although in fact, Jameson Bodeleur was deeply in love with Belle Le Dubois Herrigan.

"...Yes, he would always try to tell her his true feelings but she would always play it off as a joke. But tonight, yes tonight, he was going to make a statement to her. And whether she took in the best or worse way possible, he was going to make sure that she knew he loved her, and hopefully...help her see she loved him too..."

Sir Marcus P. Bodeleur and Jameson Bodeleur enter the ballroom.

"He stifled many of the girl's hopes and dreams of being courted by him, as he politely declined to each while passing through. He had his reasons to decline their offers, because the only girl he was going to dance with tonight was Belle. He knew what he wanted and that was her. In spotting the two chattering away near the refreshments, he strode confidently over towards them..."

Before James was near them, Nicolette was telling Belle about the new Lord living in Sandrosia. He was about James's age, nineteen, and his parents were residing here for the year to settle business matters. She heard that he was the most handsome Lord any girl could lay eyes on, and also heard through the grapevine that he had already laid eyes on a girl he wanted to court.

Belle wondered how someone who just barely moved here could so quickly want to court an unknown girl. She quickly butt into Nicole's endless chatter and asked, "Well, if he's so handsome, do you think he's as handsome as your James?"

At this, Nicolette blushed and guiltily whispered, "Yes…sadly yes…"

Belle laughed at this wondered, 'So, what is this cute Lord's name anyway…'

Nicole sighed, "Ah, I bet he is so dreamy…" In a hopeless daze, she continued on saying, "I'd so love to become his wife and takeover the name. It's just so English. Sigh. By the way, his name is Lord Delaney Ashcroft."

Belle pondered, 'Delaney Ashcroft, Delaney Ashcroft, have I heard that name before??? It feels so familiar…' 'Oh well,' she thought. 'It doesn't matter to me anyway…'

As Belle was listening and smiling at Nicole's babbling on about this Delaney, James came over and presented himself to the two of them.

"Good evening Lady Belle and Lady Nicolette. May I join you in your conversation this evening?" James smiled his charming smile to the both of them. This made Nicole blush profusely as she stammered a 'yes' and Belle let out one of her silly laugh, merely because seeing Nicole blush like that.

Everyone looked towards her in surprise. She realized that once again, she let her dorkiness precede her and quickly recovered the scene by beaming at everyone and shouting, "Oh the festivities sure have gotten me so gay! Let us all celebrate our Fall Gala with much excitement! Hoorah!" Everyone rose their glasses and shouted "Hoorah!" also and resumed their conversations. Although what were now on everyone's minds was why their sweet Belle Herrigan was still single. Previously that summer, she was the most sought out Lady of Sandrosia but every time she was asked for, she'd decline. Everyone thought it was maybe because she was too much of a free spirit, and actually didn't want to see Sandrosia's Bella married too soon anyway.

Just as the festivities were settling in, there became some hustle and bustle about some new arrivals at the entrance. At that moment, Belle was telling Nicole and James, "Ugh, you two, the worst thing happened today that just shook my nerves crazy! I had gotten home after coming back from the postal office when out from the trees, comes a dog chasing my CERES!"

Nicolette horrified that Belle's rabbit Ceres might be hurt screams, "Oh my god! Is she alright?!?" James was also worried. He didn't want to see his Belle sad over the loss of her beloved pet.

But she delightfully reassured them telling them, "No, no…she's fine. I saved her just in time, well, more like this mysterious young man did. You see, I was about to get inside the garage, when I saw this huge dog jump out of the trees, chasing after my rabbit. Being terrified as I was, I started screaming like a mad woman, which alarmed the whole household. Angeline scolded me a little for this later, but you know what else? After the dog, a young man on horseback in a riding suit came right out too. He stopped his horse, whistled loudly and called out the dog's name to heel. I was so glad that the chasing ended but after all that, that guy tried to be all charming over the whole ordeal. He even bowed and kissed my hand to apologize. Who does that now-a-days? I of course took it in courtesy, but I was so steaming mad at his awfully nice guy facade. He just seemed too... I don't know quite how to explain it, but I was getting this weird vibe from him. So, I rudely dismissed him without giving him my full name or getting to know his..."

James's warning lights in his brain went on after that. 'What? A young man with a riding habit, bloodhound, charming, bowing, taking his Belle's hand…sounds so English. Oh my, it mustn't be. He could be that lord Nicole just mentioned. And Belle might be the one he'd been talking about so rampantly…how there was this beautiful young girl he met upon her estate, saving her rabbit from his dog….'

'No…NO! He was not going to give Belle up without a fight!' He intercepts Belle at the point where she was describing her distaste towards the young man and asked, "OH really? So, about this guy... has he bothered you since then or anything Belle?"

Belle laughed, "No, he hasn't bothered me after that. At that time he just asked me for my name, which I told him was Ms. Herrigan, but that was it. I just left him after that. Hah, poor guy… Wait. I mean, I was angry over the fact his dog tried eating my rabbit, and plus him being so sickly charming, but gosh, (rolls her eyes,) boys these days. They think a nice smile and a cute bow will win our hearts. Nuh uh, not this girl. No siree..."

Nicolette gawked at Belle as she said that. Belle looked at her and was like, "What Nicole? You look as if I'd said something to offend you..."

Nicole just pointed over Belle's shoulder and gave a nervous gulp. Belle nonchalantly glanced over found standing right behind her a ways, was the same young man she saw earlier with the riding habit. Instead now, for the occasion he was wearing a very royal outfit with the golden tassels and medals.

He was staring right at her and smiled the same charming smile from before and started walking on over. The other girls around him squawked as they saw him move away from all of them, towards their now envied friend, Belle.

Belle had a smug look on her face, but upon seeing him again, it quickly registered in her mind that HE was that lord, thus deflating her expression to a scowl. As she recalled her behavior and the rudeness from before, embarrassment crept into her cheeks. She immediately wanted to run away and hide, and found the only thing close enough that she could defend herself with was James. So in the last minute just the lord approached, she decided to act like the James and her were a couple, and grabbed his arm possessively, eliciting a curious eyebrow from James. She wanted to throw the Lord off his game and make him go on his way, and was definitely in no mood to be fake-charmed by this Lord from England again.

Soo? How do you like it so far? See anything unfolding quite yet? This Lord is creepy. Believe me. Any weirdo who lingers in a handshake is freaky. But James will come to save the day right? Anyway...

Chapter 5 is in progress...give me about a day. Today I'm a bit tired from running around trick or treating with the brothers. Plus Econ from 4-6. That kinda bummed the day. But yes,

Please Read &Review!!

Lady V.