<strong>Who:</strong>Lord Darcy Henshaw<br/><strong>Where:</strong>Study (downstairs)<br/><strong>With:</strong>Belle<br/><strong>When:</strong>Day 1 before dinner<br/><strong>What:</strong>Finishing his speech.<br/><hr/><br/>No fright, frown, displeasure, no emotion flashed on the man's face as she spoke.  Lord Darcy remained calm.  It wasn't anything he didn't know.  She rose and came to bury her head in his chest.  His arms rose to console her.<strong>"My dear Belle..."</strong>His lips gingerly kissed her forehead.<strong>"You are my only blood daughter.  You are very special to me.  Of all I have to offer means nothing compared to you."</strong>He squeezed her tightly.<strong>"I offer you up to those who want to have you.  Your mother and I pride ourselves on being open."</strong>He hands rubbed at her back to comfort her.<strong>"You are quite lovely my dear, brave and strong.  Any suitor would be so fortunate to have you and your gift."</strong>Lord Darcy kissed his Belle again.<strong>"I do not give it willingly.  It has to be earned."</strong>His head leaned back to look into her eyes.<strong>"Your siblings well, they have embraced this weekend several times....You...I wasn't ready till this year...You were pure of heart and of flesh..."</strong>He squeezed his Belle again.