Chapter 57

Dear readers,

thank you very much for your comments on the previous chapter. To say they made my day will be an understatement. Sorry I can only deliver one chapter this time. Enjoy it and I'll be thrilled to know what you think. Love you all.

All the way to the park, Matthew racked his brain for some good reasons for his absence last night, but until halfway through the journey, he couldn't seem to find one. Fortunately at the last minute, a sudden idea sprang to mind. He would tell Bella that he had the runs all day so he really couldn't come. However, he wasn't sure how she would take it, so he braced himself for the worst. When the carriage slowed to a smooth halt, he wasted no time and got out onto the curb.

Stepping past the open gate, he made his way across the lawn. The fresh scent of grass wafted up his nose and a gentle breeze brushed his skin. Not many people chose to take a walk in the park at this hour, and after a brief search over the uncrowded area, he found Arabella,