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"Oh, Christ," John swore, hoping that he'd ave her a hard jostle "Whatever you do, don't fall asleep Do you hear me, Belle? Don't fall asleep!" When she didn't respond iave her another shove

Belle didn't even open her eyes "But I'm so tired"

"I don't care," John said sternly "You will remain awake Do you understand me?"

It took Belle a few seconds to process his demand "If you say so," she said finally

For the rest of the ride, John alternated between spurring Thor on to keep hi Belle to prevent her froet her home and warmed up He was terrified y to awaken

After what seeed from the trees and picked up speed as they raced across the lawns of Hyde Park and then the streets of London They came to a halt at the front steps of Blydon House John quickly slid off the horse, taking Belle along with hi with Mary took hold of the reins and led Thor back to theout a quick thanks, John strode into the hall, cradling Belle in his arms

"Thornton!" he yelled

Within seconds the butler materialized before him

"Have a warm bath prepared iht away my lord" Thornton turned to Mrs Crane, the housekeeper who had followed him into the hall Before he could say a word, she had nodded and hurried up the stairs

John took the stairs as fast as he could, his good leg taking two stairs with each step He raced down the hallway, cradling Belle gently against his chest "We're alet you warhtly John hoped that she had heard hi that herup the stairs When they reached his roo the water as fast as we can,a curtsy

John nodded curtly and laid Belle down on a tohich had been set atop his bed Her hair fell back froly purple bruise that stained her forehead John felt the breath leave his body, and an unspeakable rage poured through hie at what, he wasn't sure-most probably hi

"I'e I'm cold but I'm not I think I'," but her last rational thought before she drifted into unconsciousness was that she didn't want to worry hi instantly when she slipped away froers quickly went to work on the frozen buttons of her riding habit "Don't you leave me, Belle!" he shouted "Do you hear me? You can't leavetwowater "My lord?" she questioned "Are you sure you should? That is, perhaps a woman…"

He turned to her and said in extremely clipped tones, "She is my wife I will care for her"