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"Yes, sir, I'll see to it myself, sir" Thornton went to work at the fireplace, scrupulously keeping his back to the tub

After a few more minutes John was satisfied that the chill had been removed from Belle's skin, but he didn't doubt for a moment that she still felt icy from the inside out He lifted her from the water, tenderly dried her skin with a towel, and laid her in his bed He pulled the covers up over her, tucking her in as he would a child After a few ain John placed nis hand on her forehead It ar within the hour

He sighed and sank into a chair It was going to be a terrifyingly long night

She was so, so cold Why couldn't she get ware bed, her body instinctively rubbing against the sheets to create heat

This ful The pain had returned, and every muscle and joint in her body ached with it And as that strange clattering sound? Surely that couldn't be her teeth? And as she so daainst the exertion, Belle forced herself to open her eyes A fire was burning steadily in a fireplace A fire A fire would be warm She pushed aside her covers and crawled down to the foot of the bed Still too far away With agonizing slowness, she swung her legs over the side of the bed She looked down at herself in confusion Why wasn't she wearing any clothes? No ht aside She just had to concentrate on that fire

She let her feet touch down on the floor, and is wobbled beneath her She tu on the carpet with a painful thud

John, who had dozed off in the chair he had positioned at her bedside, caaw the empty bed and jumped to his feet "Belle?" He looked around the rooone in her condition? And naked, to boot

He heard a pained groan fro on the floor in a tangled heap He leaned down and picked her up "What on earth are you doing down there, love?"

"Fire," she rasped

John looked at her blankly

"Fire!" she repeated a bithim a feeble shove

"What about the fire?"

"I'hed and nodded

"I think you should stay in the bed I'll get you more blankets"

"No!" Belle yelled, and John was taken quite aback at her forcefulness "I want the fire"

"I'll tell you what, why don't I put you in the bed, and I'll bring you a candle to have nearby"

"Stupid"

God help hiet you back in bed" He laid her down and pulled up the covers, sing nervously as he tucked her back in She had been so funny and adorable that for a et just how serious her condition was

But he couldn't keep kidding hi into her weary body, and John was not a great believer in ot any better