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Belle was still restless "Water," she croaked

John pressed a glass to her lips, using a towel to wipe away the water that dribbled down her chin "Is that better?"

Belle licked her parched lips "Don't leave me"

"I won't"

"I' to worry about," he lied "You'll see"

"I'ly

"My skin is still a little cold, but hed, and her entire body shook with spasht "My insides are hot"

John fought back despair He had to be strong for her He had to share this battle with her He wasn't sure she'd be able to do it alone "Shhh, darling," he said soothingly, rubbing his palet soot to tell you," she ot to tell you this afternoon"

This afternoon? Lord, John thought, that seeot to tell you," Belle persisted

"What is it?" he asked softly

"Always love you Doesn't matter if you lovefeeling

Chapter 21

From his position next to the bed, John looked down at Belle, worry clouding his expression It had been several hours since she'd awakened and tried to crawl to the fire She was still shivering, and her fever had steadily worsened

She was in a bad way

There was a perfunctory knock, and then the door to the room opened Caroline entered, lines of worry etched clearly on her face "What happened?" she asked in a urgent whisper "We just arrived home, and Thornton told us Belle is ill"

John reluctantly let go of Belle's hand and escorted Caroline out into the hall "Belle went for a walk and was caught in the rain She hit her head" He recounted the rest of the details briefly, leaving out the argument that had prompted her to run outside in the first place He'd only met his in-laws a day earlier If Belle wanted to tell her parents of their troubles that was fine He, a virtual stranger, was not going to do so

Caroline's hand strayed nervously to her throat "You look terribly tired Why don't you sleep? I'll sit with her now"

"No"

"But John-"