d out beside him, clearly del

ick with mockery. "Stay submerged in this barrel of beer until every last chunk o

ace drained

old well, and her periods we

n her mind: absolutely no exp

ead, she knew her period w

ed. "Is this really necessary?

he hint of a threat in his

ure. "What's wrong, Miss Dixon? Not up for it? That's fine-I never for

called after Christopher, he

ug smile. "That's more like it, Miss

oroughly entertained-like a man settlin

rrel, the cold radiating off it in wa

l brimming with bobbing ice, h

hless than this-she refused to le

spectacle, she'

her hands against the barrel's rim, and caut

up her legs, threaten

ace. Forcing herself to press on, she slid one f

prickling her skin and making her shiver. Soon, only her small head and th

had drained from her lips,

ry inch of her skin prickling with goosebumps. A sharp, twisting ache

, the cold would sap every bit of warmth she ha

ting to keep her muscles from locking up, but the numbness crept rel

er, hoping for a sliver of mercy.

nts, Miss Dixon?" Christopher draw

, Mr. Yates," she responded, her vo

d her mercilessly, their lau

this little spa bath for you, and you l

osed to wait for all the ice to melt? Is Mr. Yat

owered her gaze, long lashes trembl

arms, gripping the slippery rim of the barrel, teeth clenched against

meone sneered, clearly pl

y, a single thought burned in her mind: no matter w

ed up her limbs, the room's noise fading into a d

d her up as if she weighed nothing,

the overhead lights. Before she could react, she found herself bundled