She frowned at him. “But it won’t open.”
A faint grin touched his lips. “I know.”
His smile sent a shiver down her spine and she took a step backward as every instinct she possessed told her to run. Only there was nowhere to go.
“Where do you live, girl?”
“Near River North.”
He grunted softly. She was a very long way from home.
Silence stretched between them. Bryony couldn’t stop staring at him. He had a trim mustache and the shadow of a beard. It gave him a roguish look. His hair—a dark, dark brown—fell past his broad shoulders. His arms were long and well-muscled beneath the finely-stitched shirt he wore. Black leather trousers encased his legs, his feet were shod with knee-high black boots. Formidable was the word that came to mind. She had never seen a man who appeared so self-assured, or one who exuded such raw, masculine power. She imagined she could see his strength surrounding him, making him impervious to the rest of the world.
Amused by her thoughts, a faint grin twitched Stefan’s lips. “What am I do to with you?” he murmured.
Bryony swallowed hard.Do with her?She didn’t like the sound of that. Or the answer that immediately came to mind. Hands fisted at her sides, she said, “I should very much like to go home.”
“Yes. I am sure you would. Perhaps later.”
Later?She shivered. “I should like to go now.”
Rocking back on his heels, he said, “I’ve not had company in a very long time. You would not mind staying for a few days, would you?”
Something in his eyes, in the tone of his voice, told her not to refuse. “No, my lord.”
His smile was devastating. It changed his whole countenance, his whole persona, making him seem…human, she mused. And wondered where that thought had come from. Of course, he was human. What else could he be?
“I shall have to summon help,” Stefan remarked, thinking aloud. “Someone to cook and clean and do the marketing. Someone to look after you during the day.” His gaze trapped hers. “You will not leave the house.”
“No, my lord.”
“Consider my home yours,” he said. “If you have need of anything, you have only to let me know.”
My freedom, she thought, but dared not say it aloud.
He bowed from the waist. “I will see you tomorrow night, fair Bryony.”
She nodded, her stomach in knots as she watched him ascend the narrow stairway to the second floor. When he was out of sight, she sank down on the couch, her whole bodytrembling as she wondered if she would survive the next few days.
Chapter Two
Bryony rested her head on the back of the couch and let herself relax once the mysterious, frightening Stefan was out of sight. She had to get away from here. After several minutes, she stood and walked to the door, disappointed but not surprised when the portal again refused to open. Why had Stefan felt the need to tell her not to leave the house when she couldn’t? And what was she to do the rest of the night? And tomorrow? And the day after? How long did he intend to keep her here?
When her stomach growled, she went into the kitchen for another repast of bread, jam, and cheese, wishing all the while for a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of Cook’s mincemeat pie. By now, her father would know she was gone. Was he looking for her? Or did he consider himself well-rid of a troublesome daughter? Her older brother, Eli, and her sister, Veronica, were far more amenable.
Returning to the main room, Bryony dropped down on the couch, thinking she would soon die of boredom. How did anyone live in such a house? There were no books—at least none she could read—no pictures, no pens or paper, nothing with which to pass the time.
An hour passed. Two. She was on the brink of sleep when there was a knock at the door. Who could it be? Hermysterious captor had gone upstairs. Had he left without her knowing it? And if so, why would he knock?
Curious, she hurried to the door, then paused. Why bother? She couldn’t open it.
She was about to go back to the couch when the door swung open and a young woman poked her head inside. “Hello?”
Startled, Bryony stared at the girl. “How did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Open the door.”
