She smiled. He had never denied her anything other than refusing to let her go. “How are Mrs. Mulgrew and the maids? And James and Hawkins?”
“They are no longer at the house in the mountains.”
“What happened? Did you dismiss all of them?”
“They were no longer needed.”
“Why not?” she asked, her brow furrowed. Had he sold that wonderful old house?
“I burned it down the night I sent you home.”
She stared at him in stunned disbelief. “Why? Why would you do such a thing?”
“You were no longer there.”
“But…it had been yours long before we met.”
“After I sent you away, I thought I would never see you again. I could not bear to walk the halls knowing you were not there.”
“Oh, Stefan.” Cupping his face in her palms, she kissed him.
His arms went around her. Holding her tight, he whispered that he loved her, would always love her, that he would rebuild the house if she would share it with him. He fell back on the grass, drawing her down on top of him, his hands caressing her back, her thighs, as he nuzzled her breasts, then kissed her again.
“Bryony,” he murmured, his voice husky. “Let me taste you.”
She tensed in his embrace. Lost in the wonder of his kisses, she had momentarily forgotten what he was.
Stefan went still as he waited for her answer. If they were to be together, she would have to get used to letting him drink from her from time to time.
She pushed against his chest and he let her go, sat up when she did.
Leaning toward him, she said, “Look at me.”
His gaze met hers.
“They aren’t red,” she murmured.
He smiled faintly, glad that he had his hunger under control. He didn’t want to feed on her. He merely wanted a small taste. He watched her face as she made her decision.
“Just a little,” she said, and pushed her hair behind her ear.
He drew her into his arms again and rained feather-light kisses across her cheeks, her brow, her chin, before he bit her ever so gently.
She sighed as a delicious warmth spread through her. If she asked, would he bite her again?
Bryony was nervous as she dressed for the party the following night. There would be a number of people present—friends of her family’s, as well as Veronica’s betrothed and Amy, the lovely young woman Eli was courting. Thankfully, Lord Bloodworth was out of town and unable to attend. She wondered how would Stefan feel, surrounded by so many strangers? Dinner was sure to be a sumptuous meal. How would she explain why he didn’t eat?
Guests began to arrive at seven. They sat down to dinner at eight, and still Stefan did not appear. Had he changed his mind about attending?
At nine, the minstrels arrived and the guests moved into the ballroom.
Bryony was talking with Veronica and some of their friends when Stefan tapped her on the shoulder. “May I have this dance?”
“You came!” Just looking at him made her mouth water. He wore black trousers, a black vest over a white shirt, a navy-blue cravat, and a thigh-length black jacket that emphasized his broad shoulders.
“I said I would, did I not?”
“Yes, but…”
