With a cheerful “Good morning, Miss,” Leonora hurried into the kitchen.
Another day had begun.
The day had passed pleasantly enough. It was nice having someone else in the house, Bryony thought as she lingered at the front door after bidding Leanora good night. She didn’t bother trying to follow the girl outside. What was the point? It was curious, though. She had asked Leonora why she hadn’t just entered the house this morning and the girl had said the door wouldn’t open.
So now she had to open the door to admit Leanora but the girl could leave whenever she wished, while Bryony could open the door but couldn’t exit. Bryony frowned, thinking it was passing strange that Leonora had been able to open the door yesterday, but not today. Was it some kind of magic?
She stared into the distance, the door forgotten as her thoughts drifted toward home. She missed her bedchamber, the luxury that had surrounded her. Did her parents have people scouring the countryside looking for her? Did her brother and sister think of her often? She missed riding in theearly morning… The thought brought Daisy to mind. Where was the mare? Had she run for home? All concern for her horse fled her mind with the sudden awareness that she was no longer alone.
He was here. She knew it without a doubt, even as she wondered how he had entered the house, unseen, when she was standing by the door.
“Good evening, lovely Bryony.”
His voice, as deep as the night, sent a shiver of awareness down her spine as she turned to face him. He was dressed all in black, his dark hair pulled back. He had a strong, handsome face and the most compelling eyes she had ever seen.
“My lord.”
“No need for such formality,” he said, with a faint smile. “It would please me if you would call me Stefan.”
“As you wish. Stefan.”
“You need not be afraid of me.”
“No?”
“No.”
“You are keeping me here against my will. No man with pure intentions would do so.” She took a deep breath. “What do you intend to do with me?”
“I merely require your company for a time.”
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Why?”
Why, indeed?he mused. If she knew, she would surely run screaming from his presence if she could. He took a step toward her, paused when she took a hasty step back. “I have lived alone a very long time,” he said. “But now you are here, and I find I quite like it. So you will stay as long as it pleases me, and then I will take you home.”
Anger stiffened her spine. “You have no right to keep me here! If it’s a ransom you want, my father is very rich.”
“I have wealth enough,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “It is company I lack.”
She wanted to scream at him, demand that he release her immediately, but hesitated to do so for fear of making him angry. He was a big man. Who knew what kind of violence he was capable of?
Reluctant to ask the question uppermost in her mind, she took a deep breath and said it in a rush, “Where will you sleep now that you’ve moved out of your bedchamber?”
His amused laughter made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Fear not, fair maid, I do not intend to ravish you in your bed.” Although thinking about it was pleasant, indeed. She was a woman made for loving, warm and soft.
Bryony stared at him, her heart racing, as he moved slowly toward her. She wanted to run but seemed incapable of doing so as he closed the distance between them and took her in his arms.
“Bryony,” he murmured. “I wonder. Are you as sweet as you seem to be?”
She tried to look away but couldn’t draw her gaze from his as he lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. Heat sizzled through her as his lips touched hers. Her eyelids fluttered down and she was lost in a haze of sensation unlike anything she had ever known as his mouth boldly explored hers. He pulled her body closer as his kisses grew longer and more intense. Time seemed to stand still and all thought fled her mind as she lost herself in the wonder of his touch.
She felt suddenly bereft when, muttering an oath, he lifted his head and put her away from him.
“Until tomorrow, fair Bryony,” he said, his voice thick with an emotion she didn’t recognize.
Breathless, her whole body mourning the loss of his touch, she watched him stride toward the door. It opened, seemingly of its own accord, and then he was gone, swallowed up by the darkness.
