“We couldn’t have a double wedding with only one bride,” Veronica said, breaking the awkward silence. “Anyway, I couldn’t imagine getting married when you weren’t there.”
Bryony glanced at Stefan. They hadn’t discussed getting married since he had turned her.
For the next hour, Stefan watched Bryony answer their questions. She was hesitant at first, but her brother broke the tension when he asked to see her fangs. Nervous laughter filled the room, followed by genuine laughter when she said, “Only if I can bite you.”
Unable to believe she’d said that aloud, Bryony felt her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment.
Stefan sensed her growing stress at being in the room with her family, listening to the beating of their hearts, trying to ignore the tempting scents of their blood. For his part, he said little, all too aware that her parents held him responsible for what had happened to their daughter.
At one point, Maida asked if anyone would like tea or cakes, then blushed scarlet when Leyton leaned over and whispered that vampires didn’t eat.
Stefan felt Bryony begin to relax. All in all, her family seemed relieved that she was there and that she appeared to be much the same despite everything. Her parents had the most difficulty accepting her changed state—her father because he had hunted vampires for years, her mother because of the death of her sister. Eli thought the whole vampire thing was fascinating, Veronica still hoped for a double wedding. When he sensed Bryony growing restless, he suggested it was time to leave. There were hugs and kisses and promises to visit again soon.
Bryony breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief when they left the house and then felt guilty for feeling that way.
“It is normal,” Stefan assured her. “Being with them will get easier each time you are together.”
“I feel so bad for ruining Ronnie’s wedding. She should be married now and on her honeymoon with Robert.”
“Speaking of weddings,” Stefan said, taking her hands in his. “Do you still wish to marry me?”
“Do you still want to marryme? I’m not the same girl I was when you asked me.”
“Bryony. There will never be a time when I do not want you. Do you not know that by now?”
She felt the sting of happy tears in her eyes when he wrapped her in his arms. Stefan still loved her, and nothing else mattered.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The funeral for Timothy Bloodworth was one that would be talked about for years to come, Leyton Barrett mused as he stared at the flower-draped white casket. No expense had been spared. The church was overflowing with flowers and the pews were filled with well-dressed important people.
Bloodworth’s aged parents and his three younger sisters sat in the front row. The service was long, but that was to be expected, since the Bloodworth family had been one of the first to settle in the area and had gained considerable wealth and power in the last hundred years.
When the service was over, Leyton made apologies for Bryony’s absence, saying she was too grieved by her loss to attend. The lie stuck in his throat.
He had gathered the family and was about to leave when a tall, thin man with hollow cheeks tapped him on the shoulder. “Mr. Leyton Barrett?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Joseph O’Connor, Lord Bloodworth’s solicitor.”
Barrett stared at the man, an icy chill slithering down his spine. News of Bloodworth’s death by a person or persons unknown had spread through the surrounding area like wildfire. The motive remained a mystery, since nothing had been stolen. The investigation into his death was ongoing.
“I hate to bring this up at such an inopportune time,” O’Connor said. “But could we possibly meet in my office one day next week at your convenience? I am in the process of settling Lord Bloodworth’s estate.”
“Yes, of course.”. Damn. Bloodworth was out to get him from the grave.
“It shouldn’t take long.”
Barrett inclined his head, unable to speak for the panic surging through him. In the worry over Bryony, he had pushed all thought of the Bloodworth debt out of his mind.
“Good day to you, sir.”
Leyton nodded absently.Damn, damn, damn.What was he going to do now? He forced a smile as Maida came up beside him. “Who was that man?”
“We’ll talk about it later,” Leyton said. “Veronica, Eli, let’s go home.”
Leyton waited until after dinner to take Maida aside. As succinctly as he could, he told her about the loan and his inability to repay it.
