“Sell the house?” she said, her voice barely audible. “Where would we go?”
“I don’t know.”
“How could you invest such an exorbitant sum?”
“I was a fool. I know that now. But, dammit, Jonas was a friend of mine. I trusted him.” He heaved a sigh. “I have a meeting with Bloodworth’s solicitor next week. Perhaps I can convince him to extend the loan, or perhaps accept a partial payment.”
“And if you can’t?”
Leyton shook his head. He wouldn’t go begging to Stefan for help until he had exhausted every other possibility.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Bryony spoke to the mind of the man she had preyed on and sent him away. It got a little easier every time, she mused. She still missed eating, missed the taste of apples and plums, the warm comfort of a cup of hot cocoa, the sweetness of sugar cookies and strawberry tarts. But the blood was satisfying in a way that other things had never been. Stefan had been teaching her how to use the preternatural powers that were now hers. She could run faster than the human eye could follow, transport herself across the street or across the country, dissolve into mist. It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time.
Of course, there were downsides, she thought, as they made their way back to Stefan’s lair. She couldn’t wear her favorite silver necklace. She wouldn’t be able to go to church with the family on Easter morning or attend any family functions during the day. She would never have a child. That was the hardest one to bear. She consoled herself with the thought that Veronica and Eli would have children that she would be able to love and cuddle.
Thinking of Veronica reminded Bryony of the wedding they never had. Veronica still wanted a double wedding. If they were going to do it, it would have to be soon. No doubt Robert was getting anxious, she thought, and then paused. She was supposed to be grieving for her betrothed.. Howcould she explain getting married so soon after the funeral? The gossips would likely think she was pregnant. Well, let them think what they wanted! No doubt they would count the months and be disappointed when no baby arrived early.
Bryony glanced at Stefan. He sat beside her, reading a book on the history of Rome. Feeling her gaze, he looked up.
“Did you want something, love?” he asked, laying the book aside.
“Are we going to get married soon?”
“Name the day.”
She smiled at him. “Can we go visit Veronica so she and I can make plans?”
“Of course, love. When do you wish to go?”
“Tomorrow night?”
He nodded, though he didn’t look forward to being in the Barrett house. It was all he could do to keep from locking Leyton Barrett up in that damnable cage and leaving him there to starve for a few days.
Bryony’s nerves were on edge when they reached the front porch. It had been two weeks since she had seen her family. She had heard about Bloodworth’s funeral but couldn’t summon the least bit of regret for his death, only relief that she hadn’t been able to attend.
Stefan knocked on the door. It was opened moments later by Alistair, who ushered them into the back parlor. There was a tense moment when her father and Stefan exchanged glances and then her father left the room.
Veronica smiled as she hugged Bryony. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been wanting to talk to you but I didn’t know how to reach you.”
“Well, I’m here now. Where’s Eli?”
“He’s visiting Amy.”
“Of course,” Bryony said, with a grin. “I should have known.”
“I hope you’ve come to talk about the wedding,” Veronica said, taking a seat on the couch and pulling Bryony down beside her.
“I was afraid you might have changed your mind,” Bryony said, trying not to notice the enticing scent of her sister’s blood.
“Of course not! But I hope we can make it soon.” Lowering her voice, she said, “Robert is getting impatient, if you know what I mean.”
He wasn’t the only one, Bryony mused. And then frowned as a new thought occurred to her. Leaning closer to her sister, she whispered, “Have you told Robert about me and Stefan?”
Veronica nodded. “He was pretty shocked at first, but he knows how close you and I are and that nothing will ever change that. And then he said if it doesn’t bother me, it’s all right with him,” she confided, with a grin. “But he asked me not to tell his parents or anyone else in their family.”
Maida sighed as she glanced from one daughter to the other. “Girls, I’m not sure about planning another big wedding.”
