With a sigh, Bryony rested her head on his shoulder. “Why does life have to be so complicated?”
“It is what it is.” He brushed a kiss across her cheek as he drew her closer. It had taken every ounce of his self-control to keep from seducing her these past weeks. But he had waited, partly because of Barrett, although the man wouldn’t know one way or the other unless he asked, and partly out of an old-fashioned sense of chivalry. It was a good thing the wedding was only two days away. He wasn’t sure he could restrain himself much longer.
She went into his arms eagerly, lifting her face for his kisses, her hands slipping under his shirt to caress his bare back. He groaned deep in his throat. Did she have any idea what her touch did to him? “Bryony, if you do not stop that, I am going to take you here, now, on this couch.”
She drew back a little, a teasing grin on her lips. “Are you really going to ravish me?”
Stefan frowned. “What game are you playing, wench?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know damn well what I mean! What mischief is going on in that pretty head?”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I…”
“You what?”
“Nothing.”
“Bryony, do not make me read your mind again.”
“I made a bet with Veronica.”
“A bet?” He frowned. “What kind of bet?”
“That I could seduce you.”
He stared at her in astonishment. “Surely you knew you could win such a bet with little effort.”
“I thought so,” she said, with a frown. “Why did you stop?”
He blew out a sigh. “The truth? Because of your father. He thinks the worst of me and I am certain he is convinced that I have already defiled you.”
Bryony stared at him. “So, you would have seduced me if it wasn’t for my father?”
He shook his head because, deep inside, he wanted her to truly be his before he made love to her. “Two more days, fair Bryony, and then you will be mine forever.” He caressed her cheek with his knuckles and then, because he had to know, he asked, “What would you have done if I hadn’t stopped?”
“I knew you would,” she said, with a grin. “We’ve been alone many times and yet you’ve never taken advantage of me, even when I was willing.”
He ran his tongue along the length of her neck, and then he laughed. “To think, I could have had you months ago.” He kissed the valley between her breasts. “Perhaps I should take you now.”
“You won’t,” she said, threading her fingers through his hair. “And we both know it.”
Well, damn, he mused. Maybe he wasn’t the monster he had always thought he was.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The day of the wedding bloomed bright and clear, even though it had rained the night before. Although the ceremony wasn’t until that evening, the Barrett household rose early.
The servants had large pots of water heating, Cook and his helpers were busy preparing a lavish breakfast for the family, while other servants washed the carriages, groomed the horses, and polished the harness. The ladies’ maids readied the gowns, while the valet looked after the men’s wardrobe.
Veronica was so excited she could hardly sit still long enough to eat breakfast. She wished fervently that Bryony was there so they could share these last few hours together before they married and went their separate ways. She said as much to her mother, who nodded.
“I still can’t believe that my baby girl is a vampire. Or that she’s marrying one.” Maida shook her head ruefully. “It all seems like a bad dream.”
“What’s a bad dream?” Leyton asked, striding into the dining room.
“Bryony’s being a vampire,” Veronica said, making sure there were no servants within hearing distance. “But it doesn’t seem so bad to me. I mean, she’s still Bryony.”
