She glanced at the window. It wasn’t raining, and the sun was up. Still, as much as it had rained, the roads were probably very poor to travel on this afternoon. But if she untied Tristan, he would try to leave anyway… as stubborn as he was.
Walking toward the window, she tried once again to think of a way out of their mess. Keeping him tied up wasn’t a good thing, but what other choice did she have? She stopped and peered out on the muddy ground as she recalled his confusing words last night. Why did the insipid man act as if he didn’t know what she was talking about? She’d heard rumors that he’d lost some of his memory, but really, that was so far-fetched, she wasn’t sure if it was true or not since there were so many rumors going around about him lately.
“Uh, Diana? Could you help me, please?”
His scratchy voice pulled her from her thoughts and she swung around. His head was turned toward her, but his body hadn’t moved. “Lord Tristan, pray tell, what did you think to accomplish by moving to the sofa?” She walked toward him slowly.
“I was thinking to rest my head on something soft so that I could sleep.” He grimaced. “Now I’m rethinking that decision since it’s made my body that much more cramped.”
She grabbed the back of the chair and pushed him to an upright position. “There. Is that better?”
“Actually, no. I would be much better if you untied me.”
“I’m quite certain you would, but before I do, I need to ask you some questions.”
He blinked his sleepy eyes as if he was clearing his vision. When his gaze finally locked on hers, he nodded. “Good, because I have some questions to ask you as well, but before that, might I inquire how long you and Tabitha are planning to hold me here?”
She didn’t dare admit she had no plans—the right kind, anyway. But something in her heart encouraged her to just talk to him and try to work things out.
“I’m not quite certain, Lord Tristan. I haven’t been able to speak with Tabitha about it yet. Last night I’d considered keeping you only long enough to make you anxious, but now…” She shrugged. “I rather enjoy torturing you, so perhaps we shall keep you longer.”
“I do hope you will untie me before the torture begins. After all, your plan is already in affect, so even if I try to deny it, the damage will be done to my character. Why would I want to return home now anyway?”
She cocked her head, studying him. Was he playing another game? Then again, even if he did escape, his reputation would be ruined.
“Well,” she stepped closer to him, sliding her fingers up his arm. Hard muscles flexed noticeably. He’d definitely not been this strapping three years ago. “I suppose I could untie you, even if the idea of keeping you bound and helpless sounds more and more pleasing.”
He chuckled. “Oh, Diana, I never imagined your thoughts to be so wicked, especially from a recent widow.”
Embarrassment washed through her as heat rose in her face. “You don’t believe I could think of such cruel things to do to you?”
“Actually, now that you mention it, I suppose it’s not totally out of your character to be so vicious.”
She frowned, her heart dropping once again. Why did he continue to act as ifhewere the injured party? None of this made sense, and she was determined to get to the bottom of this.
*
He couldn’t recallthe last time his body ached so much. He needed release. And now! In his current frame of mind, he didn’t care what he had to do—or say—to make her release him. “Diana, if you will until me, I promise as a gentleman, not to run. I feel we need to talk about the past. That is the only way to understand each other.”
She tilted her head and studied him for several minutes before nodding. “Fine, I’ll untie you, but remember, Tabitha still has a pistol and won’t hesitate to use it.”
“I assure you there will be no need to use it on me.”
She moved beside him and started untying the ropes. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her intoxicating scent of lilacs. Memories washed through his head, reminding him what hadreallyhappened three years ago. He shook his head and snapped open his eyes. Definitely, they needed to talk.
Slowly, the blood flowed back into his hands and feet, and tingled with awareness. Since he was still close to the sofa, he hopped on the cushions. A sigh fell from his mouth, enjoying the softness. “Ah, I thank you, Diana.” He patted the empty space next to him. “Would you like to join me?”
“Not really.”
He shook his arms then his legs. “Diana, I have realized that you hate me for some reason, and I cannot fathom why. The reason I told you I won’t leave here is because I need to know why you feel this way about me. It hurts to know you think I’ve ruined your life.”
She snorted a laugh before quickly covering her mouth with her hand. Most well-bred women would have scolded Diana for doing this.It’s not properthey would have told her with their noses in the air. Yet he thought it adorable the way Diana did it—so natural. His heart melted. Perhaps there was still the old Diana inside this shell of a woman after all.
“Oh, my lord, you are humorous. I’m beginning to wonder if there was something in that tea Tabitha made last night that I’d given you to make you talk this way. I fear you are not thinking straight at all.” She shook her head. “I don’tthinkyou ruined my life. Iknow. And there is nothing you can do to make up for my misery, I assure you.”
“First off, I’m in my right mind, and secondly—please call me Tristan. I recall a time when you were wrapped in my arms and whispered my name with much emotion it melted my heart.” He quickly snapped his mouth closed. Good grief! Why had he saidthat? He couldn’t bring up the past—not that part of their past, anyway.
She leaned back against the wall, folding her arms. Her gaze took on a seriousness he hadn’t expected. Her adorable green eyes moved over his face slowly then came to rest on his lips. Anxiousness pumped inside him, and memories resurfaced once again.This is not the time!
