Chapter Twenty-Three
Excitement fluttered in the pit of Bryony’s stomach as she dressed the following evening. Stefan hadn’t said he would come by, but she wanted to be ready, just in case. Earlier in the day, her father had called her into his office and tried yet again to convince her to stop seeing Stefan.
She had sighed as she listened to the long litany of Stefan’s faults. He was a vampire. A monster. Not fit to associate with decent people. He was a killer. He drank human blood to survive. She would never be safe with him. And on and on and on.
She knew everything her father had said was true and yet she could not abide the thought of sending Stefan away and never seeing him again.
He loved her. He treated her like a queen.
His kisses filled her with delight and when he drank from her…
She sighed, wondering again how something that should have been disgusting and repugnant could make her feel so wonderful.
But she didn’t really care. She knew only that he was ever in her thoughts when they were apart and in her dreams at night.
And he needed her. She had felt his sense of isolation more than once.
Anticipation sprang to life within her when she heard a knock at the front door. He was here! Odd, that she could sense his presence, she mused, as she flew down the stairs
Alistair gave her a bow as he closed the door behind Stefan and left the room.
“Bryony,” Stefan murmured, taking her hands in his. “How lovely you look this evening.”
“So do you.” For once, he wasn’t attired all in black. His coat and trousers were midnight blue, his shirt white, his cravat a dark, dark red.
“What would you like to do this evening?” he asked.
“I don’t care, as long as we’re together.”
“Then let us go dancing so I can hold you in my arms.”
She smiled up at him, then sobered when she heard her father clear his throat.
Stefan bowed in Barrett’s direction. “Good evening, sir.”
“Good evening,” Barrett replied, his voice gruff. “Where are you taking my daughter tonight?”
“Dancing,” Stefan said.
Barrett grunted. “Have her home before midnight.”
“As you wish.”
Bryony went to her father and gave him a hug. “Good night, Father.”
“Don’t be late.” He glanced at Stefan, then turned on his heel and left the room.
Stefan sighed. If looks could kill, he’d be dead on the floor. “Are you ready, love?”
With a smile, she took his arm. Moments later, they were at an exclusive club in the city.
Stefan led her to a table where they ordered drinks—a glass of sherry for her, red wine for him.
Bryony couldn’t help noticing that all the women stared at Stefan. It happened everywhere they went. Not that she could blame them. He was the most handsome of men.
But he never looked back.
“What shall we drink to?” she asked.
“To my sire, Charis,” Stefan said. “If not for her, I would have passed away long before you were born. I cannot imagine my life without you. How could I have lived so long without knowing the warmth of your embrace, the sweetness of your kisses?”
His words moved through her like summer sunshine.
“I love you, fair Bryony, with all my heart and soul.” Rising, he took the glass from her hand, then led her onto the dance floor. “I cannot wait another moment to hold you,” he remarked as he took her into his arms. “Were it possible, I would never let you go.”
She looked up at him, mesmerized by his voice, his words, the love in his eyes. The rest of the world fell away and there was only the two of them. She sighed when he lowered his head and bit her. There was no pain, only incomparable pleasure and a sense of belonging.
“Bryony, say you will be mine.”
“I’m already yours,” she whispered.
“Will you be my wife?”
“Yes, Stefan. Oh, yes.”
He kissed her then, not caring if the whole world was watching. It wasn’t the world, but it seemed as if the eyes of everyone in the club were turned their way. Bryony blushed to the roots of her hair and buried her face in his shoulder.
A few of the men applauded when he led her off the dance floor. With a wave to the crowd, Stefan put his arm around her and they left the building.
“Did you mean it?” he asked when they were outside.
“Yes. It’s going to cause a lot of trouble with my father, though. I know he said I could marry anyone I wished, but…” She bit down on her lower lip. “I’m not sure he meant it.”
“And if he refuses?”
“Then we’ll just have to run away. Or we could be married in secret.”
Taking her hand in his, they walked down the street. It was a lovely night. A yellow moon hung low in an indigo sky. Millions of stars were spread across the vast expanse.
“It might be fun to have a secret marriage,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “What do you think?”
“Only as a last resort. I do not wish to sneak in and out of your bed as if I was a thief in the night.”
“When should we tell my family that we are betrothed?”
“Whenever you feel the time is right,” Stefan said. As a last resort, he could mesmerize her father and make Barrett give them his blessing. Hell, he could hypnotize the whole family.
They walked in silence for a while, stopping now and then to kiss in the shadows.
“Tell me,” Stefan said, his knuckles caressing her cheek. “Tell me you love me.”
“Why don’t you just read my mind?”
“I want to hear the words.”
“I love you, my Stefan, more than words can say.”
Pulling her into his arms, he rained kisses on her cheeks, her brow, her lips, the hollow of her throat. “I will love you your whole life.”
She rested her head on his chest. And then frowned. Not his whole life, but her whole life. The thought hit her like a splash of cold water. He had already lived for centuries. He would live centuries more after she was gone.
“Bryony, do not think about it.”
She looked up at him, her expression troubled. “How can I help it?”
He pulled her closer. “No one is guaranteed tomorrow,” he said quietly. “Not even vampires. You might outlive me.” Cupping her face in his palms, he kissed her again. “It is almost midnight. I must get you home, my Cinderella.”
She closed her eyes when he wrapped his arm around her waist. When she opened them again, they were on the front porch.
“Until tomorrow,” he murmured. “Dream of me.”
Nodding, she lifted her face for his kiss. One was not enough and she whispered, “More,” when he started to release her.
He pulled her body against his, letting her feel his need, his longing, as he covered her mouth with his.
She clung to him as the only solid thing in a world that seemed to be spinning out of control.
She felt as if her bones were melting as he deepened the kiss, his tongue like a flame as it dueled with her own.
She was breathless when he released her.
“More?” he asked.
“I don’t think I could survive another kiss like that,” she said, with a shaky grin.
“We shall see, fair Bryony. Sweet dreams.”
She watched him walk away and disappear into the night. Later, lying in bed, she stared into the darkness, wondering if Stefan had ever turned anyone into a vampire. Not that she wanted to be one, she assured herself. But she was still thinking about it when sleep carried her away…
She was dreaming and she knew it, yet she seemed to be watching it unfold from a distance.
They were in the Stone House in the valley.
A fire blazed in the hearth. Candlelight made dancing shadows on the walls, and cast silver highlights in Stefan’s hair.
He wore a pair of black trousers, nothing more.
She was clad in a very prim, long white nightgown.
They lay side-by-side on a thick rug in front of the fire.
It was then she asked the question preying on her mind. “Have you ever made anyone a vampire?”
He rose on one elbow, his dark gaze fast upon her face. “Only once.”
“Oh?” At his answer, her heart began to beat faster. “Who was it?”
“What does it matter?”
“Tell me.”
His eyes narrowed. “It was a young woman. Salina. She was dying. She begged me to turn her. In the end, I did as she asked.” He turned his head and gazed into the fire. “She was not happy as one of the undead. A week later, she walked out into the morning sun.”
Bryony frowned at him, not understanding.
“Do you not know? Sunlight destroys fledgling vampires. She was gone in an instant.”
“It wasn’t your fault. She asked you to do it.”
“Her death has been on my conscience ever since. I swore then that I would never turn anyone else.”
“Never?”
He shook his head.
“Even if I asked you to turn me?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer, only to be awakened by the sound of someone knocking on the door.
Her maid, carrying her morning cocoa on a tray, entered at her invitation.
Bryony paid little attention as the girl laid out her clothes for the day.
She was thinking about her dream. It had seemed so real.
She shook her head as she sipped her cocoa.
If she were a vampire, she wouldn’t be able to have her morning cocoa, or go riding on a warm summer day, or indulge in Cook’s sumptuous meals, or walk in the gardens when the dew was on the grass and share her dreams with Veronica. No, the vampire life was not for her.
When the maid opened the door to leave, Veronica brushed past her. Hurrying into the room, she perched on the edge of the bed. “Guess what? I’m getting married! Robert proposed to me last night.”
“That’s such exciting news!” Bryony exclaimed, throwing her arms around her sister. “And guess what? Stefan proposed to me last night!”
Laughing, the girls hugged each other.
“Maybe we can have a double wedding,” Veronica suggested. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“Yes! Have you set a date?”
Veronica shook her head. “Not yet. I was thinking the first day of Fall. What about you?”
“That sounds wonderful. After all, there’s a lot to do between now and then. I’d have to ask Stefan, though.”
“Of course. Robert said he would leave everything up to me.”
“Have you told the folks?”
“No. Have you?”
Bryony shook her head. In spite of what her father had said about letting her marry whoever she wanted, she knew he would object.
“Shall we tell them our good news together?” Veronica asked.
Bryony frowned, and then nodded. Maybe her father wouldn’t shout so loudly if the family was in the room.
“Over breakfast?” Veronica asked.
Bryony nodded. Might as well get it over with.
The family habitually gathered around the dining room table for breakfast at nine. Bryony had no appetite and merely picked at her ham and eggs.
“Are you ill?” her mother asked.
“No, Mama.”
“You’re usually ready for seconds by now.”
Bryony shrugged. Her stomach was in knots. She had a terrible feeling she might be sick if she tried to eat anything else.
“Nothing wrong with Veronica’s appetite,” Barrett remarked.
“She looks remarkably happy this morning,” Eli said, with a knowing grin. “Why don’t you tell them your news?”
Veronica glared at him.
“What news?” their mother asked.
“Robert asked me to marry him last night,” Veronica said, with a pointed glance at Bryony.
Bryony took a deep breath. “And Stefan proposed to me.”
Beaming, Maida glanced from one daughter to the other. “That is good news.”
Barrett cleared his throat. “I believe it’s customary for young men to ask permission of the father before they propose.”
Veronica shrugged. “Last night, Robert said he just couldn’t wait to ask me, but that he would come by this morning to seek your blessing.”
Barrett grunted. And then he turned his gaze on his other daughter. “Did you accept Stefan’s proposal?”
“Of course. You said I could marry anyone I wished.”
“So I did. But I had hoped you would have better sense than to agree to marry a vampire.”
“Vampire!” Maida exclaimed. “He’s a vampire?” She glanced from Barrett to Bryony and back again. “Oh. But you are joshing.”
“I wish I were. But it’s true. He’s one of the undead.” Barrett grinned inwardly. He couldn’t have picked a better time to let that particular cat out of the bag. Bryony assumed she had his permission, but Maida would never approve or permit it.
Speechless, Eli and Veronica looked at each other and then looked at Bryony.
Maida blinked at him. “Leyton?”
“It’s true, wife.”
Maida stared at him a moment, disbelief turning to anger.
“How in the world could you give our daughter permission to marry a monster?” she asked, her face as white as the napkin in her hand.
“Are you mad?” Rising, she pointed her finger at Bryony.
“You will not marry a vampire! Do you hear me? I forbid it. My sister was killed by one of those dreadful creatures. I will not have one in the family.” Tossing her napkin on the table, she fled the room.
Fighting tears, Bryony pushed away from the table.
Not meeting anyone’s eyes, she ran up the stairs to her room.
Slamming the door, she locked it, then threw herself on the bed.
Why had no one ever told her what had happened to her mother’s sister?
Surely her father could have mentioned the cause of Aunt Celeste’s death before now.
Angry tears stung her eyes. Her father had known full well what her mother’s reaction would be.
He had purposefully chosen this moment to let it slip that Stefan was a vampire.
She stilled when there was a knock at the door.
“Bryony? Let me in.”
“Go away.”
“Please, Bry?”
Dashing the tears from her eyes, she rose and unlocked the door, locked it again when Veronica was inside.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Veronica asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. “But really, Bry. A vampire? How on earth did you meet?”
“I met him when I ran away. It’s a long story.”
“I’m listening.”
Huffing a sigh, Bryony sat beside her sister and related everything that had happened.
“And you really love him?” Veronica asked when Bryony finished her tale.
“Very much.”
“I admit, he’s quite handsome.” Veronica’s eyes widened. “The portrait!” she exclaimed, glancing over her shoulder. “You painted him as he really is. I can’t believe none of us guessed. Well, except for Father.”
“Mother will never let me marry Stefan now that she knows.”
“Well, you can’t blame Mother for the way she feels. I never knew Aunt Celeste was murdered.”
“It seems that none of us did. Except for Father.”
Veronica sighed. “I was so looking forward to a double wedding.”
Bryony smiled faintly. “Me, too.” But it would never happen now.
The only way she would be able to marry Stefan was if they eloped.
Perhaps once it was done, her parents would accept it.
And if not, what then? Would she never be welcome in her father’s home again? Never be allowed to see her family?
“Oh, Bryony,” Veronica murmured. Wrapping her sister in her arms, she rocked her back and forth as she wept.
Imagine, wanting to marry a vampire, Veronica mused. It was beyond belief that such things even existed.