Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(100)
She’d been afraid of just such an ending earlier. It should have been what she wanted, but her heart did not leap at the prospect. Instead it plummeted, the thought as terrifying as anything that had happened that evening. “I don’t wish to be ruined, to bring my family scandal.”
“Nonsense. You are a Danser. You were made for scandal—and I am not talking about actual ruin, just enough to make people unsure. Gossip can be managed if one is careful.”
It sounded like a very fine line to Bliss, and yet she knew that a month or two ago she would have been very willing to walk it. She always had liked the circus. “I am not sure.”
“You are beginning to wear my patience. You must be sure of something.”
What was she sure of?
Stephan.
The name filled her mind.
She was sure of him. She was sure that, despite the later events of the night, it had been one of the best evenings of her life, that Stephan had taken her places she’d never dreamed possible. She was sure that he did care for her, did want the best for her, that he would do whatever was necessary to give her the life she wanted. She trusted that. She trusted him.
She trusted him.
She finally said the words, if only to herself.
She trusted him.
If ever there was a moment that she should find him wanting, this was it. He had not rescued her; for all she knew he had abandoned her. The hero in storybooks never left the princess to rescue herself. He always appeared atop his glowing steed ready for battle. Stephan had not appeared. She had needed him and he had not appeared.
She should feel betrayed by him; he had failed her.
Her belief that love was not the answer held true.
The princess had rescued herself.
And yet, she trusted him. She trusted Stephan. If he had not rescued her it was only because she’d accomplished it first.
He would have come for her. And he would have wanted her no matter what. He would never have left her.
He would never have left her.
He would never leave her.
She trusted him.
But what did that mean? She’d agreed to marry him. Had it not merely been an uncontrollable spurt of passion? Had she actually meant it?
She was beginning to fear she had—and not just as a reflection of the night’s fears. But she could not say that to Lady Perse. Lady Perse had made it very clear that she wanted Bliss to stay far away from Duldon. “Perhaps I am now willing to consider marriage. It is perhaps not as dreadful as I feared.”
“I was beginning to wonder what you were thinking about, child.” Was that a smile that played about Lady Perse’s cheeks? It was hard to tell. Lady Perse continued to stare across at her. “And love? How do you feel about love?”
She couldn’t say “I don’t know” again. “I am still waiting to see about that.”
“But you do not rule it out?” The question was not asked lightly.
“No, I do not.” Bliss spoke the words so quietly it was hard to be sure she had spoken out loud.
Lady Perse nodded. Whether she had heard or not, she had understood.
“Then we had best get you home. My home, I think. You can send a note to your family saying that you came calling upon me late and decided to stay.”
“But…”
“Nobody will question me, they never do.”
There was very little that Bliss could say to that. “But why are you doing this for me? A week ago you seemed not to like me at all.”
“I have always liked you. I do like a girl who shows some spirit.”
“But you…?”
“Never mind what I did. I may have been mistaken about something and I do not often admit that. I begin to think that everything may just work out quite wonderfully and with very little meddling on my part.”
“But…”
“No buts. Come home. Sleep. And let things happen as they may.”
Bliss believed Lady Perse really meant “and let things happen as I arrange them,” but she held her tongue. “But what of Duldon?”
“Yes, what of Duldon?” was Lady Perse’s only answer.
Chapter Twenty-seven
“Where is she?” Duldon asked.
His aunt looked up from her cup of tea. “I am not sure to whom you refer.”
Duldon glared at his aunt.
Her expression did not change.
“Where is she?” he repeated.
No response.
“Where is Bliss?”
“Lady Bliss? Have you called at her father’s house? I am sure somebody there would know.” She sipped her tea.
He let out a long sigh. “Must we play this game?”
Lady Perse’s lip twitched. “I really think you should try the duke’s home.”
“She has left then.”
“All I am saying is that I believe she is home. If I knew more than that I might be expected to ask questions. Questions I do not believe you would answer—and that if you did I would probably faint dead away.”
He doubted his aunt had ever fainted. “Is that what this is about? You are trying to show me how aggravating it is to not get a straight answer? Let me ask you a question. What were you doing riding about Town before the sun had even risen?”