Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(102)

“Yes?”

“That is what this is about, is it not? Yes.”

His eyes flashed. “You are still saying yes?”

She dropped her eyes to her lap. “Yes,” she breathed, and did not look up, her bravery used up in that one word.

There was not a single sound in the room, not the tick of a clock, the whistle of wind on the window, not a maid’s step in the hall—and not a single breath or swallow.

Finally she heard him take a few steps, heard him sink onto the settee across from her. “Then why did you leave last night?”

“I’ve already said ‘I don’t know’ too many times today, but I have no true explanation. I can say I was afraid or that I needed time to think, but it is far more complicated than that.”



“Do you wish me to let it rest with that?” His voice was calm, with no pressure behind it. His anger had faded with her answer.

She had not expected such a gift. “Is that possible? I know that at some point the words will come, but I do not have them now.”

Another moment of silence.

She could feel his tension, but knew not the cause, if he was willing to let the issue of marriage rest for now.

“Tell me about Lord Temple,” he said at last, and she felt her innards twist.

“What is there to say?” If she could not shoot Temple, then she never wanted to think of him again, never wanted to be forced to remember those minutes of fear.

“He had quite a lot to say.”

She did not even want to begin to imagine what Temple might have said of her. “He seems to be mistaken on a number of issues.”

“Is that how you explain it?”

She closed her eyes, staring at the slight glow of light that seeped through the lids. “Do I have to explain it?”

“Is he the one who ripped your dress at the Milburnes’?” he growled, and not the low growl of promise she’d heard so often the night before.

“Does it matter? I told you that night I did not wish to discuss it. There is nothing to be done now.” If only he would let it go. She did not want to imagine what would happen if Stephan found out what Temple had done. She didn’t care what happened to Temple, but she did not want Stephan to take risks for her. It was over.

“You must tell me if it matters. After last night I rather think it does. What exactly did Temple do to you?”



“In the end, very little happened. It truly does not matter now.” At least she prayed it did not. Please, just let it go away.

“Did he rape you? Should I have done more than bloody his nose and left him to be swept up with the trash?”

She opened her eyes and stared out at the world. “No. He did not rape me. And did you really bloody his nose?” A feeling of warmth and protection spread through her.

“Yes, and I’d have ripped him limb from limb, or at least broken a few bones, if I’d known that he’d actually touched you.” His eyes shown with menace.

“That truly was not necessary.” Although it might have been very nice. She doubted she’d ever forget the panic she’d felt as Temple tightened the cuffs about her wrists. If she could not shoot him, then she was glad that Stephan had beaten him. She could only hope he’d ended the evening a bloody pulp.

“Why are you not being honest with me?” Stephan rose to his feet and strode over until his boots brushed the hems of her skirt. “I thought we had moved past this last night.”

“I have told you nothing untrue.” Her gaze again dropped to her hands.

“But you have not told me the truth either. Truly, Bliss, I don’t know whether to take you in my arms and comfort you or put you over my knee and paddle you until you tell me what happened.”

She pressed her knees tight at his words, trying to ignore the warmth that grew in her core. She clenched her fingers tight. “I believe Temple might have wanted to paddle me also. I am not sure how he knew about you, but he clearly believed that I liked such things.”



“And you don’t like such things.” His voice grew low.

“I did not like what Temple tried.”

“So you are admitting that he did try…”

She stood, unmindful of his closeness. “Can we not talk of this another time—or perhaps never? It is over and done. I want to forget.”

Before she could say another word, she found herself pulled tight against his chest, the sound of his heartbeat filling her, reassuring her.

“I need to know, Bliss. How can I protect you if I don’t know what I am protecting you from? And I need to know for myself. Do you think it does not eat at me to realize that I might have placed you in danger? That my own desires could have caused you harm?”

“I don’t see how you can blame yourself. You were simply indulging what I wanted.” She wished her voiced had not quivered as she spoke.

“I think you know very well that I indulged you because I wished to. If I had wanted to, I would have tossed you over my shoulder and carried you back to your brother that first night. We were at Ruby’s because I wished to enjoy your response.”

The image of being tossed over his shoulder filled her. Blast, why did everything the man say make her fantasies run wild? After last night she should be done with fantasies, but every word that Stephan said left her edgy and wanting. “We were at Madame Rouge’s because it is what I wanted. If I had not wanted to be there nothing and nobody would have persuaded me. Do not forget that I make my own choices.”