Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(97)

“And nothing can also happen. Do not worry until we know more.” Ruby spoke with supreme rationality, if only he were in the mood to hear it.

He wasn’t sure if she were trying to calm him, or truly believed her words. “I still don’t understand how she can simply vanish.”

“Perhaps she snuck into another room to sleep until dawn.”

He glared at her.

“I have known it to happen. Things do not always make sense.” Ruby walked back across the parlor and sat. “Now, I suggest that you head home and I will let you know what happens. You can send Simms to me as you pass and I will be sure that everyone is instructed properly. We will find your lost girl.”



She was probably right, but deep in his soul something did not feel right. Bliss might have slipped from him, determined to find her own space to think, but she was not a fool. She would have found Ruby and asked for assistance getting home. She would never have run out onto strange streets alone. He tapped his fingers in a rapid tattoo and considered.

Where could she have gone?

“No,” he replied. “I will stay and I will go from room to room myself and peer into every corner. Don’t give me that glare. It will not do any good. I will not leave until I find Bliss, even if I have to tear this place apart.”

—

Bliss pushed the door open and stopped. The room was empty. Stephan was gone.

There was a temptation to just crawl into the unmade bed, to hide under the covers, to surround herself in his scent.

She took a step forward. Halted.

There were footsteps coming up the stairs. Had Temple seen her come from this room? Would he guess she had returned here? Could he be returning so quickly?

Although truly she had no idea how long she had spent trying to escape, time had both stopped and flashed by in the same second.

Hide. She had to hide. He’d seen her come out of this room. It would be the first place he looked.



She darted into the hallway, stopped at the next entry.

She placed a hand on the door handle, but hesitated. Could entering one of these rooms just place her in greater trouble?

There must be someplace else. The curtains at the end of the hall. It seemed a child’s hiding place—she could remember hiding there in a long-ago game of sardines. It had not been a good choice then. Would it be better now?

The footsteps drew closer, and without another thought she darted behind the curtain, flattening her back against the wall and holding her breath.

The footsteps paused.

Why had she chosen such a foolish spot?

And then they continued on.

Deep breath. Deep breath.

Were they stopping outside the door she had fled? Was it Temple returning? The urge to peek out from behind the curtain grew strong, but she fought it down.

She waited. Silence.

Had the footsteps entered a room or did they linger in the hall, waiting?

She began to count, slowly, carefully.

When she reached one hundred, she debated—counted another hundred.

Still no noise. If he was still there waiting this could go on forever and if she waited there was an ever-growing chance that Temple would realize she was gone and come searching for her.



Time to be brave.

Taking a deep breath, she darted out from the curtain and ran for the stairs, her slippers sliding on the heavy carpet. There was the door. A few more yards and she’d be free. The street beckoned.

The old porter stepped forward, but she ran past him, pushing at the heavy door, until it burst open.

And she was free.

She ran ten yards, the cobblestones cold beneath her soles, and then she stopped.

Dark lay all around; the quiet mystery of the city lay ahead, only the faintest edge of dawn light was beginning to seep above the roofs of the buildings.

A moment of panic. Had she fled into more danger?

The pound of feet on the ground behind her.

A grand carriage rumbled past. And stopped.

She prepared to flee again, although where she knew not.

A footman jumped down and pulled the door open, and a voice she knew—knew only too well—echoed out.

“What on earth are you doing here, girl? Get in this carriage, now. Now, I say, girl.” Lady Perse’s voice cut through the night.





Chapter Twenty-six


If Duldon had blinked he would have missed her, not that it was easy to miss a tornado. Bliss sprinted down the stairs with the speed of a racehorse and almost ran straight through Simms as he moved to open the door for her.

And then she was gone.

He did blink then. Had that really been her? And if so where had she come from? It had been more than an hour since he discovered her missing from his room.

One more blink and then he was after her. He yanked open the door and hurried down the stairs, the deep emerald of her cloak a blur in the darkness. The sound of coach wheels rumbled past and then they stopped.

He started to run. Did Bliss have any idea of the danger she might be wandering into?

Heart pumping, he yelled after her, but it was too late.

She was in the coach and gone.

He stood in the street staring in disbelief. He knew that coach. He knew that voice.

What was his aunt doing riding about at this hour of the morning and why had she taken Bliss?

He turned back to Madame Rouge’s. He would collect his hat and coat and then make his way back home. It would be pointless to try to track Bliss now. He saw another gentleman exiting the house, visibly swaying on his feet. The dark coat and harried expression made little impression on him as he hurried by, his mind filled with his plans for the morning—and for Bliss.