Page 10 of Balance

Who was this woman, and how had she bewitched him?

Bernard didn’t know, but it was time to put an end to her spell.

“Caroline!” The earl stormed into the dungeon, clothes still askance and unbuttoned, and eyes wild, as he hardly had time to righten himself before her witchery bespelled him once more. “We must hold a conference.”

“Bernard.” The dark-haired maiden pressed from the wall, hands clutching her chest. As the earl crossed the distance between them, she didn’t even have time to wonder how he knew her name—or why she was suddenly so familiar. “What is it?”

“You dominate my thoughts.” He reached her now, pulling her to him. “We must wed straight away.”

“But, sir!” She tried to hold on to logic, but her will gradually dwindled under his wizened stare. He was dependable and honorable—that much was well known across the lands. “We’ve only just become acquainted.”

“I’m an old man, and life is short,” the thirty-five-year-old answered. “And, seeing you, I know of love once more.”

“I love you too.” The last of her defenses fell, as she was helpless against his stately manners and insightful eyes. “But what of those who will seek to keep us apart? I’m a commoner, and you are a man of renown.”

“We will dispose of any who stand in our way,” Bernard replied. “The world will never see a love as deep as ours. I make a vow.”

“A vow?” she asked, peering up at him with eyes that dripped like chocolate.

“Say it with me now.” He ignored his growing hardness—this, first, required immediate attention. “As my blood flows free, our souls join as one.”

She obediently replied, and he knew he’d chosen well. “As my blood flows free, our souls join as one.”

“And so I promise to uphold my contract with you,” he sealed the words, and she repeated. With that, the two were one.

“Are you back to reading that stupid book?” Finn’s snotty accusation cut through the passion of Caroline’s and Bernard’s newly bonded bliss, and the upcoming events thereafter. To be honest, this was my first time ever reading a… male/female romance, as it were. I’d thought it’d be intense and difficult to read.

However, after about two hundred pages of cringeworthy peasant-girl daydreams, and Bernard’s obsession with sweets, things had finally started to become interesting.

Was this crap actually popular in the past?

Besides… there was now a bigger concern.

I lowered the book to my nose, keeping my attention trained on Finn. “What?”

“What is it?” Finn asked, bracing his hip against my open doorway. “You’ve been reading it nonstop since you stole it from Miles’s room.”

I closed the book, hiding the cover under the fold of my blanket. How dare he spy on me. “It’s called Nunya.”

Finn didn’t react other than to cock his head to the side—clearly not understanding the insult.

“Nunya business,” I added, waving my hand in his direction.

Being mean wasn’t nearly as fun as I’d imagined, and the recipient not catching on had dulled the joy even more.

Finn rolled his eyes, pushing himself away from the door. “I need to talk to you.”

“I’m still not ready to talk to you,” I said, pulling the edge of the blanket over my mouth. I still didn’t trust him, and my wariness intensified as he stepped cautiously into my room. “Why are you here?” I asked, wondering how he’d even got this close without Julian swooping in on him. “Where is everyone?”

He stopped, trepidation crossing his gray eyes. “Why?” His voice was cautious. “Are you still scared of me?”

Still?

“I’ve never been scared of you!” I lied, but annoyance washed over me at the memory.

There was no reason to be scared, especially not right now. Even Finn wasn’t so stupid as to attack me in the middle of his brother’s house. I knew him—he was wise and cunning. He would only risk Julian’s wrath for a darn good reason. What was he plotting now?

“I’m glad to hear it.” He nodded. “Bryce and Brayden are playing chess downstairs, though that’s putting it nicely. Rather, Bryce is losing badly while Brayden is taunting him with bets. Titus is in the garage—if you need his help, you can shout. He’ll hear you.”