Page 8 of Brambles and Bellflowers
This journey wasn’t just about finding a mystical creature; it was about proving to myself that I had the discipline and strength to be a true asset to my quintet, to be the kind of partner Bianca deserved.
“Focus, Miles,” I whispered to myself. “You can do this.”
I had no choice. I was in very real danger of falling behind.
With renewed determination, I adjusted my grip on the walking stick and continued on my quest. The path was uncertain, but I was committed to seeing it through, no matter the challenges ahead.
Bianca POV
I ditched dinner and hid for the rest of the night. Julian wasconcerned, but it was difficult to explain this need pressing against my heart.
Hiding in Miles’s room wasn’t the best long-term plan. After I cleaned everything, there was no longer an excuse to linger, so I had no choice but to retreat to my own space.
But I didn’t leave empty-handed—Sinful Responsehad found a new home with me. Besides, it wasn’t like I was stealing it or anything. Miles would have wanted me to read it.
Therefore, I was content for now, snuggled on my beanbag chair under a thick, fluffy blanket and armed with a thermos of hot chocolate and Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies.
Still, why did I feel guilty? It wasn’t a big deal; it wasn’t like the books were a secret chronicling of actual events.
Or at least, I hoped not.
So far in the story, Bernard spent most of his time in his treasure room, comparing Caroline’s physical attributes to food: mainly baked goods, fruits, and various cuts of meat. Meanwhile, Caroline—the peasant maiden who was previously nameless—pined away in prison for her captor; for some reason, she was already madly in love with the earl that she’d only glimpsed once.
The whole thing was somewhat illogical. If she’d been brought in as a prisoner, she should have been filled with panic and despair.
So how could she be breathless from the memory of his handsome face? Why was she so heated at the thought of the dark, wise glint in his eyes?
Honestly, the whole story was unbelievable. She should at least be a tiny bit concerned over her impending death at the hands of an untried ruler. This story wasn’t even remotely close to historically accurate.
It was correct, though, to say thatSinful Responsewas, by far, the worst thing I’d ever had the misfortune of reading in my life. Yet I persevered through the tripe… for Miles.
There had to be a hidden message somewhere.
Even the naughty bits held my attention—as Bernard was blessed with quite the imagination even though the hero and heroine hadn’t seen each other since their initial encounter. It was so hard to be upset about body parts resembling pastries.
The others thought I was depressed. I saw them whispering about it earlier. But that was far from the truth.
For some reason I couldn’t explain, this book was helping. In fact, even though it sounded pretty crazy, the further I got, the more familiar it felt—as if I was unraveling a long-forgotten mystery about our shared past.
At last,unable to bear the torment a moment longer, the Earl made haste to the dungeons, his periwig askew and his cravat in disarray—a testament to the depth of his perturbation.
“Miss Caroline!” he called out, his voice echoing off the dank stone walls. “I must speak with you forthwith on a matter of the utmost urgency!”
“My Lord Bernard,” the raven-haired maiden gasped, pressing herself against the cold stone wall, her delicate hands fluttering to her bosom. As the nobleman closed the distance between them with great haste, she scarce had time to marvel at his familiarity. “Pray, what distresses you so?”
“Your very essence has taken possession of my faculties,” he declared, clasping her trembling hands in his own. “We must unite in holy matrimony forthwith!”
“But sir!” She endeavored to cling to reason, yet found her resolve weakening under his penetrating gaze. His reputation for honor and dependability was known throughout the realm. “Our acquaintance is but in its infancy.”
“I am a man in the winter of his years, and life is fleeting,” the five-and-thirty-year-old nobleman pronounced. “Yet upon beholding you, I am reacquainted with the tender stirrings of the heart.”
“I too am overcome with affection,” she admitted, her last defenses crumbling before his stately demeanor and perspicacious eyes. “But what of those who would seek to rend us asunder? I am but a lowly commoner, while you stand amongst the pinnacle of society.”
“We shall trounce all who dare obstruct our union,” Bernard avowed. “Never shall the world witness a love of such profound depth as ours. I hereby make a solemn vow.”
“A vow?” she inquired, gazing up at him with eyes as rich and warm as finest cocoa.
“Recite these words with me,” he beseeched, his voice thick with emotion. “As my lifeblood courses freely, our souls entwine as one.”
