23: 23 Testing Boundaries (AVOT)

23 Testing Boundaries (AVOT)

"Mother!" Daisy's voice quivered with panic. "I already know." She interrupted, hoping to save herself from the conversation she knew would make her cringe.1

"How do you know?" Helena asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"I...I have friends." Daisy mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Regardless of what your friends have shared, it's important that you understand..." her mother started, but Daisy cut her off.

"No, Mother, please. I assure you, I know." She insisted, her voice a near whisper.

In the dim light, Daisy could almost sense her mother's smile. "No need to feel embarrassed, Daisy. It's important that you're comfortable. Knowledge is power, after all."

"I understand, Mother. Thank you. Goodnight," Daisy said hastily, turning to face the wall and closing her eyes tightly.

But sleep evaded her, chased away by her mother's words and the thoughts they stirred. She would soon share a bed with Lord Blackthorne. The thought itself was petrifying.

She tried to banish the thought from her mind, but it proved stubborn. Fear and anxiety twisted her stomach into knots, but as her mind raced, those feelings gave way to remembrance. The sensation of his lips against her neck, his thumb caressing her knuckles, his gaze lingering on her shoulders and neck - these thoughts refused to be ignored.

'I have no intention of marrying you without the intention of touching you.'

His words echoed in her mind, making her heart pound. Her mind spun with thoughts of how that might feel. 

Then she recalled his casual attire that morning in his mansion, his strong forearms and elegant hands imprinted in her memory. She shivered, the ghost of his touch haunting her thoughts. His intense gaze alone had a way of making her feel exposed. Desired. 

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Daisy decided a breath of fresh air might help after noticing that her mother fell asleep. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and snuck to the balcony. Stepping outside, she welcomed the cool touch of the night breeze.

Daisy's eyes swept over the night-draped landscape as she was reminded of the impending wedding, just two days away. The townspeople were already abuzz with the news. Their house received a steady stream of gifts and onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride-to-be. Neighbors who had hardly acknowledged their existence were now regular visitors, providing Katherine with a chance to make new friends, when, in truth, they only wanted an invitation to the wedding.

As she stood overlooking the night, her thoughts swirling, a shadow caught her eye. Emerging from the darkness, a figure strolled down the path lined by trees near their house.

Lord Blackthorne. 

He seemed as much a part of the night as the darkness itself. He moved with a purpose, a shadowy figure stepping confidently through the gate and into their courtyard. She blinked, questioning the reality of this late-night visit.

As he approached, he paused, and his gaze lifted to find her on the balcony. Her heart pounded as she met his golden eyes, glimmering in the dim light like twin stars. Their hypnotic depths seemed to pull her in.

"Daisy." His voice, smooth and magnetic, echoed in the stillness of the night. 

"What... are you doing here?" She whispered, leaning over the railing.

Dream? Or reality? She couldn't be sure. Yet, here he stood under the cloak of night, as mysterious and enticing as ever.

A slow, beguiling smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, setting her heart aflutter. "I've come to propose a nighttime escapade."

Suppressing a laugh, she pressed her hand to her mouth. This had to be a dream, surely, she was losing her mind.

Lord Blackthorne's gaze sharpened. "Amused, are we?"

"You're asking a young lady to sneak out with you in the middle of the night," she replied softly.

"I'm asking my future wife."

A shiver of anticipation ran down her spine at the word 'wife'. "Still, it's highly inappropriate."

"Indeed, this might be your last chance to partake in such inappropriateness, Daisy. Aren't you curious?"

His words left her breathless. Was he serious? "Are you tempting me?"

"Have I succeeded?"

She couldn't deny the allure of his proposal, yet... "No," she responded, more to silence her own wavering thoughts.

"What would it take to persuade you?" he probed, his golden eyes seeming to see right through her.

"I'm not sure," she confessed. "Perhaps nothing will."

He held her gaze, studying her with an intensity that made her feel exposed.

"Why do I feel like you're testing my boundaries, Lord Blackthorne?" She inquired, speaking in hushed tones to not wake her sleeping family. 

"Perhaps because I am," he admitted. There was no deceit in his voice, just a provocative undercurrent that set her pulse racing.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "But why?"

"The dance of boundaries, Daisy, is a fascinating one. It tells a lot about a person. What they fear, what they desire... even what they are willing to risk." His eyes, even in the low light, held a spark of mischief. 

He was trifling with her, she realized. A mix of annoyance and admiration filled her. He was candid about his intentions, yet wrapped them in riddles. His audacity was almost refreshing, if not slightly intimidating.

"What if I don't wish to partake in this...dance?" she challenged.

He looked at her for a long moment, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Then, I suppose, you will find our upcoming marriage quite tedious, my dear."

Daisy swallowed hard, feeling a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach. This dance he spoke of felt like an invitation into the depths of his being, into the secrets hidden behind his golden eyes. The idea of unraveling his mystery, the thought of learning the unknown about him stirred a sense of excitement within her. It was scary, yet tempting in a way she couldn't quite comprehend.

"I am not allowed to leave. My father would kill me," she said, trying one last excuse.

His lips curled into a knowing smirk. "I wouldn't let him ruin our wedding plans."

Taking a deep breath, she evaluated her options. Was she really considering this? She reasoned that she would soon be his wife and thus should acquaint herself with the man behind the title.

With a sense of apprehension and curiosity, she finally agreed. "Alright."

pqdm.com