“I’ll do anything for you, Bella.”
As his fingers stroked each key with perfection, she closed her eyes and followed the tune in her head. The feeling growing inside her was different this time. She had remembered something about her past, even though it was only an emotion inside her. Still, it felt wonderful to realize this.
She imagined herself running barefoot through a field of dandelions. Her long hair was loose and flapped in the breeze. Laughing, she danced merrily, swinging her arms out as she spun around until she fell to the ground. But then, someone was with her. She couldn’t see a face. She couldn’t hear a voice. She just knew this person was someone she loved with all her heart.
When Terrick finished the piece, she sighed heavily and leaned her head against his shoulder, smiling. “I could listen to that all day.”
“And I would play it all day for you, my sweet Bella.”
His endearment made her heart leap.
“When do you have to return to my sister?”
“She’s trying to talk your father into having a ball, here at the estate.”
Terrick’s body shook, but he didn’t laugh. “That will never happen.”
“Why?” She straightened and opened her eyes, looking at him.
“Because I’m a beast. If people come here, it’s only to gawk at me.” He frowned. “I won’t have my family being ridiculed because of my deformities.”
Her heart clenched. “The only deformity I can see, Terrick, is your ungrateful heart.”
He scowled. “Ungrateful heart?”
“Yes. Instead of mourning over the loss of what was taken away from you, perhaps you should ponder over the things the Lord has given you.” She dared to brush her fingers across one of his facial scars. He sucked in a breath and stiffened but didn’t pull away. “You may have a few scars on your face, but—” she slid her hand down his arm to his fingers, “you have perfect fingers that play the most beautiful tunes.” She rested her hand gently on his crippled leg. “You might have difficulties walking, but you have been given a gift very few men possess.” She paused before adding, “The ability to care for others and know when they are hurting and need your help.”
The color of his eyes had darkened, and his chest rose and fell faster now. When Bella realized how improperly she was touching him, warmth spread over her, nearly melting her. Her throat grew dry, so she swallowed to bring it some moisture.
“Terrick, all I’m saying is that you should look for the good in your life. If not, you’re going to be miserable.”
He turned toward her more and took both of her hands, bringing them up to his chest and cradling them. “Tell me, what good can I find when the love of my life was taken from me? Then, to add insult to injury, this same woman had her memory of me erased. But that wasn’t enough. Someone thought I needed more heartache, so I was thrown out of a carriage rolling down a ravine to make my appearance hideous and unbearable.” He shook his head. “I don’t see anything good in that, Bella.”
“I do,” she whispered over the emotion, making her throat tight. “You lived. You endured it all.”
The hardness in his expression softened, as did the color of his eyes, making him more pleasant to look at. He really was a fine-looking man, if only he could repair his heart.
In one quick movement, he released her hands, only to cup her face as he pressed his mouth against hers. The kiss was sudden, and she hitched a breath, but the warmth that had been growing in her body, suddenly became hotter. Her heart beat faster, and the flutters in her belly were out of control.
He kissed with so much tenderness, and she found herself leaning into him more. His hands left her face to slide down her shoulders and moved around her back. She touched his chest, but not to push him away. Something inside her pulled her closer to him, and she didn’t fight it. The excitement from his kiss kept her there, and she was curious about what would happen if she kissed him back.
Copying the way his mouth moved over hers, she relaxed and allowed instinct to take over. Immediately, the kiss turned more urgent, and she clung to his shirt, afraid of sliding off the bench and stopping the kiss.
Then, a voice was heard from outside the room. Someone was calling Bella’s name...
Anastasia!
Gasping, she broke the kiss and quickly stood, leaning on the pianoforte for support. Terrick must have heard as well because he began playing their song again, but softer this time. With a shaky hand, she reached up and touched her lips. They felt swollen, but the question was, did they look like she’d just been passionately kissed? She couldn’t have Anastasia thinking the worst.
“Bella... Oh, there you are.” Anastasia’s voice lifted as she entered the room.
Trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, she breathed slower and looked over her shoulder at the girl. “Yes. I’ve been listening to your brother play.”
“That’s wonderful.” Anastasia stopped behind her brother and patted his shoulder. “You haven’t played for several months. I’m happy to see you’re doing it again.”
He ended and turned on the bench to look at Bella. “I suppose it’s because I’ve been in a better mood lately.”
“So have I.” Anastasia looked at Bella. “I talked to Father about the ball, and he says it’s a wonderful idea.”
Terrick released a groan and pushed away from the bench, standing as he folded his arms across his chest. “Having a ball is not a good idea.”
Anastasia rolled her eyes. “If you don’t wish to attend, then stay in your room. But I need to socialize. I need to meet others my age. Good heavens, Terrick, I should be searching for a husband by now.”
“Absolutely not.” His voice lifted in authority. “You can wait until you are Bella’s age.”
Anastasia pouted. “You don’t understand.
