When Bella approached Travis' study early in the morning, she hesitated at the slightly ajar door. Something drew her to take a peek inside, yet her sense of propriety warned her that it might not be the greatest of ideas, as she had been proved countless times. She gently glanced into the chamber and noticed something lying on the table. It appeared to be an open book, further fueling her curiosity.

Do not venture there; it's his personal sanctum. If he catches you, it will bring about further difficulties, warned the angel who appeared on her right shoulder.

Indeed, go there. If there are more secrets, at least you shall uncover them and not be left in the dark. After all, you're departing anyway, advised the devil on her left shoulder.

Bella turned to leave at first, but in the end, her will broke, and she walked slowly toward Travis' desk. At that moment, she had no inkling of what she was seeing, but as soon as she discerned the suggestive shapes of a woman and a man, she nearly gasped. She had seen that book somewhere before. In her mind, a recollection from many years ago with her confidante, Lorraine Rosewell, surfaced:

"Bella," Lorraine once told her discreetly, "I discovered such a book in the library," she chuckled and looked around as if someone could overhear them in the empty chamber, "a very risqué book."

Bella's eyes widened with curiosity. While she knew something about risqué books and images, given that she had an older brother Arden who didn't bother much with concealing such things, the fact that someone as virtuous as Lorraine knew about such matters surprised her.

"What a risqué tome?" she inquired eagerly. 

"Come, allow me to enlighten you," responded Lorraine, and within a moment, they found themselves in the grand library of the Rosewell estate. 

It was truly impressive, even more extensive than the one at Mayfair House, reaching ten feet in height. Bella wasn't astonished that Lorraine spent considerable time here. The ambience was delightful and idyllic, with screens strategically placed to provide seclusion for individual chairs and tables, a necessity for the Rosewells, who considered themselves a large family with their five daughters.

Lorraine promptly repositioned a ladder a few feet away, ascended, selected a book from the shelves, and disappeared behind one of the screens, closely followed by the inquisitive Bella. The book, with its unassuming grey binding and a discreet golden inscription that read Forbidden Pleasures, seemed innocuous at first glance. 

"Prepared?" inquired Lorraine with a sly smile. Bella nodded, and Lorraine began perusing the pages. 

Bella couldn't believe her eyes when she comprehended the nature of the content. 

"Isn't it rather daring?" Lorraine asked when she noticed Bella's amazement. 

"I'm simply astonished that such a book graces your family's abode," Bella remarked, "could it possibly belong to your parents?"

Lorraine responded with a knowing smile.

"Methinks it might have been a gift from some acquaintance of my father, intended as sarcasm. My mother would never condone such depictions nor acts, especially when she sees the union between a man and a woman solely for the purpose of procreation," Lorraine pondered aloud.

"What are your thoughts, Lorraine? Regarding these images, of course," Bella inquired.

"I believe that the intimate connection between a man and a woman involves more than just childbearing, don't you? Otherwise, we wouldn't have such volumes in our possession, there wouldn't be genuinely content marriages, nor would there be forbidden liaisons," mused her good friend. "What do you think the man is doing to the woman in this picture? It's all... peculiar."

Bella gazed at the illustration of a woman, depicted au naturel, tied to a tree, with a man kneeling between her legs.

"I have no inkling," replied Bella, as she was, at that time, an innocent young lady awaiting her debut in society.

Since then, she had perused the book about three times, having borrowed it along with other volumes from Lorraine. However, without a proper understanding of what was happening between the characters, some topics remained beyond her grasp. Yet, she felt that those illustrations, in some way, influenced her, and she was now more knowledgeable about certain aspects of her own body...

After all those years, the book had likely slipped from her memory until this very moment. It was at this juncture that the term 'submission' resurfaced in her thoughts—a key theme found on the page her eyes had recently settled upon. This particular section was one she had once perused quite frequently as she felt something... Bella trembled in alarm immediately upon hearing:

"Do you find favour in that book?"

Upon perceiving the deep, masculine voice that resonated from the threshold of the door, Bella swiftly retracted her hand from the tome, as if it had been singed, and swallowed hard before redirecting her gaze toward its source.

Travis stood in the doorway, his fingers casually tucked behind the waist of his breeches, as though he had been silently observing her for some time.

She tensed and stammered, "I've come to inform you, Marquess St. Arcey, that I'm departing from Marlborough," deliberately sidestepping his question.

A subtle smirk played on his lips, yet a shadow passed over his countenance. He entered his study, slowly closed and locked the door, tossing the key somewhere within the chamber. This somewhat mischievous yet threatening action sent shivers down her spine, and her heart leapt to her throat. 

Now she was locked in a cage with the beast himself.

"And where to, may I ask? And, more crucially, how?" the Marquess inquired with deliberate curiosity, advancing toward her at a measured pace as Bella retreated alongside the desk.

"We both understood that my role as a governess in this household was to be of a temporary nature," Bella declared with a steady voice, although her throat felt parched, "until Teddy becomes familiar with the routine, learns the basics, and... forms a connection with you, sir."

"And has anyone granted you leave, my dear Bella? Has anyone communicated to you that your endeavours have reached their conclusion?" inquired the Marquess, a subtle smirk still playing on his lips as he took deliberate steps forward, causing Bella to step back.

"I understood you had secured a mentor for young Teddy."

You won't exit this chamber in the manner and shape you entered, murmured the angel.

You shall be grateful to depart this chamber being able to stand on your feet if anything, added the devil.

Travis arched an eyebrow. "Why would I seek one for him? The lad's but four years old."

"I have spoken with you about it in at least two discussions regarding Teddy's advancements over the past month!" she exclaimed, once again retreating.

The Marquess' countenance brightened, and he declared, "Ah, I must have overheard it somewhere, amidst my constant visions of you in the nude."

He grinned at her, yet there was a fierceness and wildness in his eyes that quickened Bella's heartbeat and induced a clammy perspiration in her palms. The beast had her presented as a helpless delicacy on a fine platter, ready to pounce at any given moment—all aware she had nowhere to flee. Yet, it also revelled in driving her into a corner and tormenting her with its unpredictability and the intensity of the entire situation. Presently, Travis' fingers brushed the provocative tome, and his gaze lowered to the open page, focusing on the chapter's heading.

Submission.

He returned his gaze to Bella and took a few steps forward once more.

"That was indeed very improper of you, St. Arcey," Bella whispered, stepping back.

He inclined his head with a polite acknowledgement. "Perhaps so, but not as indelicate as your escapades with the captain whenever you had the opportunity to retreat from this abode. However, it seems even the captain's cock couldn't perform wonders when you chose to return home." 

A flush of warmth spread across her face, akin to someone holding her head over an open flame, and she delicately retreated before him. Their steps along the table resembled a twisted mating dance of two creatures rather than that of two ordinary conversing people. 

"You also had a paramour," Bella retorted. 

"Aye, I did," the Marquess nodded, "but our liaison concluded in January when she unveiled her true nature and disregarded our agreement. She aspired to bear a child with me, a proposition I vehemently declined. However, she imposed herself upon me...," his countenance became contorted with contempt, "forcing me to relinquish my seed within her womb and subjecting me to months of uncertainty regarding her expectancy. Then you entered the scene." 

Bella shivered and felt the initial sharp pang of pain somewhere near her heart. However, as he approached, she took a few steps away from him. 

"I genuinely desired to assist you, especially Teddy," she said softly. 

Travis smiled and nodded. "Aye, and you genuinely aided us in an admirable manner. And what did I do? Initially, I overstepped your bounds with my suppressed desires, then distanced myself. Later, I harboured grave envy towards that scoundrel who took you in his bed, and couldn't fathom why you didn't speak up in my favour when I declared my interest in you."

"You weren't forthright with me," she replied as they took a few steps. 

"I failed to be forthright with you," the Marquess repeated with a crooked smile. "I presumed that you needed time to take a step toward me, to express even the slightest interest in me, something discreet...," he began to laugh aloud. "But I was foolish, wasn't I?! For you had shown interest in me a very, very long time ago—aye, yesterday, when I witnessed you in such distress lying on your bed, a glimmer of understanding finally sparked in my mind. I had to revisit all your missives, and I recollected your past words." 

Bella felt the echo of her heart pounding in her temples, but their dance around the table continued. 

"Once, a young lady told me, 'I've loved you since our first dance', and 'I would do whatever it takes to ensure your happiness, even if it were this very instant'. And indeed, she also asserted that she shall love me eternally. You see, I haven't forgotten those words, even though I exerted considerable effort to do so." 

A sharp pain struck her soul again, and she staggered, which proved to be fateful—Travis immediately lunged at her and grabbed her by the hair at the nape of her neck.

Bella let out a deep sigh, and her large, tearful blue eyes met the gaze of his intense hazel eyes. Travis then ran his gaze over her from head to toe, and despite that any other woman would whimper and demand he released her from his grip, Bella's hands remained at her sides, trembling with a mixture of emotions. A title lingered in his mind.

Submission.

"Indeed, you've spoken those words to me on numerous occasions and penned within your missives," Travis spoke, his voice now deep and husky, revealing long-suppressed frustration and pain. "It is indeed time for me to be forthright, Bella. I find myself in great anguish, and I sense your suffering as well. Perhaps, I am sharing these sentiments rather belatedly today, in keeping with my habit, but..."

He paused, locking his brown-green eyes into her tearful blue ones. His grip on her hair was firm, and his other hand gently traced the contours of her face.

"I harbour profound affection for you, Isabella Price. I cherish the warmth of your generous heart, which has embraced Teddy, and I earnestly hope there remains a place for a fool like me within it. I am uncertain as to where you summoned the fortitude to appear here after enduring so many rejections, but I acknowledge that I will never match your strength in this regard. However, I do not wish to part ways with you; I dearly do not wish for you to depart, Bella! Quite the contrary, I implore you to grant me the opportunity to bring joy to your life. I aspire to love you in a manner that eluded me years ago, for today... today, I find myself incapable and unwilling to accept the notion that you might harbour affections for another man. I am devoted to you, and I ardently hope you shall be mine. Isabella, I do not wish to lose you. I beseech you, be mine, be mine for all eternity!"

She gazed at him for a moment as her eyes widened in profound astonishment, and then a surge of immense pain erupted within her soul, causing her to gasp and burst into tears, her sobs echoing through the room. Her legs gave way, and she crumpled into his arms. Luckily, Travis caught her and gently lowered her to the floor, where she lay on her back, trying to suppress the onslaught of emotions.

"What... what ails you, Bella? Have my words caused you profound distress?!" he inquired with confusion, kneeling beside her and tenderly cradling her face in his hands.

He had anticipated a range of reactions to his revelation, but the torrents of tears, as if a storm raged within her, were unexpected.

"W-why do you inflict this upon me, Travis? I should never have chanced upon you at my debutante ball, for our encounter left me with a prick in my heart that only grew with time into a thorn that later began to fester. All those years spent yearning, nurturing those embers of affection, picturing us together with no reciprocation, all of it in vain... Don't you think I deserve liberation from this affliction, free myself from you? The longer I remain in your proximity, the more I languish every day... Nay, the hour has come for my departure; it is time you relieved me of my duty," she proclaimed in a trembling voice, locking her gaze with his.

A profound dread washed over him, for he, at last, discerned the reason why his words did not prod her soul—the veil of pain she bore all those years was so thick it rendered it impossible. Another realization was that his own core and heart were trembling, as every chain, every wall, and every bar of resolve meant to shield his vulnerability was being torn down, exposing him to the wounds she was now causing him in return for his cruelty. The formidable fortifications he erected to guard his own heart were crumbling in the face of the raw emotions that surged within him.

Bella closed her eyes once more as she continued in a lower voice, "'Tis high time you comprehend the magnitude of the suffering you have inflicted and continue to inflict, Travis St. Arcey. It took me mo-more than four years to accept that there's no place for me in your life... That you'll never harbour any sentiment for me, perhaps only fleeting desire, and to be frank, I could make one, three or fifty gentlemen harbour the very same notion. I also ha-hastily condemned your liaison with the other woman, clinging to the belief that you awaited a child with her... all because you transformed and forfeited the last fragments of my trust, especially upon the discovery of my letters in your study," Bella sobbed and sniffed heavily. 

"While I felt cursed," she continued, "fated to have you occupy my thoughts a-and soul eternally. And all that anger, that sense of helplessness, drove me to... to yield myself to another man, be-because I thought that if I didn't attempt it, I'd endure endless su-suffering... Yet I took pleasure in our closeness, to the extent that it's a mercy of Providence I'm not carrying his child today. However, Providence appears to indulge in cruel jests, as the notion that it was supposed to be you, exclusively you, lingered, though I abandoned it almost at the very end, Travis! I tru-truly believed this moment would never come to pass... and yet, I regret nothing – if I could, I would make the same decisions again...! After all the trials to which you subjected me, you were unworthy of my virtue, my affections, or even a stolen glance!"

He stared at her in astonishment for a moment, comprehending the weight of her words, which struck him akin to a tide in a maelstrom. Then, he drew in a sharp breath, and his countenance contorted with indescribable pain.

"Oh, Lord...," he began, but closed his eyes and had to bite his lip to suppress at least a part of his mental anguish. It felt like an invisible hand had pierced his chest, gripping his heart in an iron vice, causing it to bleed profusely. "Dash it all... Fuck! Good God, Isabella...," he drew another breath, opened his eyes, and then nervously laughed, tears streaming down his cheeks like pearls. "Congratulations, you've managed to return all my indiscretions against you with interest over these years. I had come to terms with the fact you sought that man's embrace, but to hear such a confession from your lips, which I've been dreaming of for so long... it verily hurts me a lot, a whole lot, a very, very... lot. To learn that I have been the cause of your distress for nearly a decade? And yet, you still converse with me?! My apologies, I had no awareness of the extent of your suffering due to my refusals, Bella, I truly did not comprehend it, and I dearly wish to make amends, to confirm my sentiments for you are indeed true. I cannot bear to witness your tears, for it pains me deeply; I cannot bear to witness all your distress."

Bella cried again under the weight of his admission, but Travis vigorously shook his head and began wiping away her tears. "Don't weep, Bella, do you hear me?! It's I who should shed tears, only I! It's not your fault, none of this is your fault, only mine! I am solely responsible for pushing you to your decision with my actions and words... but it doesn't change the fact that I love you terribly and desire to be with you. I wasn't jesting when I said it didn't matter how many lovers you've had before... But allow me to inquire – did all this effort aid you in any way? Did it aid you... to expel me from your thoughts, from your heart?"

Travis hardly breathed as he waited for her answer, his tears cascading from his visage and landing on her cheek. Bella opened her eyes and regarded him with a profound gaze, a blend of apprehension and sorrow.

"Ne-never," she said, delicately cradling his handsome countenance with her trembling hand. "Despite all my endeavours, I found myself unable to extricate you from the depths of my soul, for I was and continue to be entwined with the roots of affections I believed would remain unrequited for an eternity. I desire to be solely yours, Travis. I... I have cherished you always, and my affection for you has never waned. And yet I merely... for a brief moment, ceased to regard you with favour and surrendered myself entirely to another gentleman... I gave him everything!" 

"No, no, you have not," protested Travis. "Bella! How could you, when you lie here before me, alive and well, still brimming with all those emotions for me! You bear no burden of blame; it is mine to carry for the remainder of my days." 

He drew her close in a tight embrace, cradling her against his chest as if she were a delicate figurine. Travis sensed her shallow breaths and frantic heartbeat. Speaking resolutely into her ear, he declared, "Hear me, Bella – I desire to bear all the pain I inflicted, every bit of hurt that lingers in you from my transgressions. Do you comprehend?! I want to shoulder it all, and I won't have it remain as your burden any longer."

Unaware of whether it was the force of his words or the belated impact of her confessions, he sensed it. A deep wound echoed in his own heart, as he reminisced about those fleeting instances when she regarded him with sweetness and a glint of yearning over those years. Moments where she appeared unsettled and sorrowful, and unfortunately, those moments prevailed, causing him physical pain in his chest. Nevertheless, he was prepared, he longed to contribute the joyous memories from now onwards. 

Travis closed his eyes as more tears streamed down his cheeks, still cradling Bella's back gently, immersed in the solemnity of the moment.