Gwendolyn had been seeking to atone for her father's sins, but instead she found herself exalted by this potent combination of power and vulnerability, both Bernard's and hers. She was no longer his captive, but a willing supplicant on the altar of his pleasure. Her absolution was sweeter than anything she had anticipated, but not nearly as sweet as the moment when Bernard dropped to his knees and pressed her cheek to his thundering heart.