Daughters of Dracula (The Stoker Sisters #1) (2 page)

“Not so fast, Alexis.”

Both girls turned to the stern voice of their tutor, Delilah Wu.

“The only assistance you’ll be tending to is on a canvas.”

“Are we painting today, Miss Wu?” Sadie was quick to set her book down and show her enthusiasm for the day’s art lesson. Her love of the fine arts had grown and her desire to put paint to canvas had intensified steadily with each lesson.

“Indeed we shall, Sadie.”

“I believe tending to our guest is of more import than splattering paint on a canvas,” Alexis argued.

“Your parents would disagree. Now let’s get started before the scant daylight we have is further diminished.”

Sadie tried to ignore the blatant manner in which her sister glared at Miss Wu. Though nearing thirty, Delilah had features that were both exotic and familiar. Her mass of black hair was pulled back into a tight chignon, foregoing ringlets that were the fashion of the day. This emphasized her fragile beauty all the more. While Alexis would never admit it, Sadie suspected there was a subtle sense of competition between the women.

“Could our subject be a handsome model?” Alexis asked.

Sadie knew exactly who Alexis wanted to immortalize on her canvas and had to admit the image of the handsome young man was still fresh and clear in her mind and would make for an exquisite portrait.

Miss Wu set her large carrying case on the table and pulled out an old leather bound book, ink well and
quill,
and pocket watch. Gazing at the sky to gauge the source of light, she adjusted the items on a small round table she’d covered with a yard of lace and turned to the girls.

Alexis quickly huffed. “You want us to paint those?”

“I want you to bring life to these items. I want light and shadow. I want depth and subtleties. I want texture and realism.” Delilah paused. “If you see the beauty within them, even dull dead things can have life with depth.”

“Do you want to know what the book is about, while we’re at it?”

“Alexis!”

“I’m sorry, but I’d rather paint anything than these dreary drab objects...for instance…handsome young men.”

“The key is to find within you the life that these items should portray.” Miss Wu turned to Alexis. As usual she was completely unperturbed by the outburst. “If you have the passion, it should come through, no matter the item you're painting.”

For the next hour the girls settled into the task of bringing passion and realism to their canvasses. Other than the sound of the crashing waves below, the garden was peaceful and quiet, rendering it all the more evident when Alexis poked her canvas firmly with the bristles of her brush, stiffened her back and sat straight up.

A sidelong glance at Alexis confirmed what Sadie had perceived and before she could question the reason for the sudden change in her sister’s stance and painting style, she heard the faint brush of footsteps on the lawn. Her heartbeat immediately sped up with anticipation.

She looked at her canvas, hoping it was suitably impressive then took a brief look at Alexis’ ailing attempt. Pleased with herself, she nonetheless felt a pang of sympathy for the bleak effort her sister had brought to Miss Wu’s vision of still life.

“Alexis. Sadie.”

In unison, the girls turned to the sound of the crusty familiar voice. Their father, Edmund Stoker stood before them.

“I’d like to introduce you to Lord
Ashwin
. He’s come all the way from Cambridge to enjoy the beautiful setting of our ocean side manor.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.”
Sadie bowed demurely and glanced up at the young man whose handsome visage had haunted her the entire day from under her lashes.

“As am I, Lord
Ashwin
.” Alexis wasted no time approaching the young Lord. “I do hope you’ll allow me to do what I can to make your stay here as pleasant and comfortable as I can.”

Lord
Ashwin
glanced briefly at both ladies’ faces before his gaze lingered down to their smooth lovely throats. “I most certainly shall.”

Chapter
1

“I see you enjoy reading.”

Startled, Sadie set her book down on the small table of the library and rose only to quickly bow before Lord
Ashwin
.

“Please. I’d hoped you’d feel a little more at ease with me by now.”

“I am,” Sadie lied. Though they’d shared the same roof for well over a month, the sight of him still rattled her and left her breathless.

“It’s a lovely day and I was hoping for some company as I stroll by the water’s edge.”

Her hand immediately found its way to her chest.
“With me?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

“No, of course not.”

With the self-assured stride of a man who knew where he was going, he guided Sadie outside and headed towards the ocean’s pounding surf.

“I take it your business dealings are going well.”

“I’m quite satisfied, yes. The mayor has been more than receptive of my ideas and I believe we may even break ground sooner than I’d anticipated.”

“How thoroughly exciting it must be.”

“And what gets you excited, Sadie.” He turned to gaze at her while he offered his hand to help her over the craggy stones that descended to the beach.

You, she wanted to say. “I’ve become a great fan of everything Jane Austen has ever written. I finished
Pride and Prejudice
a while back and have now begun
Sense and Sensibilities
. I’d love to write one day.”

“I certainly don’t see why you couldn’t.” His hand still held out for her, he waited.

Her heart pounded as she gazed into his eyes then at his hand.

“I assure you, my touch will go no further than in keeping you from falling off this rock.”

She knew her cheeks were blazing with an adolescent blush, but she couldn’t contain the brewing emotions that swept over her. Being so close to him, alone, it was enough to make her swoon. This past month Alexis had been around him constantly, never allowing her a moment to speak to him.

“I trust you completely, Lord
Ashwin
.” The moment her hand touched his, she knew she never wanted to let him go. But the two steps it took to get her past the rock went by all too quickly and, as promised, he released her.

“You're seventeen, right?”

Wanting desperately to hide how insulting she found his remark, she tried to find something mature and womanly to say. “I’ll be eighteen quite soon, but I imagine for a man of your age that makes me appear rather childish, though I assure you…”

His boisterous chuckle quickly caused her to press her lips together and gaze quizzically up at him.

“I apologize, but first of all, I’m not that old.”

“Mother told us you were twenty-two.”

“Well, that hardly makes me old. And secondly, my comment was certainly not meant to offend you. If anything, I’ve marveled these past weeks at just how strong a young woman you are. You’re intelligent and have
a genuine
warmth about you that is rather charming.”

“Now you're just trying to make up for your faux pas.”

His smile was instantly wicked and wild. Sadie wanted to throw herself into his arms and have her heart crash against his just as the waves pounded the shore. Her gaze dipped down to his lips and she wondered how he tasted.

Under her steady gaze, his tongue slipped out to swipe the salt off his lips.

“I’m doing no such thing. I find you wise beyond your years and have at times questioned if I’d understood correctly when told of you and your sister’s respective ages.”

At this Sadie smiled. It wasn’t the first time she’d been found more mature and reasonable than Alexis who was well over a year older than her. Enchanted to hear him say it, she skipped over the sand and led the way to the water’s edge.

They followed the rocking of the waves for well over a mile, playing tag with the frothy waves that brought salty bubbles to the cracks and crevices of the stones, only to recede leaving the foam to dissipate.

Finally finding a comfort level she never thought she’d have with him, Sadie spoke of everything that came to mind. She pointed out the lighthouse on the jagged cliff top that jutted out into the water and told him of its haunting keeper. She giggled and laughed as she told him of her childish antics as she and Alexis had fought over a rag doll they’d both wanted to play with as young girls.

“And this would be when? Last year?”

Frowning she turned to him and quickly laughed as she saw his teasing eyes. Taking advantage of the coming wave, she kicked a spray of water at him. “You are the most dreadful man I’ve ever met.”

“That’s a risky game to play, young lady.” With one strong motion, he swept her up into his arms and walked into the rippling waves.

Gasping, she clung to his neck for support while kicking her demand to be set down. “What are you doing?” she shouted with a giggle.

“You’ve no idea what happens to young ladies who dare to splash a lord.” For a moment his eyes were hooded with darkness and she worried she’d truly angered him.

His grip on her tightened while he strode into the water without any regard for the fine clothes he would no doubt ruin.

“My apologies, Milord.”

By now she felt droplets of water splashing up to dampen her dress. The length of it was no doubt trailing in the water and Sadie could already imagine the questions her mother would put forth. But none of that mattered.

She was in his arms, his breath close and mingling with hers. His strength enveloped her as he held her aloft of the waves with ease.

“You’ll not throw me in. I can’t swim.”

“Perhaps that thought should have preceded the notion to splash water on my fine clothing.”

Anger still played on his darkened eyes and with the water now up to his waist, she worried about his intent. “Please, sir.” Her quiet plea carried more of her fear than she’d intended.

In an instant the darkness left him and his playful grin curved his lips while his eyes filled with concern. “Would you truly have me dropping something so lovely into the depths of the ocean?”

A strong wave crashed into them, thoroughly soaking her, but the power of the wave did little to shake him. He smiled and gazed down at the effect the water was having on her dress.

The fear of the water she’d felt a moment earlier was replaced by the sudden fear of the hunger she saw in his eyes. His eyes narrowed and he licked his lips as he stepped out of the waves and laid her back on the sand.

He leaned over her, his hands pushing off the damp bonnet and exposing her fair hair. “This past month has been excruciating; watching you, seeing you every night and day, longing to just…”

Sadie felt the rise and fall of her bosom as her heavy breaths tried to fill her lungs. Never had she felt so alive, yet so exquisitely close to death. His lips were inches from hers and she fought to keep her eyes open as he came closer still.

Her lips parted while her hands rose to play along the planes of his shoulders. How could a man be so strong? How could he hold such power? “I’ve longed as well. Your presence has left me with many sleepless nights and many fitful dreams.”