My Lady Vampire - Book Three (10 page)

She clearly did not like it.

The whole force of her body was behind her arm as she swung at Adrian and slapped him across the face.
Very
hard indeed.

- - - -

“You--
bastard
.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She never swore. Never got emotional in front of people, but there was something about this man that stripped away her façade of gentility to reveal the passionate woman beneath. “You came to my room and violated me.”

His eyebrows snapped together in a sharp frown. “I did no such thing.”

“Yes you did. I suppose you thought the laudanum would render me unconscious. Well let me tell you…” Her finger poked his chest, sharply digging into muscles that flexed as she touched him. “Let me tell you that no amount of laudanum could prevent my knowing when I am…” She faltered.

“Do not say
raped
.” His lips hissed the words at her. “That was
not
rape, and you know it.”

“Aha.” She jumped on that immediately. “So you admit it. You were in my bed.”

“I was
not
. I was dreaming. And so, by the sounds of things, were you.” He strolled away from her. “I will not claim any responsibility for my presence in the nightmares or longings of a frustrated female.”

“
What
?” Her shriek of fury shocked even herself. “Frustrated? Is that what you think? That you are so appealing, one look--one conversation, can turn me into a wanton woman ready to…to…do
whatever
to appease some deep-seated urges that only
you
could awaken?” She widened her eyes. “You astound me. Your arrogance astounds me. And I suppose you’re going to try and tell me that this…
this
is only a dream, too.” She gestured at her neck.  “I
bleed
, you vile fiend. You
bit
me.”

Katherine’s anger exploded. “You not only
fucked
me, you
bit
me. What kind of
monster
are you?”

A stunned silence fell as Adrian and Sidney stared at her neck, exchanging a brief glance and then returning to gaze at where she pointed with similar expressions of disbelief.

“Oh my God.” Adrian slumped, his shoulders sagging.

“This is…interesting.” Sidney stood and crossed the room to Katherine, reaching for her neck. “May I see, my dear?”

Uncertainly, Katherine searched his face. “What is happening? What the devil is going on?”

“That’s what I’d like to ascertain. If you’ll permit me?” He delicately eased the blanket away from her shoulder and moved her head this way and that, lightly touching the skin around the two small marks.

“Hmm.” He moved away and then returned carrying a small damp cloth. “This is simply to cleanse your injury. ‘Tis a small scratch, no more, but it did perhaps bleed more than is usual.” He dabbed lightly at her skin. “I apologize for the laudanum, my dear. You sustained a nasty head wound. Since the rest of you was merely bruised, I believed that sleep would be the best medicine. I had no idea the drug would stimulate such terrible nightmares, but perhaps I should’ve guessed…”

He glanced at Adrian. “Laudanum is a tincture of opium. The effects can sometimes be similar to that of the poppy.”

Adrian nodded. “’Twould seem that you respond most violently to such a drug, Ma’am.” His tone was cool and proper, as was his expression. Only his eyes burned fire as they crossed her face.

Katherine shivered. “So I am to believe that I have just experienced a horrid nightmare? During which I--somehow or other--scratched myself in a simulation of some terrible act of violence?”

“Quite.” Sir Sidney’s voice was muffled as he moved papers on his desk.

“Exactly.” Adrian nodded his agreement.

Katherine narrowed her eyes. “
Bollocks
.”

“Pardon?” Sir Sidney glanced up at the whispered expletive. “I’m afraid I didn’t hear you.”

Adrian’s lips creased into a grin and she thought she heard a soft “
Meeeoooww
”.

It was clear
somebody
had heard her. Once again Katherine cursed at herself for allowing her temper to betray her. Perhaps it
was
the drug. Certainly something was revealing a side of her she’d worked hard to hide for most of her life.

“Never mind.” She turned her head away, nose high in the air.

Sir Sidney extended a hand, slipping into the role of welcoming host with comfortable ease. His smile was genuine. “I’m glad you’re recovered enough to talk, my dear. This has been a dreadful time for you. My deepest sympathies on your loss. There are many details we need to discuss, and we have been awaiting your recovery with a great deal of anticipation.”

He took her hand and led her courteously to a chair by the fire. “Will you sit for a while, share some wine perhaps, and tell us how we may assist you now that you are on the road to restored health?”

“Yes Ma’am,
do
tell us
all
about yourself.” The encouragement came from Adrian who presented her with a goblet half-full of deep red liquid. “’Tis only wine. No more drugs, I promise.” His voice was as wicked as his gaze, and he unashamedly stared over her body. “We would not want to incite you to further…
violence
…”

Katherine tugged the blanket closer around her shoulders and wished for her more substantial housedress. This lacy froth was not what she was used to wearing and it seemed a great deal too transparent to his gaze for her comfort. Not only that, but it scratched her nipples.

And why the devil
that
should occur to her, she had no idea whatsoever.

- - - -

Adrian watched her as she settled herself and prepared to concoct another tissue of lies.
How
he knew she’d lie, he wasn’t sure, but he
knew
.

For some reason, Kat did not want her identity or her presence at St. Chesswell revealed or explained. And Adrian was inclined to support that intention. The longer he was in her presence, the more his body responded to her.

The
next
time they fucked, it was going to be for real.

His cock stirred hungrily, and he squelched down his desire. For the moment. He needed to know what she’d say, what story she’d invent. He could go from there.

It was difficult, but he remained in the half-shadows behind his father’s chair and observed her face in silence as she began her tale.

“As you know, my name is Ka--Kitty Edgeworth. The lady I was traveling with, who was so unfortunately killed, was Mrs. Jessica Byerly. My employer.” She folded her hands neatly on her lap and looked down.

Adrian hid his grin. Not a word of truth so far, except perhaps for her name. And even then the little Kat had almost slipped up.

“I’ve been with Mrs. Byerly for several months now, as her companion. She was widowed last year. We were on our way to visit her aunt.”

“A long journey?” Sidney was calmly inquisitive.

Katherine paused for a moment. “To Romsey. We had started out a little later than we’d expected, hence we were traveling after dark. Stupid, I know, but…” She spread her hands in a gesture of defeat.

Adrian kept his eyes on her face. She was cool, collected, spouting facts in an efficiently organized manner. There was nothing to indicate any sort of mental turmoil. Nothing except--his gaze fell to the tiny flutter of her pulse.

Oh yes, Kat. ‘Tis mostly lies. I wonder where the truth is hidden
.

“You were well out of your way,” commented Sidney.

“I realize that now, of course.” Katherine shook her head. “Had we only decided to lodge at the Inn near Lymington. But my dear Mrs. Byerly was intent on traveling as far as possible before halting. I think we probably took a wrong turn shortly after heading inland.”

“Indeed you did. You are still on the coast, Mrs. Edgeworth. St. Chesswell’s Chyne is not far from Hythe.”

Her eyes widened. “Really? We are that far off our route? Oh dear.”

Adrian caught a glimpse of something, a flicker that could have been excitement, at the back of her eyes. It was gone in an instant, but he knew he’d not been mistaken.

“I have to address an unfortunate topic, my dear.” Sidney leaned forward soothingly. “Your companion must be interred, I’m afraid. Or at the very least, arrangements made for her family to claim her for her burial. Can you assist us here? Tell us who to notify?”

Katherine’s eyes filled with tears, and Adrian sensed the grief behind them was quite real. They had been friends, certainly. This emotion could not be faked.

“Oh, Sir Sidney. This is so dreadful.” Katherine squeezed her eyelids together, but not before a sheen of moisture coated them. “There is no one.” She swallowed, her fingers moving restlessly as she clasped her hands together in her lap.

The pulse fluttered once more in a sign Adrian was beginning to realize as an indication that a lie was forthcoming.

“Mrs. Byerly was a widow, as I said. Her home was a small one, entailed to a distant relative. He’s aware of his inheritance, but graciously permitted her residence there for as long as she wished. There are no family ties there for her at all.” She drew in a breath.

“Nobody?” Sidney’s head tipped in inquiry.

“No. I’m afraid not. I--
we
--closed up the house before we left. It was to be an extended stay with Mrs. Byerly’s aunt, but just as we were departing, we received word that the good woman had passed on to her reward. Our trip was well-timed for legal matters, but too late for personal ones.”

“So…” Sidney wrinkled his nose. “There is absolutely nobody to claim Mrs. Byerly? No family to notify or legal matters to settle?”

“That is correct.” Katherine sighed. “’Tis the lot of widows, Sir Sidney. They receive little more than charity upon the loss of their spouses.”

That comment had the bitter ring of truth about it. Katherine Edgeworth might have lied about a lot of things, but Adrian’s instincts told him she was only too familiar with the lot of widows.

He did not move, nor make a sound, and yet her gaze flickered to his face for an instant. A fleeting glance, no more, but enough to assure him she was as aware of his presence as he was of hers. He decided to push her a little.  “And you, Mrs. Edgeworth? Is there somebody who should know where you are?”

Her gaze was all cool, limpid blue innocence as she looked at him. “Unfortunately no, Mr. Chesswell. As a companion of little countenance, I have long been naught but a shadow to those members of my family who still exist.”

Adrian nodded. “A sad lot indeed.”

“But one that must be endured.” She turned to Sir Sidney. “I must thank you, Sir Sidney, for my care and your concern. If it would be possible to inter dear Jessica here in St. Chesswell, I can think of no place better. And then I must find my way onwards…” She raised a hand tiredly to her cheek.

“You must do nothing but rest for now, Mrs. Edgeworth.” Sidney stood with a frown. “You are still weak. You need time to recover fully from your injury. There is no hurry. I will speak with our Vicar about arrangements for Mrs. Byerly and be sure to keep you informed.”

Katherine stood also, but swayed a little as she gained her feet.

Adrian was there in an instant, a blur of movement that took him across the room in less than a heartbeat. Sidney blinked but fortunately Katherine did not notice. “Allow me, Ma’am. You are exhausted.”

He picked her up in his arms over her half-hearted protests. “Shhh. I will restore you to your rest, have no fear.” He sent a thought of calming and soothing warmth her way, pleased to see she responded immediately, her limbs relaxing against him.

“Very well, sir. I will accept your kind offer.” She leaned her head into his shoulder.

“I will bid you goodnight, Ma’am and promise we shall sort this mess out with all due alacrity once you are well.” Sir Sidney gallantly bowed as Adrian walked past with his delightful burden.

“You are very kind, Sir Sidney. Thank you.” Katherine smiled sleepily.

“What about me? Am I not kind, too?” Adrian whispered the question as he carried his Kat high against his heart along the darkened corridors of St. Chesswell.

“No. You are not kind.” She nuzzled him with her head. “I do not know what you are, but
kind
isn’t the word that first comes to mind.”

Adrian chuckled. “How about
devastatingly attractive
?
Charming
?
Impossible to resist
?”

Kat snorted. “Incredibly modest too.” She opened her eyes wide and stared at him. “Frightening. Sensual.
Arousing
. You make me hunger like a starving man at a ten-course dinner. And I don’t know why.” She gulped and frowned at her own honesty. “And you seem to make my tongue speak words I do not intend to voice.”

“Passion, desire, fear, release--they’re all connected by the web of emotions, Kat. A soft web that responds wildly to the slightest touch.” He slipped his hand beneath her breast and cupped it. “One touch here perhaps and passion is aroused.”

He felt her indrawn breath and grinned. “Mixed with fear, the fear of letting go. The fear of finding something in the touch of a man that you’ve never found before.”

She stiffened slightly. Always fighting the inevitable, his Kat. Adrian chuckled beneath his breath.

“You flatter yourself, Mr. Chesswell. And I would appreciate you removing your inappropriately placed hand.” Her words were sharp in spite of her exhaustion. She might be able to control her voice, but her body was answering to another command.

Adrian could scent the spice of her pussy, already blooming a little as he held that solid breast comfortably in his palm. He sighed as they reached her door and took the opportunity to caress the hardened nipple lifting the lace of her gown beneath the blanket. She shuddered at his touch and nearly cried out as he squeezed it tight between his finger and his thumb, rolling it around and watching her eyes drift closed as her arousal grew.

He sensed her tiredness, her confusion, even amongst the growing fire of her desire. Regretfully, he let her go, sliding her sensually down his body until she stood on her own feet, still leaning against him.