Page 94 of It All Started with a Bite

“And who’s this charming dog?” Jean-Pierre asked politely.

Pearl’s tail swung lazily. “This is Bo, a new member of the Hawthorne pack. He’s my protégé.”

Bo stood up proudly so he could show off his bow tie.

To his credit, the vampire’s smile didn’t crack. “I shall show you to the afternoon tea salon.”

We followed him down a corridor lined with suits of armor to a vast room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hotel’s manicured grounds and the lake. Tables set with fine bone china and silver tea services occupied strategic positions across the floor. A bevy of supernatural creatures in designer clothes sat talking in low voices around them. Most were women but there were men here and there.

The noise level dropped when the socialites clocked our entrance. I became the focus of dozens of cool stares.

Helen was holding court at one of the tables. Her lip curled at the sight of me. She whispered to one of her companions.

“Wonderful,” Caroline muttered.

“You said it,” I murmured.

“Be nice, both of you,” Victoria warned under her breath.

Jean-Pierre handed us over to a waiter who guided us to a table by the window. Martha Claymore and Felicity Newfield were already seated at it. They wore matching floral dresses that brightened the room.

“Hello, Abby,” Martha said in a friendly voice. Felicity nodded warmly.

“Hi, Martha, Felicity.” I sat down gingerly while Victoria and Caroline exchanged greetings with the elderly werewolves, conscious of the stares we were attracting.

I was glad Victoria had chosen my outfit for the function.

The dark silk pantsuit I wore was cut perfectly and molded to my curves in flattering lines. The silk blouse underneath was a shade of cream that matched my complexion. Even my usually unruly hair had cooperated with Caroline’s painstaking ministrations that afternoon and fell in soft, enchanting waves around my face.

“At least you don’t look like you rolled in dirt today,” Pearl had commented after Caroline’s makeover.

Coming from her, that had been high praise indeed.

Martha leaned over presently.

“Rumor has it you were involved in a nefarious incident in the Crossroads yesterday,” she hissed conspiratorially.

I grimaced. “Did Camilla tattle?”

Martha gave me a blank look. “Camilla?”

“Yeah, she was there yesterday.”

Martha and Felicity exchanged a puzzled glance.

“Remember,” Pearl told Bo as she settled on a chair with a special cushion that brought her to the height of the table. “One does not lap from the saucer.”

“What about the cup?” Bo asked hopefully.

“Absolutely not.”

I was busy pretending to study the menu and ignoring the stares burning into my face when Victoria straightened beside me. I followed her gaze to the middle-aged vampire couple who had just entered the salon. Their clothes looked like they cost more than my rent.

“That’s Gregory and Constantia Tremaine,” Victoria explained quietly. “They own most of the properties in the East End.”

“And half the banks in Amberford,” Caroline murmured. “They’re the top vampire clan in town,” she added at my curious look.

The Tremaines headed toward a table hosting a group of vampires. Gregory’s nostrils flared slightly as they passed us. He inclined his head politely.

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