Page 18 of Traveling with Gentlemen
"I'm usually aware that the company I keep could care less about my appearance," I said, reaching one hand up to tilt the light in my direction, the other still dabbing color onto my lips.
"Why should that be less true tonight?" Ezra asked. "You think Amon or Auguste or the others give two figs what you wear to this party they don't even want to attend?"
I let out a puff of breath, setting the makeup aside and stepping back to examine myself in the trembling mirror. I reached into the low collar of my dress, plumping my breasts up. We were nearly to Jerusalem, and there would be a carriage waiting to take us directly to the countess's home.
"This isn't for any of you. It's forher," I explained.
Ezra laughed. "Auguste tells you about an insane vampiress and you decide you'd like to add her to the family?"
A sharp knock landed on the door and Booker let himself into the room. "We're ready."
"I don't want her to admire me, I want her to…to understand why…"
"Why Amon chose you, not her," Ezra said, the teasing lilt softening into understanding.
"This is armor," I said, gesturing to my dress and face.
Ezra and Booker studied me greedily. I'd chosen one of the gowns Auguste had bought for me in London. The collar was too low, the drape of the skirt too tight, the sleeves brief and sheer, and the color a rich and dark purple, the shade of pomegranate juice in crystal. It was a scandalous dress for what I was warned would be a scandalous party. It left me vulnerable and powerful all at once, but I knew I was in no danger. Not in the company I kept.
"You don't have to justify our passion for you with a dress,puisín," Ezra murmured, his smirk gentle.
I waved a hand. "It isn't that. Not exactly. Beauty is often a woman's currency. I have no doubt she will display hers. And I will display mine too. And if that distracts her from the rest of me, if she thinks I am a pretty trinket at first, then she will underestimate me to my advantage. And if instead she sees the power I possess immediately, then that's good too," I said.
Ezra helped himself to another long look at me. "Makes me dizzy to try and sort out," he admitted. "Youmake me dizzy too."
I grinned as Booker grunted in agreement. "Come and help me with the finishing touches."
Ezra and Booker both stood obediently, crossing the small space the compartment afforded. Ezra's eyebrows waggled.
"Well, what pinching and painting is left to do?" he asked.
"Muss me," I said, smiling.
"Muss you?" Ezra repeated, but Booker needed no explanation.
One strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me to my toes, my breasts pressing hard against the starched collar of the dress. I hummed as Booker's mouth slanted over mine, eagerly smearing the lipstick I had so meticulously painted on. Ezra laughed and then a calloused hand was in my hair, his beard scratching against my exposed shoulder, teeth scraping and lips sucking.
When Auguste cleared his throat in the open doorway, separating the three of us, my dress was askew, a few of my curls had fallen loose, and Booker was sporting more of the rouge than I was.
Ezra laughed as he looked at me. "Pretty trinket, indeed."
"You'll travel on to Beirut without us if you don't come now," Auguste said, eyes sparkling as Ezra and Booker stepped aside to reveal me. He sighed and shook his head. "Far too tempting. I'd put you in a potato sack, but it wouldn't make a difference. Come,mon coeur."
I nipped Auguste's throat for the compliment, and his hand around mine was tense and tight.
"I can't decide if she'll covet you for herself, or despise you when the rest of the party does as well," Auguste breathed as we hurried down the train hall.
Amon waited with Jonathon at the exit of the train car, the latter dressed in a suit far too large for him so Mr. Tanner might fit when he transformed.
"She sent her men," Amon murmured as we reached him, his eyes searching the dim shadows of the station. "There's no escape for us now."
"Grim words before a party, mate," Ezra teased, clapping Amon on the shoulder and sliding between us, jogging lightly down the steps. "Come on, I don't intend to miss a free dinner."
"Ever our thief," Auguste sighed, and together we descended into the cool night.
* * *
I caught my breath,staring up at the stunning, broad home, pale limestone painted gold by lit torches.
