Page 25 of Wynter's Bite

A warm, solid hand grasped his shoulder. Justus opened his eyes to see Gavin looking at him with pity. “I may have a solution,” he said quietly.

Hope flared within Justus’s chest. “What?”

“A long engagement.” Gavin released him and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “Secure a betrothal contract with her father, and then leave Rochester until Miss Mead’s twenty-first birthday. We can fabricate a story of you having business in India and arrange for you to stay with another Lord Vampire.”

The thought of being away from Bethany for four long years filled Justus with agony. But the thought of never being able to make her his was even more unbearable. Gripping the arms of his chair with painful force, he bowed his head in assent. “Thank you, my lord.” He tried to conceal his bitterness in his words.

“Cheer up, old friend,” Gavin said with a smirk. “You’ve lived in this world for over two centuries. What is a handful of years?”

The Lord of Rochester spoke truly, but it wasn’t so much the span of time that would be the most difficult to endure. “What if something happens to her while I’m away? What if her parents decide to break the betrothal, or she falls from her horse, or another plague strikes the village?”

Gavin shook his head and laughed. “What if lightning strikes us in the next five minutes? What if corn stalks sprout from your ears? Honestly, if this is what love does to a man, I pray I never succumb to such a ludicrous malady. You sound like an old woman.” His mirth faded as Justus glared at him. “Do not worry. Medicine is advancing faster every day, and the nobility are always the safest from plagues. Furthermore, I’ll keep an eye on the girl and make sure her father does not presume to change his mind.” He paused and cocked his head to the side. “But what if Miss Mead decides she wants another?”

Justus flinched at the thought of losing Bethany’s love. But her happiness was the most important thing to him. “If she does, send word to me and I will release her from the betrothal contract.”

The Lord of Rochester regarded him with an unexpectedly gentle smile. “You have a good heart, Justus. Guard it well, for mortals can be fickle, especially young ones.” He slid Justus’s wineglass closer before lifting his own. “In the meantime, let us toast your future bride.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Justus drank deeply, joy swelling his being that he was granted his heart’s desire.

Chapter Eleven

Bethany awoke with a blissful sigh. Justus had been kissing her in her dreams, just as fervently as he had last night.

Last night... the memories struck her with such force that she sat up so fast her head spun with a wave of dizziness.

Justus was a vampire. With daylight streaming through her window, the concept should have been laughable, but last night, with the moonlight gleaming on his fangs, his eyes glowing in the darkness, and the mind-bending sensation of his bite, the truth had been all too real.

And Bethany had agreed to become one as well, to live forever, to bite people and drink their blood. She’d also agreed to become his wife. Warmth suffused her heart as she remembered his ardent declaration of love.

Tonight he’d ask her father for her hand in marriage. Breath hitching in excitement, Bethany threw off her covers and rang for the maid to bring her breakfast and select a fetching ensemble.

It was difficult to eat with her belly fluttering, but Bethany managed to eat half a scone and a bit of egg before she had her maid help her into her riding habit. A ride would help pass the time and calm her flitting nerves.

For the evening, she chose her white satin gown, for it was what she was wearing the night of the Ellingsworth ball the night she and Justus shared their first dance.

Humming a soft tune, Bethany barely heard her mother’s chattering as she left for the stables. Once saddled on Canterbury, her russet gelding, she pondered what her life would be like as a vampire. No more morning rides, that was certain, so she had best enjoy them while she still had time.

---