Page 39 of The Highwayman's Bite

“As do I.” Vivian followed as he carried the cauldron back into the cave. “I wonder what Uncle has made of my absence?”

“He likely fabricated a tale to preserve your reputation.” Rhys wanted to reassure her further, but the words stuck in his throat as they were once more back in the presence of her chaperone. Instead, he shrugged and set the cauldron on the grate and added more wood to the fire. “I know enough about Viscount Thornton to be confident that he will ensure that you are beyond reproach when this is over.”

Madame Renarde regarded him with narrowed eyes. “And how are you certain of that? Ladies have been disowned for less.”

Rhys crossed his arms over his chest. “You had best pray to the heavens that you never learn what I know of Lord Thornton.” But as he issued the threat, he realized that perhaps it was Lord Thornton who should be praying.

He could use that as leverage, but he wouldn’t, not unless he needed to. Revealing the existence of vampires to a mortal was punishable by death.

Then again, Rhys was already a rogue vampire, who invaded other territories and had abducted a Lord Vampire’s kin. He already had a death sentence hanging over his head and had for some time, what was another?

While Madame Renarde bathed, Vivian and Rhys walked along the beach once more. He observed her pensive frown as she sifted through shells buried in the sand. “How did you come to learn secrets about my uncle? Do you know each other?”

He noticed that she did not bother asking what the secrets were. Clever woman. He answered carefully. “As I told you before, I have not made his acquaintance, but he is well known in certain circles I frequent.” Though they’d exchanged letters one time, when Rhys had petitioned to become a Blackpool vampire and Lord Thornton had rejected his request.

Vivian’s eyes widened. “Is he a criminal then?”

“Forcing a woman and her two children from their home should be a crime,” Rhys said. “But no, he hasn’t broken any... English laws that I know of.” This conversation was veering toward dangerous territory. He changed the subject. “Why are you afraid of marriage?”

A seashell dropped from her fingers as she froze. “I beg your pardon?”

“I heard you speaking with Madame Renarde about it the night before I took you.”

Her fists clenched at her sides and her chin jerked up as she looked at him with blazing fury. “You were spying on me?”

He took a step back and held up his hands in mock surrender. “I needed to gather information about your comings and goings so I could execute my plan.”

“Ah, so you spied and eavesdropped to best know when to kidnap me.” Vivian faced him with her hands on her hips and a derisive curl of her lips. “You know, that does not redeem you in the slightest.”

Rhys shrugged off the guilt that threatened to engulf him. “What can I say? I am the villain in this situation.” He circled around her in a way that he hoped looked menacing. He needed to remind her who was in charge. “Answer my question. I thought all blue-blooded maids dreamed of nothing but landing a man with a lofty title and running a noble household. Why not you? You’re certainly beautiful enough to take your pick.”

Roses bloomed in her cheeks at his acknowledgement of her beauty. “I do not see how it is any business of yours what I want or don’t want for my future.”

His voice was cold and clipped. “It is my business because if you are planning on being a spinster, the matter of your chastity holds less weight as a bargaining chip.”

She flinched as if he’d struck her and crossed her arms over her chest as if to shield herself from his advances.

Rhys cursed and backed away. “No, I am not plotting to ravage you. I only seek to find the most expedient manner of making your uncle pay my ransom.”

Her face reddened further. “I am not about to aid you in making myself a tool for your benefit.” She paused and added through clenched teeth, “Or my uncle’s.”

She was hurt, he realized. He’d done that to her and so had Blackpool. Her words that he’d overheard twisted in his heart like a blade. “...I am filled with such terror that I almost feel ill with it.... Consigned to a lifetime of thing-hood.”

Thing-hood.Rhys was beginning to grasp what Vivian meant by that. He and Blackpool were indeed using her as a pawn in a game, giving no consideration for her thoughts or feelings.

The realization made him feel terrible. Alas, it was not to be helped. Not if he wanted to keep Emily and her children out of the poorhouse.

Perhaps there was a way to atone for his callousness. “What if I allowed you a chance at gaining your freedom?”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What do you mean?”

“I suggest we duel. If you draw first blood, I’ll release you.”

She frowned, but there was a glint of hopeful joy in her eyes. “Is this some sort of trick?”

He shook his head. “No. I just think we spar better with swords than words.”

“And you’re confident that you’ll win.” Her lips curved in a reluctant smile.

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