Page 87 of The Highwayman's Bite

“Tea, wine, or whisky?” he asked Vivian and her companion.

“Wine,” Vivian said, while Rhys and Madame Renarde opted for whisky.

When the footman arrived, Thornton entranced him with his eyes and led him to Rhys’s side. “Normally, my servants are not to be dined upon, however, you need to feed, and I do not want you to bite my niece.”

“My control is better than that, but I thank you for your generosity.” Rhys inclined his head with gratitude and carefully fed from the footman’s wrist. It was so much better than the pig and last night’s rat. Still, out of consideration, he drank as little as possible, and was careful to heal the man’s wounds with his blood. When he finished, Lord Thornton released the man and ordered their requested beverages.

While they waited, Thornton turned to Madame Renarde. “How in the name of heaven did you manage to deceive me into thinking I’d successfully banished your memories, break into my study, and discover where I was holding Rhys?”

Madame Renarde shrugged. “Old habits. I was a spy, after all, trained by Le Chevalier herself.”

“Picking the lock on your study was my idea,” Vivian said defensively. “I wanted to know if Rhys’s niece had received the money and paid the mortgage.”

Her uncle regarded her with a chiding expression. “Believe me, I know when mischief occurs in this house whose idea it was. I was merely curious as to how your unique companion carried off such impressive feats, rather than wishing to punish her for aiding you.”

Madame Renarde spoke. “Thank you for your mercy, my lord. But I still suppose that I am now consigned to join the fold of your kind.”

“By law, you should,” Thornton said. “However, as you were able to fool me, I think it likely that you will fool other vampires. If you do wish to be Changed, you have that choice.”

“Not unless the only other choice is death,” Renarde answered. “I have transitioned from living as a man to living as a woman. I do not want to transition into a vampire as well. One double life is enough for me.”

The footman returned with the wine for Vivian and whisky for the rest.

“Thank you, Jeffries. You may retire for the remainder of the night.” When they were alone, Thornton sipped his whisky and turned to Vivian. “Before we discuss this abominable marriage, you must make a choice. Do you wish for me to Change you, or for him?” His thumb jerked back to point at Rhys as if Thornton couldn’t bear to look at him.

Vivian glanced between the two vampires before taking a sip of wine and turning back to her uncle. “I would be more powerful if you did the deed, yes?”

Rhys stiffened with hurt. He’d thought Vivian would choose him.

“Yes. I am two hundred years his senior, so that means more power.” Thornton remained expressionless.

“While I do like the idea of having power after being powerless for so long, I will opt with Rhys.” Vivian threaded her fingers through his. “I want to share a life with him, his name, and his blood.”

“So be it.” Though it could have been Rhys’s imagination, for a moment it seemed there was a glimmer of hurt in Thornton’s steely grey eyes. But when he turned to Rhys, his expression was glacial as ever. “I suppose I had better legitimize you now. Kneel before me.”

Rhys slid off the couch to his knees and faced the vampire who would be his new lord.

Thornton stood and placed his hand on Rhys’s shoulder. “I, Aldric Cadell, Viscount of Thornton and Lord Vampire of Blackpool accept you, Rhys Berwyn as one of my citizens. Do you solemnly swear to keep my secrets, and obey me for as long as you live?”

“I do so swear,” Rhys said.

Aldric bit his finger and held the bleeding digit toward him. “With my blood, your oath is sealed.”

Rhys felt a jolt of power as he tasted the Lord Vampire’s blood. Power Vivian had rejected in favor of her bond with Rhys.

With the blood oath complete, Aldric bade him to rise. “You are now a citizen of Blackpool and under my protection.” Rhys opened his mouth to give thanks, but Lord Thornton’s sinister smile gave him pause. “However, just because I’ve legitimized you and permitted you to marry and Change my niece does not mean I will not make you pay for the havoc you’ve caused.”

“My lord?” Rhys asked with foreboding.

“First, you will not be permitted to be alone with Vivian until after you’re married,” Aldric said. “Just because you’ve preempted your wedding night does not mean we shouldn’t maintain propriety.”

Madame Renarde nodded with approval as Vivian and Rhys exchanged mournful glances.

“That is reasonable.” Though he prayed the wedding would be soon. Besides, after days and nights locked in a dungeon, Rhys was content to merely be able to see Vivian and be near her.

“Second,” Lord Thornton continued, “You will remain under constant supervision as long as I deem necessary.”

Another logical decision, though Rhys knew he’d bristle at having someone breathing down his neck all the time. “With all due respect, my lord, for legitimacy, the security of my family, and having the woman I love by my side, I will endure anything.”

“I will hold you to that,” Aldric said in an ominous tone. “Now I must give you a tour of the boundaries of the territory as well as have a few more words with you in private before I show you your sleeping quarters. You may bid my niece goodnight before we depart.”

Rhys pulled Vivian into his arms. He didn’t care if Thornton objected to such intimacy. Right now, he needed the contact with her more than anything.

“I love you,” he whispered as he felt her heart beat against his. “I never imagined I could ever be so happy.”

“I love you too.” She rose up on her toes and kissed him.

As his lips melded with hers, Rhys ignored her uncle’s muffled curse. No matter what Lord Thornton put him through, Vivian was worth it.

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