Page 76 of Bite at First Sight

The Lord of Cornwall leaned back in his chair. “I had thought the answer would be obvious.”

Comprehension struck like a bolt of lightning. “You think doing so may deter the Elders from ordering her death.” Rafe cursed himself for not grasping the obvious. “Just as when you wed Lydia.”

“I would have wed her anyway. I simply could not wait any longer for…” Vincent broke off his words with a salacious wink.

Rafe laughed. He now knew such anticipation. Then the gravity of the situation settled upon his soul, crushing all levity. “It may not work. I made Cassandra a pariah the moment I brought her into this house. Her peers cross to the other side of the street when they see her.”

“And many will continue to do so,” Vincent agreed calmly. “However, these people thrive on gossip and intrigue to season their dull, insipid lives. Many will welcome the engagement simply because it will give them the opportunity to keep your scandalous adventures as a subject of titillation.”

Rafe’s agonized sigh echoed through the room. “As much as I am loath to say so, you are likely correct. Now how do you propose I make my debut in Society and resurrect Cassandra’s reputation?”

Vincent took a deep drink. “First, you will both require new wardrobes, which would cost the earth at such short notice. Thankfully, I have two vampire seamstresses.”

“The Siddons sisters?” Rafe nearly choked on his brandy. “Do you think it’s a wise idea to bring them back to London after all the trouble they caused last year?”

Vincent sighed. “Not in the slightest. Unfortunately, they’re the only ones who can prepare you for the ball in time…and I’ll have a guard with them at all times.”

As the Lord Vampire of Cornwall continued to rattle off an inexhaustible list of requirements, Rafe resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands. This would be impossible.

Twenty-five

“And this is a genuine Van Leeuwenhoek microscope.” Cassandra’s hands trembled as she held the precious device out to the vampire countess. “It can magnify up to five hundred times.”

Lydia glanced at the microscope distantly before her gaze once more narrowed on Cassandra’s face. “Lady Rosslyn, as fascinating as this is, I cannot help noticing that you seem flustered.”

“I am perfectly all right,” Cassandra protested weakly. “I confess I was taken by surprise at your husband’s idea of a feigned engagement, though I am certain a logical explanation exists for such a ruse.”

Lady Deveril placed her hands on her hips, golden eyes intent, as if trying to peer into her soul. “Cassandra, I realize that you are trying to handle this complicated situation with your usual aplomb. However, I do think it would be easier for you if you talked about it.”

Cassandra heaved a sigh. “Everything in my life has become so complicated, so confusing, and so far out of my control. I cannot believe that Rafe’s people are waging a war against him because of me and—”

“You mustn’t think any such thing,” Lydia admonished. “From what I have discovered, Clayton is an utter and complete rapscallion and has been planning this foolish rebellion for quite some time. If you hadn’t ended up with Rafe, Clayton would have concocted another excuse for his treason.”

Despite the comforting reason of the countess’s explanation, it did little to ameliorate Cassandra’s other worries.

As if reading her mind, Lydia folded her arms and fixed her with an intent stare. “Now, tell me exactly how you came to be here.”

Cassandra opened her mouth to protest, but the countess’s will was irrefutable. With a sigh, she complied. The words came slowly at first, then rushed out like floodwaters held too long in restraint.

She began with her fateful jaunt to the cemetery to gather a specimen for her studies and her subsequent encounter with Rafe. She told the countess about how he’d been forced to take her prisoner when he’d been unable to erase her memory. She described his surgeries and the accelerating trouble with Clayton. Yet she did not speak of his passionate, drugging kisses or his intoxicating mastery over her body. Her own mind was still struggling to process and analyze that unprecedented phenomenon.

Lydia took a deep breath and exhaled in a rush. “I cannot believe he Changed someone without sanction from the Elders! He has always been so staunch about following the rules. I would laugh if it hadn’t resulted in such dire circumstances. And he was supposed to have killed you a few nights ago?”

Cassandra nodded. “Yes. He told me that he couldn’t bring himself to do so, and now he is trying to find another vampire to Change me.”

Lydia smiled warmly. “I knew he was interested in you since I witnessed your first encounter. He used to watch you so intently when he thought no one was looking. I was afraid he planned to carry you off and devour you.”

“Frankly, he seemed more annoyed with me than interested.” Cassandra laughed bitterly. “Now I fear he is suffering from a juxtaposition of guilt for imprisoning me and gratitude for my healing his arm.”

Lady Deveril shook her head adamantly. “No, Rafe is ruthless as well as a tiresome stickler for the rules. If he didn’t care for you, he would have killed you without a whisper of remorse.”

“He’s never said a word to indicate that he feels anything aside from the aforementioned remorse and thankfulness.” Her heart ached at the admission.

“He is a man of action, not words.” Lydia’s voice remained implacable. Suddenly, her brow rose and a ghost of a mischievous smile hovered on her lips. “Has he kissed you?”

Cassandra’s face flamed, remembering the original bargain Rafe had made with her and its sinful, sensuous culmination. Images of his torrid lovemaking flashed through her mind, momentarily suspending her capability of speech and rational thought.

Lydia gave her a knowing grin. “Ah, I see he has done more than that. Has he made love to you?”

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