Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

T he sound of curtains being thrown aside woke me with a start. The sun cut into the gloom of the room with the force of a tsunami, drenching my flesh in golden rays.

I let out a strangled cry as I flung myself from my bed, rolling onto the floor to the shadows gathered there, safe from the oppressive touch of daylight. I yanked the sheets over my head and buried myself in the dark, squeezing my eyes shut.

"I—I apologize for startling you, my lord," a voice said into the stunned silence of the room.

I blinked. My skin wasn't burning. I wasn't even in my coffin. This was … It all came flooding back to me. I sat up, flinging the bed linens aside with a sigh. I regarded the middle-aged servant frowning down at me.

"Knock loud enough to wake me next time," I chided him, standing with as much dignity as I could muster. "I … have terrible nightmares."

"A thousand pardons," the man said, bowing, as if he was used to guests behaving in such a fashion. I had to admit that he took it in stride. "I was sent to dress you for breakfast."

I hardly heard him, however, as I stepped over to the windows, distracted by the light pouring through them in torrents, highlighting the dust motes swirling in the air overhead. I smiled as I pushed a pane open, the sun meeting my skin with the slightest tingle of warmth. This was the force I'd been so afraid of as a vampire. This … pleasant glow of heat. I laughed, opening my arms and closing my eyes as I let the sun's rays soak my skin.

"It is a … beautiful morning," the man said at my back, and I sighed, remembering myself.

I took a long look at the garden outside my window, bright with morning light, before shading my eyes as I tried to glimpse the sun. The sky was a stunning blue. Bluer than I remembered. Usually, shadows clung to everything I laid eyes upon, lamps and fires never able to fully tame the darkness. The fact that the grass was so green and lively, the butterflies so vibrant, made everything feel dreamlike. It seemed unnatural and yet … familiar, like a memory nagging the back of my mind.

With regret, I turned to the man. He must have been nearly forty. He was dressed in black, with red hair and a stout figure, and he held himself with an air of dignity. His green eyes gave me a moment's pause, but they were the only remarkable thing about him. "And you are?"

"I'll be your valet during your stay at Hemlock Manor. I have other duties, so I'll be dressing you and caring for your clothes, but that's rather the extent." He dipped his head respectfully. "Lady Grafton informed me of your lost luggage, so I took the liberty of bringing appropriate clothing for you. I'm sorry to say that you'll need to visit the tailor to have proper suits made, but we'll make due in the meantime."

Lady Grafton. He must have meant Helena. She'd thought of everything, it seemed. The valet gestured to a wash basin on a side table, and I walked toward it to freshen up. I stopped cold when I saw a stunning naked man staring back at me. My eyes widened as I rushed to the mirror, drinking myself in with ravenous delight. My brown hair curled lazily atop my head, thick and wild, while a shadow of stubble ran along my jawline. My eyes were cutting, so dark a brown they may as well have been black. My body was all corded muscle, a splash of hair over my chest, the only color on my otherwise pale countenance.

I laughed as I drank in my reflection. It was so unexpectedly wonderful to see myself again, after all these years. I hadn't looked quite like this when I'd been changed into a vampire, if memory served. I still appeared just shy of eighteen, but my eyes now held a predatory glint, an easy sensuality framing my mouth and a cunning in my brow. I had seen much in my time, and while the centuries hadn't aged me, the experience shown through in subtle ways.

I caught the eyes of the valet in the mirror and grinned wickedly at him. "Have you ever beheld such a fine figure? You'd think the devil himself stood here."

The man blinked. "As you say, my lord. Although I can't imagine what the devil has to do with it."

A lazy grin slid across my face. "The devil makes you think of sin, does he not? Do I not make you want to … sin?"

The man merely stared back at me, impassive. How droll. I enjoyed making people feel uncomfortable, but his lack of response was quickly tempering my amusement. I turned back to the basin. "What is your name?" I asked him as I toweled off my face.

"The name's Stuart, my lord."

"Very well, Stuart. Let's make this quick. I'm anxious to meet the duke and his family."

The valet swiftly dressed me in an ill-fitting brown suit. It would have to do, but I wasn't particularly happy that I would be making the family's acquaintance in such a state.

I glanced at the desk and gestured to the letter laying on its surface. "And, if you would post that as well." I'd spent the better part of the night composing it, a contingency plan that could significantly shorten this silly role I was being forced to play. If Vrykolakas thought me without resources, he was wrong.

In the vast dining room, I was met with the largest table I had ever beheld. It ran the length of the considerable space, although only a small portion at one end was being used. The butler, Percival, was busy pouring tea for Helena and a Black woman in an emerald-green dress that rustled audibly with each movement of her arms. When the woman caught sight of me, a smile brightened her face and she stood, turning to Helena expectantly. "And this must be him now," she said.

"Perfect," Helena said, also standing as I approached. "We were just talking about you."

"All good things, I hope," I said, dropping into a low bow before the woman, who I assumed was the lady of the house. She was curvy, heavy-lidded, and very beautiful, her wavy hair pinned back so that only a few strands framed her face.

"Lucian, I present to you Duchess Harclay."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady," I said, kissing the hand she offered me, a sizable diamond on her finger catching the light.

"You simply must call me Flora while you stay with us," the duchess insisted, although she clearly enjoyed the ceremony. "I'm so happy that you could join us on such short notice. I'm also sorry to hear of your accident on the way in. You lost your luggage on the ship?"

"Half the ship lost its luggage, from what I hear," Helena piped up, saving me from contradicting any story she may have weaved in my absence. "But you returned from Amsterdam at an opportune time, at least."

I smiled. "Nothing that can't be replaced. Regardless, I'm glad to have invested in the rail industry while I was there. I believe it's going to be the way of the future—and more than adequately make up my losses."

"I think so too. My husband isn't convinced, but I'd say that's a solid venture." Flora gave my hand a brief, excited squeeze before turning back to her seat.

There were only five place settings prepared, and yet a feast had been provided, including eggs, kidney, liver, honey cake, and French bread. My mouth watered. I'd found the taste of food last night so delightful that I wanted to experience as many flavors as possible while I still could.

"Is the duke joining us this morning?" I asked.

Flora pursed her lips. "No, I'm sorry to say that Jonathan is bedridden. I'm sure he would be pleased to meet you at some point, but he doesn't get about much anymore."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I murmured. "It would be my honor to make his acquaintance, however. Perhaps I can rouse his spirits with a game of chess sometime."

"He would enjoy that immensely," Flora beamed.

Just as I was about to savor my first taste of cake, a young man strolled into the room. I paused, fork halfway to my mouth, to take in the ostentatious dress of the newcomer. His black suit jacket was decked out in feathers, and the skirt he wore beneath seemed to be made entirely of feathers. Gold hoop earrings dangled from each ear, standing out on a head shaved completely bald. As he tilted his head, his ebony skin gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the narrow windows. Sparkling eyes danced beneath exaggerated eyelashes fanning out from a smoky purple eye shadow, his lips painted a cheeky ruby red.

"Flora darling, it's so good to see you looking well," the man greeted her, before stopping to give me a quick look. "And where are your naughty children this fine morning? Don't tell me those terrors are sleeping in."

Flora laughed, a tinkle that brought a smile to my lips. She gestured for the newcomer to take a seat on my other side. "Unfortunately, I got word last night that their carriage broke down. They were forced to stay at a pub overnight and won't be back until this evening."

"In time for the ball, I hope."

"We wouldn't start without them," Flora assured him. She nodded to me in way of an introduction. "This interesting young man is a last-minute addition to the marriage games. He's a relation of Lady Grafton."

"Lucian," I said, holding out a hand to shake.

"Charmed, I'm sure," the boy said, flashing pearly white teeth. "I'm Zachariah Archibald."

"You'll see him flitting about often. He lives just next door. He's good friends with my youngest." Flora winked at Zachariah. "We just can't seem to rid ourselves of him."

"Someone has to ensure these halls remain radiant."

I chuckled.

"Zachariah won't be part of the games, officially," Flora elaborated, "but he'll be welcome at all events. He's practically one of us."

"You can just say it aloud, Flora. Everyone's thinking it. I would steal the show if I were part of the games, and there would be no competition whatsoever."

"Mmm. As you say."

Zachariah pantomimed heartbreak, clasping his chest, as Flora chuckled, shaking her head. After a moment, he stabbed a piece of liver with his fork. He watched me as he chewed. "I hate to be a beast, but that jacket looks horrid on you."

"I don't disagree with you on that point."

Flora straightened. "Oh, yes. I was going to beg a favor, Zachariah dear. This unfortunate boy lost his wardrobe in an incident on the way in. I'm sure if anyone is resourceful enough to find adequate replacements in a hurry, it's you."

"Any excuse to go shopping," Zachariah affirmed, appraising me once more. "And I can certainly find some ravishing outfits for those broad shoulders and delightful arms."

"Don't scandalize him now," Flora ordered, although she smiled as she said it. "I have a feeling Lucian is a tad more modest than you."

"Oh, I'm certain Lucian has seen his share." Zachariah waggled his eyebrows at me. "Am I right? Good-looking bloke like you."

I laughed. It was hard not to find Zachariah's energy contagious. "Apparently, there's no fooling you."

After breakfast, I took a carriage into town with Zachariah, who entertained me with a steady stream of gossip about Hale's Corner, the neighborhood where Hemlock Manor resided. I read between the lines of his colorful descriptions to ascertain that I would have dozens of rivals for the incoming duke's regard. This wouldn't be a simple task. Without my hypnotism powers, it would all rest on my innate charm—which was naturally substantial, but not foolproof.

I had to hope that he had good taste.

"Tell me about the duke's children," I said as we dismounted from the carriage and strolled into a tailor's shop.

"Maxwell, Emmett, and Ambrose." Zachariah unfolded a fan and waved it delicately at his chin. "You'd think the three boys would be exhausting, but they're really quite different. I'm of course biased in favor of Maxwell, who's the most lively of the bunch. You'll like him. Ambrose is the future duke. Very stiff and serious. Always busy, that one. He's who you'll be fighting for along with everyone else during the competition. Frankly, I can't blame you. He is a handsome one, the most eligible man in England, one might say."

"I hope he finds a worthy match then. Even if it ends up not being me."

Zachariah pursed his lips and looked me over. "Mmhmm."

I winced as he turned to address the approaching tailor. Clearly Zachariah was more insightful than I'd given him credit for. He'd seen right through me. If I wasn't careful, I might make an enemy of him, and that I could not afford, given how close he was to the duke's family. I needed to work on ingratiating myself to him at any cost, unless I wanted this ruse to fall apart before it had hardly begun.

"What of Emmett?" I asked while the tailor began to take my measurements. Zachariah perused several fabrics around the shop with a keen eye—and, I noted with pleasure, exquisite taste.

Zachariah ran his hand over a deep blue velvet and nodded to the tailor following him, who made a note. "Emmett is a sensitive one. He paints, if you understand my meaning."

I quirked an eyebrow. "Let me guess: Falling in love with a new boy or girl every week?"

"Give him some credit. His infatuations last at least a fortnight." He sent me a wicked grin. "Good thing he's completely homosexual, or half the ladies in Hale's Corner would be expecting."

The tailor coughed, and Zachariah laughed. "I'm teasing, you old codger. We all know how reputable and exemplary the duke's family is." He rolled his eyes to let me know that this was said for the tailor's benefit. Sexuality wasn't the problem, of course. But sex was still frowned upon until marriage, even if many nobles discreetly slept around and were hardly virgins by the time they wed. Women unfortunately had to be more restrained in their behavior, for a child out of wedlock meant instant ruin. It was why women were still required chaperones in the presence of an eligible man, while men could be alone in one another's company, so long as they weren't caught doing anything imprudent.

I tried on various outfits for Zachariah, several hours flying by. One suit needed little adjustment and would be sent to me before the ball that evening, while the others would slowly make their way to me over the next fortnight. I was pleased with the outcome. Zachariah clearly knew what he was doing, and I was glad the duchess had sent him along in my company. Thankfully, the purse Helena had slipped me contained enough to cover the expenses.

"So, you weren't courting anyone back home?" Zachariah asked on the carriage ride back to Hemlock Manor.

"I'm happily free to pursue whom I choose," I said. "And you?"

He snorted. "If I could find someone with a modicum of taste, I would rush to the altar. Unfortunately, I believe I'll have to wait until I'm in London for that." At my questioning look, he smiled. "I'm going to apprentice with the incomparable Martha Banks in the fall. I'll have my own flat in the city, if you can imagine. I'm sure to stumble across someone who meets my rigorous standards amid that tumult. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Completely. I do love London. There's nothing quite like it in all the world."

"Oh? You've traveled extensively then?"

"I've seen a lot in my time," I replied vaguely. "I would enjoy a voyage to the New World at some point. I hear America is the future, and would love to watch it prosper."

"Oh, not me, darling. History, art, and fashion are everything, and if it's not in London, then it's in Paris. I don't feel the need to leave Europe to traipse around mountains, forests, and valleys. I've seen more than enough of the natural world than I ever cared to right here in Hale's Corner." He glanced out the carriage at the trees we passed. "Although there aren't any vampires that I know of in America. It has that going for it, at least."

I straightened. "Oh? Are there many vampires around here?"

"They're everywhere, aren't they?" Zachariah shrugged. "They're like vermin. Can't get rid of the disgusting creatures. Hopefully that changes soon."

"How would that happen?"

Zachariah smiled. "Oh, I'm sure there are ways."

I frowned, wondering what he could mean. Was he merely trying to be mysterious? Or did he know something that I didn't—and would very much like to?

There were advantages to being mortal, I realized. I'd already interacted with humans in ways that simply weren't possible for a vampire. The interactions were more intimate, the contact more natural. Perhaps I would learn exactly what Vrykolakas intended me to. Perhaps it would be even easier than I thought.