by Brooklyn Ann
“Scotland Yard,” they answered in tandem.
If the situation were not so dire, she might have laughed. With their clearly expensive overcoats and shining hessians, they clearly were thicker in the pocket than Britain’s harried investigators.
“What should we do with her?” One of the Gloucestershire vampires asked. “Do you suppose his Lordship will wish to question her?”
“A delicious morsel such as this?” the one holding Bethany said, twirling a lock of her hair around his fingers as Justus snarled and tried to break free. “Undoubtedly. But I am not inclined to grant him the pleasure. Not after his cruel punishment of Phyllis.”
The third vampire shook his head. “I daresay, denying a Lord his rights because you’re put out with him is not a good reason. However, I have a feeling that he’ll be occupied with this rogue and inconvenienced by a prisoner of her ilk. She may be dressed like a rag tag Gypsy, but her speech is clearly that of a lady.”
The second one frowned. “But we can’t just leave her here, alone in the dark. She could be set upon by brigands.”
The first one scoffed, while the second scratched his chin. “You’re right. ’Twouldn’t be proper. We’ll escort her to the village on our way to delivering this scoundrel to His Lordship.”
Bethany couldn’t hold back a sigh of relief, even if it just meant that her parting from Justus would only be slightly delayed. However, perhaps she could discern where they were going.
“And who would His Lordship be?” she asked, lacing her voice with aristocratic scorn. “Perhaps my father, Lord Wickshire, may be acquainted with him. It would be rude of me not to pay a call upon a family friend.”
“His Lordship has more friends than he can keep track of, and very little time to cater to social niceties,” the vampire grasping her said loftily. “Have your father post him a letter if he is so keen.”
“How am I supposed to do that if you will not tell me who he is?” Bethany feigned irritation, though the vampire had unwittingly confirmed an important piece of information. The Lord Vampire of Gloucestershire was part of the peerage. “And what does he want with this gentleman who was escorting me?”
“That is none of your concern,” the vampire snapped, eyeing her with derision.
“Of course it is my concern!” Bethany cried out. “This gentleman is accompanying me to my destination and ensuring my safety. My father will have something to say about this.”
“This rogue is no gentleman,” the vampire laughed. “He’d have a carriage and you’d have a chaperone.”
Justus spoke for the first time. “Actually, I am indeed a gentleman. I’m the Viscount de Wynter.”
The vampires laughed harder, their leader elbowing Justus in the ribs. “Right, and I’m Duke of Devonshire! Enough out of you, cad. Anything you have to say isn’t fitting for the Lady’s ears.”
Bethany understood the veiled warning. They did believe she was an ignorant mortal, and they didn’t want Justus to say anything that would reveal the truth of the situation. She prayed the deception would hold, for if they knew that she was privy to their world, the Lord of Gloucestershire would likely kill Justus— if he wouldn’t already. And who knew what they would do to her.
Her heart ached with misery and terror as they walked. How in the world would they get out of this disaster? Justus was outnumbered, and she was a weak human woman with no hope of fighting three vampires.
“Well, I don’t like the shifty look in that one’s eyes,” Justus retorted, giving Bethany a lingering look. “How do I know you’ll ensure her safety?”
Bethany caught Justus’s message. Don’t look any of them in the eyes. That way they couldn’t feed on her or banish her memories. Her chin dropped to look at her boots. She’d never be able to find Justus if she didn’t remember what happened. Another thought made panic grip her lungs. What if they made her forget Justus altogether?
“The woman is no concern to us,” the leader said loftily, looking down his nose at Justus. “We only want her out of the way so we can deal with you.”
“Out of the way does not sound promising,” Bethany grumbled, trying to sound petulant rather than frightened. “Perhaps I may accompany you to your lord and he may provide me his carriage.”
“Quiet, woman,” the sandy-haired vampire snarled. “His Lordship wouldn’t loan so much as a spoonful of sugar to a ragtag female that may or may not be a lady.”
The grass they trod upon turned into a path, and gaslights gleamed off in the distance. Time was running out.
Bethany willed herself to be calm. Justus had said that the last time he’d been arrested, he’d been imprisoned before he was sentenced. Hopefully that meant the Lord of Gloucestershire wouldn’t kill him outright. And she’d have time to break him free. Somehow.
When they arrived at the edge of the village, the vampire who held her turned her to face him. “Look at me, my lady.”
She lifted her chin and stared at his nose.
His lips turned down in a scowl. “I said, look at me!”
“I am!” she said stubbornly.
“I mean—”
“If I may,” Justus interrupted placidly. “I’m certain she’d rather look at me, if you catch my meaning. And I would very much like to tell her goodbye. I may be a rogue, but I am no scoundrel. I still need to return her money and her luggage.”
The three vampires exchanged glances before the one who must be their leader nodded. “Fine. Do what needs to be done. And if you try any funny business, you will regret it.”
They were going to allow Justus to erase her memory, only she knew he wouldn’t. The vampire holding Bethany released her reluctantly. She ran to Justus and threw her arms around him. In his embrace, their enemies momentarily vanished.
Justus cupped her face and gazed into her eyes. Instead of his hypnotic power, she saw only his love for her. When he bent down and kissed her, she felt that electric spark again and tasted his blood.
When he broke the kiss, she felt like her heart had broken as well. “Goodbye, Bethany,” he whispered. “Even though you won’t remember,” a touch of emphasis imbued the last word, “I’ll always love you.”
“That’s enough of that,” one of the vampires growled, breaking them apart.
Justus sighed and lifted the packs from his shoulders and set them at her feet before reaching into his pocket and handing her his purse with its meager coins. “This should be enough for a meal and a room for the night. In the morning, send a post to your uncle, telling him of your delay. Do not travel alone.”
Bethany nodded, even though she had no uncle, so she wondered if he was stalling for time, or trying to send her a hint. Her eyes widened. Justus must be referring to the Lord of Cornwall. Yet how would she send him a letter when she did not know who he was? Or did he wish her to indeed keep going to Cornwall? She chewed her lower lip, struggling to discern his meaning.
The vampires pushed them further apart as she struggled to shoulder the heavy packs.
“Take her to the inn,” the lead vampire said. “We’ll meet you at His Lordship’s home.”
With that, Bethany and Justus were taken in opposite directions. She peered longingly over her shoulder and studied the direction Justus’s captors were headed.
“Come along, Miss.” The vampire escorting her tugged at her arm, making her almost drop one of the bags. To her surprise, he offered to carry one of them for her.
Far behind them, she heard one of the other vampires say, “So it was like that, eh? Why didn’t you make her privy to your circumstances?”
“You know why,” Justus said gruffly.
She saw one last flash of his dark red hair in the moonlight before he and the others faded into the shadows. She made note of the landmarks and the direction they’d gone.
“Come along, woman.” Her vampire escort tugged on her elbow.
Bethany jerked her arm from his grasp and shot him a glare. “Just because you are vexed with being saddled with the
duty of escorting a woman to safety does not mean you have to be so rude.”
To her surprise, his features softened. “You are right. I apologize for my poor manners. What is your name?”
“Beth,” she replied, knowing he’d think that was short for Elizabeth. “What of you?”
“Edward,” he said stiffly, not indicating whether or not it was a real name. He glanced at her from the corners of his eyes and she shifted her gaze downward so he couldn’t mesmerize her. “I do wish you’d tell us more about what you were doing with that rogue— er man.”
“And I wish you would tell me who you people are and what you intend to do with Justus!” she fired back.
Edward chuckled. “It seems we are at an impasse.” They walked in silence for a while before he spoke again. “You really love him, don’t you?”
Too taken aback to lie, she nodded.
He regarded her with a pitying look. “Most unfortunate. I advise you to do your best to forget him. Find another beau.”
Bethany refused to dignify that with a response and they walked the rest of the way in silence. Edward left her side the moment they entered the closest inn.
The innkeeper frowned at the idea of renting a room to a woman alone, but reluctantly agreed once he saw Bethany’s coin. However, he insisted that she stay in her room and keep the door locked until daytime. That suited her fine. Glancing at the vampire making his way to a cluster of men crowded at the bar, she prayed he would linger awhile longer.
It took all of her effort not to run up the stairs behind the servant who escorted her. And the moment she was alone in the Spartan room, she thrust the window open and peered out. A tree sprouted near the edge of the building, but unfortunately, not by her window. Breathing a prayer, she made her way out the window and kept her feet balanced on the narrow ledge. Not daring to look down, she inched her way along the wall. If her tremors returned, she would tumble down and break her neck.
After an eternity of shuffling along, her pulse pounding as she crossed each adjacent window, Bethany at last reached the tree. Her breath escaped her lungs in a whoosh as she saw a thick limb within reach. It would be just like the times she’d climbed down the tree in her bedroom window in Rochester.
No, not quite. She uttered an unladylike curse as she remembered she still wore skirts. But there would have been no time to change into trousers, even if she’d had them. With another deep breath, she hopped carefully onto the branch, grasping the one above her as she teetered a moment.
Further grumbles ensued as she untangled her skirts from the other branches and knotted them as best as she could around her knees like awkward pantaloons. She nearly fell out of the tree on her last knot. Recovering her balance, she made her way down the tree, the skill coming back to her like second nature.
When she reached the ground, Bethany’s spirits lifted when she saw that the front door of the inn was in view from her hiding place behind the trunk. She’d be able to see the vampire leave. …If he hadn’t already. She shook her head, refusing to be brought down with hopeless doubt. With luck, she’d be able to follow the vampire.
She grasped the talisman that Kallia, the Roma woman had given her, saying a silent prayer to whatever deity or patron saint it appealed to.
The talisman must have answered her, for only moments later, Edward left the inn and walked unhurried down the road in what looked to be the same direction Justus’s captors had headed. Bethany unknotted her skirts and followed behind trying to remain at a distance so he wouldn’t spot her.
A few times she had to duck against the wall or into a nearby alley to keep him from seeing her if he glanced behind. To make matters worse, another attack of the shivers rained down upon her making her feel like a palsied old woman as she shuffled through the shadows.
A carriage rolled down the intersection, blocking her view. When it passed, the vampire was gone. Bethany’s heart sank. Which way had he gone? When she reached the splitting roads, she looked in both directions, but saw no sign of him.
Panic roiled in her belly, making her queasy. If she couldn’t find Justus, all was lost. Her eyes squeezed shut to stave off the threatening tears.
A strange shiver prickled the back of her neck, different from the other sort, along with a tight urgency in her chest and a wordless voice compelling her to turn left. The odd feeling was reminiscent of that electric sensation she’d felt when she tasted Justus’s blood.
Her lips parted in astonishment. He’d told her that giving her his blood would help him find her if they were separated, but what if the reverse was true? Hope welling through her being, Bethany chose the left road and walked as fast as possible. Soon, the dark outline of a figure came into view. Just as it began to turn, Bethany ducked behind a large barrel. Had it been Edward? It had to be.
She peered around the barrel and crept out when the figure continued walking. As she drew closer, she confirmed that she was indeed following the correct individual. Hiding places grew more scarce as the buildings gave way to green hills and fields. Bethany’s legs ached from the long walk, even as confidence filled her that she was on the right course. For now, sprawling mansions were visible off in the distance. Even better, her tremors had subsided.
Edward scurried to one of the smaller manors and Bethany drew as close as she dared. Following the vampire up the long drive would be folly, but she studied the crest on the gate until it was committed to memory. Her blood hummed in her veins the nearer she came. Justus had to be in here. She swore she could feel him.
Though every vestige of her being railed at her to charge into that house and find Justus, she knew that facing a Lord Vampire and his cohorts in their own domain would be hopeless. But perhaps there was something she could do during the day while they slept.
Squaring her shoulders, Bethany walked the long way back to the inn, a plan beginning to form in her mind. She’d need her supplies and other things. More importantly, she needed to learn who that family crest belonged to.
When she made it back into the village square, a rat-faced man lurched toward her, but at her straight posture, clenched fists and blazing eyes, he rethought his approach and passed her by.
Chapter Twenty-four
Justus heaved a sigh as he was shackled to another damp stone wall in yet another underground prison. This one was more cramped and rat infested than Rochester’s.
Squire Ridley, the Lord Vampire of Gloucester, peered up at him with a smug smile. “So, de Wynter, it seems your illegitimate gallivanting through the country has come to an end.” His hands shifted to smooth his neckcloth, putting to mind a preening bird. “You will soon learn that I don’t take kindly to rogues in my territory.”
“I was only passing through,” Justus said blandly. “And I am seeking citizenship so that I will no longer be a rogue.”
Ridley snorted. “Only so you can have your way with that golden-haired beauty my second and third found you with.”
“I found her too,” the vampire who’d escorted Bethany to the village said from the doorway. “Dropped her at an inn.”
It took every ounce of will in Justus’s being not to turn to him and ask if she was safe.
“Yes, Edward. And you.” Ridley fussed with his cravat a moment longer before turning to him. “By the by, what did you learn about that human woman? Did she have an inkling as to who she was keeping company with?”
Edward shook his head. “I don’t think so. She was far too calm. In any case, we made that one banish her memory. Still, I think the chit had secrets of her own. She said her father was a lord and huffed about telling the man about the rogue’s arrest, but something in her eyes made me think that was bluster. Either the girl’s father is no lord, or she is not in contact with him. No decent man would permit his daughter to travel alone at night with a man.”
Ridley nodded and his gaze flicked to Justus. “I wager you know her entire story.”
Justus remained silent, facing him calm and stoic in his chains.
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br /> The Lord of Gloucestershire laughed, a high-pitched titter. “We’ll get it out of you one way or another when I try you. Still, it is no great feat to deduce that you’ve lost your heart to the chit. Her scent is all over you.” He reached out and grasped Justus’s treasured locket and opened it. “And then here’s this keepsake she gave you. Yes, she is a beauty. Is that why you’ve embarked on this foolish attempt to regain legitimacy?”
There was no reason to lie, so Justus nodded curtly. His love for Bethany was something he’d never be able to deny.
Laughter greeted his response, brittle and mocking. “Only something so foolish as love would inspire such a preposterous idea.” The humor vanished from Ridley’s face, his countenance turning sour and twisted with obsessive rage. “Do you truly believe that any Lord Vampire with a half a mind would make you a citizen again? Rogues are evil cretins and will always be evil cretins.” The declaration came out in a roar, spittle running down Ridley’s chin. “A rogue like you killed the woman I loved.”
And there it was. Confirmation that he would not be leaving this place alive. If Ridley held such a grudge, he’d be blind to reason.
“Then I suppose there is nothing more to say,” Justus said tiredly.
Ridley’s face reddened. “I decide when this interrogation is over, you filthy ginger cur!” The back of his hand struck Justus’s cheek in a resounding slap. Justus’s head rocked back to slam against the wall. He tasted blood from where his teeth collided with his cheek, but refrained from making a sound.
“Where were you taking the woman on your foolhardy venture?” Ridley demanded.
Justus licked his blood from his lips and did not answer.
Ridley smiled, revealing narrow fangs, looking out of place in the midst of his crooked teeth. “Jacob, heat a poker. We’ll see if that will prod him into being more conversational.”
Bloody hell… Justus closed his eyes against the tidal wave of dread. He’d heard that some Lord Vampire utilized torture for their prisoners, that a few even reveled in it. However, it gave him no surprise that Ridley was of that persuasion. Many squires he’d encountered had a mean streak, perhaps to make up for their lower social status. Of course, after everything had been going so well, he had to fall into the clutches of a bully.