by Brooklyn Ann
Bethany flushed, realizing how disheveled she must appear… not to mention her odor. Justus bent and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “I will return to you shortly.” Something glimmered in his eyes.
Fear and uncertainty, she recognized.
He’d misinterpreted her words. He thought she didn’t want to become a vampire and spend her life with him. She reached out to reassure him, but he and the Lord of Cornwall had already walked away.
Lady Deveril hooked Bethany’s arm in hers. “Let’s get you cleaned up and fed. I’d already had the servants bring up hot water for me when I finished painting, but you are far more in need of a bath than I.”
“Thank you, my lady.” She curtsied.
“Please, call me Lydia,” the young vampire said. “And may I call you Bethany?”
“Of course.” Bethany curtsied, glad to do anything to make this woman happy.
Lydia led her up to a magnificent chamber hung with more even more glorious paintings of landscapes and animals. A monstrous bed with an oak frame and a blue canopy dominated the room. A fluffy gray and white cat bolted up from its perch atop the embroidered coverlet and bolted from the room. A large brass tub sat near the fireplace. Once Bethany sank into the steaming water, she looked up at Lydia. “What did you mean when you said you had far less time to prepare for the Change than I?”
“My throat was slit by a cutthroat in an alley,” Lydia said as she scrubbed Bethany’s back with a damp cloth. “Thank heavens that Vincent was there. He Changed me immediately.”
Bethany jolted so hard in the tub that water sloshed the edges. “Sweet Jesus!”
“I think it was my grandmother’s doing.” Lydia sounded indifferent as she reached for the bottle of shampoo. “She did her utmost to get rid of me.”
“Why?” Her own parents had also wanted her off their hands, but they would never resort to murder.
“My father married a commoner, and they fled to America after Grandmother disowned him.” A note of derision tinged her voice, underpinned with disappointment. “When they died, my arrival in England meant the return of the old scandal. Lady Morley abhors scandal. So she convinced Lord Deveril to take me as his ward, thinking he’d keep me tucked away in Cornwall, but instead he brought me to London to find me a husband.”
Bethany gasped. “Lord Deveril was your guardian?”
“To my utter disappointment, yes.” Lydia handed her the washcloth and a cake of scented soap and averted her gaze as Bethany scrubbed her body. “For I think I tumbled head over heels in love with him the night I first laid eyes on him. And I was bound and determined to make him realize I’d already found my perfect match, though I didn’t know that he felt the same until after he Changed me.” A dreamy smile crossed her lips. “I’ll have to tell you the whole story another time. Right now, we need to prepare you for your new life as a vampire.”
“Yes.” The present crashed around her, heavy as a cairn. She dunked her head beneath the water before taking the shampoo. “Does it hurt?”
Lydia nodded. “For a small amount of time, when your fangs grow and your body changes. “But after that, it’s wondrous. Colors and scents are more vivid, you can move like the wind, and you will heal almost any injury. Vincent taught me the joy of this existence, which is so odd because he loathed being a vampire before we met. He too was Changed without a choice.” Wonder shone in her eyes as she told Bethany about her first nights as a vampire.
And while Bethany learned much of what to expect from her new life, she also knew what was most important: To have the man she loved by her side.
Chapter Thirty
Justus licked the smuggler’s blood from his lips and released the man from his trance. Vincent shook another smuggler’s hand after accepting a purse of gold and a cask of brandy. They left the cave that Lord Deveril allowed the men to use in exchange for a percent of the goods and profits.
“Thank you,” Justus said when they were out of earshot.
Vincent grunted. “If you say that again, I may have to box your ears.”
“I am sorry,” Justus said. “But you cannot imagine what these past eight years have been like. Constantly on the run with no food or shelter, others always trying to capture or kill me.”
“I served in the loyalist army and spent years evading and fighting Cromwell’s forces,” Vincent said. “I think I have an inkling. On top of that, I recently faced a death sentence over Changing Lydia without authorization from the Elders.”
Justus’s jaw dropped. “Is that why Rochester suggested I go to you?”
“It damn well better not be,” Vincent said darkly. “I was not speaking idly when I say I cannot afford to risk trouble in my domain. However, Lord Darkwood likely recommended me because I have legitimized more rogues than most others. He mocked me for it the last time he paid me a visit.”
Justus chuckled. That sounded like Gavin. “While he has possibly executed the most.”
“Yet he allowed you to live.” A sardonic smirk curved Vincent’s lips. “I think he is going soft.”
“Even softer, now that he married.” For that was the second time that Gavin had shown Justus mercy he hadn’t deserved. And he’d even told him where to find Bethany. But Justus didn’t dare tell the Lord of Cornwall about his misguided and hazardous quest for vengeance.
“He wasn’t married the first time he allowed you to live.” Vincent’s words were like a douse of ice water. “But I’m certain losing his heart to that youngling from London had a great deal to do with why he allowed you to live a second time, after you led an ill-advised insurrection against him.”
Justus’s jaw dropped. “He told you about that?”
“No.” Vincent replied airily. “He is not the only one with spies. And this is another reason why I am hesitant to take you.”
So he wasn’t out of hot water yet. Justus scrambled to keep up with Deveril’s long strides while still maintaining the pace of a mortal man. “I swear, my lord, I will never disobey you.”
Deveril arched a brow. “You would if I asked you to give up your bride.”
Justus’s blood froze in his veins. “But you told me to Change her!”
Vincent clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Calm yourself. I was only making a point. You cannot make me a promise you’re unable to keep. You are not the first vampire to become reckless because of love, nor will you be the last. I only want your solemn vow that you will be honest with me on all matters, and if there is ever a time where you feel you cannot obey one of my laws or commands, you will tell me.”
Justus bowed. “I will, I swear.”
“You may start by telling me why you have a vial of laudanum in your pocket.”
Justus’s shoulders slumped. “They kept Bethany drugged at the asylum. She now suffers from opium sickness, but she is improving. Since she was only drugged once or twice a week, it takes her a few days before the cravings begin to plague her. Another rogue gave me the laudanum to give her a small dose when her suffering is unbearable and to slowly wean her off the substance.”
Justus closed his eyes, expecting Deveril to rage at him for throwing yet another complication on the situation. Instead, Vincent replied, “Ah. Now that is the sort of honesty and wise thinking that I expect from my people. Was this rogue honorable, do you think?”
Justus nodded. “In some ways. He is a highwayman, but only because he is trying to save his mortal descendants from having their farm taken away for not being able to pay an unfair mortgage. He’ll probably end up losing his head for it, but he is set on his course.”
“A highwayman in these days?” Vincent shook his head. “That is indeed the likely outcome. Does he range around my lands?”
“No. We encountered him in Devon, but he was on his way North.”
Vincent shrugged. “Then I wish him luck, as he is none of my concern. Shall we visit my solicitor now?”
“I ah, have one more confession.” Justus rubbed the back of his neck. “Bethany and I w
ere wed in a Roma ceremony when we stayed in their encampment.”
“My, you have had some adventures.” Deveril chuckled. “All the same, a gypsy marriage is not valid under English law, so another wedding is necessary.”
He had no quarrel with that. “I understand.”
They walked through the quiet village and Justus admired the cobblestone roads, the charming brick houses and shops with slate roofs, and the clean sea scent in the air. Vincent walked up to a stately townhouse and knocked.
The solicitor opened the door, looking both vexed and accustomed to visits at three in the morning. However, his demeanor was much improved when he learned that he would be attending to the business of yet another member of the peerage.
“I will secure this license with the utmost haste,” he assured Justus with an ingratiating smile that was somewhat off putting with his oversized false teeth.
By the time that business was concluded, it was only an hour before sunrise.
“We’ll have to secure Miss Mead her first meal.” Vincent sighed. “I usually do not feed from my servants, but given our narrow timetable, I suppose I have no choice.”
His words were like a jolt of ice. It was time to Change Bethany. “Yes, my lord,” Justus said through numb lips.
Vincent’s eyes narrowed. “You look nervous. Have you never Changed a mortal before?”
“No. But it isn’t that. It’s Bethany… she seems afraid.” Justus fought off a wave of dismay. “What if she hates being a vampire? What if she hates me?”
“Unfortunately, neither of you have a choice in the matter,” Vincent said sharply. “But I do understand your sentiment. I had to Change Lydia immediately, without her even knowing what I was, much less giving her a choice. I thought she’d despise me. Instead, it was she who taught me the joys of our existence.”
Justus frowned in confusion. “Why did you have to Change her so fast?”
“A thief slit her throat.” Fury blazed in the vampire’s blue-gray eyes. “It seemed a random attack at the time, but now I am not so certain. I think Lydia knows something about it, but she seems reluctant to tell me.”
“You had to Change her or let her die.” Justus couldn’t fathom having to face such a situation and being forced to act so quickly. However, he knew he would have done the same as Vincent. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so uneasy about Changing Bethany. At least he’d had a chance to tell her what her new life would entail.
When they returned to Castle Deveril, Bethany walked toward him, her hair clean and shining loose over an ivory gown that was a little snug and so short that her bare calves were revealed. When she embraced him, the scent of wildflowers teased his senses.
“I am ready,” she whispered and rose up on her toes to kiss him.
“Are you certain?” he whispered against her lips.
“Yes.” She linked her arms around his shoulders. “Even if we did have a choice, I realized I want to share my life with you in every way. As a wife and as a vampire. I need you more than I need the sunshine.” The love in her eyes stole his breath/
Heart in his throat, Justus scooped her up like a groom preparing to carry the bride over the threshold. Perhaps that was exactly what he was doing. “Where do we do this?” he asked Vincent.
“I’ll take you to your room.” The Lord of Cornwall gestured for them to follow, his countess at his side.
They were led to an ornate tower room with no windows, so they’d be safe from the daylight. A large four poster bed with a cornflower blue coverlet beckoned them.
“I hope this is suitable,” Lydia said as she walked the circle of the room. There’s a wardrobe, wash basin, writing desk, and several lamps and candles.
“After sleeping in hovels, caves, and crypts, this is heaven, my lady,” Justus assured her.
Vincent cleared his throat. “Would you like us to stay, or leave you in private?”
“If you could give us a few minutes…” Justus said.
Lord Deveril nodded. “We shall return with sustenance for her.”
One they were alone, he sat Bethany on the bed. She looked up at him with wide, fearful eyes. “Lady Deveril told me that it will hurt.”
Justus took his place beside her and ran his hands through her hair before tucking it over her shoulder. “I would take your pain were it possible. You are so brave.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Do it now, before I lose my courage.”
Hunger flared in his gut at the sight of her creamy neck. Saliva filled his mouth in remembrance of her taste. Justus pulled her into his arms and sank his teeth in her soft flesh. She cried out and tightened her arms around him as he drank in deep pulls.
He continued to drink until her pulse slowed to a thready rhythm. Praying that now was the right time and he hadn’t killed her, Justus withdrew from her neck and bit his wrist.
“Drink,” he whispered, pressing his wound to her lips.
At first, she swayed, motionless and pale. Justus steadied her and said a silent prayer. When her hand grasped his arm and her mouth latched on the wound, he thanked the fates with all his soul.
She sucked his blood in greedy gulps until his head swam with dizziness.
“Enough,” he said, but it took some gentle coaxing to get her to release him.
Bethany whimpered in disappointment before falling back on the bed. Her bosom heaved as she panted with heavy gasps, her pulse now rapid and strong. Justus grasped her hand, threading his fingers through hers as he tried not to panic.
Had it been like this when he was Changed? It had been so long.
When Bethany clapped a hand over her mouth and moaned in pain, some of his recollection returned. He did remember that part. Growing new fangs hurt like the devil.
“Oh, Justus!” she cried, “It hurts!”
He laid down on the bed beside her and took her into his arms. “I know. Don’t be afraid to cry. It will pass and I will never leave you.”
She sobbed against his chest, her hand clenching his in a grip that grew strong enough to give him a twinge of pain. Her other hand knotted in his jacket, agony radiating from every shudder and spasm of her body.
Unable to bear her suffering, Justus pulled the bottle of laudanum from his pocket. “Take a bit of this.” He had no idea how much it would help since vampires typically recovered from the effects of strong drink or cannabis rapidly, but he would do anything to mitigate her pain.
Bethany shook her head, teeth clenched. “I can do this. The last thing I need to be is an opium-addled vampire like the one Rhys met.”
Vincent’s shadow fell over them. “Take it,” he commanded. “Had I had some on hand to give to Lydia when she was Changed, I would have. The drug will wear off fast anyway.”
Bethany regarded Vincent and Justus in turn with a stubborn glare and pressed her lips together so tight they turned white. Heart-rending moans still emitted from her, but she averted her face from the little brown bottle.
Justus sighed and brushed her hair from her face as she thrashed and moaned, desperately wishing there was something he could do to take the pain away.
After a hellish eternity, Bethany’s tremors subsided and her free hand slid down to clutch her belly. “I need…” she whispered. “I want…”
Vincent nodded. “It’s time.”
He left the room and returned quickly with two vacant-eyed chamber maids. “Treat them gently, or you will not survive this night,” he warned.
Lydia led one of the maids to the bed, grasping the woman’s wrist and holding it towards Bethany’s mouth. “Your first meal.”
Bethany shook her head and started to turn away, but then her eyes glowed lightning blue and her mouth opened to reveal her tiny pointed fangs. With a groan of hunger, she bit down on the maid’s wrist, moaning in pleasure as she drank.
Color returned to her cheeks, and her breathing evened out as she fed.
“No more,” Justus said, cupping her jaw.
She groaned in protest, but
withdrew from the maid’s wrist. Lydia healed the wound and led the servant from the room.
Vincent urged the other maid forward. “Now for you.”
Justus drank as little as possible, restoring the strength he’d lost from Bethany’s transformation. After healing the puncture marks, he looked up at Vincent and Lydia. “Thank you.”
Vincent nodded curtly. “It’s nearly dawn. You both should rest. Tomorrow we have a youngling to teach, your fealty to swear, your presentation to my people, and of course, a wedding to plan.”
Justus’s mind swam with the impossible schedule. Something so different than his constant nights of running and searching for food and shelter.
When the earl and countess left them, Bethany rolled over to face him. “Oh, my heavens…” She stroked his cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”
“I was thinking the same about you,” he replied, dizzy with relief that she’d come through the Change.
Her lips parted as her eyes studied him and then peered over his shoulder at the room. “The world looks so different. So much more vivid. Is this how you’ve always seen it?”
His gaze scanned the room before returning to her face. “In some ways, yes. In others, no. Without you, the world was rather dull.”
She twined her arms around his shoulders and pressed her lips against his. “Oh Justus, I’m so happy. We finally have a home. We can finally be together.”
“Home.” The word was thick as honey on his tongue. “You know, in all my years as a rogue, I never even tried to find one.”
She frowned. “Why not?”
He kissed her again. “Because there is no home without you.”
Epilogue
Twelve nights later
Bethany turned twice in front of the mirror, breathless with excitement at the sight of her white satin wedding gown encrusted with pearls. Two vampires known as the “Mad Sisters of Cornwall” had sewn it for her.
Lydia grinned over her shoulder. “You look like a fairy princess.”
“Thank you.” Bethany blushed. “You truly shouldn’t have gone to this expense.” She’d only recently learned that Lord and Lady Deveril were mortgaged up to their ears because of the fine Vincent had to pay the Elders for Changing Lydia without their sanction. A regular vampire needed permission from his lord to Change a human, but a Lord Vampire had to gain the Elders’ approval. Vincent could have been sentenced to death, but instead the Elders made him pay them one hundred thousand pounds. Thankfully, they’d live long enough to pay off the mortgage on their castle.