“I told you that first night that if Canaan accepts me into his House, my loyalty is to him and through him to you. I wouldn’t want your guests to make you feel ashamed.” He laughed a little. “I saw the House’s loyalty to you when I questioned your status. You must be a woman of merit to engender so much feeling in so short a time.”
Grace shook her head. “Merit? Me? All I’ve done is love them.”
“Sometimes, that’s all it takes.”
*****
Manon had worked a miracle. The dress, a filmy silk, fell loosely from her shoulders and was cinched at the waist with a wide jeweled belt. Its high neck and long sleeves made it easy to work in without the fear of exposing too much. It clung to her breasts, accentuated her narrow waist and made her hips and legs feel long and slim. The deep, rich brown creation was an alluring combination of sexiness and modesty, the perfect dress for someone like Grace who spent her days in jeans.
“Manon, I don’t know how you did it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Grace hugged her as she said it. “Now let’s hope I don’t spill gravy on it.”
Manon put her hands on her hips. “I will hear no more of this, Grace.” She gripped Grace’s shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Believe in yourself. You are a capable young woman who carries power in her own right. That you have tied your fate to the Paenitentia is your gift to them, not the other way around. Bah!” She shook her head and reached back into the bag in which she’d carried the dress. “Knowing you would worry about such foolish things, I come prepared.”
It was a bib apron of fine cream linen decorated with a lace inset and ruffles about the bib. Manon waved her hand and laughed at her own foolishness. “I bought it when I decided to learn to cook. I thought I would make a lovely picture at my stove. How was I to know it would be impractical and difficult to iron? My mistake is your reward. You will look lovely in the kitchen and it will catch your spills.”
An hour later, everyone, with the exception of Otto and Manon, was dressed and gathered in the kitchen when Canaan walked in. The iron set of his jaw and the glare of his eyes told Grace more than she wanted to know about how the arrival at the airport and short trip home had gone.
“Well I must say I’ve never entered a home through the servant’s door before.”
The speaker was a willowy blonde with hair so pale it was almost white. She would have been tall without the four inch heels. With them she stood almost eye to eye with Canaan. Two men followed behind, one equally tall and austere looking, the other smiling absently and nodding his head.
“A new experience for us all, my dear. You must learn to take things in stride,” the smiling one said.
“As I explained,” Canaan began with exaggerated patience, “We sealed off the front of the house as a precaution against discovery.”
The woman brushed a nonexistent speck of dust from her immaculate pearl grey suit patently ignoring Canaan’s remark. She looked Grace up and down and appeared to come to a decision.
“My bags are in the car. Bring them to my room immediately,” she said.
Just as Canaan said, “Councilor Addison, Advisor, may I present Grace, the woman who keeps this House running…”
“And my Liege Lord’s lady,” Nico finished for him.
He nodded courteously toward Grace and she hoped he saw the thanks in her eyes. It was such a gracious way to introduce her and these were not people who would take the housekeeper with benefits explanation with any sense of humor. Without missing a beat, he stepped forward and took the woman’s hand.
“Callista, my sweet, how lovely to see you again. Please allow me to congratulate you on your appointment as Advisor. I always knew you would go far.”
Callista allowed herself to be pulled forward to share air kisses with Nico. “Nicky! How strange to run into someone like you in a place like this.” She shrugged an ‘oh well’ and looked back at Grace. “I’m still waiting for my bags.”
The woman had been in the house for five minutes and had already declared war. Grace smiled sweetly and looked Callista in the eyes as she spoke to Canaan. “My lord, if you’ll finish the introductions, then Nardo can show our guests to their rooms. Dov and Col will follow with the bags.”
Canaan did the honors with a slight smirk and a nod to Grace. Broadbent was the other man’s’ name. He greeted them all with a detached politeness. When Canaan finished, Grace turned to the still smiling gentleman.
“Councilor Addison, welcome to our home.” She bowed stiffly from the waist as Otto had taught her. She held her hands lightly folded in front of her and looked the picture of calm.
“My thanks,” he said and gave Callista a look that was hard to interpret. “I understand we’re to be treated to a holiday dinner. I’m looking forward to it.”
“As I am looking forward to serving it.” The formality felt odd. “Drinks will be served in an hour in the parlor if that’s to your convenience.”
“Quite convenient,” he replied cutting off Callista’s comment. He turned to Nardo, “If you’d be so kind as to show us the way.”
Nico excused himself as soon as they were gone and Grace collapsed against Canaan with a giant sigh.
“I’ll never last the week,” she moaned.
“You’re doing better than I am,” he said. He growled a little. “I don’t know whether to belt Nico or shake his hand for your introduction. Girlfriend, lover, partner, my woman, you’re all those things yet none of them seem apropos to a formal introduction. Sir Suave Sophisticate comes up with the perfect term.”
“Nico is bending over backward to make this visit a success. Wait ‘til you see what he’s done in the dining room. He’s been giving me lessons and you can wipe that surly look off your face, big boy. You haven’t been much help. You decide to break with a few traditions and suddenly you want to get rid of them all. We need to get these people to see our side of things and that’s not going to happen if you throw everything they believe in back in their faces. Now go upstairs and get dressed and when you come back down I want you on your best behavior.”
Canaan laughed and gave her a salute. “Yes ma’am,” he said and leaned in to steal a kiss. “I love it when you do your Little General thing. It’s cute.” He hightailed it from the room before Grace found something to throw.
*****
In the end, it was Dov who saved the dinner from total disaster. He was the only one who failed to recognize the importance of the visit and that turned out to be an advantage for them all.
Conversation during pre-dinner drinks was stilted and came to an abrupt halt when Otto and Manon entered. Manon was elegant in black velvet and diamonds. Otto wore a dinner jacket with the House crest emblazoned on the pocket.
Grace rose to greet them with the intention of making the introductions without explanation of who or what they were though by the stunned look on the visitors faces, they already knew. Dov beat her to it.
“Hey Manon, lookin’ pretty hot there for an old witch lady. Those real diamonds? Wow. How that old grouch,” he nodded at Otto, “got himself bound to a looker like you I just can’t figure.” He spun full circle. “So, whadya think?” He brushed at his lapels. “Uncle Otto made me wear it, but now I got it on, I think it’s kinda cool. Little tight though.”
Manon laughed lightly and took his arm. “I think, Dov that you are much too forward for a young man and you look marvelous.”
Dov turned to the visitors. “This is Manon. She’s a Daughter of Man that lives across the alley with Uncle Otto,” and to Manon, “Nico’s got some of those cocktail things all the girls at the clubs drink. He’ll set you up,” and to Otto, “Sorry, no beer. Gotta make do with the fancy shi… stuff or do you need a dose from your private stash. I’ll go get it for you.” He laughed and made a scary face. “Don’t want to get all fangy with the company.”
It turned out that Councilor Addison had lost a brother to turning and was interested in Otto’s maintenance plan. Callista scowled and moved to st
and by Canaan’s chair when Otto and Manon took seats by the Councilor. Grace stiffened when she saw the woman rest her hand possessively on Canaan’s shoulder.
Dinner began well enough until Grace asked Col to help clear while she readied the soup.
Callista placed her hand on Canaan’s arm and said in a confidential voice that carried down the length of the table, “Darling, I realize it’s convenient to have her live under your roof, but to let her sit at the foot of your table and order your men around?”
“She sits at the foot of my table at my request because she is the lady of this House,” Canaan said through gritted teeth.
“We don’t mind helping,” Dov interrupted, missing Callista’s implication, “This place is too big and there’s too many of us for one person to do it all.”
“You’ve made my point. You need someone who knows what they’re doing, a major domo, who can direct a staff to properly care for you. I’d be more than happy to find one for you and then you can set your little Grace up in an apartment nearby where the Council can turn a blind eye.” She turned to her other side. “Nicky, you understand these things. Tell him I’m right.”
Grace chose that moment to return from the kitchen. She carried the heavy tureen of soup. Nico rose immediately to relieve her of the burden.
“You should have called, my lady. I would have gladly carried it for you.” He placed the tureen on the table and held Grace’s chair for her. “Fair treatment for fair lady,” he said in response to her thanks.
She saw Councilor Addison nod his head at Nico. A quick glance around the table told her that something had happened in her absence. Otto looked ready to spit nails and Manon as if she’d swallowed something sour. Dov was smirking and Canaan looked as if his face would crack. Grace smiled and served the soup.
“Tell me what it’s like to be a Councilor. Do you like it?” she asked as she set his bowl in front of him. He looked a little surprised.
“No one’s ever asked me that.” He gave her a friendly smile. “Do you really want to know or are you just being polite?”
She returned his smile and shrugged. “A little of both.”
“Ah well, let’s see, I get to meet with a lot of very interesting people and eat a lot of very bad food.” He caught himself. “Yours being the exception, my dear.”
Grace laughed and patted his arm. “There’s not much I can do to ruin the shrimp or the soup. You’d better reserve judgment until after the main course.”
“You’d be surprised. Why, one time in Paris…” Once started, Councilor Addison was hard to stop. He drew in the others with tales of mutual acquaintances and the places they had seen.
They continued to chat while the soup was cleared. Manon helped her fill bowls in the kitchen while Nardo and Dov passed out plates. Canaan poured wine for his end of the table and the Councilor seemed delighted to do the same for the other end. Lastly, she held the door for Nico as he carried the turkey to the table for Canaan to carve.
Grace stood in the doorway looking down the table at her family and guests. This was the picture perfect Thanksgiving table surrounded by people she loved. She felt her eyes burn as she folded her hands and bowed her head and said a silent prayer of thanks. Looking up, she found the table silent and waiting. She swallowed hard.
“God bless you all,” she said and took her seat. She motioned to the turkey. “Canaan, would you do the honors please.”
Callista did her best to ruin the moment. She looked around the table and sneered, “Are we expected to serve ourselves?”
“What’s the matter? Your arms painted on?” Dov joked.
Everyone smiled while trying not to and the silent Broadbent actually snorted.
“Dov, how rude!” Grace scolded though she secretly applauded.
“What? That’s what you always say to us. Jeez, Gracie,” he threw his hands in the air then stopped at the sound of tearing cloth. “Oh shit, I knew this jacket was too tight.”
Broadbent was the first to laugh and everyone followed suit with the exception of Callista who sat with her arms to her sides looking like they were indeed painted on.
Chapter 30
Abyar lifted the stoppered tubes and examined them one by one. “Such a sad end for such a loving family,” he said as he caressed the last one and set it back in the crystal bowl that held the four others. “But the sacrifice was worth it wouldn’t you agree?”
“We could have found more adults,” Andi whispered. The ‘car accident’ that had taken the lives of the Cappaletti family had shaken her. Cynthia and the Cappaletti parents had deserved their death, but she wasn’t as sure about the children.
“Ah, my dear, such a tender heart. It couldn’t be helped. If only the parents died, the children would have inherited. What would have happened to Salvatore’s devoted cousin?” He put his hand over his heart and brought tears to his eyes. “I promise to continue the fine business that Salvatore left me. It is the least I can do.” He removed the handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his eyes. His tone changed. “It had to be done and it gives us enough innocent blood to bring over the others. It puts us ahead of schedule and you know how I like efficiency. Go get yourself ready for the summoning. Tyn is waiting.”
When she turned from him, he grasped her hand and pulled her back. His kiss was long and deep and he felt her melt against him. “You know I’m right, my love. It’s all for us, for our future.”
*****
“I won’t have it, Grace. I’ve spent the last five days listening to you and the others address me as my lord so I may as well play my part. This is a direct order from your Liege Lord. You will stop running yourself ragged trying to please a woman who won’t be pleased.” He pointed his finger at her. “I’m serious. Are you hearing me?”
“Yes, my lord.” Grace tried for meekness but a fit of giggles spoiled the effect. “A word of advice, my lord,” she sputtered, “You’d be much more effective if you had some clothes on and only pointed with one appendage.” She nodded to his crotch and squealed when he roared and tackled her to the bed.
“Do I have to force your submission?” he growled into her neck as he fumbled for the buttons on her new silk blouse.
“Maybe. Will it involve furry handcuffs and spanking?” She slapped at his hands. “Be careful! Manon went to a lot of trouble to buy this.”
On Thanksgiving, Manon and Otto had left shortly after desert with Manon offering a flimsy excuse about having things to do. They’d shopped the pre-dawn sales of Black Friday which Otto later described as a scene from a human horror film and Grace awoke Friday afternoon to a whole new wardrobe hanging in the laundry room. She still couldn’t believe that many beautiful things were really hers.
“Then you better get it off or all her trouble will be missing its buttons. T-shirts have their advantages. And where did you learn about furry handcuffs?” He rolled away to allow her to rise.
“Have you seen the magazines your nephews read?” she asked on her way to the closet. She returned in her panties and bra. “I embarrassed myself looking at the pictures,” she laughed, “But not enough to stop me from looking at more.”
“Hmm.” He pulled her to him and began tracing her nipples through the lace of her bra. When her head went back and a sigh of pleasure escaped her lips, he smiled. “If I’d known you wanted to further your education…” He released the front clasp of her bra and caught her breasts as they spilled from the delicate cups.
“It all depends on the teacher doesn’t it,” she moaned with a throaty laugh.
He turned her so that her back was to his front and continued to massage her breasts while he nibbled on her neck. She could feel the pulsing of his erection against her back. She reached around to take him in hand and looked askance when he stepped back.
“This is your lesson, sweetling, not mine.” He brought her to the bed. “On your knees, right here at the edge.” He pushed her head down to the mattress and held her there, kissing her shoulders and runni
ng his tongue along her spine. His right hand snaked along her body and between her legs. “So soft, so ready for me.”
She moaned as his fingers began to play and when he plunged two fingers into her, she cried out. His fingers set a slow and steady pace while his thumb danced around that little nub already swollen with pleasure. She rode his fingers faster, harder, and deeper until the explosion of orgasm rocked her. Her fingers clenched the covers and she buried her face in them as she called out his name and felt the flow of her wetness cover his hand.
She had little time to rest before his fingers began to dance again. “No Canaan, I’ve had enough,” she panted.
“Not nearly enough,” he rumbled against her back and he brought her over the top again.
By the time he entered her, she was beyond all thought. Only feeling was left. She thrashed her head from side to side. Her breasts throbbed with a burning tingle from the friction of rubbing against the bed. Her legs trembled. She screamed as her body and mind shattered and heard his roar as he came with her.
He rolled with her until they were lying side by side and gently pulled her up to the pillows. She was too exhausted to help. He traced the lines of her face with his finger and chuckled.
“Have I forced your submission? Will you listen to me now?”
“Probably not,” she murmured. “You’ll have to punish me again tomorrow.” She snuggled into the crook of his arm. “I love you, Canaan.”
He combed his fingers through her hair and whispered, “I want us to be mated, Grace.”
“Mmm, that’s nice,” she mumbled as she fell asleep with her hand resting on the lilies.
Canaan continued to stroke her hair. “Mated and bound.”
*****
Andi was uncomfortable. She was surrounded by the thirteen demons she and Abyar had brought over. She’d been naked for the summoning but had pulled her black robe close around her as soon as they had started coming through. Now they stood in a circle around her, leering at her, licking their lips as if she were there for the tasting. One opened his mouth and wiggled his tongue in a lewd gesture that made her skin crawl.
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