by Cora Zane
“I suppose you found Marguerite’s attack on me terribly amusing.”
Attack on her? Eleni frowned. “I’m not Marguerite. Besides, Julian defended you.”
“Of course he did,” Gisele snapped at her. “How else would he react? Julian cares for me.”
Eleni’s brows shot up. “Is that so unusual? It seems to me Julian cares for everyone he considers his responsibility.”
Gisele’s breathing quickened, and her face became a mask of barely restrained fury. Her jaw clenched tight, and she took a step forward and jabbed a finger at Eleni. “You have no idea what I’m capable of,” she growled under her breath. “Stay out of my way, you little bitch, or I will make you regret ever setting foot in this house.”
She went back to the table and snatched up the tray with the wine glasses. If Eleni hadn’t moved out of the way, Gisele would have bumped her with the tray when she stormed out of the room.
Alone in the silence of the room, Eleni took a deep breath and laid a hand against her forehead in an effort to calm her jangling nerves. She didn’t know what she was going to do about Gisele. She didn’t want to complain to Julian, but how would she ever find peace in his household if the girl insisted on warring with her again and again?
* * * * *
A deep frown etched Julian’s brow as he paced in front of the fireplace in his office. It seemed childish to be so grossly annoyed at Marguerite, but he couldn’t help himself. One glance at his cousin told him everything. There was no mistaking the attraction he saw in her eyes. So far, she had kept a friendly distance, but tonight he found himself on guard, analyzing her every word.
Never mind how many times had he entertained a woman from Marguerite’s harem, Eleni was different. There was more to be had than the pleasure her body promised. She had a reserved yet vulnerable quality about her. It was almost as if she had judged the world and now held it at a distance, but at the same time, she was neither aloof nor cynical. Her complexity drew him to her more than she probably realized. It troubled him that Marguerite seemed attuned to it also.
He glanced at the large wall clock and decided they had been outside talking for close to twenty minutes. Raking a hand through his hair, he paced. He made it a point not to run to the security feeds to check up on them. He relied on that too much already, and there was no excuse for it. At every turn, Eleni had proven sensitive to his needs, and he wanted to give her space. But, at the same time, he didn’t like the idea of her being alone with Marguerite, which was funny because it had never bothered him with any of his Acolytes in the past. It shouldn’t have mattered now, but he got the distinct impression that if he hadn’t favored Eleni upon her arrival, Marguerite would have been more than willing to take her off his hands.
Tired of waiting, Julian left his office to tell her to come inside. If Marguerite wanted company, she could find it with her own protégés. He walked down the corridor, his eyes on the front door, but as he came into the entryway, he caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye. Eleni walked out of the small parlor. She had her arms wrapped around her as if she were cold.
A fierce sense of protectiveness flared inside him. Thinking of nothing but her comfort, Julian started toward her, reaching her in three long strides.
“What’s wrong? You look shaken.”
Eleni jumped at the authoritative sound in Julian’s voice. She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t realized he was near. It was a relief to see him striding toward her, and she had to stop herself from throwing her arms around his neck when he was at last close enough to touch.
He cupped the sides of her face and smoothed back her hair, his frown deepening. “It’s something Marguerite said to you, isn’t it?” His eyes were furious.
She shook her head gently. “No, it’s nothing like that.” She laid her hands over his and drew them down, kissing the back of first one hand then the other, a gesture of proof. “Really, I’m fine. A little tired, is all.” That much was true.
“You’re sure?” Concern glittered in his pale eyes. “It’s not your Biter’s Addiction, is it? We’ve been careless lately. I bit you just yesterday. Perhaps it is too much, too soon. Tell me what to do and—”
“No.” Eleni shook her head, her face hot with embarrassment to hear him speak of her illness in such a way. It’s was the last thing she’d expected to hear from him. “It’s not that. I promise, it isn’t.”
“Tell me, then. What’s the matter?”
She let out a deep sigh, and confessed. “Gisele is upset. Marguerite rattled her, I think. I went into the parlor and she was very angry with me.”
He frowned. “Not possible…” he said in a voice that was both rumbling and tense. He picked up her hand and took a step back, drawing her away from the wall with him. “Gisele can be defensive, but I assure you, she is not angry with you. I was there. You did nothing, and you should know Gisele and Marguerite have a long standing feud between them. There’s nothing either of us can do about it, so it’s best to let it be.”
She didn’t doubt his claim that there was a feud between the two women, but Eleni knew for certain Gisele disliked her, if for no other reason than having caught her unawares that morning raiding her wardrobe. Even so, Eleni wasn’t about to argue with him. He gave her a gentle tug, and she stood away from the wall.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To my office, where no one will disturb us. I have a fire going and a bottle of wine on ice. A brand new Sévigné white I am considering for distribution. I want you to share it with me.”
Secretly relieved that her job as hostess was over for the evening, a glass of wine and Julian’s full attention sounded heavenly. She took his hand without protest and allowed him to guide her back to his office.
Chapter Eleven
Two nights after Marguerite’s unexpected visit, Julian wandered into the solarium where Eleni stretched out on her favorite wicker lounge chair surrounded by palm leaves and was flipping through a magazine. He had been quiet, almost reserved since Marguerite’s visit, but Eleni didn’t press him for a reason. If she had learned anything since joining his household, it was that Julian was a private person. She knew he wouldn’t tell her what was on his mind unless he knew of a way to fix the problem immediately.
It was a little after ten o’clock, but he sat down with a heavy sigh in one of the chairs across from her.
“You look tired,” she commented, eyeing him over the rim of her glasses.
“I feel tired.”
Eleni chuckled.
“You don’t feel sorry for me at all, do you?” He folded his arms behind his head and regarded her with an almost petulant expression.
Stifling a smile, she tapped her index finger against her tongue and turned yet another page. “Not the least little bit.”
He scoffed. “You’re shameless, chére. Absolutely heartless. Especially since it is your fault I’ve been getting so little sleep.” He leaned forward and captured the edge of her magazine and dragged it away.
“Now who’s heartless?” Eleni teased. “I was reading that.”
The devilish man tossed her magazine aside as if daring her to do something about it. Then he reached out and caught her hand, pulling her off the lounger. She crawled onto his lap, straddling him, and Julian locked his arms around her and gripped her bottom, urging her to grind against him. “I’m finished with my work for the night, so I was thinking maybe you’d want to go upstairs and get dressed.”
“Don’t you mean get undressed?” She kissed his forehead, then the side of his neck.
“Mm, I suppose you could do that. But I’m not so sure they would let you into Chez Gerard…although with your delicious body, I could be mistaken.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “Chez Gerard? You’re taking me to dinner?”
“I thought about it, yes.” A wicked light came into his eyes. “Is that so strange?”
“You have to ask?” Eleni laughed softly. “You r
arely go anywhere.”
He shrugged. “Only because I am usually so busy—but not tonight. I’ve made an exception and cleared my schedule. It will do us both some good to have a break, don’t you think? I know it will benefit me,” he drawled. “I’ve thought of nothing but you since I awakened.” He distracted himself with the gap of her shirt. She sighed in contentment when he unfastened one of her buttons and nuzzled her breasts, kissing them before scraping his fangs playfully against a tender curve.
After a moment, he growled low in his chest and swatted her on the bottom. “Unless you want to spend the evening in bed, you best stop teasing me.” His words sent a small thrill through her.
“Oh, all right,” she said on sigh. “If you insist.” Eleni bit back a grin as she slithered off his lap, making it a point to rub herself against his erection.
Julian hissed. “Little devil, go get dressed.” His eyes lingered on her breasts as she stood up and adjusted her shirt. “I’ll call ahead and reserve a table.”
“I’ll meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes,” Eleni said, and blew him a kiss on her way out the door.
* * * * *
Eleni stood in front of the dresser mirror to put on a pair of silver dangle earrings that matched the shimmery, form fitted dress that Anya had bought for her as a farewell gift just before she’d left for France. Wearing it made her feel closer to her sister, more confident. Perfect for times like this, when she wanted to make an impression, but worried her nervousness would get in the way of enjoying the evening out.
After coiling her hair into a loose chignon, she pinned it in place then sat on the edge of her bed and slipped on a matching pair of silvery high heels.
At the last minute, she remembered the chinchilla coat that Julian had placed in the closet for her as an arrival gift. Now would be a perfect time to wear it. However, when she stepped into the walk-in closet, the coat was not where she hadn’t left it—the very first garment on the left side rack. She tried to remember if she had moved it. After the night she’d caught Gisele trying on her clothes, she’d rearranged a few things and had Julian put her valuables in the safe downstairs in his office.
Dread coursed through her. She didn’t want to doubt the gift. Julian had never specifically mentioned the coat to her, but why else would he leave something so luxurious in her room if it were not meant for her to use? There was only one other possibility, and a sinking feeling settled over her when she considered it. No one else but Gisele would likely have an interest in the contents of her closet.
Taking a deep breath, Eleni turned off the light in the closet and left the room. In the hallway, she took the servants stairs down to the kitchen, looking for Claudette.
The older housekeeper looked up from scrubbing a copper pot when Eleni entered the room, and tittered loudly. “Mademoiselle, you should not be in here. You could ruin your dress.”
“I’ll only be a minute, I promise. I need you to help me. There was a coat in my closet, a gift from Julian. Do you know where it is?”
“Your coat?” A frown etched Claudette’s face. She stopped scrubbing and wiped her hands on the front of her apron. “You’re sure it’s missing?”
“It isn’t where I left it.” Eleni chose her words carefully. She doubted Claudette would have much use for a fur coat, and didn’t want to make it sound as though she were accusing anyone of theft. Although it seemed the most likely explanation, she didn’t want to blame anyone—Gisele, in particular—without proof. But, at the same time, that didn’t change the fact the coat was missing, and she wanted to know what happened to it.
“Come. Let’s look for it,” Claudette said and bustled from the room. Eleni caught the swinging door on her way through and followed the woman across the entryway. “Not to worry, Mademoiselle. There are only so many places it could be,” the housekeeper confessed.
She went straight to the coat closet, and opened the door. Eleni stood back as she scraped hangers across the racks.
“Voila!” The house keeper declared a moment later, and struggled to work the coat out from the back of the closet and held it up for inspection, smoothing a gnarled, work roughened hand down the front of the fur. “Zut alors,” the woman said on a breath. “It was far in the back. No wonder you didn’t see it.” She offered the coat to Eleni. “Perhaps you didn’t remember leaving it downstairs.”
“That’s probably it,” Eleni said as she took the coat from Claudette’s hands, but she knew that wasn’t the case. Only days before she’d taken a coat down from the closet to walk Marguerite from the car. It hadn’t been in there at the time. “Do you know where Gisele is, at the moment?”
She shook her head. “Not right off hand. Did you need her for something? It’s the weekend, so I would imagine she has gone out with her friends from the village.”
“Oh, well, never mind, then. I can catch her later.”
“You’re sure?”
“It’s nothing important,” Eleni lied.
“If you say so…” Claudette returned to the closet and began smoothing the coats back in place on the rack. “Are you going out alone this evening, Mademoiselle? Should I call Henri for you?”
“No need for that,” Julian said, his voice ringing out from across the foyer.
Eleni turned to see him coming down the stairs, and her heart somersaulted at the vision he made in his black tailored suit.
“I thought we’d have an evening away,” he told the housekeeper. “I’m taking her to Gerard’s.”
Claudette’s brows shot up. “This is a surprise.” Her mouth drew down, but there was approval shining in her brown eyes. “It will be good for you to get out of the house.”
“So I’ve been told,” he teased the housekeeper as he strolled across the foyer to stand beside Eleni. “I’m starting to suspect the two of you are in league.”
Claudette cackled. “If that’s so, you stand no chance.” She winked at Eleni, which made her smile.
“Agreed…” he said as his eyes scanned Eleni from head to toe. Her heart went pitter patter at his heated expression. She could just imagine the effect such a seductive man must’ve had on society two hundred years ago. Julian probably had women swooning at his feet.
A gentleman to the core, he picked up Eleni’s hand and kissed it. “You are a temptation.”
Claudette tsked. “You’ll make an old woman blush with talk like that.” She shut the closet door. “Since I’m no longer needed, I’ll go back to my cleaning. A late movie I want to see is coming on at 1:00 AM. I plan to fold clothes while I watch.” She turned toward the kitchen, calling back over her shoulder. “Have fun, the two of you. I’ll leave the door to the garage unlocked for when you come back.”
“Thank you, Claudette,” Eleni called after her. Claudette waved a hand over her shoulder in a gesture of friendly dismissal as she bustled away through the swinging door.
“You’ve charmed her, I see,” Julian murmured once they were alone.
“You think so?”
He chuckled. “She is a mother hen, but I love her for it. You’re ready to go?”
Eleni nodded, and he took the coat and held it for her while she slid her arms into the satin-lined sleeves. The fur was heavy, and immediately she was enveloped with the ghostly scent of gardenia perfume and cigarette smoke.
Julian frowned. “You’re tense. Is something the matter?”
“No. I’m good. I was just thinking…” She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Whether it’s nothing or not, think pleasant things.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her face. “There is just the two of us tonight. I want our time together to be special—and free of any sadness.”
Chez Gerard turned out to be a spot of small town elegance in the heart of the Ville Cleménce. The charming plaster and stone building had a dozen slender windows with hunter green trim facing the closed end of the town square, where the clock tower loomed over a large central fountain. Julian told her Chez Gerard’s was on
e of the rare places outside of Bergerac, or pretty much anywhere else in the Périgord Pourpre, that stayed open so late into the evening that they could accommodate vampires.
The menu was written entirely in French, so Eleni had Julian order for her. She told him she wanted to try something that would be considered a local delicacy, and pride had glittered in his gray eyes.
He ordered truffles, and grilled trout, along with a bottle of white, Sévigné wine, which Eleni had marveled over, pleasing Julian because she recognize the label at first glance.
“Everything all right with your fish?” Julian asked a short time later.
Eleni looked up at the sound of his voice, but it took her a moment to process what he’d said. She’d been daydreaming, thinking about San Francisco, and the familiar night views of lights glittering in the bay. “Oh.” She glanced down at her plate. “Everything’s fine, really great. The walnut sauce is amazing.”
“That boring, am I?” His voice was droll, teasing as he swirled wine around in his glass.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m having a good time, I—” Her breath caught as she stopped, thinking a moment. “You know, this is the first time I’ve been to the village since I arrived. I suppose I can’t help being a little pre-occupied.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” he said absently. “You’re right. This is your first evening out.” His eyes took on some stormy emotion she had never seen in him before. He took a deep breath. “It must be stifling for you. I don’t often leave the chateau for more than business. I wish for your sake I could promise it will not always be this way.”
A silence came over him then. A faraway look in his eyes, he stared through the window at the lamp lit square. It hadn’t snowed in more than a week, and the snow had mostly melted. Slush remained in the shadowy places along the central median.