He heard a snort from Malik. Every Blackburn knew he was in trouble when Adelaide Blackburn used all of your given names.
“I just wish you had sent a messenger, but it is moot now. You need to be here for the wedding.”
His father laid a hand on his mother’s fist. “Yes, son, tell us about this woman you are marrying.”
He should not be embarrassed. Their kind was well known for their sexual needs, and it was never a taboo subject in his house. It was respected as part of their makeup. But…this was somehow different. There was a part of him that was still appalled by the way he had acted the night before.
“Your son lost his head over a Carrier, a Made tried to interrupt him, and the Carrier was compromised,” Malik said with relish. Nico could tell from the expression on his face Malik was enjoying this way too much. “Now your son must marry.”
“Thank you for your description,” he said from behind clenched teeth.
Malik’s grin widened. “No problem.”
“Who is this Carrier? Do we know her family?” his father asked.
“No. Well, we do know them, or know of them. The Earl of Collingsworth’s daughter.”
His father frowned. “I did not know they were Borns.”
“I am not sure they know either. Truth of the matter, the rumor is that my soon-to-be wife is…a bastard.”
His mother nodded in understanding. “Of course. That would explain why she did not know. Her mother died in childbirth, if I remember. I really did not like her father, so it is a good thing she is not blood related to the man.”
“Rightly so,” his father commented.
Once again, Nico was happy that his family was not considered aristocracy in the human world. They did not care that Cordelia did not know who her father was. In fact, for the most part, his family shunned most aristocracy. They dealt with them in their world, but other than Gray’s family, they avoided any personal entanglements.
“When do we get to meet her?” his mother asked.
Of course she would not ask him “if” she could meet her, but “when.” Yes, she was going to be his wife, but most mothers would not be so forceful. They were not Adelaide Blackburn.
“I am sure I can arrange a meeting tomorrow.”
“You are not going out tonight?” his mother asked.
“No. We spent the day with a Made.”
That brought silence in the room. Again most people would not include their mother in dealings such at this, but it was different in his family. They were ruled by democracy, and his mother had amazing insight. Most Carriers did, but unfortunately, the majority of their male Borns ignored it.
“He survived?” she asked.
“Yes. Thanks to Malik and Gray.”
His father glanced at Malik. “We are again in your debt.”
Malik said nothing, but nodded his head in his father’s direction.
“Do you think he will survive?” his mother asked.
“He has a good chance. He seemed recovered from the Blood Lust, although he was very weak, as if he’d been sick.”
“At least there is that.” She patted her hair. “Now, on to your Cordelia. You are sure she is a Carrier?”
“Of course.”
“I am not happy with the situation because we do not know a thing of her bloodlines,” his father said.
“That has never been important to you before this.”
His father shook his head. “Her background is usually not all that important. The situation now is very serious, though. With the new wave of attacks, we need to make sure she is not being thrown in your path.”
“I assure you that is not the case, and even if it is, anyone concocting such an idiotic plot should know it would not work. I have better control than to fall for a woman trying to infiltrate our investigation.”
He heard a snort from Malik, but he ignored it.
“True, but tell me, is she your kind of woman?” his father asked.
“I have one?”
“Don’t be cheeky. What your father is trying to discern is if they know we are investigating.”
He nodded. “I understand. I assure you that is not the case. I have a feeling she has no idea she is a Carrier. Which will cause other problems, but I will worry about those later.”
“Later? When?”
“At the moment, I am trying my best to get the wedding set up. It is good that you are here. We do not need to wait for your arrival now, so we can marry soon to save Cordelia any more embarrassment.”
“If you wanted to do that, you shouldn’t have gone into a darkened library with her,” Malik commented.
“I didn’t go into the library with her. I was there, and she came in trying to avoid Hurst.”
“And tied you down to the couch?” Malik asked.
“Shut up.”
His mother was studying them as they bantered back and forth, her expression blank. “So, when will I meet her?”
“Tonight is too late. I am assuming that she is not going out.”
“Why would you assume that?”
“She is now engaged.”
His mother rolled her eyes. “Of course. Because once a woman nabs a man, it is her duty to sit at home and wait.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but his father saved him. “Take my advice, son, do not argue with a woman—especially a Carrier.”
His mother gave his father a warning glance and then faced Nico. “’Tis not too late for us to go out. Send a boy around to find out where your intended is going to be tonight. If she is not going out, then we shall set up a meeting tomorrow.”
That sounded ominous. Cordelia did have a spine, but he was not too sure she could handle his mother. Not many people could—including himself at times. From the determined expression on her face, this was one of those times.
“Of course.”
“And the announcement has been sent of the marriage.”
It was not a question. His mother and father hated society slightly less than he did, but they understood how the game was played.
“It will be in the morning editions.”
“Good. Get that message done. I am going to get settled in my room.”
She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then turned to walk out the door. “Oh, and Malik, I expect you to be there.”
The beat of silence that followed her departure was almost deafening.
“Your mother was a bit worried on the trip down.”
He glanced at his father.
“I understand.”
“Do you?” he asked as he rose from the couch. “I don’t think you do, not yet. Maybe your Cordelia will teach you all about it.”
As the door shut behind them, Malik sighed. “You had to expect that they knew something was going on. Your mother’s intuition has been the bane of our existence for years.”
Nico sighed and walked to the cabinet where he kept his whiskey. After pouring himself a good bit, he tossed it down. He poured another glass and faced Malik.
“Yes, she has been. But it does not matter. Having her here will actually make it easier. If Adelaide Blackburn accepts her new daughter-in-law, our society will follow suit.”
Malik nodded. “Let’s just hope your mother does not scare her off.”
“I have a feeling Cordelia will be able to deal with her after a fashion.”
“And if not? Would you be willing to walk away?”
He wanted to say yes. Nico had done his best not to become too attached to any of his paramours, favoring women who knew the score. But when he opened his mouth to say so, every fiber of his being revolted at the idea of letting her go. He snapped his mouth shut.
Malik smirked at him. “I thought not. Well, old man, let’s just hope once you get her in your bed, you will be able to think straight again.”
Nico hoped so because he did not relish being so smitten with Cordelia that he couldn’t think straight.
Once he had her in his house, in his bed, under
his control, all would be right in his world again.
Chapter Six
The swell of music filled the ballroom as Cordelia tried to keep her eyes open. She wasn’t one who liked late nights. When she had been hired to write her column, it had become a necessary evil. After a night of no sleep, getting engaged, and moving to her sister’s rented townhouse, she wanted to curl up in bed for three days.
Cordelia had not wanted to come to the ball tonight. Diana had insisted. When her sister decided on a matter, there was no way to avoid doing what she wanted. In fact, her father had said both of them had been cursed with their mother’s pride. Diana apparently inherited more than she had because Cordelia was standing in a hot ballroom watching people dance.
“Do stop moving around, Cordelia.”
Cordelia drew in a deep breath and almost coughed. “This dress is just a bit tight. I cannot seem to get comfortable.”
Diana glanced at her. “I did not know you had filled out so much or I would have made sure to have it let out.”
“Why did I need to make an appearance? I do not understand what it will help.”
“You know why. What I cannot understand is why you did not tell Mr. Blackburn where you would be tonight.”
She shrugged. “I did not even contemplate that.”
“Why not? Soon you will have to answer to him.”
Her stomach muscles clutched at the thought. “Mr. Blackburn does not like society that much.”
At that moment, it felt as if something brushed the back of her neck. Her heart quickened as she shivered.
Nico.
She did not know how she knew he was there, but she did. It was as if her blood had warmed ten degrees. Her body tingled with excitement.
Cordelia looked around the room and saw the tall Egyptian-looking man who had been with Blackburn the night before. He was so tall that he was easy to see. Her gaze shifted, and she saw that Blackburn was with him.
“It seems that he tracked me down.”
Diana looked at her. “Whatever do you mean?”
“He is walking toward us.”
Diana followed her line of vision. “Oh, he does not look too happy.”
“He rarely does.”
Her sister glanced at her then back to Nico and Malik. “Who is that man with him?”
“Blackburn called him Malik last night. I am unsure of his full name.”
As if he had some kind of special powers, the crowd parted, allowing the men to walk through it with ease. He stopped just inches in front of her. He stared at her for a moment as if he expected her to do something. She could not. Her heart was beating hard against her breast, and it seemed that the heat of the ballroom was finally getting to her because she was lightheaded.
“Lady Cordelia.” He took her gloved hand and even through the material, she could feel the heat of him warm her hand. Again, he ignored etiquette and pressed his mouth against her glove. It was blatantly sensual and completely against the rules. There was one thing she had learned about her soon-to-be husband and that was he had never really worried about society’s decrees of proper behavior.
Instead of letting go of her hand, he stepped beside her and set her hand on his arm. “You met my friend Malik last night, of course. Malik, this is Lady Diana, Lady Cordelia’s sister.”
He nodded in the direction of her sister but said nothing. He looked a little too stunned to speak. When she looked at her sister, Cordelia was surprised to see Diana’s cheeks pink, and for once she seemed speechless.
“I did not know you had moved to your sister’s home.”
She heard the reprimand in his voice, and she did not like it. “I apologize.”
The look he sent her said he knew she was not truly sorry. His lips twitched. “I was worried. My mother arrived and wanted to meet you.”
“Your mother?” she asked loud enough for a few people around them to look at her strangely. She cleared her throat. “I apologize. I was just taken aback by the announcement.”
“She is here, as is my father. They would like to meet you.”
Her heart was already beating out of control and now he wanted her to meet his parents? She was not good at socializing. Her father had never thought it important to have her trained, and she had been happy not to worry about those things. She had spent her days reading and riding horses. When she had found herself in need of money, she had learned the rules. She only put on airs to gain access to the ton so that she could investigate them. Nico wasn’t truly part of the ton, but he moved in their circles. Which meant she was marrying into it.
Her panic exploded but she fought the need to run from the ballroom screaming. She only knew of society mothers…and that did not make her feel any better. Her own sister’s mother-in-law had been horrid from memory.
“Here? In the ballroom?”
He gave her a glance. “No. They are waiting in the study to meet you. Mother could not put it off any longer.”
That sounded very ominous. “Indeed?”
He leaned down so that only she could hear him. When he spoke, his breath caressed her ear, and she shivered. “She does not bite unless you threaten her offspring.”
Her sister shifted beside her, and Cordelia pulled her attention away from Blackburn to look at Diana.
“I think you should go with him to meet his parents, but I will go with you.”
She looked at Diana and realized that her sister was worried about her. It had been too many years to count since someone had actually sought to protect her. Now she had a husband-to-be who was marrying her to protect her, and a sister who had ignored her for years stepping in to ensure she was safe. Her world had certainly become strange.
“Of course. They would like to meet more of your family,” Blackburn said.
“I am sure they would,” she said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her tone. No one really wanted to meet her brother.
“Come.”
She did not like to be ordered. By anyone. She hesitated for that reason. He sensed it because she saw his jaw flex. One thing she wanted to avoid was another scene. They were already the objects of fascination of most of the ballroom.
With a sigh, she went with him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Malik offer his arm to her sister. Cordelia was surprised when Diana didn’t hesitate as she had. It seemed to take so long to get to the library. The spectacle of their departure was definitely noted by everyone as they made their way through the milling crowd. More than one or two people tried to catch Nico’s attention, but he ignored them.
"People are going to think you are rude," she said.
"I am," he said.
Cordelia glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and noted the stoic expression. She sensed that he was trying to warn her not to expect him not to be.
By the time they reached the oak doors of the study, she wanted to scream. Her nerves were already on edge and having to meet his parents...it was a little too much. She had never thought to marry, and now she had to deal with in-laws.
Nico opened the door and led her into the room.
Cordelia did not know what she had been expecting, but the diminutive woman was not it. Even with her sitting beside her husband on the couch, it was easy to see she was probably a few inches shorter than Cordelia—and she was considered short. It wasn’t until she saw the power in her dark blue eyes that she knew this was a woman to be careful of. The lavender dress was the perfect shade for her peaches and cream skin. Her hair was as dark as Nico’s, but there were threads of silver throughout it.
Her attention shifted to the man beside her. For a moment, she was transfixed. Nico’s father was an older version of her fiancé, his hair heavily layered with gray. She realized this was Nico in thirty years, although his father’s smile was much more pleasant than Nico’s constant frown.
“Cordelia, Lady Diana, these are my parents, Adelaide and Samuel Blackburn. Mother, Father, this is my intended and her sister.”
Adelaide�
�s gaze raked over Diana, then she met Cordelia’s. Her inscrutable expression dissolved into a welcoming smile.
“Cordelia,” she stood, as did her husband. “I am so very happy to meet you.”
Relief swept through her along with another feeling she could not discern. It was as if she felt a kinship with the woman, as if she was meeting an old family friend. It made no sense at all.
"Thank you."
Then his mother looked past her to her sister and Malik. Something stirred behind those blue eyes, but she said nothing. Her smile widened.
"Please, have a seat, Cordelia," his father offered. Adelaide sat back down and patted the couch next to her.
"Yes, do. We need time to get acquainted."
She nodded but Nico held her hand against his arm. His mother shifted her attention to him. For a moment, she thought Nico would not allow her to walk forward, but the struggle was won by his mother. That was something to note. Her very powerful fiancé apparently acquiesced to his mother. She did not know if that was good or not.
She settled beside Adelaide, and her sister sat in the chair beside her.
"Now, you can leave," Adelaide said to the men.
All three men frowned. Cordelia had to bite her lower lip to keep from smiling. The men in the Blackburn family might be powerful, but after this meeting, Cordelia was sure who really held the power.
His father sighed. He bent down and brushed his lips against his wife's cheek. He whispered something to her. She looked up at him, and for a moment, Cordelia could not look away. The love and admiration between them almost overwhelmed her. She knew it was a private moment, but she could not seem to tear her gaze away from the couple. Then he straightened and looked at Cordelia.
"It was very nice to meet you, Cordelia. And you, Lady Diana."
She glanced at her sister and noticed she was blushing again. Lord, her night was descending into something definitely odd.
Samuel walked out, and after a quick glance and nod in Diana's direction, Malik followed him out. Nico hesitated.
"You can leave, dear boy. I have refrained from cannibalism lately. I will not harm your Cordelia."
He gave his mother a warning glance as he stepped forward. He bent down in much the same fashion that his father did, but he did not kiss her. Her breath was hot against her ear as he spoke.
Desire by Blood Page 7