Caressed by Moonlight (11 page)

Hatred flashed in Mark’s eyes. “You’re aware that more witches will be watching your wife and sister-in-law?”

“I am.”

Mark chuckled and took a step forward. He whispered, “I hope I’m the one to make her a widow, I'm sure she will look lovely in black.”

“I am inclined to agree with you,” Dorian smiled. “She would look exquisite in black.”

The hunter snorted in disgust. This vampire was not one to be goaded into a fight, no matter how hard he tried. But it did not matter. He would kill the blood-sucking bastard. He just needed to wait for the prefect moment. Nothing would spoil his victory and he would go down in the history books as the hunter who murdered the ancient Dorian Vlakhos.

“I was surprised that you did not send another bloodied young man to deliver your message.”

“If you haven't notice, Vlakhos, you have two ladies in residence. I didn’t want to frighten them.”

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“I'm sure they appreciate your thought,” Dorian said in a careless tone, crossing his arms over his wide chest. He appeared relaxed to all, but he was more than ready to rip this hunter’s head off.

“The Mylonas family will soon be no more, you have my word.”

“I wish you luck, my clan is the largest of all the vampire clans.”

“Your people believe that you deserted them. That you ran away like a coward.”

“For some reason, I find that hard to believe.” Dorian knew that his soldiers would not believe such lies. They had fought by his side for hundreds of years; they trusted him. His people could not possibly believe he would leave them to their fate. He had fought for them and protected them for what seemed like an eternity.

“They hate you.”

“Then, I suppose I shouldn't be too distraught over their deaths,” Dorian said. “Now since this conversation is over, I will be taking my leave.”

Mark sneered, his lips curled over his horrible teeth. He watched Dorian cross the street, pulled a dagger from his coat and hurled it at the vampire's back. Dorian spun and caught the blade between his fingers.

“Too high,” he smiled. “I would have figured a famous hunter like yourself would know where the heart is.”

Dorian dropped the weapon and once again turned his back on the Red Order hunter.

Dark night had eclipsed the sky. The moon was high and gave the study it’s only light. Dorian sat before the window, cast in shadow. Mark's words echoed in his ears as questions plagued his thoughts. He had never been one to sit back and wait for an attack.

He was a strong believer in striking your enemy before your enemy had the chance to take the offensive. But he could not just go charging head first into the throng of witches that were now amassing in London. He had to think of Victoria and Margaret's safety. What would happen to them if he were killed?

That question unsettled him. He should be worried more about what would happen to his clan than what happened to the
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pair of humans that were now living in his home. He was not Dimitri. He would not make the same mistakes the ancient emperor had made.

“Sir.” Dobbins' voice was a wonderful interruption to his thought. “Your mail,” the vampire said setting the letters on the desk.

Dorian turned and thanked his loyal friend.

“And this one,” the butler muttered as he pulled an envelope from his pocket, “Its for Mrs. Vlakhos, it was forwarded from her aunt.”

Dorian dismissed Dobbins and stood. Victoria was coming down the hallway; he could smell her fresh womanly scent, he could hear her heartbeat, and his fangs tickled in his mouth. He could hardly remember the last time he fed. Being as old as he was, he did not require blood as much as others. He could go six months without feeding, but not much longer than that. The beast within him was beginning to awaken and it would not be long before it began to rattle its cage.

“I see you have finally opened the door,” she said stepping in. “I was beginning to worry about you.”

“Worry about me?” he repeated in a whisper. Her words heated his cold heart.

“The moment we got home, you shut yourself up in this stuffy study. You didn't even come to dinner.”

Dorian rounded the desk and went to stand before the fireplace.

“I wasn't hungry.”

Victoria closed the door, and lovingly asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing,” his voice was hard and cold. A tone that every vampire recognized and knew it was time to keep their mouths shut.

“I'm not blind, Dorian.”

Dorian gave a heavy sigh and turned to his wife. She was no vampire. He watched her cross the room, her steps light and delicate. She sat on the sofa, folded her hands in her lap and turned her large emerald eyes up at him. They probed and searched for his soul, an essence that he had long thought dead.

“No, you aren't,” he sighed.

“Mark is not a friend of yours,” she stated.

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“Far from it.” Dorian turned back to the fire. “Our families have been warring for centuries. My old friend, Hadrian used to say, 'there is nothing like a feud, it keeps you sharp and prepared for anything’.” He remembered with a small smile. “Mark followed me to London.”

“Why are you feuding?”

“To put it lightly, he wants to ruin me.”

“Then why did you come to London? What is here that caught your interest? You surely didn’t come her looking for a wife.”

“Good Lord no!”

“Thanks.”

Dorian laughed and turned back around to face her, resting his shoulders against the mantle of the fireplace.

“I would say that marriage was a perk, but in all honesty I came to London hoping to draw the attention away from my family. You see, Mark's clan hates that we are more powerful than they are and they would take any chance they get to ruin me or my good name.” His stomach twisted, as the lie slipped from his tongue but there was no way he could tell her the truth. She would think he was mad.

“I understand.”

“It is nothing for you to worry about,” he assured her.

“Changing the subject, you have a letter. It is sitting on my desk.”

Victoria jumped to her feet and hurried over to the large wooden table. She snatched the parchment up with greedy fingers and ripped open the seal. Dorian watched her, a smile touching his lips and amusement sparkling in his eyes. Her face lit up with happiness and an unexpected jolt of pleasure shocked him. Dorian chuckled at her enthusiasm and wished he had someone in his life that would react in such a way for him. Or, maybe someday, Victoria would greet his letters with love and send sweet, kind words back to him.

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Chapter Sixteen

Victoria sat quietly sipping her tea as Lana talked. She had waited for the last two days to tell her friend about her marriage and she would have to wait a little more.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Lana said setting her cup down and picking up a folded paper. “This is the list of suitable men that my brother made. I know that you don’t have much time left and trying to catch more suitors in your net would be difficult.”

Victoria looked the list over and smiled, “Lord Rogers was his first choice.”

“Ben didn't even interview the chap, he just wrote his name down.”

Victoria sighed, “Lord Rogers is a good man.” But he was not the man for her. The more time she spent with Dorian the more she became convinced that he was the right choice. So what if he did not love her, she did not love him. However, deep down she still yearned for a love like her parents had and maybe over time she would find that with her husband, that is if he did not return to his own country.

“So is he the one you are going to pick? He is fair to look upon and very nice.” Lana took a sip of her tea before she added,

“But he is dull.”

“As a shoe,” Victoria whispered to herself, covering her wide grin with her delicate fingers. Dorian's words echoed in her ears and she tried her hardest not to laugh. He had spoken the truth.

The man carried on and on about horseflesh and the weather, their discussions never changed.

“What was that?” Lana asked, taking note of her friend’s amusement.

“Nothing,” she answered clearing her throat. “Thank Ben for me. He put a lot of time and effort into making the list.”

Victoria sat up tall in her chair and raised the teacup to her lips.

“But I have no use for it.”

“No use for it?” Lana repeated her eyes slanted. “Have you made your decision?”

Victoria nodded and took a sip of the rich tea. Lana squealed in excitement and ripped the cup from her friend's hands.

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Victoria was shocked that the warm liquid had not sloshed over the rim to land in her lap.

“Why didn’t you tell me? You let me go on and on about Ben's new baby and the wonderful weather we had in the country.

You should have stopped me. You should have told me the second you walked in the door.”

“You were so excited and happy. I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

“Well, I am all ears now. So who is it?” Lana was leaning so far forward that the tiniest gust of wind would knock her off her seat.

“First, I must tell you that my aunt has thrown me from the house.”

“Oh dear,” Lana gasped. “When did this happen? Is the deal between the two of you off? You can stay here, my parents won’t mind. I will not allow my friend to live on the streets.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I have found a place to stay.”

“What is to become of Margaret?” Lana continued, not hearing what her friend had said. She was too caught up in her swirling thoughts.

“I will tell you,” Victoria laughed. “But you have to stop asking questions and let me tell the story.” She waited for Lana to nod before she went on. “When I was thrown from Nelly's house, I had nowhere to go. You had already left and Lord Rogers had sprinted out to his country estate to visit his mother.”

“So what did you do?” Lana demanded, her fingers gripping the edge of the table, she could barely control her excitement. Victoria scolded her with a “Sh.”

“I could only think of one person who would help me, so I went to him.”

“
Him
? Oh my God! You went to Dorian didn't you?”

“Yes.”

“That is fantastic! I knew you liked him. So, what happened?”

“I told him about my problems and he asked me to marry him.”

“He just offered? Please tell me you accepted,” she begged.

“I did.” Victoria could not resist the smile that tickled her lips.

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“This is just wonderful. My heart is pounding.” Lana picked up her Chinese fan, which had been resting on the table and began to cool herself. “So when is the happy day?”

“It was three days ago.”

“You are married?” Lana gasped in shock. “You married Prince Vlakhos? You lucky little wench! You managed to snag the man every girl dreamed of having.”

Victoria laughed and took up her tea again. Lana snatched the list back and ripped it to shreds then tossed it up in the air. It fell upon them like rain.

“And I have Margaret,” Victoria added. “Victory is mine.”

Lana smiled brightly and patted Victoria's arm. “It would seem you've gotten everything you wanted.”

“I did,” she agreed.

Lana leaned forward and dropped her voice down to a whisper. She motioned with her finger for Victoria to come closer.

She glanced about the room to make sure no one was around to hear their new discussion.

“So how was it?” she asked her voice as low as she could possibly make it.

“What?”

“What indeed?” Lana scoffed. “You married the most handsome man London has ever seen and you ask me what?”

Victoria blinked at her, innocently confused. Lana rolled her eyes and clarified, “Your wedding night.”

“Oh,” Victoria sighed, turning her attention back to her tea and pulling away.

“Well?” Lana pressed. Victoria did not answer and Lana sat back with a frown. “You didn't have a wedding night did you?”

Victoria still didn't respond. “And you are making the poor man jump through hoops.”

“There has been no jumping through hoops."

“Yet,” Lana added.

“I just…” her words trailed off.

“What?”

“I want to know him better.”

Lana studied her friend closely and shook her head. “No.

You want love.”

“That is ridiculous. Many marriages are loveless.”

“It is written all over your face, Tory. You want love in your marriage and that is what you are waiting for. Well, I can tell
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you right now that Dorian does love you; he just doesn't know it yet. Or if he does, he just hasn’t admitted it to himself.”

“He couldn’t possibly love me,” Victoria protested. “He only wants me to warm his bed and once I have done that, he will move on.”

“He loves you dearest, of that I know. Have you forgotten Lady Hennings' dinner party already? Dorian gazed at you for hours, his eyes never left you.”

“He was just trying to annoy me.”

“Then what about that time in the park just last week?

When you and I went for a morning ride, he trotted beside us. He picked all those lovely flowers for you.”

“He was only trying to woo me.”

“He saved you! You told me that he saved you from falling to your death. That has to mean something. If he didn’t care for you at all, he would have just left your body in the ditch.”

Victoria remembered that frightening moment. She still to this day was amazed at how fast he had moved. He had been in his coach and in a heartbeat he was holding her firmly against his chest.

“Not to mention once he heard about your situation he offered to marry you. He loves you,” Lana said with a nod. “And you love him. You both are just too blind or too pigheaded to notice, but I can see it and so can everyone else.”

Victoria had no reply. Lana made valid points.

“I also have something that I have not shared with you yet.

Adam Howland called on me at my brother’s home and he proposed. I told him that I had to speak with you first. Remember, I will not admit that I love him until you admit you love your husband.”

Victoria was stunned. Lana was holding off her own engagement and happiness because of her.

“But I know when I am being ridiculous,” she added pointedly, her eyes locked on her friend. “So tomorrow evening, when he comes over for dinner, I will accept his match.” Filling her teacup, she turned the conversation back to Victoria. “Now tell me, have you been torturing Dorian? He has wanted you for sometime now and the waiting has got to be driving him mad.”

“I am the one that is being tortured,” Victoria exclaimed, in her defense.

“Now I seriously doubt that.”

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“It's true,” she insisted. “He tortures me with his mere presence. Every time he is around every thought slips from my head.”

“All of them?” Lana asked with a sly smile.

“Well no, I think about running my hands through his hair and his lips on mine. Then I think about how it would be if he loved me. We could be really happy together, I know it.” Victoria huffed and fell back into her chair like a child, pouting. “The man sleeps in the nude.”

Lana rolled her eyes. “I would hardly consider that a complaint.”

“No, the man is gorgeous, but his nakedness does not help me collect my scattered thoughts.”

“Maybe you should share your feelings with him. It might give him confidence.”

“Confidence is the last thing that man needs. He has so much confidence it could fill the entire ocean.”

“Then he needs love from his wife.”

“Pardon my intrusion Ms. Richmond, but Mr. Howland is here to see you.”

“Thank you, Cheryl, will you send him in?”

Lana set her tea down and hurried to the large gold-framed mirror hanging on the wall above the fireplace. She smoothed her gown, fixed her hair, and pinched her checks for blush.

“What in hell’s basket is he doing here?” Lana whispered.

“You didn't invite him?”

“I asked if him to come over for dinner tomorrow night.

The man is punctual, but an entire day early is ridiculous.”

Victoria smothered her laugh with her hand and stood.

Lana had only turned from the mirror when Adam entered the room. He quickly crossed to her, giving no notice to Victoria. He took Lana's hands in his and frantically declared, “I must know your answer. I thought I could sit about and be patient but I can't. I need to know if your will marry me.”

“You are out of breath and flushed, you should sit down.”

“I ran here,” he said with a shrug. “There was too much traffic on the streets to take a buggy or a horse.”

“You ran?” Lana repeated.

“Tell me you will marry me,” he pleaded.

“I will.”

Victoria watched as Adam joyfully scooped Lana up in his arms and she was glad for the couple. They hugged and laughed
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and he spun her about. She silently tiptoed from the room and left, only pausing for a moment to ask the butler to extend her congratulations.

Dorian and Margaret stood toe to toe in the small yard in front of the stables, each with a long wooden sword in their hand.

“Ready?”

“I'll beat you this time,” Margaret declared.

They both took one large step back and lightly tapped the tip of their swords together. Margaret lunged forward and Dorian blocked. The pair dueled across the yard and into the stables, weaving around bails of hay, wheelbarrows, and horse stalls.

Dorian laughed and instructed as they battled, until he tripped over a rake and fell into a pile of hay. Margaret nudged his chin with the end of her weapon and smiled triumphantly.

“I told you I'd win,” she gloated.

Dorian chuckled, “You did, indeed.”

Margaret took a step forward, not seeing the rake, and toppled over into the hay. She quickly sat up, spitting strands of hay from her mouth. Dorian laughed and patted the young girl on the head.

“It happens to the best of us,” he said helping Margaret to her feet. “I think we’ve had enough instruction for today. Victoria should be home soon and supper will be ready in a few minutes.”

“We should get cleaned up. Tory hates it when I come to dinner dirty.”

Dorian nodded and picked up the two swords then followed the skipping Margaret into the house. They had just reached the stairs when Victoria entered the foyer. She took in the hay-covered pair and bit back a smile.

“Rolling about in the hay?”

“I won, Tory,” Margaret announced jumping up and down; her dark curls bouncing about her shoulders. “I got him good.”

“You won at what?”

“I was teaching her how to use a sword,” Dorian answered.

“She’s a quick learner.”

“Yes and I won.”

“That is wonderful,” Victoria said clapping her hands.

“But now you need to go pick all that hay out of your hair.”

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“I'll help her, my lady,” Ophelia offered taking Margaret's little hand. “And dinner is ready to be served.”

“Thank you, Ophelia.”

“It is no trouble. I'm happy to help Ms. Margaret. She has become the daughter I never had.”

Victoria smiled as she listened to Margaret’s sweet voice tell the story of her victory as she headed up the stairs.

“I should get freshened up too,” Dorian said when the house grew silent. He turned and mounted the stairs when Victoria called after him. “Yes, kitten?”

“I'll help you.”

He smiled and held out his hand, she hesitated a moment before taking it.

“I’ll enjoy your company.”

Dorian led the way up to their room. He pushed open the door and removed his coat, tossing it to the bed.

“Sit at my vanity,” Victoria instructed.

He sat his large muscled frame on the tiny chair before the mirror and chuckled as he plucked a thread of hay from his hair.

Victoria brushed his hands away.

“How was your visit with Ms. Richmond?” he said, watching her in the mirror. Her gentle, elegant fingers ran through his hair, combing out the strands of golden hay.

“It was very enlightening.”

His hair felt like the softest of silks as it slipped through her fingers, thick, dark, and tempting. It was an intimate moment that could easily lead to another more intimate moment.

“She is engaged,” she said, trying to focus her attention on the conversation.

“Who is the lucky lad?”

“Adam Howland.”

“Howland?” he asked himself as he tried to remember all the gentlemen he had met during his stay. “I don’t believe I have met him.”

Victoria shrugged. “The last ball we attended was at his home. He seems to love her very much.”

“Then they should have a happy marriage.”

“Dorian may I ask you a question?”