Maia gave him her own version of an arrogant smile. “Because you must be seen out and about with us. Quite a lot. In the next few days. In order to ensure that Angelica’s reputation isn’t besmirched, we will need the presence of an earl.” Not that she was going to enjoy being in his company that much, but if she’d learned one thing about the earl, it was that hehatedbeing bothered by people.
Any people, for any reason.
Going out in Society for the next several nights, due to his duty—which he’d also demonstrated was something he would not shirk—was going to be a most unpleasant experience for him.
Thus, she would enjoy every minute of it.
She turned to go, and then paused to look over her shoulder. “I shall determine which invitations we will accept, my lord, and then advise your valet so that he can see you are properly dressed for the occasions.”
And she would make certain to choose the most crowded, flamboyant events to attend. Just because she could.
With that, she walked out of his chamber and closed the door with finality.
6
IN WHICH OUR HEROINE MAKES A CONFESSION
“Angelica?” Maia rushed out of her bedchamber, hair swinging loosely, nightgown bunching around her feet. “What is it?”
She’d been in a half slumber, spiraling into that warm, red world of sensuality that seemed to lure her every night as of late. It was the first night since her return from Black Maude’s that Angelica had slept in her own bed, and Maia had kept her ears attuned for any sounds of distress from her sister’s chamber…until she slipped into her dreams.
There must have been something that woke her, for when she came out into the hall, she nearly collided with Angelica.
“Oh!” her sister said, obviously surprised to see Maia.
“I was coming to check on you,” Maia said, looking at Angelica’s wide eyes and pale face. Something had happened. Something more than a dream… Then she noticed something in her sister’s hand. “What’s that in your hand? A stick?”
But even as she said it, she understood. It wasn’t merely a stick in Angelica’s hand, held close to the folds of her nightgown, but a stake. Meant to stab avampir.
“Oh,” she said. She looked at her sister and their eyes met. The poor darling! She’d had such a horrible experience.
“What are you doing awake?” Angelica asked.
“I came to check on you. What’s happened?” Maia asked, grabbing Angelica’s hand and allowing her to lead the way back to Maia’s chamber.
“I had a dream,” Angelica replied. But Maia noticed she glanced covertly back toward her chamber, as if expecting to see something. Or someone coming out of the door. “That Vo—that Dewhurst came into my chamber at night.”
Maia looked at her sharply, her attention captured. They settled on her bed and she closed the door most of the way behind them. She left it cracked in the event there was something to hear from the corridor without.
“Darling, I’m so sorry,” Maia said, closing her fingers around Angelica’s. Her hands were chilled, so unusual for the warm summer’s night. “How terrifying it must be. I didn’t hear you cry out, although I heard something that sounded like you mumbling in your sleep. Or talking to someone.”
“It seemed so real,” Angelica whispered. Her eyes were faraway. “He…”
Maia couldn’t help but think of her own dreams. Certainly they’d awakened her…but never because she was frightened. Only because she wanted them to be real.
She squeezed her sister’s hands and struggled for the words to comfort her. “Sometimes dreams can be more frightening than reality,” Maia said. “And sometimes, they can be so much more…beautiful…than reality.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well.” Maia felt her face warm as she realized the direction in which their conversation was going. She sat up and pulled a pillow onto her lap, clutching it over her torso. Perhaps this wasn’t an appropriate conversation to have after all. “I don’t know if I should tell you about it. After all, you’re still unwed and?—”
“And so are you,” Angelica shot back. “You aren’t married yet, dear sister, and so you haven’t any more experience than I have.”
Maia couldn’t hold back the little smile that came along with the warm bubbling in her belly. “But that isn’t true, dearyoungersister. Alexander and I have—” She stopped and decided there were some things Angelica didn’t need to know.
The very thought of Alexander and his imminent return made her middle fill with nervousness.
She collected her thoughts, trying to figure out just how much to confess. “Well, weareengaged, and Chas and the lady patrons haven’t been as vigilant as they were before our engagement was announced.”
