Kendrick moved around the ballroom with Genevieve’s hand tucked in his, greeting vampires of all physical ages and nationalities. Some had come in up-to-date costumes, and some had clearly pulled out favored clothing from days gone by.How that must set Etienne’s teeth on edge, Kendrick thought, hiding a smile.
“Genevieve, have you met Marshall Cutter? I have been assisting him with the Ossuary’s rebuilding project.”
“No, I have not. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cutter.” Genevieve’s eyes sparkled. “I have noticed a lack of whitewash and brick dust when Kendrick returns from your endeavors of late. The repairs are going well?”
“A pleasure, ma’am,” Marshall said, bowing. “Yes, we hope to be finished with the major rebuilding by the end of January. May I present my friend Miss Pendleton?”
Miss Pendleton was quite changed from how she’d appeared the last time Kendrick had seen her. No longer wild and red-eyed, she wore a white gown reminiscent of her name, and lilies were pinned to her collar and in her hair. “How do you do?” she whispered, holding tight to Marshall’s arm.
“You look lovely, Miss Pendleton,” Kendrick said.
Her shy eyes darted to him and a small smile crept over her face. “Thank you, sir.”
A few minutes later, Kendrick was pulled into another circle of vampires. “I hadn’t thought you’d do it,” one of the louder naysayers was saying to him, “but there are more vampires here than in all the prior years’ assemblies, and those were mandatory! Ha ha!”
“All the credit is due to my wife,” Kendrick said, squeezing Genevieve’s hand.
“Ah, yes. Heard you were married. Can’t quite credit it,” the blowhard said.
Kendrick narrowed his eyes in warning. “You must believe it, for I have snatched the best treasure from among you for myself.”
The vampire’s lady companion, appearing as a stout matron in chartreuse, clearly had no trouble believing it. She tittered and rapped Kendrick playfully with her fan. “You devil.”
Kendrick glanced at Genevieve and raised an inquiring eyebrow, as if to say,Am I a devil?
She made a face behind her fan at him.
Just then, a susurrus passed through the ballroom. People pulled away from the doorway, staring with wide eyes.
“What is it?” Genevieve asked.
“Gisela is here.” He exchanged a look with her.
“Oh, good.” Genevieve set her shoulders and strode towards Gisela, Kendrick in perfect time with her.
By the time they’d reached the ballroom door, a semicircle of emptiness had formed around Gisela and her aunts.
“Miss Gisela! How wonderful you look,” Genevieve said, taking her hand and admiring the wine-red gown. “And Miss Hattie and Miss Connors, you both look exceedingly well.” Gisela’s aunts wore matronly gowns of dark blue and brown. “How glad we are that you could attend.”
“Thank you,” Gisela said, a cynical quirk at the corner of her mouth. “You’ve garnered quite a crush. What a good thing no one needs to breathe.”
A genuine smile spread over Genevieve’s face. “I believe the Roger de Coverley is beginning in a few minutes. Do you?—”
“Gisela.” Salem strolled up, Ophelia on his arm. “How interesting to see you.”
“Salem. How do you do?”
“Quite well. I’m married now.”
Gisela favored Ophelia with a nod. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Ophelia said.
Salem heaved a sigh. “I suppose you have not been engaged for this number, Gisela? Would you care to dance?” He held out a hand.
After a second of hesitation, Gisela curtseyed regally and took his hand as he led her out onto the floor. Wide-eyed, the crowd stared and milled about before the dance took form and the orchestra struck up the first bars.
“Did you and he…?” Genevieve murmured to Ophelia.
