“I think so, since she saved my life,” Kendrick said. He turned his head and met Genevieve’s wide eyes.
The Montmorencys pulled up abruptly.
“Genevieve was the one to warn me of the assassination attempts against me. A true heroine.” Kendrick smiled. “How could I not be captivated?”
“Assassination attempts,” Montmorency said, attempting to regain control of the conversation. “You see, the rabble are not to be trusted!”
“Most of the attempts came from Rupert’s power group, who were very much not rabble. Joseph has confirmed which had dependents and which did not and has seized their unclaimed assets. They were in truth very well off in vampire terms. Stupidity is not limited by class.” Kendrick smiled again, but this time it was all teeth.
Once they had bidden the Montmorencys a firm adieu, Kendrick wrapped his arm around Genevieve’s shoulders. “Well, I think that went well.”
“It was certainly interesting,” Genevieve admitted.
“I thought we’d get some ‘helpful’ visits sooner or later. He just couldn’t help himself, could he?” Kendrick mused.
“What on earth was she doing? Her neck was on a swivel, did you notice that? Who did she expect to come through the door?”
“Refreshments,” Kendrick said dryly.
“But we don’t—” Genevieve broke off, arrested. “She expectedhumanrefreshments?”
“I would put money on it.”
“She really expected a human to walk through the door and let her bite them? Or perhaps bleed into a teacup to be a bit more proper?” Genevieve’s tone wavered between outraged and flabbergasted.
“I think they are the type of vampires to maintain a connection to the human world in order to puppeteer people and events to their liking,” Kendrick said. “But they certainly don’t view humans as beings of worth.”
“Goodness, there aremorelike them?” She sounded only half-joking.
“I’m sure.”
They exchanged a look.
“You want to do something about that, don’t you?” Kendrick smiled.
“Well, we will need to check on any humans who are a part of their households. I don’t know how to do that yet, but…”
“You will,” he assured her.
Genevieve bit her lip. “Thank you for what you said. About me being a…heroine.”
“It was true,” he said, taking her hand. “My wife is an astoundingly capable woman, and I am blessed to be married to her.” He bent his head and kissed her, laving his tongue over the lip she had been worrying, soothing away the hurt.
Genevieve wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. “I like it when you call me your wife,” she whispered in his ear. Kendrick could feel her smile against his cheek.
“I am thankful that it is true.”
ChapterThirty-One
Just as Genevieve was setting the new hat that had arrived at Carmine House during the day on her head—a smart article in blue with cloth flowers adorning the brim, resembling nothing so much as an upside-down flowerpot—someone knocked at her door.
“Come,” she called, picking up her reticule.
Elspeth opened the door and poked her head in. “Oh, good, you’re ready. What an interesting hat.”
“Kendrick ordered it, as a surprise,” Genevieve said. “Does it look all right?”
Elspeth stepped in the room and adjusted the position of the hat a touch. “Perfect. How romantic of him.”
