“Not my fate, my lady. My doom,” he said flatly.
The countess sighed. “It might take time to find the right bride, but at least consider the young ladies I’ve invited tothe castle. All are charming, attractive, well-born, and have substantial dowries. Lady Cynthia Howard is particularly worth considering. She’s the daughter of a duke, strikingly attractive, and has impeccable manners. She’s also a couple of years older than most of the girls, so she’s more mature.”
“I’ve met her,” Rafe said, trying to keep his voice level. “Despite her impeccable breeding and manners, Lady Cynthia is unable to look at my scarred face. That would be tiresome in a marriage.”
The countess studied him. “The scarring isn’t that bad. She would become accustomed in time.”
“Well, I wouldn’t,” he retorted as he got to his feet. “I will not marry a woman who wants only my title and fortune but can’t stand the sight of me. And if you say all cats look black at night, I will turn around and head straight back to London.”
“Then I shall refrain from saying that,” the countess said, almost but not quite smiling. “With a storm coming, it won’t be a night fit for traveling and we don’t want to lose another earl to lung fever.”
He almost smiled himself. He’d always rather enjoyed her acid wit. “I believe you’ve arranged some kind of All Hallows Eve gathering for this evening. I shall make a brief appearance.”
The countess’s eyes narrowed. “I trust you’ll look more presentable than you do now.”
Rafe inclined his head, not committing himself. He turned and left the countess’s rooms. The waiting footman escorted him to the suite of rooms he’d been assigned. “I’m Rhodes, my lord,” the young man said as he opened the door. “Since you didn’t bring a valet of your own, I’ve been assigned to serve you if that’s acceptable.”
Rhodes looked pleasant and willing, so Rafe said, “Thank you. I’ll want a hot bath in about an hour.”
“Yes, my lord,” Rhodes inclined his head and left, closing the door behind him.
Rafe surveyed his surroundings. Not surprisingly, the rooms were far superior to those he’d shared with other boys when he was a young visitor.
Strange to think that he was legally the lord and master here. No one had expected that, least of all him. There had been half a dozen heirs between Rafe and the title. Some had been lost when a violent infection spread through the valley, others had died fighting the French, or in random accidents or disease. Life was uncertain at the best of times. It still amazed him that he’d survived his military years.
A warm fire had been laid against the October chill and Rafe’s luggage had already been unpacked and his garments hung in the wardrobe. There were some advantages to this lord business.
He was mildly tempted to attend the evening’s gathering in his current rumpled state, but he had been raised as a gentleman. Besides, shaving would make his facial scars more visible and perhaps frighten off a few more husband hunters.
But before he rendered himself presentable, he’d rest for an hour. It had been a long day. He stripped off boots and outer clothing, then sprawled on the four-poster bed and pulled a blanket over himself. Perhaps he’d sleep and dream of his happier youthful days at Carrollton Castle….
Chapter Two
The Black Roguelashed his tail nervously as he opened his eyes. Where was he? Indoors in a rather formless place that didn’t seem quite real.
“Soooo…” a sibilant voice hissed. “You’re awake now.”
The Rogue blinked and realized that he was being scrutinized by Lady Fluff, the countess’s elegant silver-gray cat. But she wasglowing!
“What’s the last thing you remember?” she asked.
He tried to recall. “I think I was chasing a pigeon on the battlements. And…and then…I forget.”
Lady Fluff snorted in disgust. “What youforgotwas to keep track of the number of lives you had left! Which is why you’re here in the Between Place at a ridiculously young age.” She shook her head mournfully. “We had such high hopes for you.”
“I was sure I had two or three more lives left,” the Rogue whimpered. “I was considering becoming less reckless.Soon.”
“But you didn’t,” she said flatly. “And now you’re here.”
Horrified, the Rogue exclaimed, “Does that mean that I’m…I’m dead and must wait until I can be born again as a kitten?”
The tip of Lady Fluff’s lavish tail twitched. “Ordinarily that would be the case, but the Council of Cats Who Walk Through Walls is considering inducting you into our order.”
“Really?” the Rogue breathed, unable to believe such good fortune. “You’re a handmaiden of the Council?”
With a a flash of light, Lady Fluff expanded to a dozen times her normal size. Her eyes blazing with golden chaos, she filled most of the Between Space—and she was transparent as she glared down at the Rogue. “I am no handmaiden, but theWarrior Queen of the Council!”
With one ghostly paw, she swatted him. He tumbled across the Between Space, ending on his back, terrified and with a new respect for Lady Fluff, whom he’d always considered a demure lady. Shaken, he rolled back onto his stomach and bowed his head submissively. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness! I didn’t mean to be rude! This is all so new to me.”
