Lord Montag had been all but drooling as he’d stepped from the carriage. He’d dipped his chin in greeting to Jules and placed a heavy sack ofoyistain her hand before following me in. He’d kept up a stream of nervous chatter since we’d left. “Of course, Lord Azad is a lover of the arts. Only last month did I see Charles Lebeau, and I believe Lord Azad was in attendance.”
I stared out the window at the rising ramparts of the city. Charles Lebeau was an accomplished violinist who currently traveled the world playing with different orchestras—I’d seen a poster advertising it a few nights before the concert. “Did you enjoy it?” I asked.
Gerald shut his mouth, as if surprised I’d said anything, before he swallowed. “Y-yes, I did. Very much.”
My smile was soft, but it seemed to ease a bit of his tension. “I would have loved to see it.”
He shifted in his seat. “Lord Azad is also a patron of Mattias Gurstrard, the renowned painter, did you know?”
I bit the inside of my cheek to stifle my laugh. “No, I did not.”
For the rest of the ride I was treated to a soliloquy of Lord Azad’s accomplishments, his extravagant wealth and unfathomable power. By the time we arrived at the grand estate I had to admit I was a bit annoyed with both males and grateful Gerald’s voice finally died when the footman opened the carriage door.
I waited first for him to leave. He rocketed onto thepavestones, voice booming into the night. “Lord Azad, it is an absolute honor to have received your invitation.”
My heartbeat sounded in my ears. I took a moment to wipe my palms on the cushion beneath me before I carefully stepped from the carriage, giving the footman a smile for the hand he offered in assistance. “Thank you.”
The mansion was just as fine as the first time I’d seen it, though without the bustle of people spilling from every door and window, it appeared bigger. I took my time noting the lush blossoms lining the drive and the gleaming marble stairs leading up to the heavy front doors. But when I could no longer delay, I finally made my way toward Gerald’s voice, keeping my attention fixed on the ground.
“…is next month and I would love for you to attend.” He had obviously not found his calm, from the way his words slurred with their speed.
“I would be delighted.” My belly clenched at Lord Azad’s deep voice, the rumbling timbre that felt like a caress.
Warmth blossomed across my brow, my cheeks, my lips while a shiver rippled down my spine. I forced my attention to stay fixed to the stairs and the shiny tips of his boots that came into view.
“Mademoiselle Valois.” It was not merely a greeting—no, it felt more like a sigh of relief, like the beginning and ending of a sentence all wrapped up in my name.
I curtsied low, pressing my fingers to my lips.“Serang lan nauth,my lord.”
This time he did not offer me his hand and I could not decide if I was relieved or disappointed as I straightened. Finally, I looked up. His hair was free tonight, framing his face in black waves, and though his clothes were splendid, they were not the opulent finery of the ball.
“Thank you for coming,” Lord Azad murmured. “It is a gift to see you again.”
I dipped my chin. “I am honored to be here, my lord.”
His eyes danced across my face before they slid back to Gerald and he gestured toward the front door. “Please, come in. Most of the guests have already arrived and are meeting in the parlor. I believe you know Lord Mateo Auguste, Lord Montag?”
Gerald nodded fervently. “I do, yes, my lord.”
My head spun a little at the multiple uses of “lord” and I wondered if they ever tired of such posturing.
We stepped into the entryway. Music slithered through the hall from the open door to the left. An imposing vampire stood on the threshold, his dark brown skin gilded in the firelight while a wide smile pulled at his cheeks. “Gerald!” The vampire took a step forward, long black braids swinging around his shoulders as he extended a hand.
“Mateo!” Gerald surged forward to take the vampire’s proffered forearm.
Lord Azad fell into step beside me. “I see Jules’ good humor knows no bounds.”
I frowned, chancing a glance at him before realizing his waistcoat was the exact color of my gown. Together we looked like a set.
My cheeks burned. “I apologize, my lord. I did not?—”
A hand curled around my elbow, halting my progress forward. He turned me to face him, dipping his head until we were eye level. “I did not mean anything by it, Mademoiselle. Only that Jules does not always use her powers for good. We are merely innocent bystanders in the tangled web she weaves.”
My mouth twisted at the humor threading through his words and I nodded.
Lord Azad lifted his hand and for a moment I thought he meant to caress my cheek, but instead he gestured to the room. A throbbing started in my chest at the sight of Gerald in thedoorway, clapping the vampire I did not know on the shoulder. My shoes were suddenly filled with lead at the prospect of spending the night at Gerald’s side and what that might entail.
A wide hand skimmed my lower back, encouraging me forward before falling away.
