His Ruthless Bite | Historical Paranormal Romance: Vampires (Scandals With Bite Book 4) (3 page)

“First I want your oath that no harm will come to her under your care.” A thread of steel underlined Villar’s soft voice.

For a moment Rochester’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he stared down the Lord of London, then he inclined his head. “Very well, I swear upon my honor as Lord Vampire of Rochester, that no harm will come to Lenore under my care…” His countenance darkened once more. “…unless she does something to merit punishment.”

“Of course,” Rafael spoke through clenched teeth.

Rochester turned to Lenore and smiled. “But I know I won’t have to worry about that from you, will I?”

Lenore shook her head. “No, my lord.” What else could she say?

His grin broadened until she glimpsed the tips of his fangs. He extended his arm. “Shall we?”

Her belly quivered as she placed her fingertips on the sleeve of his greatcoat, feeling his muscles flex in answer to her touch. Unbidden, the memory of being in his arms washed over her in a potent wave… his wrist pressed to her mouth as his powerful blood rejuvenated her starved and weakened body. The rough timbre of his voice as he’d coaxed her to drink… the softness of his bed, the feel of her mouth on his flesh.

She licked her lips in remembrance of his taste.

He’d saved her life that night, so she truly believed he didn’t mean her any harm, but what
did
he intend?

Her thoughts buzzed like a swarm of bees as Rafael and Cassandra followed them in.

Lenore’s eyes widened at the vast and elaborate estate, which was even larger than Burnrath House. Rather than one sweeping staircase leading into the foyer, there were two. Ancient tapestries from centuries past adorned the walls, interspersed with gilded sconces in fanciful shapes.

Her feet sank into the plush Aubusson carpet as they entered a receiving room that was more imposing than cozy. Instead of inviting maple wood chairs with flowery embroidered cushions, Rochester’s chairs were large and elaborately carved of wood so dark it looked black. Fitting for the Baron of Darkwood. Lenore’s lips twisted in an ironic smile.

Rochester caught her gaze. “Please, take a seat. The chair won’t bite.”

But you will
. Lenore thought silently as she did as bid, sitting next to Cassandra.

The countess ran a finger along the arm of her chair, admiring the carvings of leaves and a coat of arms. “The craftsmanship is exquisite,” she said somewhat grudgingly.

Rochester inclined his head, ignoring her tone. “Thank you. They were part of the manor when it was first built. This home has been in my family since the Fourteenth century. My father was a one of King Edward’s most loyal vassals.”

Lenore’s chest tightened at the daunting weight of his age and sense of history.
My father was a chimney sweep.
Her shoulders slumped before she caught herself.
I do not belong here.

Rafael lit his cigar and narrowed his amber eyes on Rochester. “Enough prevaricating. Just what, precisely, are your intentions toward Miss Graves?”

Rochester chuckled. “I am glad someone finally asked. You were so concerned about what I what I
won’t
do with the lovely Miss Graves that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to discuss what I
do
intend. And I can assure you that my intentions are honorable.” A glint of humor lit his eyes as if he were savoring some private jest.

Before anyone could prod him to elaborate, the Lord Vampire of Rochester rose from his seat and approached Lenore. He took her hand, his grip strong, yet reverent, and sank to one knee. Lenore was so distracted with his touch that she nearly missed his words.

“Lenore Graves, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife for the next five decades?”

Gavin watched Lenore’s already large brown eyes widen in astonishment. He did so enjoy her surprise. Poor, frail younglings likely never received proposals from Lord Vampires.

“What?” she whispered softly.

“I would like you to be my baroness.”

Her lush pink lips parted and her lashes fluttered like captive butterflies. “Why?”

“As I’d told your lord,” Gavin paused to grin at Rafael, who continued to gape at him. “I admire your loyalty and could find it very useful.”

Lenore shrank back in her seat, looking at Gavin like he was a monster about to devour her. To his surprise, her blatant terror at his proposal stung, despite the fact that he’d expected some measure of trepidation.

Before Lenore could reply, Cassandra rose from her seat and strode over to Rochester, fangs bared, green eyes blazing with unholy fury. “No! As her physician, I object to Lenore being subjected to marital duties. You know what she has been through. How could you ask that of her?”

Gavin had to fight to maintain his composure at the dismal reminder. Yes, he remembered how pale and battered Lenore had been when she’d stumbled onto his territory and fainted in his arms.
Fainted
. He’d never seen a vampire so weak that they fainted. And when Gavin discovered that she had been raped, his very bones burned with an unsettling combination of protectiveness and rage. How he’d wished that he could have torn the bloody curs limb from limb. But he’d only been able to kill one of the rogues during Lord Villar’s battle with a would-be usurper. Gavin’s satisfaction of driving his blade through the bastard’s groin before disemboweling him was short-lived, for the Lord of Cornwall had slain one and chained up the others and delivered them to the Elders. Damn Vincent and his law-abiding honor.

Though the rogues had been executed, Gavin had wanted to slaughter them himself. Make them suffer as they’d made Lenore suffer. All four of them. His stomach quailed at the number. He despised rapists, and the idea that they’d done such things to a vampire so fragile and brave as Lenore amplified his outrage.

Yet despite all the unspeakable horror that she’d endured, Lenore had not only managed a clever escape from her captors, she had also mustered unfathomable strength to flee to his territory and then embark on a journey to face the Elders and inform them of Clayton’s treason. She’d also lied to protect her Lord Vampire. Rafael had been unable to Change his captive, Cassandra, because he’d illegally Changed another human recently. Rochester had long guessed that illicit truth from Rafael’s pleas to other vampires to solve his dilemma, and became certain the moment Lenore stood, unflinching before the Elders and told the lie that saved both Villar and his lover.

Though she now trembled before him, Gavin knew that Lenore possessed an iron will and phenomenal inner strength. Strength that drew him to her with a mysterious pull.

Lenore took a tentative step forward. “May we speak in private, m’lord?”

He took in the sight of her blushing cheeks and heard the slight trace of Cockney accent that she was usually able to hide. Embarrassment and fear emanated from her in tangible waves that made his chest constrict.

“Of course, Miss Graves. After all, this is an intimate subject and inappropriate to discuss in front of others.” He cast Lord and Lady Villar a censorious look for broaching a topic that rightfully should have remained between him and Lenore.

As he took her arm, Rafael fixed him with a glare. “If you need me, Lenore, do not hesitate to call out.”

Bristling with Villar’s constant intrusion, Rochester ground his teeth as he escorted Lenore up the stairs and to the library. He willed himself to maintain civility. After all, soon Rafael and his wife would depart for London, leaving Lenore with him, and they would no longer interfere with his affairs.

He closed the door and spoke as softly as possible, though with their preternatural hearing, Lord and Lady Villar would still hear snatches of their conversation.

“There is no need to worry about consummating the marriage.” His gaze held Lenore’s large brown eyes. “Our union will be in name only, unless you desire otherwise.”

Lenore’s taut shoulders visibly relaxed at his words. “Do you mean that truly, m’lord?”

Gavin nodded. “I may be strict when it comes to ruling my lands, but I am not such a beast as to force my attentions when they are not wanted.”

“I, ah,” she looked down and fiddled with her skirts. “I need time to think.”

This time Gavin brought forth his ruthlessness. “There is no time to think, Miss Graves. This is the price I shall have for aiding you.” He strode forward and seized her arms with a firm, albeit gentle grip. Yet still she cringed. He nearly released her and apologized, but instead he held firm, trying to prove that he would not hurt her. Though he softened his tone. “Now think about this. All of London’s vampires know the lurid details of your captivity. I imagine you’ve endured some discomfiting scrutiny.”

Biting her lower lip, she tentatively nodded. “Yes, but—”

“But,” he cut her off, “here in Rochester, your past is unknown to my people. You could begin your life anew here.”

For a moment, hope flashed across her delicate features like a ray of sunlight. Then her trembling resumed. “But I am not suitable to be a baroness. I was a match girl, and after that, a mere laborer in a factory. I wouldn’t know the first thing about the duties of a Lady.”

“Not to worry. One of my people shall help instruct you in all you need to know. Elena was a viscountess in her mortal years and poses as one to this day.”

Lenore’s full lips curved in a frown. “Then why don’t you marry
her
?”

Gavin laughed. Ah, there was that thread of iron. “I did, last century. Alas, she finds widowhood more agreeable.”

Her hands crept up to push him away, then they halted and rested against his chest. A frisson of pleasure jolted through him at the contact.

Those large brown eyes remained wide with bafflement. “Why do you want to marry
me
?”

He sighed. “The mortals in my lands pester me incessantly when I remain a bachelor too long. I could become a recluse, as so many other vampires in my situation have done, but being a shut-in is far too dull. I enjoy attending balls and the theater. Therefore, there is only one thing I can do to fend off the matchmaking mothers. I find a female vampire to pose as my wife for a few decades.”

Anne was usually amenable to playing the part, but unfortunately she’d recently fallen in love with the Lord of Salisbury and moved there. And Elena had no desire to repeat the role of mistress to his estate.

Now Gavin needed a bride, one who would fulfill the role as his baroness quietly and demurely, never causing any scandal. One who would bore the peerage to death, leaving them to turn their attention to another unfortunate bachelor. But most of all, one he could trust.

Running his fingers lightly along Lenore’s upper arms, Gavin’s lips curved in a satisfied smile. “Your loyalty and cleverness are the very qualities I seek in a wife.”

“I see.” A tiny frown line appeared between her dark brows as if she were unaccustomed to such praise. “And you swear that our m-marriage will be in name only?”

“Yes,” he said once again. “Unless you change your mind.” And God help his blackened soul, part of him prayed she would. Even when he’d seen first seen her, bruised and bedraggled, there had been something about her that drew him.

Her cheeks turned crimson. “When?” she asked.

“I’d say two months. There will be a small scandal at such haste, but that shall quickly abate when my neighbors see that you do not increase.” Gavin outlined his plan. “Tonight you will go to Elena’s. You shall be her cousin, come to visit, and catch the most eligible bachelor in the village.”

Lenore shook her head slowly. “Your neighbors will find it hard to believe someone like me would be capable of such a thing.”

“When they see me lose my heart and woo you, they’ll believe it.” The words came out impatiently. For some reason he disliked her lack of self-regard. “Now, do we have a bargain?”

Her eyes narrowed. “You never gave me a choice.”

“That is true. As I said before, marriage is the price I ask for helping you last autumn,” he said with a shameless grin. “But things will proceed much easier if you agree to say ‘I will’.” A strange weight settled in his stomach. What if she refused? Shaking off the unsettling sensation, he continued on. “Which would you prefer? Living in discomfiting notoriety in London, or being a grand Lady here and forging her own future?”

Lenore froze, her body vibrating with tension. Gavin’s own muscles tightened as he studied her face, watching a multitude of expressions flit across her delicate features. Her eyes looked through him, past him, to some other far off world that he could never see.

“Very well,” she said so softly he almost didn’t hear.

Gavin released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He held out his hand for her to shake, and fought back a tendril of desire as her warm palm clasped his. “I will treat you well, I promise. I may be strict, but you will see that I am also capable of generosity.” He released her hand slowly, part of him crying out in reluctance. “Now that we have an agreement, let us rejoin your former lord and assure him that I haven’t devoured you.”

A bright blush infused her pale cheeks and Gavin suddenly wanted to do just that. With great effort, he tamped down his desire. No, after all she’d been through, Lenore needed time. He’d just vowed to treat her well.