His Ruthless Bite | Historical Paranormal Romance: Vampires (Scandals With Bite Book 4) (7 page)

Lenore swallowed as saliva filled her mouth and her stomach rumbled. Elena hadn’t warned her that her hunger would be spurred. Of course, Lenore had never told them just how much of a youngling she truly was. She’d only been a vampire little more than three years. And Blanche had kept her far away from mortals much of the time, so she’d had little opportunity to practice control.

I can do this
, she said silently, willing herself not to look at the pulsing veins in the women’s exposed throats. Thank heavens the males’ necks were covered with their stiff cravats, else she may have fed on one of her dance partners by now.

When at last the music ceased, she quit the floor and went to the dressing room as soon as was acceptable. She paused at the door as she heard two women laughing.

“Did you see how she held her fan?” one woman said with an audible sneer. “Breeding does tell. Even her surname is common. Graves.”

“She does have a nice curtsy and danced well,” the other said. “Really, Harriet, you shouldn’t be so nasty. Just because she’s a poor relation doesn’t mean she doesn’t have prospects.”

Lenore licked her fangs before entering the room, features composed in a carefully placid countenance to conceal her raging blood thirst. One girl blushed at the sight of her and fled the room with a quick curtsy while the other glanced at her with a smirk. The malice in the girl’s green eyes vanished, however, as Lenore captured her gaze and fed.

After drinking a pint, Lenore bit her finger and healed the girl’s wound with her blood, leaving the dressing room sated and satisfied with the spot of vengeance.

When she returned to the ballroom, Lord Darkwood regarded her with a raised brow and a glimmer of amusement as if he knew exactly what she had done. She wondered if he’d fed from someone at the ball as well. Her belly turned over at his smile as he bowed.

“May I have the pleasure of dancing the next set with you, Miss Graves?”

Even a human could hear the gasps from the other guests at Lord Darkwood’s request. Even though this whole endeavor was a ruse, Lenore couldn’t hold back a thrill of triumph to dance with the county’s most coveted bachelor. She hid a grin beneath her fan at the jealous glares the other young women cast her way. Wallflower indeed.

The Master of Ceremonies called for a Quadrille and Lenore and Gavin lined up with the other couples. The intensity of his gaze as he bowed nearly made her falter in her curtsy when the musicians struck up a jaunty tune.

His hand grasped hers, the solid heat of his grasp palpable through the fabric of their gloves. His other hand lightly touched her shoulder and Lenore felt a tremor of something other than the usual fear. Not ready to ponder her strange response, she focused dutifully on her steps and turns.

“You dance very well, Miss Graves,” he said low, so the mortals couldn’t hear. “Elena taught you well.”

The compliment eased her tension. “I never imagined the steps were this energetic. They’re not too different from the reels in the East End.”

“Truly?” he laughed before his gaze roved over her with an entrancing smile. “Though I’m sure the manner of dress is quite different. I confess, you look even lovelier in a ball gown than I’d anticipated.”

“Th-thank you, my lord,” she stammered as his words sent her heart pounding.

When she was passed to a new partner, she found herself missing Lord Darkwood. The human was polite enough, but he didn’t smell right. He also had an unnerving habit of peering down her bodice.

Her next partner was much more courteous, yet she still craved Gavin’s presence. Was it because he was familiar? Or also a vampire? Or was there another reason?

All thoughts fled as she was once more reunited with him. They moved in perfect tandem, the steps suddenly wrought with magic. Lenore gazed at him in wonder as they moved to the beautiful music. This was exactly what she had imagined when she was a young girl.

Her tongue slid along her fangs as mirth bubbled within her being. Well, maybe not exactly.

“What are you thinking about to bring such an enchanting smile to your lips?” Gavin asked.

“Just how different everything is.” Lenore’s cheeks heated with his mention of her lips. “And truly, you do not have to flirt with me when our arrangement is a forgone conclusion.”

“But I am enjoying it.” He grinned. “This courtship is the most diverting of any I’ve orchestrated.”

But why?
she wanted to ask.

Gavin tried to hide his wonder as he escorted Lenore to the dining room. She played the part of an innocent debutante to utter perfection. He marveled at her rapid learning and adaptability. And when he’d danced with Elena, she’d told him that Lenore was an accomplished seamstress, so much that the ball gown she’d worn tonight was one of Elena’s old dresses that she’d altered herself.

That could prove useful for the duration of their marriage. It was dreadfully difficult to bribe a tailor into seeing him after dark. Their weak mortal eyes required so much light.

Once more he glanced down at her, trying not to be caught staring. Her transformation was beyond astounding. Gone was the plain, waifish female he’d first encountered. In her place, a radiant angel walked beside him. No, an angel was too pure for the primal visions that Lenore incited, Gavin thought as he eyed the small, yet delectable curves of her breasts rising up from her gown and the smooth, delicate column of her neck that begged him to take a nip.

Her crowning glory, however, was her hair. A rich mahogany, it shone like polished bronze and his fingers itched to run his fingers through the curled tendrils to see if it was as soft as he remembered. As Elena made a delicate sound behind him, he realized he’d been staring more than was appropriate. Damn these societal strictures. He wanted to drink his fill of the sight of her beauty. But he couldn’t risk damaging Lenore’s reputation. His bride must be untarnished to avoid unwanted attention after this scrutinized courtship concluded. The rushed wedding, though necessary, would draw enough talk.

As they neared the long table, loaded with so many dishes that it practically groaned, he felt Lenore’s arm stiffen as she froze beside him. Looking at her wide eyes, he wondered what was amiss. Elena had assured him that she’d taught her proper table etiquette and use of silverware, but perhaps she hadn’t mastered such complexities in so short a time?

He lightly stroked her upper arm in effort to soothe her. It didn’t matter if she made mistakes. Once their engagement was announced, her status would be beyond reproach. As he pulled out her seat, he saw her staring at the array of food as if beholding one of the wonders of the world. Comprehension dawned and he smiled. Since she’d come from the lower classes, she’d likely never seen such a vast repast. Pity she was unable to enjoy it as a human could.

“I do hope there is not something amiss with the table,” one young woman said, eyeing Lenore with amusement.

“Not in the slightest,” Lenore protested. “I was only admiring the beautiful arrangement.”

“Did you not have suppers like these where you come from?” The chit’s lips curved in a mocking smile. She glanced back at her friends and they tittered behind their fans.

Lenore shook her head, not catching the implied insult.

Gavin ground his teeth. He hoped that viper had been the one Lenore had fed on in the dressing room earlier.

He watched with fascination as she took a delicate sip of the leek soup and closed her eyes in pure bliss. Vampires couldn’t digest food very well, but they could at least enjoy small tastes.

He himself took a sip of the Madeira and hid a wince at the vinegary aftertaste. His own stores were far better. He would be sure to serve it at his ball after the wedding.

The fish course was brought out next and Lenore took a small bite of buttered turbot and actually moaned softly. Arousal shivered down his spine. If only he could make her moan like that. But he never could. Not when their marriage would be in name only. Gritting his teeth, he willed his lust to abate and focused on making polite conversation. The bane of all social gatherings.

He couldn’t wait to be alone with Lenore so they could speak of things that actually mattered. To the devil with the weather.

To her credit, Lenore managed to make the boring topics bearable with her shy smiles and becoming soft voice. The partridge and pheasant were delivered and she sampled that as well. And then a piece of fruit.

Too late, he realized just how much she had eaten. “Lenore,” he whispered, hiding his lips behind his glass, “You must stop eating, or you will become ill.”

Her two front teeth worried her lower lip, almost revealing her fangs and she nodded quickly before lowering her fork to toy with the venison a footman had set before her.

But when the berry custard was offered to her, he caught her slipping a spoonful of the creamy confection into her mouth. Her moan of pleasure was audible to some of the other diners and they glanced at her with veiled expressions of disapproval.

Gavin hid a sigh. Foolish youngling. What was she thinking?

“Is the custard to your liking, Miss Graves?” Lady Haversham asked.

Lenore nodded. “Oh yes. Everything is wonderful. I have never before enjoyed such a fine meal.”

Gavin’s eyes widened as comprehension dawned. Of course, not only would she not have seen so much food before, but as one who had grown up starving, she would have difficulty resisting temptation to eat what was set before her. Especially such delicious delicacies.

His chest tightened in pity for the difficult life she must have led. But he couldn’t have her casting up her accounts all over the dining room table.

“Lenore…” he said sharply, though still too low for the humans to hear.

She flinched and dropped her spoon.

Though he was pleased with her obedience, he did wish she did not react to his reasonable requests like a startled hare.

After the dishes were carried away, he breathed a sigh of relief that temptation had been removed. He and the other men who wanted to dance escorted the ladies to the dressing room while the others remained behind for port and cigars.

While he waited for Lenore to powder her nose and adjust her coiffure, he realized that he was looking forward to the waltz. It was likely the only time he’d be able to hold her in his arms. They’d danced together so well, despite their disparity in height. This next dance promised to be exquisite. He tapped his foot in impatience, eyeing the door. What was taking her so long?

When she emerged, the reason for her delay was apparent in her ashen complexion, which almost had a greenish cast.

Lenore shakily curtsied. “My lord, I’m afraid I am feeling a trifle out of sorts. May we postpone our dance?”

“Of course.” Gavin inclined his head in assent. “But please permit me to take you outside for a bit of fresh air once we locate your cousin to chaperone us.”

As if summoned by his words, Elena materialized behind him. “I would be delighted to take a turn around the gardens with you. I want to see if anything is budding yet.” Her eyes roved over Lenore’s face with growing concern. “Let us change back into our walking boots.”

Gavin frowned as he once more found himself waiting by the door. He hadn’t sensed Elena’s approach. His worry for Lenore had taken over his awareness. That was dangerous.

When they made their explanations to their hostess, Lady Haversham nodded agreeably, though her eyes glinted with curiosity with Gavin’s unprecedented interest in Miss Graves. Truly, taking a walk with her gave an even greater impression of his impending courtship, though he still would have preferred a waltz.

As he’d expected, a few matrons suddenly decided that they wanted to take in some of the night air on the terrace, where they could conveniently observe most of the gardens.

Gavin caught Elena’s gaze and tilted his head in the direction of the peeping mortals. “We have spectators.”

Her arm hooked with Lenore’s, she gave an almost imperceptible nod before pointing at the rose bush, pretending to be extolling its virtues while she looked down at her charge. “What were you thinking, little mouse? Vampires cannot handle an overabundance of solid victuals.”

“I’d been told,” Lenore replied miserably. “But I didn’t know how little I could abide. It’s just that I’d been hungry all my life and the food… It tasted like heaven.” She looked up at Gavin with pleading eyes. “I’m sorry I ruined your plans, my lord.”

“It is quite all right.” His words came out sharper than he meant.

The thought of her being so hungry that she couldn’t restrain herself at a meal infuriated him for some reason. And Clayton, the vampire who’d captured her last year had starved her as well. Why did the world have to be so cruel to some people?

“And I told you to call me Gavin,” he chided, a little softer.

“I cannot use your Christian name when we’ve just been acquainted,” she protested. “It would be—” she broke off with an alarming choking sound as her face paled further.

Elena quickly led her behind a hedge, pretending to need to adjust her bonnet laces.

The sound of retching reached his ears and he hoped the nosy hens on the terrace didn’t hear. Gavin turned his back and looked up at the moon, feigning polite boredom while inside he seethed. This evening had become a travesty.