“How very odd…” she whispered aloud.
Something squeaked and brushed past her ankle. Angelica shrieked and jumped, losing her footing on the stairs. As she tumbled down, pain jarring her from multiple impacts, she saw a small rat scurry away. Shame washed over her for acting like such a ninny. Then everything went black.
***
Ian’s eyes snapped open as he heard a thump. There was an intruder in his house. Who would dare? He lurched to his feet. The blood hunger tinged his vision with red and he grinned. No matter, I have an easy meal. He threw on a pair of black trousers and hurriedly fastened the first few buttons on a white lawn shirt, scorning his boots. He yanked open the secret door and ran up the cellar stairs, licking his fangs in anticipation.
With the silence only a nocturnal hunter could muster, he stalked on quiet feet through the kitchen and into the drawing room. The staircase came into view and so did his culprit, a young, slim boy who had apparently taken a spill and was struggling to sit up. The absence of a stake and the presence of a satchel indicated that this was a common thief who’d invaded his sanctuary, rather than a vexing vampire hunter.
The thief saw him and his black eyes widened in shock. There was something familiar about the boy, but Ian’s hunger chased away further speculation. All street urchins looked alike anyhow. He could hear the pounding of the lad’s heart and taste the fear on his tongue. Ian inhaled deeply as the thirst within him surged in triumph to be so soon abated.
***
Terror coursed through Angelica as she saw the Duke of Burnrath approach. He seemed carved from shadows, and his eyes glowed molten silver like those of a ferocious beast as he moved ever closer with deadly fluid grace.
“You made a poor selection of a residence to rob, boy,” he whispered. His hair hung in his face, making him appear dangerous and rakish.
Relief flooded her with the realization that he didn’t recognize her, and she struggled to gain her feet. Pain erupted in her ankle and Angelica collapsed, watching in helpless trepidation as he slowly stalked nearer. He seized her by her upper arms, and she whimpered at the pressure of his fingertips digging into her flesh. Those inhuman silver eyes locked onto hers, holding her spellbound.
“You will pay a price for your clumsiness, I am afraid.” His sculpted lips parted to reveal gleaming sharp fangs.
A scream caught in her throat as he bent his head toward her. His hair caressed her cheek, smelling of wild spices.
As he sank his teeth into her neck, Angelica’s last rational thought before she fainted was: My God, the duke really is a vampire! What a story that would make…
Six
The second the blood touched his tongue and the delicate perfume of lilacs infused his senses, Ian knew his victim was female. As her life and emotions began to flash through his mind, he realized that he held Angelica Winthrop in his arms. But he could not stop drinking, for his hunger was too strong. God, she was sweet!
Out of respect and to avoid getting too close to her, he shut his mind off from hers, only taking her blood and allowing her incredible passion for living to feed him along with her vitality. When he was sated, he released her and bit his finger, using his blood to heal the puncture wounds at her delicate throat and feeling like a monster for touching that pure ivory skin. He hoped she was uninjured from her fall.
Ian scooped her up and carried her to the sitting room, marveling at how light and perfect she felt in his arms. Angelica’s cap fell off, letting the dark silken tresses tumble out to caress his chest. The scent of spring flowers wafted from her shining locks. After he lit a lamp and laid his delicate burden on the sofa, his fingers combed through that lovely hair as he felt for lumps. He frowned when he found a small one at the base of her skull.
After he unbuttoned her frayed frock coat, still perplexed as to why she was dressed like a man, he felt for broken bones. Unbidden, his hands lingered on her breasts through her coarse linen shirt before continuing his examination. He felt her buttocks and thighs through her trousers, and his own grew tight as he stiffened with arousal. Ian shook his head to clear it and ran his hands down her calves. When he touched her swelling ankle, she gasped in pain and bolted upright. As her gaze met his and widened with fright, Ian cursed under his breath. He’d forgotten to erase her memory of him feeding on her.
***