Ian sucked in a breath at the sight before him. One man was crumpled on the ground, blood dripping from a wound on the side of his head. Angelica fended the other off with Ian’s walking stick, oblivious to the mud dripping from her face and hair. Apparently she had not discovered that the walking stick concealed a blade, for she was merely bludgeoning her enemy with the length of wood. Admiration for her courage warred with guilt for putting her in danger. His protective instincts rose to a frenzied pitch and the scent of blood teased his nostrils. With a roar, he seized Angelica’s attacker and sank his fangs into his throat.
When Ian read the man’s intentions to rape his intended bride, he had felt the urge to kill for the first time in almost two centuries. He released his victim with a growl, realizing that she had been watching him the whole time. Angelica stared at him, wide-eyed but silent. She wiped the mud from her cheek, smearing it on her satin glove. Her body heaved from its exertion as she continued to clutch his walking stick.
“I am quite sorry you had to see that,” Ian said as he approached her, carefully watching her face for any expression of disgust. Again he cursed himself for putting her in danger.
“I am just happy those men did not…” She trailed off as Ian withdrew his handkerchief and wiped the rest of the mud from her face. “Did you kill him?”
He raised a brow at her casual tone. Would she ever cease to surprise him? “No. He is merely unconscious.” Ian neglected to tell her that with the amount of blood he had taken, coupled with the man’s poor health, the bastard wasn’t likely to survive the night. “Now come, my bloodthirsty wench. We should leave this place and fabricate a story for your mother’s benefit in regards to the dishevelment of your clothing and person.”
Once they were settled in the carriage, Angelica asked, “Was that really John Polidori, you were chasing?”
He sighed at her enthusiasm. She should be berating him for abandoning her. “Yes.”
She leaned forward, eyes gleaming in fascination. “Why were you chasing him?”
“He owes me some explanations for his writing.” Ian answered patiently, though he was growing exhausted with the subject.
She chewed her full lower lip. “I do hope you catch him next time. I would very much like to meet him. I think he is an excellent writer.”
Ian laughed. “I was afraid you might think so.”
Inside, he was seething with self-recrimination. His pursuit of Polidori had put Angelica in danger. Perhaps he should call off the search and leave the man alone. After all, now that he was to wed, his reputation should be saved. He paused, looking out the carriage window. On the other hand, Rosetta lived nearby. Once he saw his future duchess home safely, it couldn’t hurt to call on her and request that she try to catch Polidori.
Fifteen
“My God, he almost had me!” John panted as he slammed the door behind him and bolted down the stone steps.
Rosetta’s heart pounded in alarm. “What happened, John?” She hurried over to him, running her hands over his body, looking for any sign of injury.
“I was walking through the square and a vampire saw me.” John paused to catch his breath as she waited anxiously. “He knew my name and he gave chase with murder in his eyes. The bastard caught me and I thought I was done for, but then a woman screamed and he released me and headed back in her direction.” He fetched a bottle of wine from the table and poured a glass with shaky hands.
Terror for her beloved turned her heart to ice. “What did he look like?” If the vampire pursuing John was one of the duke’s informants, she could handle it, but if it was him, the danger had escalated tenfold.
Polidori paced the room like an agitated cat, wine slopping over his glass onto the floor. “He was tall, well dressed, and possessed the most eerie silver eyes. I could swear that they glowed.”
“Oh God!” she gasped and took John into her arms. “Then he was the Duke of Burnrath, the Lord Vampire of London. Did he follow you?”
John shook his head. “No, I’m sure he did not. He was quite concerned with the lady who screamed.”
“What lady?” Rosetta demanded. She’d heard His Grace was to marry a mortal but hadn’t believed the rumor until she saw the announcement in The Times. But surely he did not bring his intended to this part of town.
“I don’t know who she was. I didn’t see her, but God, she screamed loud.” John shuddered, eyes full of compassion. “I think she was being attacked. But I am certain the vampire did not follow me,” he repeated.
Rosetta remained unconvinced. “I do not want you leaving this chamber after dark anymore unless I am with you. It is not safe.”
“But, Rosetta, if he sees you with me, he is sure to kill you for betraying him.” John’s dark gaze captured hers with his implacable will.
He was right. She ran a hand through her hair in agitation. She hated the fact that in instances like this she was as helpless as a mortal woman. Her eyes grew moist. “It does not matter as long as you are safe, my love. I could not bear it if something happened to you. And you seem to forget that this trouble was my fault to begin with. Still, I will fight for you if I have to.”
She trembled in his arms. He kissed the tears from her face and whispered, “Oh, Rosetta, my avenging warrior.”