His soft laughter rippled amidst the solemn music. “Ian was right about you, Your Grace. You are indeed fearless. There are not many of us in that region, so for now, I am in charge of the lot. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Vincent Tremayne.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Vincent. And I am honored that you traveled so far to attend my wedding, as well as my first ball.” Angelica bit back another question she longed to ask: How many other vampires are hidden in the nobility? And how many other lord vampires are here?
“A mere handful are in the nobility, and only four lords were able to come.” He answered her thought as if she’d spoken aloud. “But to answer your first question, when I heard my good friend Ian had wed a mortal, I was curious to see her for myself,” he said with a soft smile. “And it was due time I ventured out of my castle. I’m certain you’ve heard I am a known recluse.”
Angelica gasped. “You can read my mind?”
Vincent smiled. “Only if you are thinking very loud.” He glanced over her shoulder and frowned.
Angelica glanced over her shoulder to see Rafael Villar holding up his usual pillar and glaring at Vincent once more. She patted Deveril’s sleeve sympathetically. “Don’t worry overmuch, my lord. He doesn’t like me, either.”
Deveril shook his head. “I believe the unusual circumstances of your marriage to Ian vex him. He does not know how to deal with such a situation, and so it makes him nervous. As for his sharp eyes on me, the man is only doing his job. As another Lord Vampire in Ian’s territory, I am seen as a potential threat.” He chuckled lightly. “Truly, the scoundrel can relax. I have no designs on the duke’s territory or his bride, lovely though she may be.”
Before she could reply, Ian claimed her for a contra dance and Loki scurried up Deveril’s leg. Apparently the kitten had escaped the footman. Angelica nearly erupted into paroxysms of laughter as she hid her face in her husband’s chest.
“Loki seems to have taken a liking to the Lord Vampire of Cornwall,” she said. “Or at least his legs.”
Ian’s silver eyes smiled down into hers, unaffected by her mention of the other vampire. “I can think of finer legs.”
She could swear the ballroom grew considerably warmer and decided a change of subject would be in order. “Do you like the musicians, my lord?”
Ian nodded. “Aside from the fact that their compositions are indeed difficult for dancing, I find them to be exotic enough for the theme of your party.”
Angelica hid a smile at his diplomatic expression of his disapproval. “Aren’t they delightful?”
He frowned in their direction. “‘Delightful’ would not be my chosen word. Powerful and highly accomplished would be more along my line of thinking.”
She couldn’t suppress a laugh. “And you have not heard the leader sing yet.”
“One of them sings?” His incredulous look nearly doubled her hilarity. “Then perhaps we should cut the dancing short and ask them to perform after supper, as if we were hosting an opera.”
Angelica turned her head toward the dancers, who were struggling to find rhythm amidst the alien melodies. “Your plan has merit, Your Grace. I am afraid if we continue much longer, there shall be many bruised shins and broken toes. But now,” she said with an impish grin. “I am due for my performance.”
When Angelica mounted the platform and sat before the pianoforte, startled gasps permeated the room before they gave way to wild cheers as her fingers struck the keys. She grinned broadly and gave herself up to the music, feeling deliciously wild and free. Whispers reverberated through the audience as she sang. There were many mutters of disapproval as she left the piano to seat her guests for dinner, but a few beamed at her in admiration and complimented her on her unique entertainment. She met Ian’s eyes and basked in his smile. Only his approval mattered.
“I see that you’ve once again set society on its ear,” he said with a grin as the servants entered with covered dishes. “Do you think it is wise for you to keep stirring them up with your peccadilloes?”
Angelica raised a brow. “Surely you would prefer that they talk about me, rather than having you continue to be the subject of those gossipmongers.”
He raised her knuckles to his lips. “I am fortunate to have such a champion.”
She smiled up at him. “That is why you married me, after all.”