“If there will be food, I will gladly follow you anywhere.” Despite the afternoon respite, Angelica was ready to keel over from starvation. “Do you think I could summon a page to dispatch a note to my husband? I am certain he would love to join us when he is able.”
At Hyde Park, the champagne flowed and the tables groaned with food under covered pavilions. The hot air balloons were a sight to see, but as the sky darkened and the fireworks commenced, Angelica’s attention wandered from the colorful illuminations as she scanned the park for the approach of the Duke of Burnrath.
“I understand you are to become one of us,” a deep, accented voice rumbled behind her.
Angelica turned to see Rafael Villar standing in the shadows of a copse of beech trees. Instead of flinching, she stepped closer, refusing to display her trepidation. “Yes, I am.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a brief half smile as he nodded in approval of her courage. “I suppose I must welcome you, then.”
His reluctant tone made her laugh. “I appreciate your warm reception.”
Rafael’s customary scowl returned. “This is no laughing matter. I must warn you that joining the ranks of the immortals means that you will have to separate yourself from all of this.” He waved his good hand at the merry celebration.
Angelica opened her mouth to retort, then closed it as the truth of his words struck her. Everyone she knew would age and die around her while she remained the same. Suddenly, the implication of hers and Ian’s forthcoming fifty-year honeymoon became clear. They had to leave London before their secret became known.
“I understand,” she replied solemnly.
Rafe gave a dry laugh. “I highly doubt that you do, but I have hope that you will someday.” His gaze softened slightly. “I also understand that you killed the vampire hunter, Ben Flannigan. For that, you have my deepest gratitude and I shall repay you at the earliest opportunity.”
Angelica’s eyes widened. Had that hunter been the one responsible for Rafe’s burns? She opened her mouth to ask, but he had already melted back into the shadows.
Angelica shivered. Where was Ian?
Her body felt him a second before he embraced her from behind, pressing his hips against her rear as he kissed her ear. “How was the coronation, my Angel?”
She melted in his arms and covered her husband with kisses before launching into a full account. After relating all the gossip she’d heard at the banquet, she noticed that his eyes were on her breasts and he wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to her words.
Angelica fought back a tremor of desire at his heated gaze. “I see you have no interest at all. You have probably been to a dozen of these affairs and seen many kings crowned.” She slapped him on the arm with her fan and stuck out her tongue.
Ian smiled, resembling an archangel in the multicolored light that framed his hair like a brilliant halo. He stepped closer and tilted up her chin. “Kings come and kings go, but our love will last forever.” His lips captured hers, and Angelica’s heart flared brighter than the explosions in the sky.
Twenty-nine
As July gave way to August, Angelica’s marriage was as happy as it had been in the first weeks after her wedding. She was overcome with excitement as she and Ian planned their trip to Paris and discussed other places they intended to visit. She was the luckiest woman alive. Very few women had the opportunity to enjoy a honeymoon that lasted half a century.
“A letter has arrived for you, Your Grace,” Burke said, presenting him with an ornate envelope on a silver tray.
“At last.” Ian smiled as Angelica fetched the letter opener. “I have received a response from the Elders. They certainly took their time.”
Angelica could hardly remain still in her seat as Ian slit open the first envelope and read with painstaking slowness.
She searched his face for hints of the news to come. At last, he met her gaze and set the letter down. “The Elders have approved my petition to Change you,” he announced with a smile.
Angelica gasped in joy and threw herself into his arms. At last she would be like him and they would be together for all eternity.
Ian kissed the top of her head and grasped her shoulders. His expression turned serious.
“They also wish me and Rafe to meet with them to discuss his succession.”
“Is that typical?” Angelica asked, surprised at her concern. Although Rafe didn’t appear to like her very much, she couldn’t help but feel that much of his sour personality was due to how others treated him because of his scars and crippled arm. She had no doubt that he was powerful and intelligent enough to take Ian’s place.
Ian nodded in reassurance. “Yes, the Elders always want to observe a potential interim lord in person to ensure that he is capable of the job. If he does not pass muster, they shall appoint a vampire of their own choosing.”