“I did not realize you were so jealous, my dear wife,” he said with amusement.
I drew away from him and pouted. “I would just rather she understand that she is not my competition.”
“Of course she is not,” Vlad chided me. “Even if she does seem to believe that. She could never compete with you, my flame haired bride.” He caught me by my hair and drew me against him. Kissing the back of my neck, his hands slid over my body.
I growled at him irritably. “If you wish me to dress then stop that.” I drew away from him and fled from our secret chamber.
He caught me in the foyer and twirled me about. His kiss was searing as I beat my hands against his chest. Twining his hands in my hair, he whispered against my lips. “You are the first. Remember that.”
“Only when it serves my purposes,” I retorted.
He laughed, releasing me. I stomped my foot at him, then turned and fled up the stairs.
I found Magda in my room waiting for me. She was laying out one of my favorite dresses. “The Count told me to make sure you looked your very best tonight,” she said nervously.
With a bit of a frown, I fell into the chair next to my vanity. “Yes, he is dragging me off to some ridiculous gathering with his mistress.”
Magda’s expression was grave as she began to brush out my hair.
“It is unfortunate that he does not leave you behind,” she said in a low voice, and I understood the hidden meaning. I wondered how much she actually knew about Ignatius and me. I dared not ask.
“Yes, I know. I’m rather tired of being tied to his side.”
Magda began to twist my hair up into a fancy design. “He has been a bit possessive since his return.”
“He suspects me,” I answered truthfully.
“And yet he is open with his mistress.” She adorned my red tresses with jeweled hair clips and a fancy green ostrich feather.
I shrugged. “I really do not care about her.” Unfortunately, I knew that was not fully true. I actually despised the Baroness and felt threatened by her to some degree. Of course, she had also betrayed my family and I hated her viciously for that. But, if I was honest with myself, the mere thought of Vlad turning her into a vampire made me quite angry.
“That woman is evil,” Magda hissed.
“Why do you say that?” I glanced back at Magda. She seemed quite upset.
“She used to visit often before Vlad brought you here. He used to spend a lot of time with her before you became his wife. She used to do terrible things to the servants and he would let her.”
I saw that her hands were shaking. “Magda, did she hurt you?”
My faithful servant reached out and took my hands. I felt a pang of guilt that I had never realized the depth of her devotion until just a few nights ago.
“I know you are a good woman. You have never treated us badly. You have made Vlad act like a true Master and not a brute. We used to live in terrible fear when he would come to the house, but now, it is so much better for all of us.” Magda’s brow furrowed. “But that woman, that awful woman, please, do not let her befriend you or try to return to his good graces.”
I held her hands firmly. “I despise her. Do not worry about her. And, of course, you shall be treated well. I will insist on nothing less.”
Magda looked close to tears. “But you will leave to England and we shall be here. What if he gives us to her?”
“I will insist that he keeps this home,” I lied. I actually had other plans for the house once I killed Vlad. I was determined to return to Buda and take the house as my own until I could arrange to leave for England.
Magda looked a little relieved, but her brow was still creased with worry. “In all the years I have served Vlad, only this time with you as our mistress has been peaceful and good.”
“I am glad to hear that I have brought some measure of happiness to your life,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. I was very touched by her words.
“Perhaps he will eventually allow us to take our sips of blood from you and not him,” she said after a beat.
“Why does he have you drink his blood?” I looked at her questioningly as she helped me into my bright green silk dress.
“So that we are bound to him,” she answered.
“But you helped me the other night,” I said.
“My family has served him for hundreds of years. We have always drunk of his blood and it sustains us. We live long and are rarely ill. But, when we drink, we are strongly bound to his wishes. He has not given me his blood in almost a year. I think perhaps he trusts that I will do as he wishes without his blood.” As she talked, her nimble fingers worked to fasten my dress.
“I thank you for helping me,” I said in a low voice.
She moved around me, fluffing my bows and lace. “I thank you for being a true and kind mistress.”
We shared a moment of camaraderie I have rarely had with any servant, and I felt an immense fondness for her. What followed was a pang of guilt when I realized I did not even know if she was married or had children. I knew absolutely nothing about her except she was devoted to me.
The door swung open and Vlad’s presence filled the room. I was a little surprised at how modern and handsome he appeared tonight. Obviously, he had taken the time to trim his hair and mustache and it made his face seem much more pleasant. Of course, I knew that was a lie, but it was still rather remarkable.
“You look lovely. We should depart now that you are ready,” Vlad said.
Magda quickly tied one more ribbon in my hair and then hurried to get my cloak.
I walked toward Vlad slowly, my gaze fastened on him rather intently. “Why are we going to this party tonight?”
“Why are you so suspicious? Perhaps it is time for us to socialize with others as a married couple,” Vlad answered.
“Oh, please. You do nothing without some sort of ulterior motive. You plot everything.”
“You do know me well, do you not?”
“Far more than I like,” I admitted.
Magda brought my cloak and helped fasten it about my throat. She looked anxious. When I departed on Vlad’s arm, I saw that she was clutching her hands tightly, her knuckles completely white.
“I would truly like to know why we are going to the Baroness' home tonight,” I said as we walked down the stairs to the foyer. “I do not like it when you plot and leave me in darkness.”
Vlad turned on his heel to regard me thoughtfully, then shook his head. “No, it is best if you do not know. I am not in the mood for one of your temper tantrums.”
“I beg your pardon? Temper tantrum?” I stomped my foot. “Truly you think ill of me.”
With a laugh, he helped me into the carriage and took his place beside me.
I gave him my most sour expression. “Of course, you will not be a decent man and let me know of your plans.”
“Of course not. Besides, you have never considered me to be a decent man,” Vlad said with a laugh.
I growled at him and settled down into the seat as the carriage lurched forward.
“Perhaps I have decided it is time for you to know the truth about certain matters that pertain to you,” he said at last.
I regarded him with great curiosity, but he ignored me.
The Dosza Palace was not the shimmering spectacle it had been the night of the opera, but it was still quite glorious to behold as we approached. As the carriage drew up to the steps, Vlad reached out to touch my hand, his fingers tracing over the red stone in the ring he had given me.
“Remember, you are Countess Dracula. None other carries that title,” he said firmly.
I regarded him in silence, attempting to discern a hidden meaning. The door to the carriage opened and we disembarked.
Brice met us in the foyer. “Please, follow me,” he said in a low voice, and I noticed that he barely glanced at me.
Freed of our cloaks, we followed Brice into a parlor where the Baroness was already visiting with other guests. Sir Stephen and his wife, Maria were seated on a couch talking softly with the Baroness.
As we entered the room, the Baroness slid to her feet and put on her most dazzling smile. I thought this amusing since all their expressions had been quite dire when we had entered.
“Count and Countess Dracula, how wonderful for you to join us tonight,” she gushed.
Vlad allowed her to greet him warmly and I followed suit.
The Baroness looked beautiful in her red gown and red ostrich turban. She clasped her hands to her bosom and her diamond bracelets and rings caught the light like white fire.
“We are most pleased to be here,” Vlad said in response, then moved to greet Sir Stephen and Maria.
A fierce anger enveloped me as I stood among those who had betrayed and murdered my family. My jaw set firmly as I moved to greet the other guests, putting on my best face despite my rage.
“It was so delightful to meet your brother,” the Baroness said with a bright smile.
“He enjoyed your party immensely.”
“It was a shame he departed so soon.”
Maria was staring at me openly and I realized she had never seen me without a veil. Her support of Vlad’s story of my disfigurement had helped us deceive my brother, but now I wondered if she had always known all along that it was a lie.
The idle conversation began to die down, and I realized that the humans were quite nervous. I looked toward Vlad and raised an eyebrow.
“She did not invite us here,” I said at last.
Vlad smiled at me as he took a chair near the fire. He settled into it as if it was a throne. “No, I summoned them here.”
The pretense was over and the mortals looked even more nervous than before.
“We are at your disposal,” Sir Stephen said quickly. “Whatever you desire.”
Maria stepped back behind her husband and cast a wary glance in my direction.
The Baroness laughed a little nervously. “Oh, come now. We are all friends.”
“You are my servants,” Vlad said in a low voice.
The Baroness smile faded as she immediately turned and curtsied to him. “Of course, Master. Forgive me.” She bowed her head and took a step back from him, her fingers fidgeting with her skirt.
Vlad sat comfortably in the chair, his hands folded over his chest. “Let us speak openly before my wife. It is time she understood all that has transpired.”
The Baroness sat down sharply in a chair and looked toward me with fearful eyes.
Maria took her place next to her husband, her hand taking hold of his.
Sir Stephen looked absolutely terrified and he gulped visibly.
“It is time, Glynis, that you understand the role these humans played in bringing you to me and making you my wife.”
“You told me that Sir Stephen summoned my family here with the intent of turning me over to you,” I said as I took my place next to his chair. I leaned my elbow on the back of it and stared at the mortals. I knew Sir Stephen’s role in the demise of my family from what Vlad had told me, but I made a mental note that I must act surprised about the Baroness’ participation.
“He summoned several families here,” Vlad said. “Did you take notice of all the English who were visiting when your family was?”
Sir Stephen looked down at his hands and frowned a little.
I thought back to all the social events I had attended in Buda then slowly nodded. “Yes, actually, I remember a few other families were also visiting at that time.”
“It was the Baroness who felt I should pursue you. She made an effort to meet all the young English ladies. Out of all of them, she chose you. She visited me and spoke glowingly of your beauty and charms. Soon after, I sought you out at the opera.” Vlad smiled as the Baroness squirmed in her chair. “Is that not correct?’
“Of course. She is quite lovely and I felt she would compliment your imposing stature with her vivacious personality.
“Of course, Sir Stephen did as I ordered because he fears me and is loyal,” Vlad said with a bit of a smirk. “Also, his daughter, Laura, is about to return from boarding school in Switzerland and he was fearful I would chose her.”
Sir Stephen paled, and Maria looked absolutely terrified.
“We would have been honored if you had chosen her,” Maria said swiftly.
“So you did know all along that the veils were a lie,” I snapped at her.
Maria looked at her husband, then at Vlad. At last she said, “If you understood what a great man your husband is you would not feel any reservations-“
“He murdered my family!”
My voice was sharp and cold.
Vlad did not even look in my direction. “Therefore, all of the mortals before you have assisted me in drawing you to me and ensuring our safe passage to England. And for that, I am quite grateful.”
The Baroness forced a bright smile. “It is our pleasure.”
Sir Stephen looked up and said in a low voice, “I am in your service.”
Maria nodded her head, clutching Stephen’s hand.
“I thank you for your service and now I release all of you. Stephen, I am transferring all my business to a new solicitor and Baroness, though your parties are a delight and my wife and I shall attend any we are invited to, consider our dealings at an end.”