Darkness In The Flames Page 8

  Adrian nodded. “’Twould seem that you respond most violently to such a drug, Ma’am.” His tone was cool and proper, as was his expression. Only his eyes burned fire as they crossed her face.

  Katherine shivered. “So I am to believe that I have just experienced a horrid nightmare? During which I—somehow or other—scratched myself in a simulation of some terrible act of violence?”

  “Quite.” Sir Sidney’s voice was muffled as he moved papers on his desk.

  “Exactly.” Adrian nodded his agreement.

  Katherine narrowed her eyes. “Bollocks.”

  “Pardon?” Sir Sidney glanced up at the whispered expletive. “I’m afraid I didn’t hear you.”

  Adrian’s lips creased into a grin and she thought she heard a soft “Meeeoooww”.

  It was clear somebody had heard her. Once again Katherine cursed at herself for allowing her temper to betray her. Perhaps it was the drug. Certainly something was revealing a side of her she’d worked hard to hide for most of her life.

  “Never mind.” She turned her head away, nose high in the air.

  Sir Sidney extended a hand, slipping into the role of welcoming host with comfortable ease. His smile was genuine. “I’m glad you’re recovered enough to talk, my dear. This has been a dreadful time for you. My deepest sympathies on your loss. There are many details we need to discuss, and we have been awaiting your recovery with a great deal of anticipation.”

  He took her hand and led her courteously to a chair by the fire. “Will you sit for a while, share some wine perhaps, and tell us how we may assist you now that you are on the road to restored health?”

  “Yes Ma’am, do tell us all about yourself.” The encouragement came from Adrian who presented her with a goblet half-full of deep red liquid. “’Tis only wine. No more drugs, I promise.” His voice was as wicked as his gaze, and he unashamedly stared over her body. “We would not want to incite you to further…violence…”

  Katherine tugged the blanket closer around her shoulders and wished for her more substantial housedress. This lacy froth was not what she was used to wearing and it seemed a great deal too transparent to his gaze for her comfort. Not only that, but it scratched her nipples.

  And why the devil that should occur to her, she had no idea whatsoever.

  *~*~*~*

  Adrian watched her as she settled herself and prepared to concoct another tissue of lies. How he knew she’d lie, he wasn’t sure, but he knew.

  For some reason, Kat did not want her identity or her presence at St. Chesswell revealed or explained. And Adrian was inclined to support that intention. The longer he was in her presence, the more his body responded to her.

  The next time they fucked, it was going to be for real.

  His cock stirred hungrily, and he squelched down his desire. For the moment. He needed to know what she’d say, what story she’d invent. He could go from there.

  It was difficult, but he remained in the half-shadows behind his father’s chair and observed her face in silence as she began her tale.

  “As you know, my name is Ka—Kitty Edgeworth. The lady I was traveling with, who was so unfortunately killed, was Mrs. Jessica Byerly. My employer.” She folded her hands neatly on her lap and looked down.

  Adrian hid his grin. Not a word of truth so far, except perhaps for her name. And even then the little Kat had almost slipped up.

  “I’ve been with Mrs. Byerly for several months now, as her companion. She was widowed last year. We were on our way to visit her aunt.”

  “A long journey?” Sidney was calmly inquisitive.

  Katherine paused for a moment. “To Romsey. We had started out a little later than we’d expected, hence we were traveling after dark. Stupid, I know, but…” She spread her hands in a gesture of defeat.

  Adrian kept his eyes on her face. She was cool, collected, spouting facts in an efficiently organized manner. There was nothing to indicate any sort of mental turmoil. Nothing except—his gaze fell to the tiny flutter of her pulse.

  Oh yes, Kat. ‘Tis mostly lies. I wonder where the truth is hidden.

  “You were well out of your way,” commented Sidney.

  “I realize that now, of course.” Katherine shook her head. “Had we only decided to lodge at the Inn near Lymington. But my dear Mrs. Byerly was intent on traveling as far as possible before halting. I think we probably took a wrong turn shortly after heading inland.”

  “Indeed you did. You are still on the coast, Mrs. Edgeworth. St. Chesswell’s Chyne is not far from Hythe.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really? We are that far off our route? Oh dear.”

  Adrian caught a glimpse of something, a flicker that could have been excitement, at the back of her eyes. It was gone in an instant, but he knew he’d not been mistaken.

  “I have to address an unfortunate topic, my dear.” Sidney leaned forward soothingly. “Your companion must be interred, I’m afraid. Or at the very least, arrangements made for her family to claim her for her burial. Can you assist us here? Tell us who to notify?”

  Katherine’s eyes filled with tears, and Adrian sensed the grief behind them was quite real. They had been friends, certainly. This emotion could not be faked.

  “Oh, Sir Sidney. This is so dreadful.” Katherine squeezed her eyelids together, but not before a sheen of moisture coated them. “There is no one.” She swallowed, her fingers moving restlessly as she clasped her hands together in her lap.

  The pulse fluttered once more in a sign Adrian was beginning to realize as an indication that a lie was forthcoming.

  “Mrs. Byerly was a widow, as I said. Her home was a small one, entailed to a distant relative. He’s aware of his inheritance, but graciously permitted her residence there for as long as she wished. There are no family ties there for her at all.” She drew in a breath.

  “Nobody?” Sidney’s head tipped in inquiry.

  “No. I’m afraid not. I—we—closed up the house before we left. It was to be an extended stay with Mrs. Byerly’s aunt, but just as we were departing, we received word that the good woman had passed on to her reward. Our trip was well-timed for legal matters, but too late for personal ones.”

  “So…” Sidney wrinkled his nose. “There is absolutely nobody to claim Mrs. Byerly? No family to notify or legal matters to settle?”

  “That is correct.” Katherine sighed. “’Tis the lot of widows, Sir Sidney. They receive little more than charity upon the loss of their spouses.”

  That comment had the bitter ring of truth about it. Katherine Edgeworth might have lied about a lot of things, but Adrian’s instincts told him she was only too familiar with the lot of widows.

  He did not move, nor make a sound, and yet her gaze flickered to his face for an instant. A fleeting glance, no more, but enough to assure him she was as aware of his presence as he was of hers. He decided to push her a little. “And you, Mrs. Edgeworth? Is there somebody who should know where you are?”

  Her gaze was all cool, limpid blue innocence as she looked at him. “Unfortunately no, Mr. Chesswell. As a companion of little countenance, I have long been naught but a shadow to those members of my family who still exist.”

  Adrian nodded. “A sad lot indeed.”

  “But one that must be endured.” She turned to Sir Sidney. “I must thank you, Sir Sidney, for my care and your concern. If it would be possible to inter dear Jessica here in St. Chesswell, I can think of no place better. And then I must find my way onwards…” She raised a hand tiredly to her cheek.

  “You must do nothing but rest for now, Mrs. Edgeworth.” Sidney stood with a frown. “You are still weak. You need time to recover fully from your injury. There is no hurry. I will speak with our Vicar about arrangements for Mrs. Byerly and be sure to keep you informed.”

  Katherine stood also, but swayed a little as she gained her feet.

  Adrian was there in an instant, a blur of movement that took him across the room in less than a heartbeat. Sidney blinked but fortunately Kather
ine did not notice. “Allow me, Ma’am. You are exhausted.”

  He picked her up in his arms over her half-hearted protests. “Shhh. I will restore you to your rest, have no fear.” He sent a thought of calming and soothing warmth her way, pleased to see she responded immediately, her limbs relaxing against him.

  “Very well, sir. I will accept your kind offer.” She leaned her head into his shoulder.

  “I will bid you goodnight, Ma’am and promise we shall sort this mess out with all due alacrity once you are well.” Sir Sidney gallantly bowed as Adrian walked past with his delightful burden.

  “You are very kind, Sir Sidney. Thank you.” Katherine smiled sleepily.

  “What about me? Am I not kind, too?” Adrian whispered the question as he carried his Kat high against his heart along the darkened corridors of St. Chesswell.

  “No. You are not kind.” She nuzzled him with her head. “I do not know what you are, but kind isn’t the word that first comes to mind.”

  Adrian chuckled. “How about devastatingly attractive? Charming? Impossible to resist?”

  Kat snorted. “Incredibly modest too.” She opened her eyes wide and stared at him. “Frightening. Sensual. Arousing. You make me hunger like a starving man at a ten-course dinner. And I don’t know why.” She gulped and frowned at her own honesty. “And you seem to make my tongue speak words I do not intend to voice.”

  “Passion, desire, fear, release—they’re all connected by the web of emotions, Kat. A soft web that responds wildly to the slightest touch.” He slipped his hand beneath her breast and cupped it. “One touch here perhaps and passion is aroused.”

  He felt her indrawn breath and grinned. “Mixed with fear, the fear of letting go. The fear of finding something in the touch of a man that you’ve never found before.”

  She stiffened slightly. Always fighting the inevitable, his Kat. Adrian chuckled beneath his breath.

  “You flatter yourself, Mr. Chesswell. And I would appreciate you removing your inappropriately placed hand.” Her words were sharp in spite of her exhaustion. She might be able to control her voice, but her body was answering to another command.

  Adrian could scent the spice of her pussy, already blooming a little as he held that solid breast comfortably in his palm. He sighed as they reached her door and took the opportunity to caress the hardened nipple lifting the lace of her gown beneath the blanket. She shuddered at his touch and nearly cried out as he squeezed it tight between his finger and his thumb, rolling it around and watching her eyes drift closed as her arousal grew.

  He sensed her tiredness, her confusion, even amongst the growing fire of her desire. Regretfully, he let her go, sliding her sensually down his body until she stood on her own feet, still leaning against him.

  “You need rest, Kat. Plenty of rest. There is much that lies between us. A link of sorts I am anxious to explore.”

  She stared at him in consternation. “Will I dream again?” Her hand involuntarily lifted to her neck.

  “Did it hurt?” Adrian couldn’t stop the question, anxiety tightening in bands of ice across his chest.

  “Oh no…” She licked her lips. “It was…unbelievable. Incredible. A feeling of such intensity…” She blushed as she sought for words. “’Twas as if the sun rose inside me.”

  Adrian swallowed down a bolt of emotion and rested his forehead against hers for a long moment. “Goodnight, Kat.” He reached past her and opened the door, pushing her unresisting body through into the warmth of her room.

  With every ounce of strength he possessed, Adrian stepped backwards and closed the door.

  Not yet. Not tonight.

  But soon…

  Chapter Ten

  “What the hell is happening, Father?”

  Adrian’s outburst poured from his mouth as he whirled back into the room where his father worked behind a mound of papers.

  “Shhh.” Sidney shook his head. “Give me a minute.”

  “I can’t. What the devil did I do? Did I feed on her in my dreams? Did I go to her room and actually drink her blood while I was raping her? Dear God, Father…” Distracted, Adrian ran his hands through his hair, an expression of horror on his face. “I really am the monster she called me.”

  Sidney’s head jerked upwards. “Stop it this minute, Adrian. If you’ll just be quiet and leave off the self-pity, I might have an answer for you.” His words were sharp in an attempt to rouse his son from a burgeoning depression.

  Adrian slumped into a chair and gazed morosely into the crackling fire. But he did shut up.

  Close to an hour later, Sidney slammed a book closed and stretched. “Well, I think I have it.” He stared at his son, still slouched in the shadows by the fireplace. “But you’re probably not going to like it.”

  Adrian straightened. “Let me have it, Father. It cannot be worse than my imaginings this past while.”

  “You’re in love with the woman.”

  “What?” Adrian’s jaw dropped to his chest and his eyes nearly popped from his head. “In love with her? I can’t be. I’ve met her exactly twice for no more than minutes at a time—if you don’t count the dream—so that’s utter balderdash. Nonsense.” He swallowed. “With all due respect, of course, Father.”

  Sidney nodded. “All valid points, and ones which would quite correctly apply to a normal human male.” He narrowed his gaze at his son. “However.”

  Adrian winced. “I’m not a normal human male.”

  “Correct.” Sidney leaned back and crossed his hands comfortably over his chest. “What is love, Adrian?”

  “Huh?”

  “Love. What exactly is it? What does it mean to you?”

  “Umm…”

  Sidney grinned as his son struggled with a simple question. “Take your time.”

  Adrian snorted. “Well. Love. I’m probably not the best person to ask, of course, but my understanding is that it’s some kind of warm emotion that makes you want to breed and perpetuate the species.” He twisted his lips. “Something I’m unlikely to experience.”

  Sidney tapped his forefingers together to attract Adrian’s wandering attention. “All right. That’s one definition. An emotional one, too, if I may say so.” He shrugged. “We’ll let that pass and move on. Do you know the physiological effects of love?”

  “Uhh…” Adrian pondered the question. “Probably an elevated heart rate. Excessive flushing, that sort of thing?” He raised an eyebrow at his father.

  “That sort of thing you so casually mention includes what scientists believe is an increased production of chemicals within the body. A male and a female, when strong attraction is present, give off an aura that appeals to their lover. An aura which could theoretically cause changes within the skin—possibly even within the blood. I don’t know.” He sighed and riffled through the pages of the tome on his desk.

  “Much of this is hearsay, Adrian. But…” He paused, making sure he had his son’s full attention. “If it’s true, then the chemicals you and Mrs. Edgeworth are emitting are interacting. They’re linking in some odd way and enhancing your psychic abilities. It makes sense when you think about it.”

  Adrian stilled in his chair, clearly struggling with the concept. “So…” He worked the problem through in his mind. “Because I am strongly—attracted, let’s say—to Mrs. Edgeworth, my body’s chemicals are changing? As are hers? They are responding to each other on some weird level that lets me into her dreams?”

  “In essence, yes. You invade her dreams, she invades yours. The reality for you both is desirable, the emotions probably quite passionate.” He hid his grin as Adrian coughed self-consciously.

  “The interaction is strong enough to leave marks, a manifestation of what you both wish for, and experience in your dream world. For you, the appearance of having fed. For her…”

  “The bite marks.” Adrian sighed the words.

  “Yes.”

  Adrian stood up and started pacing, a habit that he’d developed whenever he needed to
think something through. Sidney simply watched him.

  His black eyes were unfocused as he strode the length of the room, absently avoiding the furniture as he turned his thoughts over and over in his mind. Finally he stopped, laid his hand on the mantelpiece and stared into the flames. “What do I do, Father?”

  Sidney stroked his chin. “What do you want to do?”

  Adrian half-laughed half-sighed. “I want… I want Kat.”

  “You want her in your bed?”

  “Yes.”

  “You want to feed from her?”

  Adrian’s head jerked up. “God no. How could I do that?” He looked straight at Sidney, pain in his eyes. “All right. Yes. I want to drink her up, swallow her in one draught. Savor her taste and let her fill me with her heat. But I’m…I’m afraid to do that.” He turned his face back to the fire. “I might even kill her. And become the monster I’ve tried to avoid acknowledging, for once and for all.”

  Sidney sighed too. “Maybe. Maybe not. I just don’t know. There are too many variables here, Adrian. You can feed from people and not kill them or turn them into others like yourself. You know that.”

  Adrian signified his agreement with a curt nod.

  “But this new dynamic between you and Mrs. Edgeworth—well, it’s going to confuse things a great deal. I’ve just reached a point where I’m beginning to understand a few of the differences in your blood, and you have to go and find a woman to fall in love with, and muddy the waters once more.” Sidney raised his hands in mute appeal.

  Adrian couldn’t hold back the wry chuckle. “It was not my choice, Father, believe me. Loving a woman isn’t something I imagined I could ever do. I’m still not convinced that your explanation is a valid one. Yes, I want her. Yes, she’s made a rather strong intrusion into my dreams and apparently I have done the same to her. But love?” He grinned. “It could be plain old lust, you know.”

  “It could.” Sidney smiled back. “But I think you and I both know it’s not.” He rose from his chair. “I will work some more on this, Adrian. I’d like to tell you to rest, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea at the moment. If you do sleep, try to stay away from Mrs. Edgeworth in your dreams. At least until I know more.”