At Blade's Edge by Lauren Dane Read Free Book Online

downstairs after a nap, it was to find the household jumping, though not to her tune. The sun had gone down, so she’d wager whatever was going on had fangs. Frowning, Rowan headed toward the sounds.
    “Ah, Ms. Summerwaite,” Betchamp said as he caught sight of her. “You have a guest.”
    “Why do you look panicked about that?”
    He tried not to smile, which made Rowan more nervous. “Do I need my blade?”
    Before he could answer, a woman barreled into the hall cooing Betchamp’s name. With one look at the hair and eyes, Rowan knew this was Clive’s mother. Shit.
    Brigid stirred in Rowan’s belly, ready to be called if necessary. But if she had to call on the Goddess, she would be waving a white flag. To a Vampire.
    And that wasn’t going to happen.
    This wasn’t just any ordinary Vampire. This was Clive’s mother. Rowan wanted there to be no acrimony between them. Could admit, deep down, that she wanted them to accept her.
    More than that, she wanted them to think she was a good choice for their son.
    Rowan had given thought to how she’d act when introduced to Clive’s family. She wouldn’t show her wrist, where she bore her familial mark of service to the Vampire Nation. Betchamp had one on his neck. One he showed when he’d met her. Just a slight tip of his head to expose it. His way of telling her he was in her service too.
    But Rowan wasn’t in service to anyone, most certainly not her husband’s family. She would approach Antonia Stewart as an equal. Power to power.
    Spine straight, smile revealing just the right amount of teeth to be strong but not too aggressive, Rowan kept her chin perfectly level, not more deference than she should show, not one bit less.
    “I am Rowan Summerwaite. It is my honor to welcome you to my home. Be at ease.” Once Rowan had finished the official stuff, she tipped her chin ever so slightly. Daughter to mother, as befitting their first in-person meeting.
    “Antonia Stewart.”
    Wow.
    Rowan had not expected this level of fucking perky from her new relation. Her name came from Antonia’s lips in what was nearly a squeal of delight.
    Her mother-in-law just really, truly squealed.
    Face a smooth, pleasant mask as she recoiled inside, Rowan drew a centering breath and that’s when the perfume slammed into her senses.
    The final kick to the crotch was when Antonia giggled and launched herself in Rowan’s direction, linking arms, leaning in conspiratorially. “We’re going to be such great friends! I can just feel it.”
    Her voice managed to sugar its way from a coo to a high-pitched baby voice at least three times every sentence. So many exclamations it was like a preschool classroom.
    She wore fuschia. With big black buttons and a wide black belt at the waist. Shoulder pads matched the distinct volume of her hair. The pants were...well a damned tragedy, that’s what they were. Banana yellow, though the fabric and construction were clearly designer made.
    Pink and yellow.
    No fucking way could this be Clive’s mother. Her uptight, stick-up-his-very-fine-butt Scion who ironed his underpants could not have dropped from this . In fact Rowan found it hard to imagine this woman dealing with anything as painful or messy as childbirth.
    Clive’s mother.
    She repeated that to herself until she was able to find a smile somewhere inside and sucked it up. Just a few hours and she could disappear.
    She reminded herself that Antonia would be unable to pester her for at least half the day. There were perks to this Vampire gig when it came to living with one.
    Clive was due to arrive in London that next day so she’d throw his body into Antonia’s line of sight and run once she could. Rowan had to manage Theo, the least Clive could do was keep this Pomeranian in heels away from her.
    Antonia clapped her hands. “Come come! Get dressed. We’ve dinner reservations and then shopping to do.” She looked Rowan over critically. “If you don’t have anything appropriate I’m