Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion by Janet Mullany Read Free Book Online Page B

dine from her.” His voice was cool.
    “And what of him?”
    “Oh, he’s perfectly well, although somewhat irritated at your most rude interruption, and he has a torn stocking.”
    “Forgive me if I seem unsympathetic to his plight. He must look elsewhere for his dinner.” She disentangled herself from him and straightened her gown and cap.
    “What do you expect? A pretty young girl shows her partiality and willingness to accompany one of us alone. As you should know, our nature is such that we must take advantage of such situations.” He stood and offered his hand.
    “Duval is no gentleman. What did he do to me?”
    “Ask your Creator,” he said. “My blood has revived you, and you will experience no lasting effect. I shall tell you no more.”
    She pressed her hand to her collarbone, feeling a cold patch, and moved to the mirror that hung on the wall. Her reflection showed still, although somewhat fuzzy around the edges, and, as she expected, of Luke there was no sign at all. A mark like a bruise showed on her skin.
    “I thank you for your intervention, Luke. I believe I should have been destroyed had you not come along.”
    “I particularly admired the way you bit his ankle, like an enraged terrier,” Luke said. “I am sure I did not teach you that. If you are feeling well enough, may I accompany you back to the Gallery?”
    If he was determined to be so proper, then so was she. Doubtless he felt he was justified, for had she not left him? Yet he had immediately returned to the arms of his former Consort, whereas she had mourned her loss, unsettled for years, refusing the few offers she had received.
    “Margaret is not my Consort,” he said with some impatience.
    “Oh, do stop reading my thoughts, Luke. It is so very tiresome.”
    “I beg your pardon.”
    His face was set and expressionless as he opened the bedchamber door.
    “Why, Luke,” she said with unseemly delight, “surely you are not jealous that William takes such an interest in me now.”
    “I assure you it is none of my business. I am delighted your Creator should guide you as is proper.”
    “You are jealous!” She shook his arm. “Oh, come, Luke, enough of this foolishness. Tell me how you do.”
    “I do well enough.” He stopped and looked at her, met her gaze for the first time. “I am surprised to see you, although doubtless your presence in the neighborhood is one of the reasons William leased this house. A Creator always wants his fledglings nearby.”
    He took her arm and they strolled through the dark corridor toward the sound of music and merrymaking. “Had you been more Damned than human, you would have been in serious danger tonight. I shall say no more.”
    She trod warily, feeling stiffness in her limbs and bruises from the unaccustomed exertion of a fight, and the bruise at her collarbone aching—she supposed it was a bruise; what else could it be? But she was cheered by the evidence that she was not yet fully Damned and aware that she would have to put up with a great deal of teasing from her family the next day. Any visible stiffness in her movements could be attributed to too much dancing.
    Before they entered the Great Gallery, Luke took her hand and raised it to his lips. “You and I spent a great deal of time bidding each other farewell, and I must do so again. Duval will be chastised, do not fear.”
    “I wish you would be more open with me, Luke. Something is wrong among our—your—kind. Will you not tell me of it?”
    “Be careful, Jane.” He held her hand still.
    “Be careful? What sort of advice is that? I assure you I shall have to be very careful. If the signs are correct, I have years of deception and lying to my family to look forward to. I do not want to be Damned again, Luke. And I never hoped or expected to see you again, so I shall gladly say farewell.”
    She walked through the doorway ahead of him and looked for the Austen family. Yes, there they were, and the sight of them—particularly