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Rafael cut him short. “I shall write the report to the Elders now. In the meantime, would you please go to the nearest inn and procure Lady Rosslyn something to eat?”

Anthony’s shoulders slumped in obvious reluctance, but he bowed in assent. “Very well, my lord.”

“Lady Rosslyn.” Rafael fixed her with such a piercing gaze that she regretted once more gaining his attention. “You will accompany me to the study.”

Without acknowledging her brusque nod, he guided her up the stairs. Her mind raced with panic at the talk of keeping her as if she were some sort of exotic pet. Until…until Rafael kills me or transforms me into a bloodsucking monster.

The study at least was clean and organized, with a cheery fire blazing from the hearth. Rafael bade her to sit in one of the green baize overstuffed chairs before opening a cabinet and pouring her a glass of sherry. Cassandra sipped the heady vintage, watching with fascination how well the vampire managed to perform such a task with only one fully functioning arm. With fluid grace, he rifled through the desk drawers to fetch parchment and a quill. Dipping the quill in the ink blotter, he proceeded to write with such intensity that it was a wonder to behold.

But his injured arm had moved earlier…when she’d been in his grasp with his mouth on her neck. The movement had been weak, but it had been there all the same. How had he damaged the limb? Could it be repaired? Her physician’s mind raced with a thousand questions. Unfortunately, if the ever-deepening scowl on his face was any indicator, now was not the time to voice them.

Rafael folded the missive and summoned William with a bell. “I want you to find me a runner to dispatch this right away.”

William eyed her with a truculent frown before seizing the letter. “Yes, my lord.”

Anthony returned soon after with a small crock of stew and a crusty roll. The stew was the greasiest, most unpalatable concoction she’d ever seen, but Cassandra willed herself to choke it down. Who knew when she would again have the opportunity to eat? Her stomach pitched in dread. She forced the thought away. The roll, at least, was quite delicious, though it could have done with some butter.

As much as she tried to hide it, Rafael sensed her dissatisfaction. “Tomorrow evening I shall arrange for you to have more worthy sustenance, Countess. Now, I think it best you retire.”

“So you are not going to lock me in a dungeon?” she ventured, finding courage from his polite words and promise of better victuals. Except for his threat of impending death, he was not treating her as a prisoner.

A slight smile twitched his sculpted lips. “Of course not, tempting as that may be. For one thing, I don’t have one. All we have are the cellars below…and I do not want to contend with William or Anthony taking a bite out of you. For another, I am unwilling to let you out of my sight for long.”

“That is indeed reassuring, Don Villar.” She struggled to match his casual aplomb and finished the last sip of sherry. “Although I must say, I am not the slightest bit tired.”

His scowl returned. “That is too bad, I’m afraid, for I have business to attend to and cannot risk you attempting escape. So you will have to remain in my chamber.”

The world seemed to tilt as the breath left her body. “I-I beg your pardon? Your chamber?” Surely he did not mean… Her traitorous body warmed at the thought.

“Yes, my chamber.” His eyes blazed with irritation. “You needn’t look at me as if you fear I’ll ravish you. I may be a repulsive monster, but I am not a reprehensible one. It is the only way I can ensure you cannot escape.”

For some reason, his utter dismissal of the notion stung. Truly, she shouldn’t be surprised. Her own husband had never found her desirable either.

Her face flamed but she managed to raise a brow. “Why should you worry about my safety when you may very well decide to kill me soon?”

Rafael sighed and extended his arm. “Stop being foolish. Now will you come along, or will I have to haul you down the corridor myself? I assure you I am quite capable of doing so, despite my disability.”

Cassandra took a shaky breath and placed her hand on his muscular forearm, marveling once more at his strength as she allowed him to escort her. My parents would be reeling in their graves. Not only have I allowed myself to have been abducted by a male, but I am now consigned to sharing a room with him.

When they reached an ornately carved oak door, Rafael released her to pull an iron key from his pocket and fit it into the forbidding lock. Cassandra remained frozen in shock as the reality of her situation gripped her with icy fingers.

The door swung open and the vampire guided her into the massive chamber. This room was also thankfully clean, though the bed was unmade. Heat crept to her cheeks once more at the implied intimacy.

“When I return, I will either sleep in the chair or on the floor,” Rafael said stiffly behind her. “A few books are in the drawer by the bed, as well as a deck of cards, should you care to practice your hand. I will leave one lantern”—his voice suddenly turned savage—“but if you attempt to use it against me, I swear you will regret it until your last breath.”

Cassandra studied the slightly rippled scars on the left side of his face. “You were caught in a fire?” Further questions died in her throat as she witnessed the fury in his eyes.

“Of a sort, only worse than that…much worse.” He stalked away from her to light a small oil lamp, striking the match with his one good hand.

Unbidden, her gaze strayed to his bad arm and she burst out, “It moved earlier.”

Rafael stiffened and whipped around to meet her stare.

“Yes,” he said softly. “It has its good moments here and there.” He handed her the lantern and headed back to the door, suddenly turning back. “Although such a platitude is useless, and you will not believe me, I truly am sorry things happened this way.”

Cassandra was rendered speechless once more by the sincerity in his tone.

He swept his gaze over her for an endless moment before inclining his head in a slight bow. “Good night, Countess.”