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The door closed behind him. The sound of the lock clicking back into place grated her nerves with terrifying finality and left her trapped in a vampire’s lair.

* * *

William awaited Rafe below with the messenger. He glared with disapproval as the report to the Elders was sent on, along with a letter to Clayton Edmondson, Rafe’s second-in-command, informing him of the situation.

When the runner departed, William shook his head. “I do not see why you are subjecting yourself and us to all this trouble. Why did you not kill her then and there?”

“Killing mortals is illegal now,” Rafe reminded him curtly. “These days the risk of discovery is too high.”

William scoffed. “You could break her neck and toss her into the Thames without anyone being the wiser.”

“The Elders will likely order me to do just that, so there is little for you to be concerned with,” Rafe snapped. “In the meantime I will do my duty and I recommend you do yours. This house needs to be cleaned up. We have a lady in residence.” Before William could protest, Rafe raised his good hand. “Or should I audition another candidate to be my fourth?”

William sighed and shook his head. “No, my lord.”

“I do not like this any more than you do.” Quelling his irritation, Rafe softened his tone. “Just do some light dusting for now and then you may go hunt.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Anthony emerged, carrying a tray holding a decanter of ruby liquid and a glass. “No need to dust the kitchens, William. I’ve already taken care of that area. The lady will need to eat, after all. I’ve also poured you a glass of Madeira, my lord. Where shall you take it?”

“Thank you, Anthony. The library will do. Pour yourself one as well. I have a few things to ask you.”

William glared at Anthony and muttered under his breath, “Arse-kisser.”

Anthony shook his head, smiling as they headed up the stairs. Rafe nodded in approval. At least his third-in-command was handling this disaster with competence and dignity.

In the library, Rafe settled in a wingback chair and lit a cigar, taking his Madeira with gratitude. “Tell me, Anthony, can you cook?”

His third frowned. “I doubt I could even boil water. And William likely cannot discern the difference between sugar and salt.”

Rafe blew out a cloud of smoke with a sigh. “Yet another complication. I cannot very well allow the countess to starve, and we cannot rely on fare from inns every night.”

Anthony regarded him strangely, leaning forward. “You behave as if you know her.”

“She is a friend of the Duchess of Burnrath. Naturally we have had a few brief encounters.”

And potent encounters they were. Rafe closed his eyes at the memory. While all other members of the haut ton regarded him with suspicion and disgust, Lady Rosslyn had sought him out with bold curiosity. The rapt fascination in her glittering green eyes had been nearly enough to undo him. So he had been rude to her to drive her away, to protect her from himself. Little good it had done.

“So now you’ll have to either kill her or make her one of us,” Anthony mused aloud. “I do not envy you for that responsibility, though I must say that she is very beautiful and seems to possess courage as well as a strong spirit. She may make a fine vampire indeed. And you could do with a bit of companionship.”

Rafe shook his head and took another drink. “I am afraid it is not as simple as that. I couldn’t Change her even if I wanted to.”

Anthony’s brows drew together in confusion before his eyes widened as understanding dawned. “Do you mean you’ve Changed someone recently? Without sanction from the Elders?”

“I owed the duchess a favor.” Rafe nodded with impatience and more than a touch of shame for breaking the law. The Elders required a vampire to notify them any time they intended to Change a mortal, not only to keep track of the vampire population, but also to ensure that no one was Changed who could pose a risk to their kind, such as criminals, prominent figures, or children.

Anthony leaned forward with avid curiosity. “Who did you Change?”

“It is none of your concern, and do not tell anyone, especially the countess.” Rafe ground his teeth. Yet again, the duchess had caused trouble for him. It took years to gain the power to Change a mortal. If he tried it again so soon, Cassandra would likely not survive.

“I could Change her,” Anthony said quietly. “I’m one hundred thirty years of age. Surely that is sufficient power.”

Rafe’s fingers stiffened on the arm of the chair as he struggled to conceal his shock. Gratitude at the vampire’s loyal offer warred with rage at the thought of Anthony’s fangs penetrating Cassandra’s lovely neck.

“Let us wait and see what the Elders say before making any drastic decisions. Besides, you do not want to squander such power lightly.” Rafe stood and crushed out his cigar before Anthony could say anything further. “Now I am going to Mark her.”

Cursing under his breath, he left the library and stalked to his chamber, pausing at the door. Marking her would make things worse for him, but it had to be done. He couldn’t risk her escaping or falling into the clutches of another vampire.