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“You’d better, or I might ask the wrong woman to take a walk in the gardens,” I teased, and Caroline’s eyes darkened.

She didn’t like that idea one bit.

“Jacques, I’m wearing a pink ball gown made of taffeta. The mask is pink satin and lace,” Caroline said before rising from my lap and fleeing into the ballroom.

I saw James Hamilton looking in my direction, and I pulled back into the shadows so he couldn’t see me.

???

The next night, we met as planned, and I dragged Caroline away into the garden at the first chance I got.

“Come on,” I whispered, pulling her by the hand towards the gate.

“What?” she asked.

“Let’s go for a walk,” I said and stopped to smile.

“My Lord, I cannot leave the ball. Mother will wonder where I am.”

“No, she won’t. Other girls are wearing pink, so you’ll not be missed for a while.”

Caroline remained undecided for a minute before following me through the gate. I led her away from the noise and laughter and into another garden, which was deserted. The occupants being at the ball. There, I took Caroline in my arms and kissed her.

“You need to understand something,” I said, and Caroline gazed at me.

Carefully, I explained everything to her about being a vampire.

Caroline’s eyes grew wider and more interested as I spoke. I ensured I explained Vam’pir rules and, how to feed and who not to kill.

“Will you be mine? I inquired, my eyes gleaming in the darkness.

“Forever and ever,” Caroline declared with no hesitation.

And so began my greatest mistake. For truth, I should have checked her eyes and seen the cunning and greed. That night, I failed the Hamiltons and caused untold grief.

Instead, I pounced and bit into her neck. I drained enough blood to make Caroline drowsy and then removed her clothes. Naked, Caroline stood in front of me as I flung them away into a pile. The girl faced me with no shame. When Caroline died, I didn’t want her to stain her dress as she would have to go back to the ball and face her mother and others.

I couldn’t risk anyone picking up something was wrong.

Gently, I held Caroline and finished what I’d set out to do.

Caroline’s death throes were almost immediate due to the strength of my blood. Once finished, I cleaned Caroline in a small pond and ordered her to dress as I explained once more what she had become.

Caroline wasn’t repulsed—thank God—but very hungry, and I took her down into the poor section of London. There, she fed on two thieves. Cautiously, I hadn’t given her much of my blood, so she was not incredibly strong. However, Caroline would need a stake through the heart and her throat slit should her death be required. Caroline took the transformation easily, and that boded well for our future together.

Aware of the time, I hurried Caroline back to the ball and warned her of the dangers. If Caroline met with any other Vam’pir, then she was to say she was my vein, and they would leave her alone. If only I had known what trouble Caroline would cause, then I wouldn’t have made her one of us.

At that exact moment, I had no clue about the chit’s potential actions.

Victoria hadn’t missed her, even though Caroline had been gone for over two hours. We entered the ball as if we’d been merely taking a stroll around the garden. I saw Julia, and she winked.

Winking in return, I took my leave of Caroline and left to go home. I was pleased with myself. And made a mental note to request Caroline’s hand in marriage so we could be together at night. However, the marriage was not to be.

After speaking to Caroline’s father the next day, my offer was accepted, and a wedding date arranged for in four weeks.

London’s weather was rather grim lately, so Caroline was able to be up and around during the day. But I needed her out of the Hamilton household. Victoria was rushed off her feet with making wedding plans, but dear little Caroline did not seem bothered.

Caroline had become cold and calculating in light of her immortality. Inadvertently, I overlooked those viscous traits.