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Grateful, I smiled and handed the diary over. It was a relief to understand that Julia’s madness would not be questioned by all and sundry.

Elizabeth put the book in a secret drawer and locked it away.

“Don’t you want to read it?”

“No, Jacques. Who am I to judge, let alone pry into Julia’s life? Deep down, I’m sure Julia had reasons, however insane they might have been. I can forgive Julia her erroneous thoughts towards me,” Elizabeth said.

“You indeed have a very generous and kind nature. There is more. Julia left you the London townhouse and a quarter of her fortune. Elizabeth, Julia’s wealth is immense. You are quite possibly the wealthiest mortal alive. Julia also left you an estate in Dorset and one in Herefordshire.”

“What? Why? I barely knew Julia,” Elizabeth exclaimed, shocked.

“I think in her lucid moments, Julia realised you were innocent and spoke to a solicitor. The will was written a few days ago,” I replied.

“I can’t accept,” Elizabeth demurred.

“Elizabeth, you will. Because refusing them disrespects the gift Julia is giving you,” I insisted, and Elizabeth bowed her head and flushed at my comment.

“Allow me time to absorb this,” Elizabeth begged.

I nodded. “Of course. Plus, we will have to announce Julia’s death. We will need to give it a few weeks. Vam’pirs are used to faking deaths, so please leave this matter in my hands.”

I rose to my feet and saw that dawn was due to break in a few minutes and quickly took my leave as the sun rose.

Before I sought the shelter of home, I sent out a warning across London. This was my territory, and no Vam’pir or vampire was welcome. Should they remain tonight, I would hunt and kill them. Only one dared defy that command. James Hamilton.Blasted man.

When I entered the house, I shut the door and leaned back on it in relief that Julia’s secret would be held safely. Elizabeth was truly good, to help a virtual stranger.

My heart warmed, and I sensed I was falling in love again.

This love was to differ from Caroline’s lust and Inka’s deep devotion. This love was destined to grow and strengthen throughout the years.

It was not for several months that I realised Elizabeth felt the same. When Elizabeth declared her devotion to me, I offered the gift of eternal life, and damn if Elizabeth didn’t turn it down. That bitterly hurt, but I loved Elizabeth enough to respect her decision.

There was only one shock, and that hounded me for the rest of Elizabeth’s lifetime. A bitter pill to swallow, indeed.

We were attending a ball when we encountered James Hamilton. James was glaring at Elizabeth and me as we shared a joke in the corner. At once, my happiness dissolved, and Elizabeth looked at me in concern.

On following my gaze, she saw James standing there. Elizabeth burst into a happy smile and reached out with her hands as he stalked towards us. I was surprised to realise that Elizabeth knew him, but not as stunned as I was a moment later.

“Jacques, may I introduce my betrothed, James Hamilton?”

I froze.

A vague memory surfaced of Barrington happily gloating that James had asked for his sister’s hand. Damn, they were engaged.

James smiled grimly as he registered my shock. “Didn’t know that, Du Mont?” James said accusingly.

James took Elizabeth’s arm in an obvious gesture of ownership, and Elizabeth looked at me, a little concerned.

“Do you two know each other?”

“Yes, at one time, Du Mont was to be engaged to Caroline, just before her tragic accident. In fact, Du Mont was with Caroline when it happened,” James answered with a bite.

“Oh, I had no idea. My deepest sympathies. James, why have you never told me? I knew, of course, that Caroline had died, but not that she was betrothed to Jacques.”

“It is not something that my family talk about. What’s left of them, I add,” James said, poking at memories.

I had the grace to pale and quickly took my leave of the couple. As I left, James told Elizabeth to stay away because I brought nothing but grief and trouble. Then James came after me and caught me in the street.