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Vlad was positively radiant over the whole production. I thought he was far too obvious with his brilliant smile and triumphant expression.

I whispered in his ear,” You are supposed to be your own descendent, remember?”

“Vlad took my hand, kissed it, and whispered back, “And as his descendent, I am a proud man. ”

I rolled my eyes beneath my veil. ‘You were a butcher. ”

Vlad grinned, flashing his deadly, white canine teeth. “I was a hero. ”

The Baroness made a great show of praising her awkward composer and called the opera company onto the stage. The Baroness swept toward me and before I could even react, the Baroness led me up the steps to the stage. Vlad followed, along with Andrew. I found myself confronted with a receiving line of all the performers and I raised my eyebrows beneath my veil. I felt rather like royalty.

For nearly thirty minutes, I greeted all the opera performers, the musicians, countless stagehands and finally the composer himself. From the reek, it was obvious he had rushed back stage to calm his nerves with a bit of liquor.

“Countess Dracula, it means so much…so much…to me for you to be here. . . so much,” Mihaly said breathlessly, and then kissed my gloved hand over and over again.

“You do very interesting work, sir,” I responded.

“Thank you, thank you!”

“I enjoyed it tremendously. You really captured the essence of the man that was Vlad Tepes,” Vlad said to the trembling man.

Mihaly gulped visibly as his hand began to shake even more. “Sir, my mother was from Wallachia and my family has told stories of Vlad Tepes for generations. To meet his descendent is the greatest of honors. ”

“He actually completed a sentence,” Andrew whispered in my ear.

I hit him with my fan.

The Baroness took Vlad’s arm and I noted a certain possessiveness in the Baroness’ eyes. Andrew was busy trying to find a way to escape and was oblivious to the subtle change in the atmosphere. I felt a chill flow over me. The Baroness spoke in excited melodic tones, but I could see how her gaze continually flicked toward Vlad.

Coyly, I took Vlad’s arm, drawing him to me. “She knows about you, does she not?”

Vlad lightly kissed my lips through my veil and whispered to me, “Do as you were told. Go mingle. ” His eyes were dark and warning.

I raised my chin, drew away, and went to my brother.

It was just the beginning of a very eventful night.

/> Chapter 28

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright – Continued

After the opera there was a wonderful spread of food, that I pretended to eat from, as well as lots of laughter and dancing.

“Oh, the Baroness’ parties always last until dawn. I believe she abhors the daylight,” a woman said as we sat side by side watching the dancers in the ballroom.

“Truly? I assume there is no Baron or is he out of town?”

“The Baroness has been a widow since one month after she married. Her husband died suddenly and left her all his wealth. She has never bothered to remarry, even though many a man has tried to woo her,” the woman with the bright canary turban responded snidely, innuendo dripping from her voice.

“It must be difficult to live alone,” I said lightly.

“I am sure it is,” the woman responded with a coy smile.

As the night moved on in glorious fashion, not one guest seemed interested in departing. There was much food, drink, dancing, and lively conversation. I drifted about the room for a time on Vlad’s arm, recounting our fabricated tale of my family’s demise and his heroic rescue of me from the river. We explained the veil away by the excuse of my mourning. It was a dramatic story that enthralled all who listened to it. After awhile, the gossips were recounting my tale throughout the party.

Vlad soon left my side to speak with Sir Stephen. I noticed that my family’s betrayer stayed far away from me, which was rather wise. I was feeling a bit agitated. As ridiculous as it may sound, I was very much annoyed by the Baroness’ possessive behavior toward Vlad. His attention toward her did not just feel like a betrayal of me, but of my vampire sisters as well.

By the furtive glances and the many whispered conversations taking place all around me, I knew I was the main topic of conversation. I cut a mysterious figure in my black gown and lace veil, and I quite enjoyed all the attention.