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“Actually, dear husband, I am quite tired,” I answered him. I longed to stay longer, but Vlad was clearly quite anxious to leave.

“So soon, dear lady?” Dr. Baum looked surprised. He was used to me being awake until nearly dawn.

“I am feeling a bit faint and you two should really rest before your trip tomorrow,” I said smoothly.

“Mayhap it is best to say our goodbyes now,” Andrew conceded.

“Thank you for understanding,” I said softly. Oh, how I am going to miss him. He has brought me so much happiness during his time in Buda.

Vlad rose majestically to his feet and moved to escort me to the foyer. Andrew took hold of my other hand and clasped it tightly, joining us as we walked together. A servant opened the front door and Vlad stepped out into the night, looking back upon us.

Before he could say anything, I turned to Andrew and flung my arms about him. “I am going to miss you dreadfully!”

“And I you. But we shall soon be together,” Andrew responded and hugged me tenderly.

Dr. Baum followed us out onto the front steps and I turned to him. I kissed him on both cheeks and felt a pang of guilt for what I had done to him.

“Thank you so much for accompanying my brother on his visit here,” I said.

“It was a pleasure, Countess. It truly was. And we shall see each other again very soon,” he answered with a cheery smile.

Vlad moved forward and politely shook both men’s hands, but made no pretense of a sad farewell. He seemed almost relieved. “We shall all see each other soon enough. It was a pleasure gentlemen. ”

“Take care of my sister,” Andrew urged Vlad with one of his bright smiles. “I know she is quite a handful. ”

Vlad smiled, looking at me. “Yes, she is. But you can rest easy, Andrew. I shall make sure she is well taken care of. ”

I once more embraced my brother and kissed both of his cheeks. “I love you, Andrew. May you be blessed with a safe journey home. Give Angeline and Johnny a kiss for me. ”

“I shall. Be happy, Glynis and write me often until you return home. ” He was being very brave for me and I loved him for it. He kissed my forehead then helped me into our carriage.

I reluctantly released his hand and sat back beside my Master. As the carriage lurched forward and drew us away from my brother and his friend, I lowered my head and wept.

“Do not be such a child, Glynis,” Vlad scolded me. “We shall see him again. I promise you that. ”

I turned my face away from him and cried into the soft folds of my veil.

When we returned to our home, I snatched off the veil and shredded it to pieces. With an angry scream, I flung the pieces at Vlad and raced up the stairs to my room. He followed slowly, but with an amused expression upon his features. When he entered my room, he found me ripping apart all my veils in a wild frenzy.

“Now what is the use of that?” he asked.

“I do not need them anymore, do I?” I flung a bit of black lace at him and it drifted lazily to his feet.

“You are angry, I take it,” he decided.

“Truly you ar

e so very observant, husband,” I said smartly.

“Why are you angry? Because you were reunited with your brother? Because I brought you to live in this lovely home? Or because you have been treated as a Countess for over a month’s time?” Vlad’s eyes narrowed, the green in them seeming to glow.

“No,” I said indignantly. “I am hungry. ” I pouted and slumped down onto the floor, my skirts rising up around me like a blue silk cloud.

He laughed and shook his head, his long auburn coils falling around his narrow, lupine features. “You are so very spoiled. ”

I stomped my foot on the floor. “I am hungry!”

Amazingly, he did not seem very angry for my outburst. He squatted down before me and tilted his head to regard me. “Then go eat. Find a nice young man to seduce in his bed and feast. ”