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Katya and Laura looked up from where they were admiring Laura’s new hat. Magda was seated near the fire feeding her little boy a bit of pastry while Adem watched them with affection. They both directed their attention toward me, awaiting my answer.

Ignatius took my hand and gazed down at the ring, then up at my matching eyes. “Yes, my love, what will you say?”

I pondered the question, then shrugged my shoulders. “I’m sure I shall think of something. ”

Astir tossed back her head and laughed. “Of course. ”

Gazing at my beloved, I smiled. “It would be a scandal to say I am now divorced and remarried to a priest. ”

“Though it would be amusing to see how they respond to that proclamation,” he decided before pressing his lips to mine, his hand covering the ring. I returned the kiss with fervor and when we parted we were flushed with joy.

Returning my attention to Astir, I saw that her eyes were closed in rapture. Slowly, she opened them and let out a sigh.

“What is it, Astir?” I wondered.

“So that is it,” she said with awe.

“What is?”

Ignatius looked amused as Astir fanned herself.

“The blissful aspect of love,” she said at last.

Sitting beside my love, gazing at my friends and family gathered around the Christmas tree, I knew exactly what she meant.

Chapter 37

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

April 4, 1821

Spring has come and all the fears and terrors of the winter are behind us. Vlad Dracula has been neither seen nor heard from since that fateful night when I reclaimed my freedom, my name, and established my house.

Our beloved Percy has been laid to rest in the same mausoleum as my family. Laura and I often leave flowers for him.

Oh, Percy, how I miss you.

I often dream of my dear friend. He is always smiling and happy to see me and Laura. In my dreams he always touches our cameos and tells us he is still watching over us.

In truth, we found out Percy was watching over us in a way we never would have imagined. Adem uncovered letters in Percy’s coat revealing he was in correspondence with my brother, Andrew, in England. Apparently, Andrew had asked Percy to look after me and make certain that I was doing well. In his last letter to Andrew that was not posted, Percy spoke of my brother’s fears being true. He did not detail these fears, but now I wonder if Percy suspected my vampire nature. Upon reflection of some of my conversations with him, I can only wonder.

How does this affect my relationship with my brother? I am uncertain. I continue to correspond with him, and I am preparing to inform him that I am now divorced. I know he will be both relieved and scandalized.

Now that my new solicitor has made certain that all of the Baroness’ wealth has been transferred to me, I am ready to announce to the world I am once more Lady Glynis Wright. This will, of course, cause a great commotion in my social circle, but I shall survive it.

I have survived all else.

I am free at last.

I am Lady Glynis Wright of the House of Wright.

And I am happy.

Epilogue

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

May 21, 1821