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“I could say the same of you, Lord Astir,” I responded, holding out my hand.

With a twisted smile full of mirth, he took my hand and kissed it. “Lovely as always to see you. ”

“And whatever have I done to have you honor me with your presence?” I asked, my gaze sharp, my heart seizing.

“I missed you,” Astir said with a pout. He tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and guided me down the hall.

Tilting my chin to regard him, I arched a brow. “Truly?”

“Yes, yes,” Astir said enthusiastically as he walked. “I said to myself, ‘Astir, Buda is such a bore without that lovely little redheaded spitfire rushing about causing all sorts of trouble. Let’s go see her!’ And here I am. ”

“Do you speak to yourself often? I hear it is a sign of madness,” I said tartly, miffed at his assertion that I had caused any amount of trouble whatsoever.

His warm finger plucked at my bottom lip as he leaned over me. “And there it is. That darling little spark of mischief. ”

I tilted my head away from him as I pulled free of his grasp. Stepping into the parlor, I glanced back to see Adem and Magda following us, both wearing expressions I could not decipher. Astir entered the parlor, studying his surroundings with contempt.

“Dreary, plebeian, and dull, but it will do. ”

“I am a married woman. I should not be alone with a man who is not my husband,” I remarked, signaling for Adem to join us, not wishing to be alone with Astir.

Astir widened his eyes at my comment. “Yes, that would be a scandal, wouldn’t it?” With a flourish, he slammed the door just as Adem was about to enter.

“You’re in a mood,” I decided, my flippancy hiding my fear.

“I am always in a mood. The question is just what sort of mood am I in?” Astir tossed off his traveling coat and straightened his waistcoat. Fluffing up his collar, he turned to regard me intently. “Shall we talk?”

“If you insist, I suppose. I was busy-”

“Where is your husband?”

I stuttered to a halt at his interruption. “He is occupied with affairs at the castle. The situation is difficult, and he asked that I remain here. ”

“Did he?” Astir bestowed me with an amused smile.

“Yes. ” Not wishing to answer any more questions, I asked quickly, “Is Buda safe? May I return?”

Astir shrugged. “Perhaps. ”

“Has Ignatius returned? Have you heard from him?”

“Father Ignatius is not in Buda, and I have corresponded with him on occasion. ”

Despite my apprehension, I stepped toward Astir, desperate for information. “Is he all right? Where is he?”

“Like Satan himself, he’s wandering to and fro across the face of the earth,” Astir glibly responded, waving his hand dramatically.

“Has he asked after me?”

“Has he asked about Countess Dracula?” Astir made a great show of pondering the question. “No, he has not. ”

Narrowing my eyes, I said, “Did he ask about Lady Glynis Wright?”

With a wide grin and a spark in his eye, Astir answered, “Why, yes he did. ”

“You are a foul, forked tongue-“

“Now, now! No need for name calling. He did ask after you and I said you were with your husband. How was I to know that your circumstances had changed since you had not informed me of your husband’s unfortunate convalescence?”