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The Baroness filled the room with her seductive presence, greeting everyone with kisses and flattering words while slowly shedding her traveling coat and bonnet to reveal the simple, but elegant black frock beneath. With the wave of her hand and silvery laugh, she ordered refreshments for all and took up the position of hostess with a finesse I sorely lack.

“As soon as I heard the word that you had arrived, I immediately began my journey home, dear Countess. I was surprised that you should arrive so early since I just received your letter. ”

“We were forced to leave a little earlier than anticipated,” I answered. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Laura staring at the Baroness with rapt attention. It was easy to be drawn into the Baroness’ web. She was beautiful and charismatic. It was not difficult to ascertain why Vlad had made her his lover.

“Nothing too terrible I hope!” the Baroness said, her brow furrowing with worry.

“Oh, no, nothing too terrible. Just some minor difficulty. I thought it best that I should leave. Besides, I have missed Buda in my absence,” I answered truthfully.

“And your dear husband, is he well?” she asked as the tea tray was brought in by a servant. Her voice was calm, but her dark eyes were keen.

Gracing her with a smile, I answered, “He is consumed with matters concerning our country estate. ”

“Will he be joining you soon?” Sir Stephan asked, his voice slightly quavering.

With a light shrug, I settled more comfortably upon the couch. “I dare not speak for him. I only know he desired for me to return and deal with matters here. ”

All three of the adult mortals paused in their movements for the shortest of moments. I could see their bodies tense as the Baroness busied herself with serving the tea.

“Of course, I shall assist you in whatever is required of me,” Sir Stephan promised.

“And I am always and forever your dear friend. Whatever I can do in service I shall do readily,” the Baroness said with a wide smile.

I balanced my teacup upon its saucer and returned her smile. “My husband would expect nothing less. ”

Maria quickly occupied herself in preparing her tea, her eyes downcast with worry. I could discern from the expression upon Laura’s face that she knew something was amiss with those around her. With delicate ease, she sipped her tea and nibbled on a small cake, her eyes studying the Baroness.

“He has always been such a dear friend. ” The Baroness reclined in her chair, her movements sensual and casual despite the slight tension about her eyes. “I remember well when I first met him. I thought to myself he was the most formidable creature I had ever beheld. ”

Laura smothered a titter by drinking her tea. My gaze met hers and I felt immediately that we were conspirators.

“He does have the aura of a warrior of old,” Maria agreed.

“A man who expects to be obeyed,” Stephan added.

“And shall be! Always!” The Baroness ate a biscuit with relish, her eyes sparkling.

I was amused at how desperate they were to set me at ease and assure me of their devotion to Count Dracula. I had no doubt that they would wish to placate him since I had concocted my plan to move back to Buda and into their good graces. I needed their devotion to Vlad to manipulate them into doing my will.

“I will make certain to relay that information in my correspondence. ” For Laura’s sake, I pretended to sip my tea and peck at my cake. I liked her much more than her simpering parents and had no desire to expose her to my true nature. I would spare her, but not her parents. My plans would need to be altered in order to spare her the emotional trauma I had endured. I would not kill Sir Stephan and Maria, but I would find a way to inflict my vengeance upon them.

The Baroness set aside her cup and leaned toward me. “I am simply thrilled that you are once more in our presence! We had such little time to converse when you were last in the city, before the tragedy of your home burning! Oh, it has caused such concern among your peers, I can assure you. All sorts of rumors have been flitting about! One rumor even suggested that Vlad’s own servants burned his home!”

“Or that some disgruntled peasants from Pesth came across the river to burn down the homes of the wealthy,” Sir Stephan added.

“Truly?” I supposed I should not find it extraordinary that Vlad’s contemporaries in human society would anticipate the worst of circumstances surrounding the destruction of his manor. “As far as I know it was a candle that set it aflame. ”

“Such a tragedy! It was such a lovely home. You will be rebuilding, will you not?”

“My dear Baroness, of course! Vlad has many plans and I assure you he will be rebuilding,” I replied.

“Despite his plans to move to England?” Sir Stephan asked, daring to meet my eyes.

“Of course. Do you truly believe he would leave his homeland for such a long period of time? We shall be traveling to and fro, I can assure you. ” I realized I would have to be careful in making my own plans appear to be part of some greater scheme concocted by Vlad Dracula. He had been considerably persistent in his desire to move to England. I was still unsure as to why he had been so determined to do so. Though it pained me to admit it even to myself, I was adrift in a sea of uncertainty. It was already becoming quite clear that I was lost in Vlad’s dark world. I would have to tread cautiously. Considering my very nature, I had to accept that I was at a disadvantage.

“Time can be an enemy,” Maria mused.

A vampire’s eternal youth and immortality would always put Vlad at a disadvantage. Even if he had succeeded in entering English society, at some point we would be forced to leave for another country.