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“Most likely that we are related and tourists. ”

His keen blue eyes returned to regard me and he smiled slightly. “Most likely that is true. What does the baroness think of my visits?”

“That I am bedding you, of course. ” I giggled and blushed slightly.

Percy chuckled and shook his head. “Of course. Of cour

se!”

“My father would be horrified by the way I am speaking to you. I do apologize if I am too blunt. ”

“I find it rather refreshing. Abigail tended to say exactly what she was thinking, with little consideration if it was proper or not. I liked that about her. ”

“I think I would have liked her very, very much. ”

Percy turned his head to look across the room once again. “I believe we are garnering some attention though. Or perhaps it is you with your fabulous ruby hair, aquamarine eyes, and pearl skin. ”

“You sound like a merchant describing his wares,” I admonished him.

Leaning one elbow on the table, he inclined his head toward me. “There is a young woman in the far corner who is completely enraptured by you. She has been watching you for the last few minutes. ”

“Are you certain it is not you that has drawn her attention?”

“Oh, no. It is you. ”

Turning my head, I gazed across the room. Percy was not telling tales. A young woman was openly staring at me from the table in the corner. Petite, graceful, and lovely, she had thick dark brown hair drawn into a fashionable style and large, heavily fringed eyes. My keen eyesight sharpened as I studied her and she smiled ever so slightly. Shifting in her chair, her green satin gown rustled around her ankles and her eyes gazed steadily into mine. I was surprised to realize one was blue and the other green.

With a start, I realized she was a vampire. Her coloring was like Vlad’s, not pale and white like my own, and the flush of her feeding gave her the illusion of humanity.

Gracefully, she raised her teacup in a salute.

“Do you know her?” Percy asked.

My heart lurched with fear and I struggled against my desire to flee. Now that I knew the vampire was near, I could feel her power coursing around me. “No, I do not. ”

“She appears to know you. ” Percy returned her smile and gave her a small salute.

The vampire’s smile widened and she laughed softly, turning to speak to her companion seated out of sight.

“Perhaps she knows my husband,” I answered. My mind was whirling with half-formed thoughts. My immediate instinct was to flee, yet I was afraid that I would only be endangering all of us. I stole another glance in the direction of the vampire and saw that she was still chatting with her companion and was no longer watching me. Astir had spoken of a conflict that I should take care not to be drawn into. I wondered if perhaps this vampire was connected to that intrigue.

“He is a popular man from all that I have heard. ” Percy sipped his tea, forgetting about the mysterious woman.

I forced myself into idle chitchat. My mind was barely able to concentrate upon our conversation. At last I said, “I think we should go. I have a sudden headache. It’s quite fierce. ” I gestured to Adem and gathered my things.

Bewildered, Percy took care of our bill as Adem strode over to our table.

“Countess, is there a problem?” Adem swept his eyes over the cafe, his body tensed to defend me.

“No, of course not. Just a headache. ” I could feel the vampire’s steady gaze upon me. If I dared to look in her direction, I knew that her unusual eyes would be watching me.

It took far too long for the carriage to be brought around. I stood in the street clutching my lace shawl about my shoulders, my nails threatening to tear through the fine fabric. Percy was clearly mystified by my sudden illness while Adem stood alert at my side.

“I apologize for cutting our evening short,” I said as the carriage rolled to a stop before me.

“I understand. I hope you will be feeling better soon. I’m shall call on you in a few weeks. I have business to attend to elsewhere and I am unsure of the date of my return. ”

“I shall miss you, Percy. ”