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I rather liked Váci Street. It was a lovely shopping center filled with boutiques and cafes that I enjoyed visiting with Laura and

Percy. A very short distance from the Danube, it was always busy and exciting.

“I liked Rome and Venice when we visited. There were beautiful shops there. ” I plucked at my skirt and tried to not flee from the Baroness. I was trying so very hard to be companionable, but I found her absolutely abhorrent despite her best efforts to be my friend.

“We shall go to them all, you and I. I suppose we will have to educate his other Brides to be more modern. ” Her hand rested on mine and her smile was conspiratorial. “Or maybe we can convince him to leave them behind. ”

“What leads you to believe he would abandon them?” I regarded her curiously. “He is there with them now and I have not seen him for months. Maybe he prefers their company. ”

Csilla threw back her head and her silvery laugh filled the night. “Oh, come now. Do you really believe he is at the castle? I know him far too well. He is most likely traveling and tending to his many plots. A man such as he can never be still for too long. This land is always rife with political intrigues even beyond the grave. ”

I smiled slightly and shrugged. “He is doing as he wishes,” I lied. “I shall wait here. ”

“And it is a joy to have you here. ” Shifting her weight so she was leaning over the armrest of her chair, she whispered, “If you are hungry, we can go inside. ”

As part of my plot against her, I was feeding from her every night. Just little sips, but they made her happy. Soon I would begin taking much longer draughts.

Her warm fingers gripped mine tightly and her eyes were full of yearning. I thought of Laura’s question about Csilla’s seduction of men and women. I wondered if she was attempting to seduce me.

“Countess Dracula! Baroness Dosza! Here you are!”

I leaped to my feet at the sound of Percy’s voice and clapped my hands joyously. He strode down the lawn toward us, hat in hand, grinning. The moonlight glinted off his gold hair and he looked quite dashing.

“Percy! You’re have returned!” I rushed up to greet him.

“It was a marvelous trip! A success. I gave a bolt of the most beautiful blue silk I have ever seen to Magda. It will make you a lovely dress. ”

I kissed his cheek and clung to his arm as we walked back to where the Baroness was waiting. Despite my hatred of the woman, I had to admit she was a striking creature with her creamy white skin and dark hair. She had ceased in her attempt to seduce Percy, believing him to be my lover, but she still greeted him with a seductive smile and lingering kiss on the cheek.

“Where did you go? What did you see?” Taking our seats, I felt relieved at his presence. With Percy I felt mortal and alive. It was a wonderful feeling.

“I actually traveled to Vienna to broker a new trading contract. ”

“I was there once! It’s lovely!” Csilla sipped some red wine and grinned. “Full of mad musicians and desperate poets. ”

“It is most definitely a city of music. I have had the honor of hearing some beautiful music while visiting. I rather enjoy Ludwig Van Beethoven’s works. I was once invited to hear him play at the home of a business associate. It was breathtaking. ” Percy poured himself a bit of wine and slouched down in his chair to relax.

I had fallen silent while they spoke. Vienna was the home of the Mistress of both Vlad and Ignatius. I felt a pain deep within me at the thought of Ignatius being so far from me.

Csilla and Percy chatted back and forth, discussing various composers. I listened, but did not really pay attention to their words. I dread concerts, not being fond of music as a whole. I rarely hear anything I truly like. I once took voice lessons, but my voice is not remarkable. My piano lessons were a catastrophe that often ended in my teacher shouting at me while I banged away on the wrong keys. I do enjoy operas if they are filled with costumes and lovely sets and are not about Vlad Dracula.

“…so I was quite pleased,” Percy was saying to Csilla, “to seal such a lucrative contract while listening to such lovely music. If only I could have sealed the music in a box so I could play it for you now. ”

“It sounds splendid!” Csilla took another sip and I could see that her cheeks were flushed. It would not surprise me if she attempted to seduce Percy again.

“And that is where I met the most intriguing fellow. I almost forgot. ” Percy rummaged around inside his coat pocket and withdrew a letter. “This is for you, Countess. ”

Startled, I took the envelope from him and studied the seal. The blue wax had an eye imprinted upon it. “Who is it from?”

“Well, he said he knows you and your husband well. Father Ignatius is his name. I met him while I was attending a party thrown by one of my business associates. ”

I gasped and stared at the letter in shock. The eye represented the first letter of his name, of course!

“He was a very interesting man to speak to. He knows so much of the history of this part of Europe and actually suggested locations for my future trips to acquire new textiles. ”

“I know Father Ignatius,” Csilla said. “He sometimes attends parties here in Buda when he is visiting. An odd man, to say the least. So handsome. Pity he is such a pious priest. ” Thoughtfully, she turned her gaze toward me. “Did you meet him through your husband?”

“They are acquaintances,” I answered, avoiding a direct answer. I tried not to clutch the letter to my bosom or rip it open. I laid it upon my lap and covered it with a trembling hand. “He also made friends with my brother, Earl Wright, when he was visiting. ”