was correct because I'd been ushered directly inside once I'd given my name. Aiden didn't know I was coming. I'd tried to keep it a secret even from myself to keep Kastio from interfering. Even though I was here on business, not pleasure, my guide would have given me a hard time.
The vampire led me through the large foyer and past a curved marble staircase. We entered a room with paintings so massive in scale that they were intimidating, furniture too delicate and old to actually use and a nicely roaring fire that might be a tad too warm for early May.
"Lord Bruce will be with you momentarily," the vampire said politely. "Can I get you anything?"
Briefly I toyed with the idea of asking what they had. Would vampires keep wine around on the off chance a human appeared? Maybe it wasn't an off chance. Maybe Aiden Bruce entertained human guests on a regular basis. He had to get his fix somewhere, didn't he?
"No, thank you," I answered quietly because I was aware of how much the vast room echoed.
He gestured toward the furniture I had no intention of using, "Make yourself comfortable," and then left me alone.
I stood uncomfortably near the fire wondering if this had been a good idea. I'd told myself that I needed information and that I'd owed Aiden information in return. I'd also had the thought of making certain the five women had gotten safely home. After all, he could have easily kept one for himself and no one would have been the wiser.
My eyes drifted to the nearest massive painting, half expecting to see Aiden's silver eyes peeking out from somewhere within it. The composition was of a battle outdoors on a verdant countryside. Cavalry and their sinewy horses dominated much of the painted scene. But nowhere in it was Aiden himself. Perhaps he wasn't as egotistical as I'd imagined.
I looked up at the groin-vaulted ceilings that were decorated with intricate exotic floral designs and wondered if he'd commissioned that a century ago or if he'd bought the place as is. It bothered me that I wanted to know if these things were his choices or someone else's. But I did want to know. I wanted a clue as to who Aiden Bruce really was.
I scanned the other paintings lining the walls for silver eyes. A likeness of his face would give me an idea of what he might have looked like prior to being turned. It might be the only way I'd ever truly see him as he was meant to be.
"To what do I owe this most unexpected and immense pleasure, Miss Denham?" Aiden Bruce's buttery voice echoed within the grand space.
He'd caught me across the room peering into the third rank of a group of painted infantrymen. I despised being taken unaware even though it was exceedingly easy for a vampire to do. They could move with inhuman speed, cat-like grace and do it with unnatural silence.
A guilty blush coated my cheeks at being caught scrutinizing the painting. I hoped he wouldn't be able to see my flush from his distance. Discreetly I glanced back at him while considering many responses to his question. He was dressed in a pair of fine black trousers, a matching double-breasted waistcoat that held a shadow striped pattern, a black and silver striped tie and crisp white undershirt. Over his arm he carried the jacket that most certainly finished the three-piece suit.
His hair was shorter tonight, falling only a few inches below his shoulders, and it was silky straight. He was trying on an auburn-tinged maple color. The narrow nose of the previous night was gone in favor of something more fitting the oval face he was sporting. There was a gentle rounding of his chin instead of the square-jaws he'd been experimenting with recently. I thought this one might be his best yet because of the delectable dimple at its center. But as always, his silver irises shone brightest.
In the end I looked away so I could answer his question with the truth and not sound breathless. "I wasn't able to find out who the men last night were working for so I came to pick
The vampire led me through the large foyer and past a curved marble staircase. We entered a room with paintings so massive in scale that they were intimidating, furniture too delicate and old to actually use and a nicely roaring fire that might be a tad too warm for early May.
"Lord Bruce will be with you momentarily," the vampire said politely. "Can I get you anything?"
Briefly I toyed with the idea of asking what they had. Would vampires keep wine around on the off chance a human appeared? Maybe it wasn't an off chance. Maybe Aiden Bruce entertained human guests on a regular basis. He had to get his fix somewhere, didn't he?
"No, thank you," I answered quietly because I was aware of how much the vast room echoed.
He gestured toward the furniture I had no intention of using, "Make yourself comfortable," and then left me alone.
I stood uncomfortably near the fire wondering if this had been a good idea. I'd told myself that I needed information and that I'd owed Aiden information in return. I'd also had the thought of making certain the five women had gotten safely home. After all, he could have easily kept one for himself and no one would have been the wiser.
My eyes drifted to the nearest massive painting, half expecting to see Aiden's silver eyes peeking out from somewhere within it. The composition was of a battle outdoors on a verdant countryside. Cavalry and their sinewy horses dominated much of the painted scene. But nowhere in it was Aiden himself. Perhaps he wasn't as egotistical as I'd imagined.
I looked up at the groin-vaulted ceilings that were decorated with intricate exotic floral designs and wondered if he'd commissioned that a century ago or if he'd bought the place as is. It bothered me that I wanted to know if these things were his choices or someone else's. But I did want to know. I wanted a clue as to who Aiden Bruce really was.
I scanned the other paintings lining the walls for silver eyes. A likeness of his face would give me an idea of what he might have looked like prior to being turned. It might be the only way I'd ever truly see him as he was meant to be.
"To what do I owe this most unexpected and immense pleasure, Miss Denham?" Aiden Bruce's buttery voice echoed within the grand space.
He'd caught me across the room peering into the third rank of a group of painted infantrymen. I despised being taken unaware even though it was exceedingly easy for a vampire to do. They could move with inhuman speed, cat-like grace and do it with unnatural silence.
A guilty blush coated my cheeks at being caught scrutinizing the painting. I hoped he wouldn't be able to see my flush from his distance. Discreetly I glanced back at him while considering many responses to his question. He was dressed in a pair of fine black trousers, a matching double-breasted waistcoat that held a shadow striped pattern, a black and silver striped tie and crisp white undershirt. Over his arm he carried the jacket that most certainly finished the three-piece suit.
His hair was shorter tonight, falling only a few inches below his shoulders, and it was silky straight. He was trying on an auburn-tinged maple color. The narrow nose of the previous night was gone in favor of something more fitting the oval face he was sporting. There was a gentle rounding of his chin instead of the square-jaws he'd been experimenting with recently. I thought this one might be his best yet because of the delectable dimple at its center. But as always, his silver irises shone brightest.
In the end I looked away so I could answer his question with the truth and not sound breathless. "I wasn't able to find out who the men last night were working for so I came to pick
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