Vampire Coven Book 3: A Vampire's Embrace by C.L. Scholey Page A

accent.
    “It’s lovely,” Ann replied while shaking the doll and trying to imitate his words.
    “It’s all the way from England,” Rhett continued. “Do let me pour you more, Miss Baby.” Hope couldn’t help it, she laughed. A grown man playing with dolls was just too funny. Rhett gazed at her. “Why Mrs. Hope, I do believe you need more tea.”
    Her cup was empty and Hope wondered how that had happened. Had she really drank the contents so quickly? She was feeling a little strange, giggly. When had she giggled last? Rhett handed her a sandwich. She liked sandwiches. Especially the kind with peanut butter and a substance called strawberry jam. Ann loved those, too. They were all cut into sections she learned were called triangles.
    Rhett poured her more to drink, and the more she drank the funnier Rhett got. Soon she was laughing at everything he said until he began to laugh. Instead of filling her cup with more white liquid, he gave her juice.
    “Mrs. Dooder and Miss Baby, I think it’s time Mrs. Hope and Miss Ann had a nap,” Rhett said.
    Hope roared with laughter. She toppled over, lying on the floor feeling wonderful. Rhett’s hands slipped under her and she was soon settled onto his bed. Hope rolled over; no longer caring water fell from the sky in an eerie way outside the window. Windows were a novelty. To be inside and yet see outside was strange. Everything was strange. Nothing seemed to matter though. Ann yawned and Hope wrapped her arms around her. Her daughter was alive and beside her. Her tummy was full. Rhett was actually smiling, even with his eyes, down at the two of them. Finally Hope felt some semblance of safety.
    * * * *
    Rhett watched the two of them as they slumbered. Long ago he used to watch his daughter sleep. The rise and fall of her little chest was a comfort. The wheeze in Ann’s chest was getting progressively worse. Caine had medications to relieve her pain but it was a rarity for a diseased human to be allowed in the coven. Ann wasn’t contagious so she posed no threat. Both the woman and child were there only because Rhett wanted them there. He could easily wrap them tight in furs and return them to their ice dwelling. Rhett knew it wouldn’t save him from pain, only add to it.
    A knock on the door and Rhett was quick to answer. Both Ann and Hope desperately needed sleep. Rhett knew Hope was awake most of the night and feared for her and her daughter’s safety. It was why he had given Hope the wine. He wanted her to relax. Maybe he wasn’t the embodiment of a gentleman, but terrorizing a defenseless woman while her child was at death’s door was cruel even for him. He had been happy Hope asked for a truce.
    For now Rhett would let Tanya and Cecily stay in the past. Just like all the other women who had disappointed him. If you looked for disappointment you would find it, Tavish was right. Rhett wanted nothing from Hope, she wanted nothing from him. The arrangement suited him.
    Rhett wasn’t surprised to find Tate standing there smiling at him. Rhett walked into the hall and shut the door behind him.
    “I want to talk to you,” Tate said. “There has been some talk about Hope and I wanted to ask you for her before any other vampire approached you.”
    Rhett had heard the talk. “I haven’t decided what I’m doing with the woman. She’s mine as long as the child lives.”
    Tate looked a little disappointed. “I understand the need to keep them together. I’m willing to wait. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked some of the other vampires and they explained about your daughter. That’s tough man, losing a child. I had a breeder female who lost her baby. Caine called the girl a stillborn. The female was pretty messed up. She’s had another, a boy, but I can see she still thinks about the one who never took a breath. Poor little female.
    “The thing is, Hope’s going to need someone who will comfort her. You’re not exactly the type. Let me get closer to her so when