VAMPIRE: PARANORMAL: Out For Blood (Vampire Alpha Shapeshifter Romance) (New Adult Paranormal Fantasy Short Stories) by Miranda Powers
Authors: Miranda Powers
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please accept my condolences. Of course, I would not have visited you were he still alive.”
“Thank you, Richard.”
“I am also aware that you have a child. It may be presumptuous of me but…”
“Yes, Richard. He’s your son.”
Richard took a deep breath. “May I be allowed to meet him Diana? At some time when it is convenient for you.”
“I think so Richard but I must ask you to be discrete. Nobody knows that Michael is your son; they think he is Reginald’s. If his parentage became common knowledge, it would cause him considerable loss. Reginald’s brother Joseph would inherit this estate instead of Michael. Joseph is already one of the richest men in the country, but he wouldn’t hesitate to stake his claim. I have told you the truth Richard because it is the right thing to do and I trust you.”
“You may rely on my discretion Diana. I would not do anything to cause problems for you or the boy. What is his name?”
“Michael.”
“Michael? I like that name.”
“You shall meet him before you leave today.”
“Diana, I am aware of my responsibilities and I have come here to ask for your hand in marriage. I have a fortune and I can provide for you and Michael in India. An Estate Manager can be appointed to run Eylebourne in your absence until the boy is old enough to return and run it himself.”
Diana picked up on the difference in the two proposals she had received that afternoon. Love was mentioned in the first but not the second. And Richard had said ‘he was aware of his responsibilities’. What did that mean? He wanted to marry her because she bore his child? Diana felt a little confused.
“Why would you want to marry me Richard?”
“I’ve thought about you often Diana. I know we didn’t have long together, but the little time we spent was one of the happiest times of my life.”
One of the happiest times? Not the happiest time!
“And you wish to be involved in the upbringing of your son?”
“”Indeed I do Diana. A boy should have a father. I would teach him how to be a real man.”
“When do you intend to return to India?”
“I am here for two weeks before I sail.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The King’s Head in Tunbridge.”
“Yes, I know it. It’s near the Pantiles. I need to give your proposal some serious thought Richard. Would you please allow me a few days to think it over?”
“Of course, Diana. It is a big decision.”
“Did you come here today by carriage?”
“No, I borrowed a horse from the landlord. Borrowed is probably not the right word. Rented at an exorbitant price I should say.” He laughed, but there was something strange in the laugh. It wasn’t like when she remembered his carefree laugh when she had first made love to him. It worried her.
“Come back in the morning the day after tomorrow and we shall take a ride in the countryside and discuss the matter.”
And I know a barn where you can plough me. That is if you come back to your old self. I’m not sure I like the new Richard.
“Thank you, Diana. I would like a ride with you.”
She thought, she hoped, she saw a twinkle in his eye but was it? Or was it a peevish look. Diana couldn’t be sure and it worried her even more.
Diana lifted a small brass bell from a table beside her chair and shook it. The tinkle was not loud but enough for Miller to appear in the doorway.
“Yes, M’Lady?”
“Please request Jane to bring Michael to the drawing-room to meet my guest.”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
Diana examined Richard while he was distracted looking at the wind swirling up the leaves outside. There was something different about him. She had to admit she didn’t know him well other than carnally. But he had lost much of that carefree air he had before and seemed more serious. Perhaps it was the burden of having a fortune.
Jane came into the drawing-room holding Michael’s hand. She curtsied to Diana and then to Richard.
Michael bowed to Richard. Jane and Michael
“Thank you, Richard.”
“I am also aware that you have a child. It may be presumptuous of me but…”
“Yes, Richard. He’s your son.”
Richard took a deep breath. “May I be allowed to meet him Diana? At some time when it is convenient for you.”
“I think so Richard but I must ask you to be discrete. Nobody knows that Michael is your son; they think he is Reginald’s. If his parentage became common knowledge, it would cause him considerable loss. Reginald’s brother Joseph would inherit this estate instead of Michael. Joseph is already one of the richest men in the country, but he wouldn’t hesitate to stake his claim. I have told you the truth Richard because it is the right thing to do and I trust you.”
“You may rely on my discretion Diana. I would not do anything to cause problems for you or the boy. What is his name?”
“Michael.”
“Michael? I like that name.”
“You shall meet him before you leave today.”
“Diana, I am aware of my responsibilities and I have come here to ask for your hand in marriage. I have a fortune and I can provide for you and Michael in India. An Estate Manager can be appointed to run Eylebourne in your absence until the boy is old enough to return and run it himself.”
Diana picked up on the difference in the two proposals she had received that afternoon. Love was mentioned in the first but not the second. And Richard had said ‘he was aware of his responsibilities’. What did that mean? He wanted to marry her because she bore his child? Diana felt a little confused.
“Why would you want to marry me Richard?”
“I’ve thought about you often Diana. I know we didn’t have long together, but the little time we spent was one of the happiest times of my life.”
One of the happiest times? Not the happiest time!
“And you wish to be involved in the upbringing of your son?”
“”Indeed I do Diana. A boy should have a father. I would teach him how to be a real man.”
“When do you intend to return to India?”
“I am here for two weeks before I sail.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The King’s Head in Tunbridge.”
“Yes, I know it. It’s near the Pantiles. I need to give your proposal some serious thought Richard. Would you please allow me a few days to think it over?”
“Of course, Diana. It is a big decision.”
“Did you come here today by carriage?”
“No, I borrowed a horse from the landlord. Borrowed is probably not the right word. Rented at an exorbitant price I should say.” He laughed, but there was something strange in the laugh. It wasn’t like when she remembered his carefree laugh when she had first made love to him. It worried her.
“Come back in the morning the day after tomorrow and we shall take a ride in the countryside and discuss the matter.”
And I know a barn where you can plough me. That is if you come back to your old self. I’m not sure I like the new Richard.
“Thank you, Diana. I would like a ride with you.”
She thought, she hoped, she saw a twinkle in his eye but was it? Or was it a peevish look. Diana couldn’t be sure and it worried her even more.
Diana lifted a small brass bell from a table beside her chair and shook it. The tinkle was not loud but enough for Miller to appear in the doorway.
“Yes, M’Lady?”
“Please request Jane to bring Michael to the drawing-room to meet my guest.”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
Diana examined Richard while he was distracted looking at the wind swirling up the leaves outside. There was something different about him. She had to admit she didn’t know him well other than carnally. But he had lost much of that carefree air he had before and seemed more serious. Perhaps it was the burden of having a fortune.
Jane came into the drawing-room holding Michael’s hand. She curtsied to Diana and then to Richard.
Michael bowed to Richard. Jane and Michael
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