Shadow of the Swan by Nicola M. Cameron

Author:Nicola M. Cameron [Cameron, Nicola M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Smashwords, historical romance, paranormal romance, vampire romance, Victorian
Publisher: Nicola M. Cameron
Published: 2020-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

As the driver clicked to his horse and the hansom pulled away, Henry studied his house in the glow of the streetlamp. The lights were out in Louisa’s room, but the window’s of Fyodora’s room still glowed. Might as well get it over with.

He let himself in, not wanting to wake Matilda just to open the door for him. The foyer was lit only by one electric chandelier, the standard practice for his late nights. He pressed the button to turn it off, then headed upstairs, bypassing his own floor until he reached the one above it. Fyodora’s room was on the left and he padded to the door, knocking in his usual pattern.

“Come in, dorogoi.”

He braced himself for anything from her dressed in scandalous underthings to having two or three play friends in bed with her. To his surprise, she was wearing a somewhat diaphanous but not overly shocking gown, and was tucked up in bed reading. “I’m here to wave a white flag.”

She made a dismissive noise. “I am the one who must apologize. I should have been more cautious about Louisa. Her little friend caught my attention, and I’m afraid I was focusing on her.”

He relaxed. For Fyodora to apologize for anything was a rare event, indeed. “I’m sorry for criticizing you, my dear. I know you would do your utmost to keep Louisa safe if she were in any danger.”

“I would. We spent much of the evening talking. I like her.”

He could smell the wine slowly evaporating from her vampiric body. “Just talk?”

Fyodora shrugged one shapely shoulder. “Amara came to see Emmeline and brought wine. We may have had a bottle or two.”

Or four, more likely. Poor Louisa—if she tried to keep up with them, she’s going to be miserable tomorrow. “So, does she hate me very much?”

Another dismissive noise. “Not at all. She was worried that you might go after this Avery bastard by yourself and get hurt.”

Oddly, that made him feel better. “I’ll talk to her in the morning.”

“Go check on her now. That way, she won’t worry if she wakes up in the night.”

His Maker had a point. “I’ll do that.” He crossed to the bed and kissed her cheek. “Sweet dreams, my dear.”

She patted his cheek. “To you as well, dorogoi.”

Now the only thing left was to cross the small foyer to Louisa’s door. He knocked, more softly this time. There was no answer. Well, of course not. She’s asleep.

Still, he wanted to make sure everything was well. Cautiously, he turned the door knob, relieved to find it unlocked. The room was dark, the only illumination coming from the streetlights below as filtered through the window’s lace curtains. Louisa was curled on her side under the bedclothes, her soft breathing and her heartbeat the only sounds in the room.

He crept to the bed, not wanting to wake her. Strands of hair had worked themselves loose from the braid she had woven to keep it confined during the night, curling along her cheeks and making her especially lovely.

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