The Vampire Who Loved Me by TERESA MEDEIROS

Author:TERESA MEDEIROS [MEDEIROS, TERESA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-12-24T00:10:40.277000+00:00

“Would you care for another kiss, my lord?” Portia extended the elegant Sevres tea tray, a vapid smile frozen on her lips.

The marquess of Wallingford choked on his tea, his rather prominent Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “Pardon me?”

As Caroline gave her ankle a sharp kick, Portia felt heat flood her cheeks. “A crumpet, my lord. Can I tempt you to try another crumpet?”

“Oh…well, in that case…” Still looking doubtful, he plucked a crumpet from the tray.

Resting the tray back on its wheeled cart, Portia glanced at the window. The sun’s ruthless rays were streaming through the broad bay, illuminating every flaw in the beautifully appointed music room, including the marquess’s receding hairline and the sneer of derision that haunted his lips even when he smiled.

“I’m relieved to see that you haven’t suffered any ill effects after your little escapade the other night, Miss Cabot. I shudder to think of the fate that might have befallen you while you were searching for that—” the marquess stopped and attempted to clear the snarl from his voice. “Forgive me—I had a bit of crumpet caught in my throat—while you were searching for the viscount’s brother.”

Caroline shot Portia a knowing look. “Our Portia has always had a tender heart. You can’t fault her for trying to bring our black sheep back to the fold.”

“I have nothing but admiration for your Christian charity, my dear.” Wallingford graced Portia with a thin-lipped smile. “But some lost souls are beyond redemption and best left to the devil’s dubious mercies.”

After her encounter with Julian in the library, Portia should have been in hearty agreement with him. Which didn’t explain why her hands were suddenly trembling with anger.

Before she could slosh her tea into her lap, she lifted the cup to her lips and took a delicate sip. “Then I can only assume you haven’t heard the wonderful news?”

His smile wavered. “What news?”

“Julian has come home,” she said, affecting an ingenuous smile of her own. “After all these years, he’s finally returned to the loving bosom of his family!”

Looking as if he had the tea tray itself lodged in his throat, Wallingford rose halfway to his feet, his gaze flicking ever so briefly to her bosom. “Kane is here? In this house? At this very moment?”

“You needn’t whistle for the nearest constable, my lord.” Portia returned her cup to its saucer. “We’re all well aware that you bought up all of his gambling vowels.”

“And I’m sure my husband will be more than happy to settle any debts his brother incurred while he was away,” Caroline added, helping herself to another tea cake.

The marquess sank back down on the sofa, looking none too pleased by the notion. “Far be it for me to sully this lovely occasion with crass talk of commerce. I just can’t help but question the wisdom of allowing a…a man with Kane’s reputation to reside beneath the same roof as an unmarried and impressionable young woman.”

Portia arched one eyebrow. “And I can’t help but

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