Rises The Night (The Gardella Vampire Hunters 2)

“Ahh, Sarafina, who is this lovely beauty you have brought?” he asked, turning from his conversation.

“Padre, this is my new friend, Mrs. Emmaline Withers.”

The man, who was short and stocky with scarcely any of what had been dark hair left on his skull—but compensated for it by growing a full, bushy beard and mustache—bowed and took Victoria’s hand. He raised it and kissed it with soft wet lips, and looked at her with exceedingly interested dark eyes. Not a surprise—after all, this was a man who painted the nipples of his daughter and her friends. “I am most gratified to make your acquaintance. May I introduce you to some of my companions?”

That was when Victoria turned and saw, for the first time, the very confused, very familiar face of George Starcasset.

+ 15 +

Lady Rockley Receives a Set-down

* * *

Victoria looked at George and smiled as though it were nothing out of the ordinary to be introduced by a false name.

To his credit, he did nothing but bow and lift her hand for a brief kiss. But moments later, after all the introductions had been completed, and Victoria managed to excuse herself before he said something awkward, he made his own excuse to follow her.

“Perhaps you will permit me to escort you to find something to drink,” George said, taking her arm firmly.

Once out of earshot of the count and his companions, George pulled Victoria off to the side and looked down at her. “I do not know what serendipitous happening has brought us together so soon after my arrival in Italy, but whatever it was, I am most grateful.”

“You made no mention of traveling to Italy when we bade farewell,” Victoria commented, wondering why he wasn’t asking her about her assumed name. Perhaps he was merely being as polite and circumspect—just as the time he’d found her stalking vampires on the midnight streets of London. Perhaps he was merely an unsuspicious person.

But could there be another reason? While surprised, he did not look as startled as she had been when Regalado had turned to introduce them.

“I had not planned to make my way to Italy at that time, to be sure…but I must confess, I felt it highly regrettable you had to leave England just as we were becoming better friends.” He squeezed her elbow as though to add an extra layer of meaning to the word. “And after some thought, I realized it would be a good time to return to Rome to check up on some business interests I had here. I felt certain since we were both in the same country I would be able to ascertain how to find you and to pay a call. I had no idea that happenstance would bring us to the same social event only two days after my arrival.” His smile was wide and boyish, and with the two deep, curving dimples that framed it, along with the deep cleft in his chin, he looked even more youthful.

“How very fortunate.” Her lie was accompanied by a smile that was just as false. She had to find a way to dislodge George so she could pump Regalado about the Tutela. And then another uncomfortable thought occurred to her. “How did you happen to come here tonight?”

Surely it wasn’t because he was interested in the Tutela. Surely it was a coincidence.

But there had been vampires and Polidori—a Tutela member—at Claythorne. And she wasn’t altogether certain Sebastian wasn’t a Tutela member since it was possible that his father was.

Then another black thought opened in her mind. Sebastian had said it would be imprudent for him to attend the party at the Regalado villa. Was that because he knew Starcasset was going to be here? And he didn’t want to be recognized for some reason?

“Polidori mentioned to me when we were at supper at Claythorne…that night…if I ever visited Rome, I should be certain to acquaint myself with his friend Conte Regalado. He seemed to believe the count and I would find each other exceedingly amiable.” He squeezed her elbow again. “And I have found it to be true. Regalado and I have much to discuss.”

Victoria decided to chance it. “Has he spoken to you of the Tutela?”

“The Tutela? Why…not that I recall. What is that?”

“I am not sure,” she replied blandly, casting her glance around the room. “I just happened to hear the word mentioned and was curious.”

And that was when she saw Max.

“Well, I would be most pleased to ask about it if you don’t wish…Lady Rock—Mrs. Withers, is something the matter?”

He—Max—was standing across the room from them as though he’d just walked in, greeting a cluster of people. Just as tall, just as dark-haired and arrogant-looking as he’d been a year ago. He was smiling as he shook their hands.

“No, indeed,” she replied to George only a moment after he’d posed the question and it had sunk in. “Except perhaps that I am a bit thirsty. Would you…?” She allowed her voice to trail off as she slanted him

the convenient look that branded her a helpless female.

“Of course, of course, madam,” he replied, appearing a bit flustered. “I have delayed you in your quest for a beverage, and I must apologize. I shall fetch a tea for you, or would you prefer a glass of that wine they call Chianti?”

“Tea would be lovely, or lemonade,” Victoria replied, trying to keep her attention from spanning back to where Max stood.

As soon as George started toward the tables where drinks were poured, she pivoted in the opposite direction and began to make her way through the loose clusters of people in the ballroom. She was about halfway across the room when Max saw her.