His Ruthless Bite | Historical Paranormal Romance: Vampires (Scandals With Bite Book 4) Read Online Free

with unholy fury. “No! As her physician, I object to Lenore being subjected to marital duties. You know what she has been through. How could you ask that of her?”
    Gavin had to fight to maintain his composure at the dismal reminder. Yes, he remembered how pale and battered Lenore had been when she’d stumbled onto his territory and fainted in his arms. Fainted . He’d never seen a vampire so weak that they fainted. And when Gavin discovered that she had been raped, his very bones burned with an unsettling combination of protectiveness and rage. How he’d wished that he could have torn the bloody curs limb from limb. But he’d only been able to kill one of the rogues during Lord Villar’s battle with a would-be usurper. Gavin’s satisfaction of driving his blade through the bastard’s groin before disemboweling him was short-lived, for the Lord of Cornwall had slain one and chained up the others and delivered them to the Elders. Damn Vincent and his law-abiding honor.
    Though the rogues had been executed, Gavin had wanted to slaughter them himself. Make them suffer as they’d made Lenore suffer. All four of them. His stomach quailed at the number. He despised rapists, and the idea that they’d done such things to a vampire so fragile and brave as Lenore amplified his outrage.
    Yet despite all the unspeakable horror that she’d endured, Lenore had not only managed a clever escape from her captors, she had also mustered unfathomable strength to flee to his territory and then embark on a journey to face the Elders and inform them of Clayton’s treason. She’d also lied to protect her Lord Vampire. Rafael had been unable to Change his captive, Cassandra, because he’d illegally Changed another human recently. Rochester had long guessed that illicit truth from Rafael’s pleas to other vampires to solve his dilemma, and became certain the moment Lenore stood, unflinching before the Elders and told the lie that saved both Villar and his lover.
    Though she now trembled before him, Gavin knew that Lenore possessed an iron will and phenomenal inner strength. Strength that drew him to her with a mysterious pull.
    Lenore took a tentative step forward. “May we speak in private, m’lord?”
    He took in the sight of her blushing cheeks and heard the slight trace of Cockney accent that she was usually able to hide. Embarrassment and fear emanated from her in tangible waves that made his chest constrict.
    “Of course, Miss Graves. After all, this is an intimate subject and inappropriate to discuss in front of others.” He cast Lord and Lady Villar a censorious look for broaching a topic that rightfully should have remained between him and Lenore.
    As he took her arm, Rafael fixed him with a glare. “If you need me, Lenore, do not hesitate to call out.”
    Bristling with Villar’s constant intrusion, Rochester ground his teeth as he escorted Lenore up the stairs and to the library. He willed himself to maintain civility. After all, soon Rafael and his wife would depart for London, leaving Lenore with him, and they would no longer interfere with his affairs.
    He closed the door and spoke as softly as possible, though with their preternatural hearing, Lord and Lady Villar would still hear snatches of their conversation.
    “There is no need to worry about consummating the marriage.” His gaze held Lenore’s large brown eyes. “Our union will be in name only, unless you desire otherwise.”
    Lenore’s taut shoulders visibly relaxed at his words. “Do you mean that truly, m’lord?”
    Gavin nodded. “I may be strict when it comes to ruling my lands, but I am not such a beast as to force my attentions when they are not wanted.”
    “I, ah,” she looked down and fiddled with her skirts. “I need time to think.”
    This time Gavin brought forth his ruthlessness. “There is no time to think, Miss Graves. This is the price I shall have for aiding you.” He strode forward and seized her arms with a firm, albeit gentle