One Bite Per Night Read Online Free Page B

look in on our mother. She is in her dotage, and it would break our hearts not to see her before she dies. Please, my lord, show us some mercy.”
    In the face of Maria’s logical argument and Sally’s emotional appeal, Vincent’s resolve crumbled despite his better judgment. “Very well. I will ask the Lord of London for permission for you to accompany me, which he may very well refuse. If he consents, you must remain out of sight as much as possible. And, by all that is holy, you will stay away from that infernal painter.”
    Maria’s green eyes hardened. “Will you look in on him for us, and tell us how he fares?”
    He sighed, willing patience. “No good can come from bothering Lawrence. It won’t help you forget him.”
    â€œWe don’t want to forget, not until we see him dead.”
    â€œKilling humans is illegal,” he replied for the thousandth time. “However, he will die eventually. Like all mortals, he grows older every day. I’ve seen many people perish from age. It is a more torturous death than you could imagine. Can’t you take comfort from that?”
    Sally gave her sister a hard look. “If you will see him and tell us of his suffering.”
    â€œI hope he’s bald and his teeth have rotted black and pain him daily,” Maria grumbled.
    Vincent chuckled. “All right . I’ll take a peek at the sod. Perhaps he has gout. Now will you help me outfit my ward?”
    â€œShe will shine like a diamond of the first water, and all other debutantes will chew their livers in envy.” Sally smiled sweetly. “That is, if you supply us with the fabric, thread, and all other accoutrements we request.”
    He returned the smile, pleased to see genuine enthusiasm light her usually bleak countenance. “You will have everything you ask for, along with my eternal gratitude.”
    After he and Emrys took their leave, his second shook his head. “Are you certain it is wise to bring that pair to Castle Deveril and expose them to your pet mortal and servants, much less bring them to London?”
    â€œThey’ve done well by the woman who comes to clean, and have not caused trouble with the mortals in town when they venture out.” Mention of his pet mortal brought an inexplicable urge to see her once more. “The night grows late. We’ll discuss it later.” Vincent took off toward his castle…and his ward.
    Miss Hobson accosted him the moment he returned. “We must discuss Miss Price.”
    â€œAllow me to divest myself of my wet coat, and I shall meet you in the solar,” he replied over his shoulder, already shrugging out of the sodden garment.
    Pausing in the doorway to the solar, he observed the stern woman. On the surface, she appeared to be as snobbish and cold as Lady Morley. He had been assured that Miss Hobson was the best, and though she might be strict, females under her charge constantly defied the worst of odds to emerge as winners in the marriage game. Lydia Price needed a chaperone of that caliber.
    â€œWould you care for some brandy, Miss Hobson?” He removed a decanter and two snifters from the sideboard.
    â€œA lady does not drink strong spirits, my lord.” Contrary to the prim decline, her eyes gleamed at the smoky liquid.
    Vincent smirked and filled both glasses. “Come now, who is here to judge you? I believe after your arduous journey, you have earned a robust drink.”
    Finally, a genuine smile crossed her thin lips. “Very well, my lord, if you insist.”
    Vincent handed her a glass and added another log to the fireplace before settling in a burgundy velvet wing-backed chair across from the chaperone. They shared a brief companionable silence, sipping their smuggled brandy.
    He set down his snifter with regret. Too much would upset his digestion. “You wished to discuss Miss Price. What is your impression of her?”
    Miss Hobson sighed