Vampire Dreams Revamped (A Sons of Navarus Prequel) Read Online Free

as
she looked directly into his eyes.
    For a long moment, he remained silent. Arden
waited for the pity or disgust, the two emotions her statement
generally elicited.
    “Well, dear lady, the gentleman in me feels
compelled to remedy that situation. You’ll come to my home, and
although I expect it’s beneath your station and gifts, I can offer
you the position as my maid as my previous one has recently left my
employ.”
    Arden looked up and studied the face of the
person who’d been the kindest to her since her father had died
nearly a month ago. His deep brown eyes appeared kind, but his face
possessed a darkness that seemed contrary to them. She guessed he
could be a few years older than her twenty years but noted how
strong he’d proven himself. Correcting herself, she realized she
couldn’t place his age even as he stood no more than a foot
away.
    “I couldn’t do that. I don’t even know your
name,” she halfheartedly protested.
    “Please allow me to introduce myself. My
name is Brandon Ridley, and you seem to have few options better
than my offer.”
    As he spoke, she paid special attention to
his mouth. How beautiful his teeth looked! In fact, as she studied
him closely now, he appeared thoroughly handsome and quite a
gentleman.
    With a nod of resignation, she agreed with
his assessment of her present situation and accepted his offer
adding, “But I should inform you, sir, that I have no experience as
a maid, other than to take care of my late father.”
    She was pleased when he didn’t express his
sympathy at her father’s passing. Her emotions were still quite raw
and became impossible to control when people gave their
condolences. She’d said her goodbyes and accepted the loss but
truly wished she’d never have to think of it again.
    “I’m quite sure you’ll do just fine.”
    For the first time in weeks, Arden allowed
herself to smile and actually chuckled when he confided, “Just keep
an eye on the housekeeper. She’s a spiteful old one.”
    As they walked, she congratulated herself on
her apparent good fortune and then asked, “You have a maid and
housekeeper? Isn’t that superfluous?”
    A surprised look crossed his face.
“Superfluous? Definitely beneath your gifts,” he mumbled to
himself. Turning to look at her, he said, “No, Miss Stephens, I
require both a housekeeper and maid. The housekeeper takes care of
the house, and the maid takes care of me.”
    The way he said this struck her, but then
she realized the house must mean the rest of his family. “How will
your wife take to you bringing home a new maid? I know women prefer
to run household staffs.”
    Casually, he answered, “I have no wife or
children.”
    No wife or children but he requires a
housekeeper and maid?
    Arden stopped as he unlocked the front gate
and began walking to the door of his home. Awestruck, she realized
they’d walked blocks away from where they’d been into an exclusive
part of London. His house, an enormous Georgian, stood before her,
a sign of his obvious wealth, and the shame of the recent events of
her life washed over her.
    Brandon stopped at the base of the steps and
turned toward her. Beckoning her, he stood obviously confused by
her reluctance.
    “Miss Stephens?”
    Looking up, Arden straightened her back to
stand tall. She knew she was more than the homeless girl Brandon
Ridley was being charitable toward with a job as a maid. Whatever
he thought didn't matter. He offered a place to stay and a job. She
may not be on his level, but pride was no reason to remain
homeless.
    Bowing to her own common sense, she entered
through the gate and locked it behind her. As she joined him on the
stairs, he smiled his beautiful smile again. “I hope you find my
house everything you desire.”
    An hour later, she’d met the housekeeper,
Mrs. Benson, and had seen instantly her new employer had spoken the
truth. The rest of the staff had seemed pleasant, and Arden
believed she had found somewhere she could