My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(45)

Realizing his danger, William swiftly squeezed his eyes shut once again. "Sleeping."

"Is there something under those covers, William?"

In response, her brother offered a loud, entirely unconvincing snore.

On this occasion Amelia could not suppress her gurgle of laughter. No one but William could brighten her mood with such ease.

Well, perhaps there was one other, she conceded ruefully. But since Sebastian had determinedly returned to his habit of careful avoidance, it did not seem to matter. He was little more than a shadow that lurked about the town house.

With an effort, Amelia thrust aside the thought of the elusive gentleman. It was not his fault that she had ridiculously allowed her feelings to become so entangled. Nor that he was destined to leave her heartbroken. He was simply doing what was necessary to protect his people.

At least she would always have William, she staunchly reassured herself. His love would always be with her. Never faltering, never changing. It was a good deal more than many people could claim.

Her smile returned as she gazed down at her brother, who continued to snore loudly. It was time to be done with this amusing charade.

Reaching down, she tugged the blanket loose. William struggled, but it took only a moment before she had the cover off the bed and was meeting his sheepish gaze with a lift of her brows.

"Well, William, what do you have to say for yourself?"

He glanced down at the linen sheet littered with black kittens. "Cats."

"So I see." She cocked her head to one side. "How do you suppose they got into your bed?"

"Cats."

"William." She offered an indulgent smile. She found it difficult to scold him when he looked like a naughty schoolboy. "You know that the kittens belong to their box in the kitchen. It was very kind of Mr. St. Ives to allow them into the house at all. It is not proper for you to take advantage of his generosity."

His lower lip stuck out at the reprimand, but noting the firmness of her tone, he wisely did not press his luck.

"Bad, William."

"No, not bad," she swiftly corrected, gently replacing the blanket. "The kittens may remain tonight, but first thing in the morning I want them put back in the box where they belong. Is that understood?"

His eyes brightened. "Morning."

"That's right. Now go to sleep." Bending down, she brushed a kiss over his forehead watching as he snuggled into the mattress with his furry friends.

With a shake of her head, Amelia turned to quietly leave the room. She should perhaps have insisted that William return the kittens to the kitchen immediately, but there seemed little harm in allowing them to remain for one night. It had been difficult enough to keep her brother a virtual prisoner for the past weeks. He should be allowed a few indulgences every now and then.

Closing the door behind her, Amelia turned to make her way down the dark hall. Despite the lateness of the hour, she did not feel weary.

Indeed, an odd sense of restlessness had plagued her throughout the day. It was rather like the feeling before a thunderstorm struck.

Her smile faded as a shiver raced down her spine.

There was something in the air. Something that was raising the hair on her nape and making bumps prickle over her skin.

She unconsciously reached up to touch the amulet that seemed unnaturally warm against her damp skin.

The night promised to be long, indeed.

The screams echoed through the town house, bringing a thin smile to Drake's lips.

Opening the door to the hidden chamber, he regarded the two maidens who were chained to the wall. Most would no doubt be amazed that the ragged, desperate women had only days ago been gracing the most elegant ballrooms in London. The satin gowns were now covered in dust and blood, the arrogant faces marred by stark desperation. In truth they appeared no better than the lowest peasants that littered the stews.

Drake wrinkled his nose at the unpleasant scent that wafted from the chamber.

He had deliberately chosen the two maidens. Not for their beauty, or their charm. After all, a mortal was a mortal. Just another animal. His only interest had been in the fact that they possessed the dark hair and small body that resembled Miss Amelia Hadwell.

A flare of fury raced through his body. There had been a measure of pleasure in torturing the women. It had been quite easy to pretend that the screams that were wrenched from their throats belonged to the galling woman. That their pleas for mercy tumbled from the wench's lips. But the brief satisfaction was no longer enough.

His various ploys to lure Miss Hadwell to his home had come to naught. Because of the Medallion she was impervious to his powers of Compulsion. Furthermore, she refused to be charmed and she would not even be properly cowed.

It was clearly time to use more direct methods.

Tonight he would end this farce.

Moving forward, he halted before the first woman, who sank to her knees in horror.

"Please ..." she begged, straining against the heavy manacles that bound her wrists. "My father is very wealthy. He will pay you..."

With a casual cruelty, Drake grasped a handful of her raven hair and jerked her head backward.

"I have not given you permission to speak, creature," he snarled in disgust.

"No, please ..."

"Enough." Drake jerked her upward, annoyed with her tears. Mortals were so pathetically weak. "You have served your purpose. Now I fear I have need of your lovely accommodations. I have another maiden who I have awaited for far too long."