My Lord Vampire (Immortal Rogues #1)(23)

Hadn’t she promised herself to bring him to heel?

She could hardly do so if she were cowardly avoiding his company.

Sucking in a calming breath she managed an offhand shrug. “No, I have no other plans.”

“Good.” He moved to hold out his arm. “Shall we go?”

Silently branding herself an idiot, Simone allowed herself to be led from the back room toward the foyer. It took a moment for a maid to fetch her gloves and parasol that she chose in favor of a bonnet. Then, ignoring the urge to rush upstairs and change into something a bit more dashing than the plain jade gown, she consented to take Gideon’s arm once again as he escorted her out of the house and into the startling white and gold carriage, pulled by perfectly matched gray horses.

Although it was still May the heat of the sun made it feel surprisingly warm. Arranging herself on the leather seat of the carriage, Simone quickly raised her parasol, relieved when Gideon set the grays into motion, stirring a pleasant breeze.

Her relief was short-lived, however, when she realized they were not headed in the direction of the park as she had expected, but instead toward the less populated outskirts of London.

With a frown she glanced about the thinning houses, wondering what she had managed to get herself into now.

With her face adverted she failed to note the manner his dark gaze scrutinized her tense features and the unmistakable shadows that marred the skin beneath her eyes.

“You look pale,” he abruptly broke the silence. “Did you not sleep well?”

Simone shifted upon the leather seat, suddenly aware of the scent of warm spices that clung to his warm body.

“I was rather restless.”

“Did Mr. Soltern’s visit bother you?”

She grimaced, unable to deny that the gentleman had set her nerves on edge. Even the mention of him was enough to make a ball of ice form in the pit of her stomach.

“I must admit I do not care for the gentleman. There is something very cold and rather inhuman about him.”

The dark eyes flashed with surprise at her words. Almost as if he were startled she had managed to see through the shallow charm Mr. Soltern possessed in such abundance.

“Yes,” he at last murmured. “He is quite ruthless.”

She tilted her head to one side, no longer concerning herself as to where they were headed. Whatever her fears in regard to this gentleman she did not believe he would ever attempt to harm her.

“He hates you. Why?” she demanded bluntly.

He abruptly turned to regard the wide street, although there was little traffic to disturb them.

“We are old enemies.”

“That much I had presumed,” she retorted dryly. The air between them last evening had nearly crackled with danger.

“He seeks power and I stand in his path.”

She frowned at the vague words, knowing it would be impossible to demand more information than he was willing to give.

“Do you believe that he would harm you?”

The pale features hardened until he appeared like a perilous warrior of old.

“Yes,” he acknowledged in clipped tones. “I have warned you that he is dangerous.”

“And yet you followed him last evening?”

Surprisingly he grimaced at her chiding. Simone wondered what occurred after they had left her house. Obviously something that had managed to leave a sour taste in Gideon’s mouth.

“We have unfinished business between us.”

She heaved a frustrated sigh. “Which means that you do not intend to tell me what this business is.”

He swiftly glanced over her tight countenance before turning his attention to the road.

“There is still too little trust between us, my dear. It seems that for now we will both harbor our secrets.”

She set back against the seat with a decided flounce. “Impossible man.”

Rather than taunting her for her obvious ill humor, Gideon tightened his hands on the reins, his profile carved in granite.

“Tristan is a danger to you as well, Simone.”

There was no mistaking the dark warning in his voice, and Simone shivered. After last evening she could no longer deny that Mr. Soltern was indeed determined to seek her out. Even going so far as to force his way into her home. She could still feel the repulsive gaze as it had lingered with open hunger upon her necklace.

Instinctively her hand rose to clutch the gold trinket that lay warmly against her skin.

“For my amulet?” she demanded.

Gideon stilled before giving a nod of his head. “Among other things.”

She shivered, feeling as if she were stumbling in the dark. She was no stranger to fear. Still, in the past she at least had known her enemies and why they hated her. Now she was simply being thrust into danger with no understanding of why or when it might strike.

Very frustrating for a woman who had sacrificed everything to live a life of peace.

“None of this makes sense,” she muttered.

He shrugged. “It is best that you avoid him altogether.”

She offered him a jaundiced frown. “That is rather difficult considering that London society is quite small. We are bound to be tripping over one another constantly. And like you, he possesses the belief he is welcome to thrust his way into my home whenever it pleases him.”

He gave a slow nod at her accusation. “So I have noted. I shall have to take means to prevent his unexpected calls.”