Free Duella Book 3: The Witch and the Vampire Series by Fawn Lowery Page B

will be returning tomorrow, sir—unless they are needed right away, that is.”
    “No. Tomorrow will be sufficient, Ambrose. Thank you.”
    “Sir, if I might inquire, you precisely instructed my wife and I to continue our daily chores as though our former employer were still in the house.”
    Duella felt his uncertainty.
    “You also stated in your written letter, that you are somewhat of a night person and would be carrying on most of your business during the evening hours. Does this mean, sir, that the services of my wife and I are to be full time, day and night?”
    “On occasion, Ambrose.”
    A noise from the upper floor drew the servant’s eyes. Duella turned as Miriam appeared at the top of the staircase. She paused and looked down on the small assembly.
    An audible gasp came from Hilda’s throat. She raised one hand and covered her mouth.
    Miriam stood at the top of the stairs, her long black dress concealing all but her feet.
    Duella held out one hand, beckoning to Miriam. “Should my lady require anything further from either of you, she will certainly let you know.”
    The servants bowed hastily and retreated to the back of the house.
    “I suppose I scared the shit out of them, Duella .” Miriam descended the staircase, her long black dress billowing around her thin body. She headed toward the door, intending to go in search of food. She pushed her hair over one shoulder and glanced at him. “After I’ve sucked the blood out of some unsuspecting slob, I’m going shopping.”
    Duella chuckled and watched her walk past. The old dress she wore needed discarded. It was tattered and torn and spotted with efforts of her feeding frenzies. He waited until she had left the mansion before turning his own thoughts to nourishment. He had taken to feeding at one of the private clubs in the old section of town, a men’s club that consisted mainly of local businessmen. He found the whole concept of listening to their conversations as they drank brandy and puffed on cigars to be quite an informative event. So far he had remained in the corner of the room, hovering near the ceiling, so that he could eavesdrop without them knowing of his presence. Once he gained enough knowledge of their businesses so he could intelligently converse with the group, he would make himself known and join their ranks.
    New Orleans had been severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina, a devastating storm that struck the
Gulf
Coast
two years earlier and parts of the city had yet to recover. He had been privy to hear all about the unsavory government officials who lagged behind in their efforts to rebuild the flagging city. Several businesses had left already and there was much talk of others following suit. He had no such plans for any of the Glasco holdings, though he did hear the name mentioned on occasion as the businessmen discussed their options for renewal of their own holdings. As he eavesdropped on their conversations, he mentally noted the advantage Glasco Enterprises had over the other businesses in the area. Perhaps the fact that most intrigued him was that none of the Glasco holdings had been affected by the hurricane. Glasco neither owned rental property in the city, or coastal homes, two areas hit hardest by the storm.
    Aside from the effects of the storm, the group had discussed the local economy, the soaring tax increase the city fathers had levied against the citizens for rebuilding efforts, and the failing performance of the New Orleans Saints, the city’s football team. He strode to the door of the mansion, but before he could exit, Miriam burst through the opening.
    She hummed happily, her arms laden with clothes. She hurried past him to the stairs. “Come see. I have a new wardrobe, Duella .”
    He chuckled and followed her up the staircase.
    The soft rustle of silk and lace followed her down the long hallway to the west wing of the large house. She entered the master suite and deposited her armload of dresses on the bed.