Free In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare Page A

you’re not in,” Radbourne suggested.
    Rhiannon nodded. That did seem the best idea. “Yes—” But her answer was interrupted by a delighted squeal from the corridor.
    “Lord Blodswell!” Caitrin’s disembodied voice filtered into the parlor. “I’m so glad ye’re here. Everyone has converged in my green parlor. Do follow me.”
    “What a pleasure to see you again, Lady Eynsford.” Despite his words, Blodswell sounded far from pleased.
    Perfect! Cait was absent all morning but arrived just in time to make certain the blasted vampyre was allowed to stay. Slight thunder rumbled overhead.
    “Hmm,” Gray mused. “Did you hear that? There wasn’t a cloud in the sky when we arrived.”
    “Here we are,” Cait practically sang as she and Lord Blodswell entered the parlor. All three Hadley men rose from their spots at the marchioness’ entrance. “Oh, do sit.” She gestured to her brothers-in-law. “Well, except for ye, Grayson.” Cait frowned when he resumed his spot beside Rhiannon. “The marquess would like a word with ye.”
    “Me?” Gray rose again from his seat and stepped closer to Cait. “Why does Dash want to see me?”
    “I really couldna say.” She gave him a little push toward the corridor. Then she glanced over her shoulder to the vampyre standing behind her. “Oh, my lord, why doona ye take the seat next ta Rhiannon since ye’re already acquainted.”
    What exactly was Cait about? She knew Rhiannon didn’t want to see the man. She’d told her so in no uncertain terms after the ball last night. The thunder overhead rumbled louder. At the sound, Cait raised one arrogant blond brow.
Watch your temper.
She didn’t say it aloud. She didn’t have to.
    “Lord Blodswell, I believe ye met Lord Radbourne last evenin’, and seated by himself over there is his brother, Mr. Weston Hadley. They are relations of Eynsford’s. Archer, Weston, this is a friend of mine, the Earl of Blodswell. Do make him feel comfortable.” Then she turned her attention to the poor butler still standing in the middle of the room. “And, Price, please do bring some tea and refreshments.”
    “Of course, my lady,” the butler replied as he ambled out of the room.
    Cait pushed Lord Blodswell a tiny bit toward Rhiannon and the green settee before taking her own spot in a seat next to Wes. The earl’s dark gaze landed on Rhi, but she refused to meet it. “Miss Sinclair,” he said as he settled in beside her, “how lovely to see you again.”
    Rhiannon could barely move. How was it possible that he took up nearly all the space on the settee? It hadn’t seemed that way when Gray was seated beside her. She slowly raised her gaze to his face. Blast him, he was handsome in the daylight. She quickly looked away. “Thank ye, my lord,” she croaked.
    “Well, then,” Caitrin began brightly from her corner, “Archer, I received the nicest letter from your mother today.”
    Lord Radbourne grumbled something under his breath that Rhi couldn’t hear, but Weston chuckled to himself. Blast those Lycan ears. What she wouldn’t give to be able to hear their rumblings and grumblings.
    “I was hoping, Miss Sinclair,” Lord Blodswell said softly, “that I might take you for a ride in my curricle today. I believe you’ve seen Hyde Park, but it’s entirely different in the light of day.”
    Rhiannon gaped at him. Was he mad? Vampyres couldn’t go out in sunlight. What was he about? She was too curious not to find out. “What a wonderful suggestion, my lord.”

     
    Matthew could hardly believe his luck. Had she actually agreed to go riding with him? And after she’d initially decided to have the butler tell him she wasn’t home? Yes, he’d heard her. He’d also heard the pups as they tried to help her thwart him, which made him none too happy with the lot. He couldn’t imagine what changed her mind, but he wasn’t willing to take the chance she’d change it again.
    He rose from his seat and offered her his hand.