Free Bite at First Sight by Brooklyn Ann Page B

the cemetery’s crypt. Well, Rafael Villar has caught the culprit.”
    A cacophony of voices shook the rafters. Most sounded jubilant, though concerned about why they had not yet heard. Others sensed the ominous tone.
    “Was it a hunter?” many voices echoed. “Did he kill the intruder?”
    “No, he did not kill her .” Clayton gestured, ignoring the first question. “William, come forward and tell them what the Spaniard has done.”
    William stepped out from the assembly as the audience processed the information that the culprit had been female. Clayton warned him with a glare and slight shake of his head to wipe the smirk from his face. Now was not the time for jubilance at this treason.
    William complied, clenching his fists in mute rage. “He ain’t treating her like a prisoner a’tall! Then he’s treating Anthony and me like mortal footmen, ordering us to dust and fetch things for her. And he’s allowed her to bring a servant to cook and wait on her, as well as all her gowns and frippery. Not only that, he’s placed her in his own chamber! I think he means to have her as his fancy piece.”
    The vampire’s testimony accomplished more than Clayton had hoped for. The assembly snarled and cursed in outrage, their affronted roars rattling the dusty windows.
    Clayton held up a hand for silence and faced them with a sneer of his own. “Do you see the utter and complete negligence in Villar’s actions? In failing to kill this woman when he caught her, as he was well within his rights to do, he has failed to protect you. It was his duty to destroy anything that threatens the blood drinkers of this city, but he has disregarded that duty.”
    He paced before them like a general, looking each vampire in the eye as he passed by. “The Spaniard has put us all in grave danger. Such callous behavior must be stopped. Alas, there is only one thing we can do, although it makes my heart ache with regret to say it.”
    “What can we do?” the vampires chorused, dangling on his line like caught trout.
    Spine straight and stature firm as the times he played Julius Caesar, Clayton lifted his chin and said one word, projecting his voice to reverberate across the chamber like thunder: “Revolution.”

Seven
    7 October 1823
    “My lord?” Anthony poked his head into Rafe’s study. “A man is here to call on Lady Rosslyn. What should I tell him?”
    Rafe set down Cassandra’s copy of Frankenstein and fought back a grimace. He despised being interrupted when reading a good book. “ I’ll talk to him and decide what to tell him. Did you take his card?”
    Anthony shrugged. “No, I hadn’t thought of it.”
    “Some butler you’re shaping up to be,” Rafe muttered, drawing deeply on his cigar.
    “I am a vampire, not a butler,” his third retorted. “Perhaps you should hire Clayton instead. He is far more educated on the mores and rituals of the upper classes than I am.”
    Rafe raised a brow. “Would you truly wish to have him under our roof?”
    Anthony shook his head vigorously. “Good God, no! I was only jesting. I can scarce abide that pompous ass for the duration of our meetings. And I know you can’t either. Why didn’t you replace him when you took over?”
    “I couldn’t risk inciting further malcontent. You know very well that my designation as interim Lord of London was not well received by many.” He rubbed his temples, blowing out a cloud of smoke. However, now I am reconsidering that decision.
    Clayton was doing a poor job as second-in-command. Not only was he neglecting to deliver reports on time and communicating only when pressed, but Rafe couldn’t tamp down a wave of revulsion whenever he was near the vampire.
    Anthony folded his arms and leaned against the door. “You shouldn’t have to please them at the cost of ruling efficiently.”
    “Yes, but I must maintain peace in my city.” Rafe ground out his cigar and stood. “I’ll deal with Clayton when the matter with Lady Rosslyn is