Free Lust Immortal (Immortal Series Book 1) by Carrie Kelly

looked almost nervous about the whole thing. And Charles was never
nervous. That just didn’t happen. Unless the council knew about them! Had
Charles accidently told? Isabel moved her mop and bucket closer to the door and
tried to hear what they talked about inside. Even when she mopped as slowly as
possible, she only heard the mumble of voices. What was she supposed to do?
    Suddenly,
the door swung open and William stood there, a frown creasing his perfect brow.
“Why don’t you come in, Isabel,” he said through gritted teeth.
    Setting down
her mop, Isabel stepped inside and stood next to the other servants. All five
vampires were seated comfortably on the leather couch and chairs. A fire roared
in the hearth and lit candles hung in sconces and sat in candelabras all over
the room. Even in that much light, shadows danced across the walls and floor.
Every vampire’s eyes in the room looked aglow.
    “It’s such a
shame you haven’t been around in months, William. We worked out a perfect
arrangement.”
    “What sort
of arrangement, Mr. Moorish,” William asked, his eyes on the older man with a
fierce intensity.
    “Why, Ms.
Perch, of course. You are both young, Ms. Perch is hardly eighty and you are
just turning sixty-one, is it? The perfect time to marry and settle down. She
has a lovely estate with a house full of servants for you to enjoy, you do
remember don’t you?”
    Isabel kept
her face neutral, but her heart raced and she felt close to screaming. Why
hadn’t she thought of this before? Even if she and William couldn’t get married
that didn’t keep him from marrying another vampire. What would they do?
Continue their love affair under his new wife’s nose? Looking at Abigail, her
keen eyes and sharp scent, that would be nearly impossible.
    “Ms. Perch?
Does she agree to this arrangement?” William asked, his voice steady.
    “Of course I
do, Mr. Davenport. How could I not?”
    William
seemed to stare at her for a long time, and Isabel fought to keep her tears at
bay. Their happiness had been so brief, so fleeting. What would she do now that
she had his child growing inside her? If he married Abigail, telling him would
be useless. It would just complicate matters more than need be.
    Then, she
noticed Charles eyes on her, an intense look she’d never seen the younger
brother give anyone. Unfortunately, Mr. Moorish also stared at her, his dark eyes
eager.
    “This isn’t
up for consideration, William,” Mrs. Moorish said and laughed, like a glass
tinkling. “You’ll be married by the end of the month. Charles can keep this
house while you move to Ms. Perch’s home. It’s not far, if you’ll remember. I’m
sure Charles will retain the servants as well.”
    William
stared at the fire, and Isabel could tell by the way he gripped the chair that
he held his temper in check- but just barely. Their whole future was falling
apart, and there was nothing either of them could do but wait and watch as it
did.
    “Isabel,”
Charles called and motioned for her to come to him.
    Isabel
obliged. Being bitten by him was better than Mr. Moorish by far. He took her
hand and pulled her onto the couch next to him then rested his hand on her
stomach with surprising gentleness. “You can share with me, if you’d like, dear
brother.”
    William’s
eyes burned as he looked at Charles, but he nodded nonetheless. He wouldn’t
look Isabel in the eyes, however, and she couldn’t blame him. He had to do this
or face the council’s wrath, whatever it would be. Isabel only knew he was
frighten of it- and if that was the case it must be bad.
    William sat
on the other side of Charles, pressing his chest into her body as he moved the
hair from her neck. “Please, feel free to drink from our servants,” William
said to his guests.
    Isabel
watched as John knelt before Abigail and Tabby sat between Mr. and Mrs.
Moorish. She didn’t envy either of them.
    Charles bit
her quickly, taking no time to leisurely sink his fangs into