Read Online Bite Me, Your Grace by Brooklyn Ann - Free Book Online Page B

meadow.”
    Angelica smiled and quoted,
    â€œSing to me no songs of daylight
    For the sun is the enemy of lovers.
    Sing instead of shadows and darkness
    And memories of midnight.”
    â€œThat was Sappho, correct?” he asked.
    She nodded. “Yes, I—”
    â€œYou are not in the slightest bit afraid of me, are you?” he interrupted, staring at her as if she were an exotic animal.
    She regarded him with a measure of surprise, realizing that she was not. “Should I be?” she reasoned aloud. “You are not the soulless creature the myths portray.”
    â€œWhat makes you say that?” He seemed to be genuinely curious, as if what she thought mattered to him.
    Angelica shrugged, unused to a man taking her seriously. “Well, you have a reflection, for one thing.”
    The vampire’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “A stone has no soul, but if you hold one before a mirror, will it not cast its reflection?”
    Angelica’s eyes widened in astonishment at his logic and she nodded quickly. Her shoulders hunched as fury radiated within. Of course! Even a fool would realize that!
    â€œYou are angry and ashamed.” He sounded surprised. “Why?”
    Her voice was ragged with self-contempt that she could not conceal. “I should have known that. The logic is stupidly apparent.”
    â€œI do not believe I have ever seen a woman react in such a way over her ignorance.” The duke peered at her like she was an odd curiosity displayed for his entertainment.
    His musing tone fueled the conflagration. A small measure of the contempt in her gaze was now directed at him. “Perhaps they hide it better than I do.”
    Burnrath did not reply and instead continued to stare at her as if he could peer into her soul. Angelica shivered and brought the conversation to a more comfortable topic.
    â€œAll that aside, I do think it is now too late to fear you.” She forced an airy lilt to her tone. “After all, I should think if you had meant to kill me by now, you would have.”
    The vampire leaned forward. “Death is not your only danger in being alone with me, little Angel.” He was so close that she could feel his breath on her lips, and her body, unbidden, began to tremble. He was going to kiss her! She closed her eyes and…
    ***
    There was a knock at the door.
    â€œDammit!” Ian growled, leaping up from the sofa as the reality of the situation crashed upon him. “It is my coachman.”
    He strode to the door, teeth clenched in irritation at the interruption.
    â€œYour Grace?” Albert inquired, taking in the sight of Ian’s open shirt and bare feet. “I thought you were wanting me to take you to your club.”
    â€œMy plans have changed,” Ian said, prepared to dismiss the coachman. Then he remembered Angelica’s injuries. If she had not awakened so quickly, he could have healed her with his blood, but he didn’t dare frighten her further. “Would you be so kind as to fetch a doctor?”
    â€œWhy, are you unwell?” Albert asked anxiously.
    â€œIt is not for me.” He shut the door in the coachman’s face.
    His foul mood faded as he returned to the beauty reclining on his sofa. He had never before met anyone as fascinating as Angelica Winthrop. Her passion for her writing humbled him even as the rich descriptions of her stories captivated him. His gaze caressed Angelica’s face and form, noting her fine-boned features and luscious lips that caused him to nearly forget himself and capture them in a devouring kiss.
    â€œIs everything all right?” she asked nervously, her fists clenched in her lap.
    â€œI sent for a doctor to see to your ankle, Miss Winthrop,” he said with forced formality even as he longed to return to their engaging conversation.
    â€œOh. Thank you.” Her long lashes swept her cheeks as if perhaps she regretted the return to propriety.
    The cozy