All Chapters of In Love With A Vampire : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Snowflakes floated out of the dawn sky and covered the park meadow in white. Julian Kane could easily picture how that spotless counterpane would look splattered with his blood.His yell of laughing desecrated the stillness of the snowflakes falling. “Cubby, what do you say, my man? Should we belt out a few verses of “The Girl I Left Behind Me” to inspire us to greatness? He lost his balance as a sharp bump caught his foot, forcing him to lean even more heavily on his friend’s broad shoulders. Maybe “Blow the Man Down” would be a better choice.Cuthbert wobbled to the right, trying to hold Julian and the mahogany box under his free arm in place. Jules, I’d rather not. There is a severe pain in my head. I can’t believe I succumbed to your persuasiveness. What kind of second lets his first spend the entire night drinking and getting foxed before a duel? While there was still time, you ought to have allowed me to take you back to the Continent on that ferry.He received a scolding finger

He was unaware of her.With the same searing, black eyes that had been a nightmare for her for the previous five years, Julian Kane had directly gazed at her, showing only the tiniest hint of curiosity. Or was it irritation?He seemed to have forgotten much of her because their time together had apparently meant so little to him. Why should he, too? Portia pondered. He had surely had dozens, no, hordes of other women willing to help him forget her in the years since he had left—she sneaked a bitter glance at the blowsy brunette still clutching to his hand. Why should he recall the awkward seventeen-year-old girl who almost threw herself at him every time he waltzed into a room, flushed, stammered, and entered?Portia had to resist the impulse to erupt into a towering wrath as soon as the initial wave of pain subsided. She wanted nothing more than tossing her magnificent bonnet on the ground and jumping up and down on it, despite bragging to Adrian that she was no longer a child.Brill

What must I do to protect you from him? Why not confine you to a convent? Adrian was once more wearing a brand-new trail in the magnificent Aubusson carpet that stretched the length of his drawing room. At least he wouldn't be able to step foot on sacred ground. He didn't appear to have slept a wink since taking Portia home, judging by the shadows under his eyes and the fact that he was still sporting his rumpled pants, shirt, and waistcoat from the previous evening.Caroline suggested, "Perhaps we should see if Cousin Cecil is still in the market for a bride," referring to the toadlike lech who had once offered to knock the spirit out of Portia with his fists.Portia and Adrian both turned to stare in astonishment at her. Then she added, "Or Aunt Marietta might be in need of a companion," blinking innocently at them, and they understood she was joking. Eloisa was perched on her knee as she sat on the brocaded sofa. The outrageously expensive pearls Adrian had given Caroline for their

Portia's mouth hung wide, but even if her life had depended on it, she couldn't have coughed out a sound.Julian gave her a derogatory look. "Little, in fact. That little of a mouthful barely seems worth the trouble. She would be thrown back into the Thames if I were you.I hoped we would be able to keep her. The woman licked Portia's cheek with her tongue darting out in a playful gesture. "I've always wanted a kitten, and she's rather charming."Julian's laughter had a vicious edge to it that she had never before noticed. "Why, Valentine, would you want to keep her? So when playing with her is no longer amusing for you, you may drown her with a bucket?"Valentine.Portia thought it was unfair that a vicious creature should have such a lovely name. However, it did rhyme with mean in the end.She rasped, her throat still raw, "Excuse me." "I'm sorry to break up this sweet reunion, but am I to assume—"Julian hissed, "Silence!"The glittering warmth that Portia had always seen in his ey

That day, Portia remained in her bedroom till past noon. She could have remained there for all eternity, but she didn't want her family to believe she was moping around or, worse yet, that she was grieving over a breakup. She knew she wouldn't have to worry about running into Julian on some empty landing because the sun had finally crept out and wouldn't set for several hours. It was still hard to imagine that they were living together now after waiting for him to return home for more than five years.With one hand softly resting on the bannister, she elegantly descended the lengthy, curved staircase. She had simply happened to put on one of her most flattering outfits—a day dress made of Spitalfields silk that matched her eyes' precise deep blue hue. Since sashes had been lowering for almost ten years, her stomacher's deep V only helped to highlight her narrow waist and the plush swell of her not-so-narrow breasts. Her rounded neckline had a little chemisette protruding from it in a