Page 14 of The Assassin and the Libertine
“Then he is either dead, or a fool,” I said, taking the brandy from her for another drink.
A guarded smile broke upon her lips, like sunlight through storm clouds.If only she weren’t the Duchesse de Duras. Hang that. If only I weren’t a vampire. I noticed that the brandy had restored some color to her cheeks, and I imagined her warming all over—warming to me.Damn it. I hungered again. I would need to find a woman tomorrow, or tonight, if possible.
“Alors,” she said, stretching her legs out in front of her and eagerly changing the subject. “Where does our investigation take us now, Étienne? I am disturbed by the absence of the ring. I think we should try to eliminate the possibility that someone stole it between the palace and the cemetery for a quick sale.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
“As an underworld emissary to His Majesty, I don’t suppose you’d know where to find a reputable fence for disreputably acquired jewelry?”
“I could certainly make some inquiries,” I offered.
“Bon,” she said. “Shall we go, then?”
“Go where?”
She waved a hand dismissively. “To make the inquiries.”
“I will do that on my own. I can’t have you running amok in the streets of Paris inciting some kind of scandal that I’ll be responsible for,” I chastened. “For now, you must be patient. I’ll have my driver take you home.” I knocked on the roof of the carriage, signaling our departure.
“I assure you; I’ve weathered far worse scandals than you could possibly imagine, and I don’t have a lot of time. My report to The Order is already long overdue and I need to give them a good reason why I haven’t killed you yet. I would think haste would be a top priority for you, as well, Monsieur. As soon as your name is cleared, you’re free to go back to your debauchery with your former impunity.”
Her disdainful impression of me, like so many of the Versailles courtiers, stung more than it should have. She was right about one thing, though; time was of the essence. Despite my irritation, I still didn’t want her out in the seedy underbelly of the city where the whispers of revolution were stirring. The vampires were becoming increasingly hostile to humans from every class—especially the aristocracy. My attempts to negotiate with Louis had slowed to the point of failure and there was a palpable restlessness across the city. I could protect Daphne from bodily harm, of course, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to protect her from her world crashing down around her. To expose her to such brutal reality after forcing her to dig up her ghoulishly murdered friend all in one night seemed cruel, even for me.
“You’re right, Duchesse, but I need some time to find out if my contacts are still in Paris. You should go home tonight. Send your report to The Order. I’d be obliged if you told them that you didn’t think I was a murderer, but somehow I doubt it will make much of a difference in their minds.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You are not the first to make an attempt on my life on their behalf.”
She stared at me in surprise.
“What else have they convicted you of? They do not kill arbitrarily. There is always a good reason. Protection of the king and country. Justice for those wronged,” she defended.
I laughed bitterly. “They further their own aims, just like every other governing body. The Order protects its own power and its own interests, operating in shadow and serving as judge, jury, and executioner. It isn’t right that so few should hold such sway over the lives and deaths of others—especially those who have no way to defend against their judgment. We already have a king, after all.”
“What would you have, then? Anarchy in the streets? People left with no law and no moral guidance? Of course that’s what you dream of—a city overrun with vice and depravity. You and your creatures of the night,” she spat. “Your only aim is to bring your stain of darkness to the world around you. Well, you’ll have to excuse me, but I for one do not wish to live in your realm of blood and filth and fear. I choose the light, Étienne, and I will always fight for it.”
Rage ripped through me at her contempt and I leaped forward, pinning her back against the seat.
“You know nothing of my world,” I hissed through my lengthening fangs. “And your privilege blinds you to the reality of light and dark.”
Her heart beat a tattoo of fear and excitement in her chest—something I’d no doubt she’d deny.
“Release me,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m not going to stay here and allow you to insult me further.”
I crowded in closer, the anger in my blood suddenly giving way to white-hot lust. I could see the rise and fall of her bound breasts beneath the coarse linen shirt. Her fragrance of orange blossom and vanilla surrounded me, and I was suddenly desperate to taste her. My hardening cock pressed against my breeches.
Time stood still—neither of us seemed willing to concede and back down. The delicate flare of her nostrils, the defiant tilt of her chin, and the wild look in her eyes nearly unmannedme. I briefly considered tearing those damn breeches from her, bending her over the seat and claiming her, but I reminded myself that I wasn’t the animal she took me for.
The rasp of gravel beneath the carriage wheels signaled arrival at her impressive château, saving us both from God only knew what.
I sat back in my seat and let her descend on her own. As she climbed the stairs into her grand house, I called out to her.
“If we are to work together, Duchesse, I suggest you keep an open mind. In the world beyond Versailles, your pride will be your undoing.”
And you will be mine.
CHAPTER FIVE
