“Then why did you?” She stopped in mid-stride and looked at me, her dark eyes filled with curiosity. “Why did you marry that horrible man?”
Sighing, I lifted my eyes toward the moon. “I had no choice. ”
“So you don’t love him?”
“No,” I shook my head adamantly. “No. Never. ” Unexpected tears filled my eyes. “I could never love him because. . . ” I could not say the next words. How easily I had almost confessed to the brutal slayings of my family. I realized this folly and gathered my wits. “. . . he frightens me. ”
“He frightens everyone. I am terrified of him. How could you marry him if you are afraid of him?”
The memory of his beatings flitted through my mind, the taste of his blood, the brutality of his lovemaking, and his fearsome anger. “I suppose I had very little choice in the end. ”
I could see her disappointment and it wounded me.
“Laura, sometimes people are trapped by circumstances and they do the very best they can with the lot handed them. I am doing my very best. As you see, my husband is far away from here, and I am living my own life. I hope to maintain this as the norm. I have no desire to be anyone’s wife. ” It was truth. To be a wife meant to be owned by a man. I desired to be loved and adored for who I am. Ignatius did not have to marry me to prove that he loved me. I merely needed his kiss.
“I am determined not to give in to the plotting of my family or my friends. ” Laura started to walk to the party. “I shall find my own way. Be my own woman. If I must, I shall find a way to support myself. ”
“Then I hope you do exactly as you desire and do not suffer my fate. ”
Abruptly she turned and seized my hands. “Truly?”
“Truly. ”
Releasing me, she smiled slightly. “Then perhaps we shall be friend
s after all, Countess Dracula. ”
“I should very much like that,” I told her. “But call me Glynis. ”
“Very well, Glynis. ” She tucked her arm around mine and together we returned to the party.
The brilliance of the candles drew us back to the heart of the grand affair. I noted that Sir Stephan was startled to see his daughter at my side. I smiled sweetly at him as I strolled with Laura across the lawn toward the banquet beneath the tent canopies.
Adem emerged from the throng of partygoers, his dark eyes swiftly appraising my condition and Laura’s. I could see the line of his shoulders relax as he fell into step beside me. “It is best, Countess, if you do not wander off. ”
“I was merely spending time with a friend,” I answered briskly.
Laura tilted her head to view Adem. Her eyes slightly widened as she took in his scarred face.
“Remember that your husband’s enemies are now your own and it is best to stay near the other revelers at the party. ” Adem’s voice was low enough that I alone would hear him.
“I thought you said Buda was safe? And where were you just now?” I was peeved at being chastised and my tone made this imminently clear.
“Dealing with your husband’s enemies,” he answered, and faded into the crowd.
“Is he your guard?” Laura appeared impressed.
“Yes,” I replied. “My husband has many enemies. ”
“Are they the ones who burned down your house?” Laura’s eyes widened even more.
“My husband is a powerful man and powerful men often have far too many enemies. ” We were almost to the great feast and I was repulsed by the scent of the food. I wondered if I would ever find the smell of food appetizing again.
“Rather exciting, isn’t it?” Laura giggled as she touched my arm lightly. “Having a guard, not having enemies, that is. ”
“I suppose. ” Not long ago, I would have been completely fascinated by any woman with a personal guard. I would have been imagining all sorts of intrigues.
“Ah, Countess Dracula! We meet again!” Percy grinned as he held aloft a plate laden with all sorts of exotic dishes. “I hope you are hungry. ”