With a frown she glanced about the thinning houses, wondering what she had managed to get herself into now.
With her face adverted she failed to note the manner his dark gaze scrutinized her tense features and the unmistakable shadows that marred the skin beneath her eyes.
“You look pale,” he abruptly broke the silence. “Did you not sleep well?”
Simone shifted upon the leather seat, suddenly aware of the scent of warm spices that clung to his warm body.
“I was rather restless.”
“Did Mr. Soltern’s visit bother you?”
She grimaced, unable to deny that the gentleman had set her nerves on edge. Even the mention of him was enough to make a ball of ice form in the pit of her stomach.
“I must admit I do not care for the gentleman. There is something very cold and rather inhuman about him.”
The dark eyes flashed with surprise at her words. Almost as if he were startled she had managed to see through the shallow charm Mr. Soltern possessed in such abundance.
“Yes,” he at last murmured. “He is quite ruthless.”
She tilted her head to one side, no longer concerning herself as to where they were headed. Whatever her fears in regard to this gentleman she did not believe he would ever attempt to harm her.
“He hates you. Why?” she demanded bluntly.
He abruptly turned to regard the wide street, although there was little traffic to disturb them.
“We are old enemies.”
“That much I had presumed,” she retorted dryly. The air between them last evening had nearly crackled with danger.
“He seeks power and I stand in his path.”
She frowned at the vague words, knowing it would be impossible to demand more information than he was willing to give.
“Do you believe that he would harm you?”
The pale features hardened until he appeared like a perilous warrior of old.
“Yes,” he acknowledged in clipped tones. “I have warned you that he is dangerous.”
“And yet you followed him last evening?”
Surprisingly he grimaced at her chiding. Simone wondered what occurred after they had left her house. Obviously something that had managed to leave a sour taste in Gideon’s mouth.
“We have unfinished business between us.”
She heaved a frustrated sigh. “Which means that you do not intend to tell me what this business is.”
He swiftly glanced over her tight countenance before turning his attention to the road.
“There is still too little trust between us, my dear. It seems that for now we will both harbor our secrets.”
She set back against the seat with a decided flounce. “Impossible man.”
Rather than taunting her for her obvious ill humor, Gideon tightened his hands on the reins, his profile carved in granite.
“Tristan is a danger to you as well, Simone.”
There was no mistaking the dark warning in his voice, and Simone shivered. After last evening she could no longer deny that Mr. Soltern was indeed determined to seek her out. Even going so far as to force his way into her home. She could still feel the repulsive gaze as it had lingered with open hunger upon her necklace.
Instinctively her hand rose to clutch the gold trinket that lay warmly against her skin.
“For my amulet?” she demanded.
Gideon stilled before giving a nod of his head. “Among other things.”
She shivered, feeling as if she were stumbling in the dark. She was no stranger to fear. Still, in the past she at least had known her enemies and why they hated her. Now she was simply being thrust into danger with no understanding of why or when it might strike.
Very frustrating for a woman who had sacrificed everything to live a life of peace.
“None of this makes sense,” she muttered.
He shrugged. “It is best that you avoid him altogether.”
She offered him a jaundiced frown. “That is rather difficult considering that London society is quite small. We are bound to be tripping over one another constantly. And like you, he possesses the belief he is welcome to thrust his way into my home whenever it pleases him.”
He gave a slow nod at her accusation. “So I have noted. I shall have to take means to prevent his unexpected calls.”
“You believe you can?” she demanded.
“With some help.”
The arrogance was back in his voice and her frown deepened. Really, he seemed to believe himself omnipotent.
“And your own unexpected calls?” she asked in overly sweet tones.
His features abruptly softened with mild amusement. “Those will continue, of course.”
“Of course.”
His brows rose in a taunting manner. “How else could you attempt to seduce me?”
Chapter 6
Although the unusual heat continued to blanket London, there was a pleasant breeze to be discovered in the lovely meadow that Gideon had discovered well outside of the city. There was also a welcome peace that could not be found among the bustle and noise of London streets.
Seated upon the blanket, Gideon lazily watched Simone gingerly taste of the numerous dishes he had requested be prepared for her approval. She appeared lovely, of course. Attired in a brilliant lavender gown with her hair appearing like spun gold as it tumbled down her back, she would have halted the heart of any man. But to Gideon’s close scrutiny there were signs of strain in the shadows that lay beneath her eyes and the unmistakable realization that she had lost weight.
A strain that was no less for himself, he acknowledged grimly.
It had been nearly a week since he had last caught sight of Tristan. The vampire had efficiently disappeared, even from society, and if not for the two golden-haired prostitutes that had been discovered in the Rookery he might have feared that the man had quit London altogether.
It was beyond infuriating to know that his prey silently stalked through the streets, and yet not even his large band of urchins had been able to so much as catch a glimpse of him. Night after night he haunted the poorer districts of London searching for even the faintest trail of the vampire, only to return to his home bested yet again.
What was Tristan plotting?
Had he hoped that Gideon would tire of protecting Simone and return to the Veil? Or was he concocting some evil plot to lure her into a trap?
Not knowing what was going through the mind of Tristan was far worse than any open battle could possibly be.
At least he had managed to ward Simone’s house to warn him if the traitor attempted to enter, he consoled himself. He had been forced to call upon the help of the Great Council, but with their added power he had managed to lay the invisible web about the home. It had come as rather a surprise when Valkier had actually arrived to help him. The ancient, always aloof vampire more often than not secluded himself from the other vampires, preferring to study alone; but Gideon could only presume the dire need had forced him to realize that he was as much at risk as the others. He had even taken interest in Simone, asking a number of questions as to how the amulet had been bound to the woman and whether she was still in contact with Nefri. Gideon had answered the questions as best he could, unsurprised when the man had simply disappeared when he realized that Gideon did not possess the information he desired. He was not alone in claiming arrogance among the vampires.
With a shake of his head he returned his attention to the woman at his side. Although he was angered by his inability to lay his hands upon Tristan, he could not deny he had enjoyed keeping a close guard on Simone. During the past week he had devoted at least some portion of each day with her, whether it was dining at her house or taking her to the museum or simply enjoying a drive.
Of course, such constant contact carried its own share of danger, he thought with a faint sigh.
It was certainly understandable that his newly discovered passions would be aroused by such a delectable female. She was far too tempting to ignore. But the vast amount of time they were spending together only made him more aware of her swift intelligence, her undoubted courage and the inner vulnerability that she struggled so hard to hide. She was slowly but firmly entrenching herself within his life, to the point that he wondered what would occur when it was time to return to the Veil.
He gave a sharp shake of his head, not at all willing to brood upon the disturbing thought. For now the safety of the Medallion was all that mattered.
“Well?” he prompted, hoping to divert the alarms that raced through the back of his mind.
Lifting her head, Simone smiled as she daintily wiped her fingers. Over the past week she had bounced between playing the alluring temptress and aggravated maiden at the knowledge he would not be tamed. He found her confusion a delight and readily teased her fiery temper. No doubt it would have been best had she turned out to be a milk-and-toast miss who eagerly allowed herself to be led by his stronger will. But, he could not deny a decided pleasure in her vibrant spirit.
“It is unusual,” she admitted as she set the now empty plate aside, “but tasty.”
“It is a dish from China.”
Her gaze widened in surprise. “Really? Have you traveled there?”
His lips twitched. He had indeed traveled through China, but it had been nearly four hundred years ago.