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.
