“Absolutely not.”
She blinked in surprise at his firm tones. “But it is lovely.”
“It may be lovely but there are far too many buttons.”
“What?”
Taking the sketch pad from her hands he tossed it onto the bench and roughly drew her into his arms.
“I have waited too long for you. I will not devote half the evening attempting to wrestle you out of your gown.”
“Really, Gideon,” she attempted to chastise only to give a laugh as he planted desperate kisses down the length of her neck.
“One ribbon,” he conceded, continuing the fascinating discovery of the satin skin of her throat. “Perhaps two.”
Her hands lifted to clutch at his shoulders, her heart racing in a gratifying manner.
“I see you are to be a tyrant,” she complained in unsteady tones.
“Only when it comes to buttons,” he assured her, his tongue reaching out to lightly taste of her. “I wish to bed my wife without battling folderols.”
“Mmm.” Her head obligingly tipped back to allow him access to the vast amount of skin exposed by her plunging neckline. “Ribbons, then. Definitely ribbons.”
His mouth sought ever lower, pausing over the rapid beat of her heart.
“I knew you would be a sensible wife.”
“How very charming.”
The unexpected sound of a voice in the center of the garden had both Gideon and Simone jerking apart in surprise. With lethal swiftness he was on his feet and facing the intruder.
Only when he noted the old gypsy woman smiling in an oddly contented fashion did he relax his guard.
“Nefri,” he murmured, offering the powerful vampire a bow as he felt Simone rise to her feet to stand beside him.
“Good morning, Gideon, Lady Gilbert.” She moved slowly forward, her numerous bracelets and necklaces jangling with every step. “I see all went well last evening.”
Gideon grimaced, knowing it would take some time to heal the wound of Tristan’s death. For now he still battled the wretched sense of waste.
“No, not well,” he corrected in harsh tones. “Tristan has been destroyed.”
Nefri gave a slow nod of her head, her expression one of regret, but with no surprise at his revelation.
“Unfortunate, but I feared it would come to such a fate.”
“He was obsessed beyond reason,” Gideon agreed.
“Yes.” Nefri paused, a thoughtful air settling about her. “And oddly certain he would succeed.”
Gideon swiftly followed her unspoken implication.
It echoed precisely the unease he had felt last evening.
“Such a thought struck me as well.” His gaze narrowed. “How do Sebastian and Lucien go on?”
Nefri’s smile abruptly returned, more mysterious than ever.
“Well enough.”
“Will they need my assistance?” he demanded, feeling Simone stiffen at his side but knowing he could not allow his friends to suffer even if it meant endangering himself.
Nefri gave a sudden chuckle. “I do not believe they would appreciate interference.”
Considering the two vampires who were every inch as arrogant as he, Gideon gave a wry smile. He would have been offended had either attempted to press their assistance upon him.
“No, I do not suppose they would.”
The vampire tilted her head to one side, eying him in an intent manner.
“I might, however, call upon you later.”
Gideon stilled at her words. Nefri would not seek his help if it were not out of dire need.
“You expect further troubles?”
She paused before giving an irritated shake of her head. “There is more to this than I fully understand at the moment. It is quite vexing.”
“I will, of course, come whenever you have need,” he promised.
“Thank you.” Abruptly turning her head Nefri regarded the silent Simone with a searching gaze. “My dear, you have my gratitude. You have been forced to face great danger to help us.”
Surprisingly Simone flushed with embarrassment at the vampire’s sincere appreciation.
“I am only relieved that it is all over,” she murmured, clearly uncertain how to behave toward the older
