In the Heat of the Bite Read Free Page B

breathing man.
    He turned his attention back to the Marquess of Eynsford’s Mayfair home. Miss Sinclair was undoubtedly safe in the company of her sister witch, the new marchioness. He had no reason to remain outside, catching glimpses of her through the front window. But leaving held little appeal. Why had she lied about her marital state? Why had she run from him as though the hounds of hell chased at her heels?
    “Lord Blodswell.” A soft Scottish voice caught his attention, and Matthew turned to find Caitrin Eynsford by his side. Apparently, he was more affected by Miss Sinclair than he’d initially believed. He hadn’t even heard Lady Eynsford approach.
    “My lady.” Matthew dipped his head to the beautiful blond in greeting. “We meet again.”
    “Aye.” She stepped closer to him and laid her hand on his arm. The night stars reflected in her cerulean eyes as she peered up at him in earnest. “How is Mr. MacQuarrie?”
    Matthew closed his eyes to block out her beseeching look. Why would the clairvoyant witch ask him such a question? She had to know the answer. Was she hoping he would deny it? Ease her guilty conscience?
    “Managing.” Really, what else could he say? Lady Eynsford had broken MacQuarrie’s heart when she’d married her Lycan marquess, putting the wheels of MacQuarrie’s fate in motion, but voicing the words wouldn’t do anyone any good at this point. What’s done was done.
    The marchioness swiped a tear from her cheek. “Ye followed Rhiannon.” She didn’t ask the question, just voiced what she had obviously seen with her second sight. What else had she seen?
    Rhiannon.
The name echoed in Matthew’s mind. Dear God, her name was as lovely as she was. All feminine and airy like a summer breeze. “Just wanted to be certain she made it to your home safely.”
    “Clearly, she did.”
    “Yes. I—um—Well, she seemed upset.” He sounded like a damn fool. Why did he even bother talking to Lady Eynsford? She knew everything anyway. The witch could see the future. She knew much more than he did. She probably even knew why the lass was upset.
    “Family has a way of doin’ that ta some of us. I’m certain she’ll be fine now that she’s come ta stay with Eynsford and me for the season. There’s no need for ye ta worry. Ye have Mr. MacQuarrie ta look after as it is. I feel certain ye have yer hands full.”
    And that quickly they were back to discussing MacQuarrie. Matthew nearly groaned. He knew the marchioness wanted him to do the impossible, to somehow return her former friend to the man she’d once known. He couldn’t bring himself to crush the little witch’s dreams with the truth of the situation. MacQuarrie would never be the same, no matter how Matthew tutored him. Humans were humans, and vampyres were not.
    So he said nothing and made no move to leave his spot. He simply stared across the square at Thorpe House. What the devil was he waiting for? To catch another glimpse of Rhiannon Sinclair? No, that couldn’t be it. How many women had caught his eye over the centuries? More than he could count. He just wanted a momentary respite from his life, something to distract him from the road ahead.
    “I would invite ye in, but I have a feelin’ ye should be makin’ yer way back ta that monstrosity of a meetin’ place ye call a club.” She snorted. “A feeding trough is more like it.”
    If Matthew still had blood flowing through his veins, she would have made him blush. There were some things ladies shouldn’t know. Yet Caitrin Eynsford could see it all, even before it happened. She didn’t have a choice in the matter. He shook away his thoughts. He’d rather not wonder at the scenes that did play before her eyes.
    Matthew nodded a farewell to the marchioness. “As always, you are correct, my lady. Until we meet again.” He started toward Charles Street.
    “Tomorrow night,” she called to his retreating back.
    Matthew stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder