Waltz of Seduction (Completed)

Chapter 1. 1815

James Preston, the Duke of Bedford, was annoyed. He was standing against the far wall of the Windsor Castle ballroom, trying to avoid every single mother demanding that he take a turn on the dance floor with their daughter. At the age of 28, he was ready to settle down and find himself a wife. However, he wasn't wanting a human wife. He was wanting a vampire wife, his beloved. He had a feeling he was going to find her that night, considering the fact that he had been searching for the last 10 years. But he was sick and tired of the humans trying to get his attention.

Running a hand through his dark brown curls, James allowed his smoldering dark brown eyes to glide across the ballroom once more. Thankfully, no one had approached him over the last 15 minutes, and he was grateful for that. He was able to collect his thoughts. He was a pure blood vampire, which meant that he was given an extra ability on top of the unnatural speed and strength that he possessed. He had the ability to sense peoples emotions. He was able to tell how they were feeling by one glance or touch. He also had superhuman senses, his smell hearing taste and touch amplified much more so than a human. But that was given to every vampire. The extra gift was given to those vampires born into a family of nobility. Those not born into a Noble family didn't get the extra gift.

James shook his head, sensing several peoples emotions around him. Jealousy was prominent, particularly between a pair of gentlemen pursuing the same young lady. Nervousness cascaded from several young ladies wanting a perfect match. Anxiety rippled from every mother wanting her daughter to be chosen by the proper gentleman. He shook his head again, becoming more and more annoyed by the fact that he wasn't finding someone calm and collected like he was. Finishing the last of his wine, he moved towards the French double doors of the ballroom, giving his glass to one of the servants as he walked past them. Stepping out onto the terrace, he took a few steps and then stopped. He realized that he wasn't alone.

A young woman was seated by the water fountain with her back to him, her lovely chestnut brown curls fixed into a chignon. Her creamy neck was perfectly exposed by her dark red silk gown. Cream silk gloves slid up her arms until they reached her elbow. She was lovely, and this was just the view from the back.

James instantly sensed that this young woman was different from the other ones. There wasn't the anxiety or nervousness like the other young ladies. Instead, he sensed sadness and longing. The same emotions that he was feeling. He took a very tentative inhale, and felt his heart skip a few beats. She was no human. She was a pure blood vampire.

And then, as James continued standing there, the beautiful creature turned her head, and he found himself staring into a pair of the most beautiful blue green eyes. He felt his body spring to life, his cock immediately pressing against his trousers. She was magnificent, much more beautiful than any human. His eyes traveled down her luscious curves, noticing that the top of her cleavage was perfectly exposed by the sweetheart neckline of her gown. They traveled back up to her face, outlining every perfect angle. She was gorgeous. And he had to have her.

***

He was breathtaking. Karina  Rochester had never seen a more beautiful gentleman than the one standing before her. He was tall, with dark brown curls and delicious dark brown eyes. He was wearing a three-piece black silk suit with a white button up shirt cravat and black boots. She could sense his emotions of longing and sadness. They were the same emotions  that had been plaguing her for the last three years. At the age of 21, she was in during her third London season. Her first two seasons had gone terribly, and she didn't believe she was going to find her beloved.

But the gentleman before her... Karina knew he was special. She knew by his intoxicating smell that he was no human, but a pure blood vampire. For the last three hours she had been dancing with  several human gentlemen, and all of them hadn't known the steps to any of the dances. She, of course, preferred the waltz over any country jig or quadrille. She believed the waltz was much more romantic and sensual than any other dance. She gave her companion a soft smile. "Good evening."

The gentleman returned her smile immediately, taking another step towards her and extending his hand. "Good evening, I do hope I wasn't disturbing you."

Karina smiled, shaking her head. "No, not at all. Honestly, I came out here for some air. I don't believe my prospect for finding a husband this season is in my favor yet again."

James slowly took a seat next to her on the bench by the water fountain. "You've had previous seasons?"

Karina nodded. "Yes, two previous ones. Both ended without a match."

James. "I'm sorry. I understand what you mean, I have not had much luck finding a wife myself. I'm hoping this season is going to be different."

Karina. "I am hoping for that as well. Forgive me for being so rude, my name is Karina Rochester."

James smiled, reaching out and gently taking her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Rochester, my name is James Preston, the Duke of Bedford."

Karina returned his smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well your grace."

James brushed his lips softly against her knuckles before turning his attention to the dance card on her left wrist, which was attached by a deep red silk ribbon. He picked it up, noticing that there was one empty slot. He gave her a devious smile. "I'm quite surprised you don't have all of your dance slots filled Miss Rochester."

Karina sighed. "Sadly your grace, all of the gentlemen who I've had the displeasure of dancing with this evening have been human. And might I just say that none of them know how to dance with a young lady."

James rolled his eyes. "They are idiots."

Karina's eyes started dancing. "Your grace, would you be interested in the final dance of the evening? It's a waltz."

James smiled, his eyes dancing as well. "I would be honored."