Nine Shillings

A Tale of Two Teas

London - 1842

'If you want a quick reply maybe you should send post directly to me,' I said, stirring my tea.

Tomas considered me, he looked relaxed but there was a hint of discomfort, the chairs in the restaurant were designed for much smaller men. The legs seemed like matchsticks beneath his tall, muscular frame. 'Then I wouldn't be able to see how you reacted.'

'And what did you learn?' I asked.

'That would be telling.' He tilted his head to the side. 'What if I told you, you're beautiful?'

'I'd say it's a bollocks move that's below you.'

People around muttered and cast us disapproving looks.

Tomas chuckled and sat back in the chair with one ankle resting on the opposite knee. 'You'd be right, I suppose. You're not my type.'

'So I hear.'

'If you didn't do your research I'd be disappointed.'

I inclined my head. 'You should know I'm also only here for the free food.'

He laughed. 'It's strange being able to eat as much as you like when you no longer need it anymore.'

I saluted him with my cup. 'Building comradery, nice move.'

'Weak points are made to be exploited.' He flicked his fingers to summon some fancy wine.

The waiter was there and back like he was fetching a powder keg in a battle. On the other side of the room a man complained to his companion it was unacceptable a man like Tomas got such good service.

My jaw tightened and I made to turn. Tomas grabbed my wrist where it lay on the table and shook his head.

'I don't need you to protect my honour, little vampire.'

'I know,' I replied. 'It doesn't make it right to stand idly by.'

'Had it been said in human hearing I'd appreciate the sentiment. People are bastards but if you keep using your abilities conspicuously, they'll begin to wonder.'

Freyja had said she found humans remarkably unobservant and made very little effort to hide her supernatural abilities beyond her illusion. But, then again, she seemed to find the idea of being chased with pitchforks quite entertaining. If you had to stay in the city, I could see the disadvantages.

My breath hissed through my teeth. 'When people say things like that about Josef I want to tear their throats out. There's a weakness for you.'

'Some people will tell you love is a weakness, I've always found it a strength.' He poured some rich red wine into a glass near my teacup. 'Hatred breathes death, love breathes life.'

'Interestingly optimistic for such an old man.'

He smiled. 'You persuaded Josef to give up his...' He pursed his lips and considered. 'Adventurous ways.'

'Josef tells it differently.'

Tomas shrugged his massive shoulders; it was like a mountain range in a fashionable suit rippling. 'Rumour has it he can't get it up anymore.'

I kept the surprise off my face but my fingers tensed on the stem of my glass.

Tomas' gazed flicked to them. 'I don't suppose he'd mention it.'

He'd certainly had no trouble 'getting it up' at home, it didn't do him any good, it would be no fun if it had. I wondered if Bran knew, but that was between him and Josef.

'I hear the last party he went to he didn't bother trying it on with anyone.' Tomas shook his head. 'My, my, what a change.'

He could've been lying, or exaggerating. He might've been trying to push me closer to Josef, it would serve him well if his aim was to ally with Josef through me.

'I can hear your brain ticking as you calculate.' He sipped his wine. 'Perhaps I'm simply playing matchmaker and think such an old, old man should have a little happiness.'

'When it comes to politics people are rarely so simple.'

'Politics.'

'If we keep going round in circles, I might decide free food isn't enough to hold my attention.'

He shook his head. 'No wonder Josef loves you.'

'That's a leap.' I lifted my glass to my lips then stopped as if I'd thought better. 'Are we basing this on rumours of impotence and sexual disinterest? Bran was the only man to stir my sexual interest but I wasn't in love with anyone before.'

His chuckle was a rumble. 'Don't you know? He signed away his influence to protect you. It's definitive.'

I dropped my glass. Red wine stained the creamy fabric of the table cloth. I didn't even get to taste it.