For Love of a Vampire

Chapter 15

After a tasty and hearty breakfast, I joined Lady Helen in the forest for some private instructions on how to be Lady Margaret, as well as to give her an idea of my magical powers and wisdom. She was more than a little surprised to discover how limited my knowledge was in comparison to my potential. I did my best to explain what life in the twenty-first century was like and how the magical arts became an underground fad over the centuries; only to start resurfacing as acceptable a few years ago. Even with the resurfacing, the acceptance was still not widespread, but at least no one was hanged or jailed for practicing it.

My tutor was overcome with emotions as she embraced the concept of being able to perform magic and worship in the open without being hanged and not exercising that right. It was something she just couldn't fathom. The thought of people taking for granted the gifts of the gods and goddesses was almost as distressing as being hanged for it as a crime.

I found working with Helen fascinating and exciting. Isabelle's approach was far softer; with herbs and the basics of magic as her foundation. Helen's method of training was straight to the point with little, if any, reservation for my safety or wellbeing. It was as if she simply knew I'd be alright so the thought of protecting me never crossed her mind. Interestingly, it didn't cross mine either. It wasn't until the end of the day, after I'd manifested an innumerable number of fireballs, blown up a few boulders, influenced a few animals into doing my bidding, cast an invisibility spell on my cloak that was so powerful Helen was hard pressed to find me, and levitated three feet off the ground, before it even hit me what I'd accomplished.

My day was so full of wonders and magic that I'd completely forgotten about Duncan until I saw his tall silhouette in the moonlight as he emerged from the path in the forest. Curiosity immediately consumed me. He'd been with his father. Had he confessed to being a vampire?

I approached him cautiously. Lady Helen was so eager to school me on the magical arts and my role in the coven that she neglected to tell me how I should behave when I was in Lord Duncan's company. Did we embrace? Hold hands? Kiss on the cheek? Kiss on the lips? I wanted to run into his arms and kiss him until neither of us could breathe and then find a soft bed somewhere to finish our reunion. Of course, I knew better. I rummaged through my memories of couples I'd seen since I'd arrived and realized I'd met very few of noble class. The working-class people were so tired at the end of the day it's a wonder they managed to say "hello", let alone do anything else.

This was awkward.

To my relief Duncan took control. He walked up to me with all the grace and dignity one might expect from a future earl and stopped just inches before me. My knees felt weak and my heart threatened to leave my body on its own accord. I inhaled his familiar scent deep into my lungs. Having been forced to use the cosmetics of the day, I now recognized the faint scent of clove mixed with lavender on him. It seemed an odd combination, but somehow, on him, it worked.

"Good evening, Lady Margaret," he said as he took my hand and bent over to lightly brush his lips against my fingertips. "You look far lovelier than I recall. Time has been kind to you."

"As it has to you," I said stiffly.

Duncan raised an eyebrow while his sea foam blue eyes twinkled merrily. He was obviously enjoying my discomfort.

"It seems centuries since we have walked together," he almost chuckled. "Might I convince you to join me in a light stroll around the camp's perimeter." He looked directly at Helen as he said, "We shall stay within the ring of protection, of course."

Helen nodded her approval and bowed sweetly. It seemed the handsome Lord Duncan could be refused nothing by the enchanted ladies he left in his wake. I didn't know whether to smile or scowl.