“I wish I had one.” She ran her hand down the black blaze on the horse’s head. “What a beautiful animal.”
He untied the rope attaching Melody to the peg on the wall, then helped Kitty remove her cloak and mount. It was awkward and the horse shifted and made unhappy horse noises, but she eventually settled. Thankfully, Melody was very sturdy and gentle, and Kitty wasn’t very heavy. Soon, he had the lead and was drawing them back the way they’d come.
“Where are we going?” she whispered.
“The park,” he replied. He led Melody across the empty street and onto the gravel pathway. The gentle crunch of the horse’s hooves was the only sound, aside from an occasional insect buzzing around. She darted her gaze around them, keeping vigilant. At the slightest appearance of danger, she’d demand he take her back to the stables, or anywhere else.
He drew closer and caressed her shin. “Isn’t this thrilling?”
“If by thrilling, you mean freezing,” she said, teeth chattering once again.
“We are almost there. Hold on, darling.”
The endearment warmed her cheeks but did little for the rest of her. She rubbed her palms over her upper arms. “Almost where?” She’d expected this trip to result in more seduction, but the farther they walked, the more she suspected he had other plans. They weren’t even on a path anymore, and she had to duck to avoid being smacked in the head by branches.
“Ah, there they are,” he said. “This will be a shock, but you must trust me.” He led her horse through a dense brush, which exited into a clearing.
Full of people.
Almost entirelynakedpeople.
They danced around an enormous fire, throwing their arms up and chanting a droning, undulating song that was both terrifying and beautiful. Their faces were covered in elaborate masks made from branches, leaves, and the cast-off feathers and horns of creatures that lived in the forest. The women wore thin, nearly transparent shifts and the men had painted their backs with the crude image of a spider.
“Do not speak,” he whispered. “And do not let them see your face.”
She dutifully ducked her chin and tugged her hair to better hide her bare body. What was he thinking, bringing her to such a pagan place? She would never have agreed to go out with him had she known they would encounter such revelry.
A short woman with curly, blonde hair that fell to her knees separated from the group and leaped across the dirt toward them like a deer.
“Cordon!” She removed her stag mask, revealing bright-blue eyes, a pert nose, and a wide smile. “What are you doing here?” She looked at Kitty. “And who is your companion?”
It took all of Kitty’s willpower to keep her gaze on the young woman’s face, rather than let it travel down her body, past her voluptuous breasts, narrow waist, and shapely thighs.
Kitty was suddenly no longer cold. Warmth curled in her stomach.
Oh, God, she was staring. How terribly rude of her. She clenched her eyes shut and thought about how she was going to strangle Cordon when they escaped this situation.
Chapter Twenty
Cordon wished itwere Seraphina before him, instead of Lucina. Then it would have been easier to tell his nest sibling without words that she should say nothing about vampirism or the true purpose of the ritual he’d interrupted. Unfortunately, Lucina was not telepathic, so he would have to rely on more subtle signs.
“Lucina, this is Miss Felicity Trellwood, an opera singer. Miss Trellwood, Miss Lucina King is my sister. We share a… mother, not a father.” He bowed. “I have come on Miss Trellwood’s behalf with a petition.”
Lucina pouted. “Cordie, you know we don’t allow guests.”
“I apologize,” he said. “Miss Trellwood’s need was urgent.”
After he’d recovered from exposure to sunlight, he’d realized what had been bothering him since meeting Kitty’s sister’s suitor, Mr. Blaylock; the man had worn the symbol of Lucina’s group, a silver spider on a black background. That meant Mr. Blaylock was far more dangerous than Kitty realized.
Lucina put her hands on her hips and stuck out her bottom lip. “Well, you are here now. But you must still follow the rules.”
Nudity was a requirement of the naturalist group, which was why he’d come up with the absurd story about Lady Godiva. He could have come to Lucina alone, but Kitty would never have believed what she needed to know about Mr. Blaylock unless she saw it herself.
“Of course,” he said before reaching for the buttons of his jacket.
Kitty made a squeaking sound before covering her eyes with her hands. He would have to explain everything to her later, but for now, all she had to do was remain quiet and listen.
“I came seeking your wisdom,” Cordon said, when he had folded the last of his clothing and placed it on the ground with his gun.
