Alexander-Fyn-Sanguinarian

sure she had not dreamt or imagined it all. She knew now what an innocent she had been, protected for eighteen years. In the short space of a week she had been betrothed to a vampire, run away twice, been threatened with murder by the vampire’s wife, assaulted by her, and locked up in a tower. Until a week ago her greatest dilemma had been how to convince the Geographical Society to admit her as a member since they did not seem to like ladies. With visions of her encounter with Lady Ravenscroft playing and replaying in her mind, Evangeline 122
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    drifted off where she sat, sheer exhaustion leaving her free from dreams, once she succumbed to sleep.

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Chapter Nine
    Evangeline was still half-asleep in the chair beside the fire when Munk carried in her breakfast in the dim early light. She placed the tray on the hearth while a young maid carried a large, deep box across her arms and laid it on the bed, before tidying the room and building up the fire.
    “What is that, Munk?” she asked.
    The woman opened the box while Evangeline poured some tea to wake herself up. She had grown chill and stiff in the chair. From the box Munk withdrew a frothy white confection which she shook out and held up for her mistress’s approval. “Your wedding gown, Miss Rutledge.”
    “Yes, of course,” she said. With the mention of her wedding, the strange visit of the night before returned. Raven’s first wife, his real wife, had found her. She had also threatened to kill her if she revealed the fact.
    “Are you ill, Miss?” Munk asked at her sudden stillness. “Have you taken a fever?”
    “No, Munk, I’m quite well, thank you.” The fact that she now had a means of escape made her nervous. She could not stop herself from darting a glance at the chimney breast where she had hidden the key.
    “Are you sure you are well, Miss Rutledge?” Munk repeated.
    “Yes, Munk,” she repeated, rather testily this time. She pointed at the gown to change the conversation. “It’s very pretty, isn’t it?”
    Her nose wrinkling in distaste, Munk stated, “It is, Miss Rutledge, if you say so.”
    “Very traditional.” Evangeline had no more intention of marrying 124
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    that vampire than she had of staying in Castle Haven.
    “I suppose that depends upon whose traditions you follow,” Munk mumbled.
    “I heard that, Munk,” Evangeline warned her. “Though I do not know what you are talking about, unless you concur with that strange dressmaker that I should be wearing black for my nuptials, and considering the circumstances, perhaps I should.”
    “I’m not sure I know what you mean, Miss.”
    “Of course you know what I mean. This marriage is not my choice. It is a farce, and I am frankly dreading it. I’d rather drink arsenic.”
    “Yes, Miss.” Munk smiled, leaving Evangeline no doubt that she would gladly provide the poison with just a little encouragement.
    Evangeline put down her tea to examine the gown. “I suppose I shall be wearing this later today?” If she kept Munk thinking she had accepted her fate, she would stand a better chance of taking them by surprise. “Are there flowers for a posy?”
    “There are no flowers, Miss. His lordship has no use for flowers.
    Aside from that, the wedding has been postponed again.”
    “Really?” Evangeline tried not to look hopeful.
    “That stupid man in the village has got himself an ague or something and lost his voice. He cannot speak to pronounce the vows.”
    “The vicar?”
    “Yes, the vicar. His lordship is very angry. He has been raging up and down the Great Hall these last few hours. Word came by messenger this morning that the marriage must be put off another day or two until the man can speak. Lord Ravenscroft is not happy, I can tell you.”
    “No, I’m sure he’s not, and neither am I at the prospect of another night in this tower.”
    Munk turned from her and began tucking the gown back into the box. “Though it’s just as well, what with Court this evening,” she said Sanguinarian 125
    quietly to herself, her back to Evangeline.
    “Court? Who’s going to court?” Evangeline questioned.
    “No, you mistook my words, Miss.” Munk put the lid back on the box and placed the whole thing on the floor against the wall before going quickly to the door.
    “Then what did you say?” Evangeline followed her. “What has that man done now that a magistrate must be involved?”
    “Nothing that I know of. Excuse me,