History of the Vampire (The Vanderlind Castle Series Book 4) (29 page)

“Where’s Arthur?” I asked, cradling my injured arm.

Mrs. Denkler just stood there, looking down at me, clutching Jessie’s pendent in her fist. “There is no Arthur,” she told me. “Now get up.” Reaching down, she grabbed me by the shoulders and hauled me to my feet.

“I don’t understand,” I said, feeling tearful again. “What happened to him?”

“Nothing happened to him,” Mrs. Denkler snapped. “You are such a stupid child. Isn’t it obvious?”

“No.” I shook my head, covering my face with my hands. I didn’t want to look at the room. I didn’t want to see the soiled goblets, all sticky and red.

The housekeeper drew a sharp breath, her hands at her sides, balled into such tight fists that her knuckles were white. And then she sighed, her hands releasing, Jessie’s gift slipped through her fingers and onto the floor. “Arthur was sent to New York last week,” she said, her voice becoming much softer. I could tell she was trying to be reassuring. “There’s a clinic there. They think they might have a cure.”

“But where are all of his things?” I asked, glancing around at the empty room.

“He took everything with him,” she informed me. “He might be there for awhile.”

“But…” I couldn’t stop shaking. “Why are you still taking blood donations if Arthur’s not here?” I forced myself not to glance in the direction of the large refrigerator at the far end of the room. “I’ve seen people lining up outside the clinic door, just like usual.”

“It’s because…” Mrs. Denkler smoothed her hands over her skirt and I could tell she was casting about for an explanation. “It’s because so many people in the town have come to depend on earning a few extra dollars from donating blood.” She folded her hands in front of her and looked me in the eye. “The family didn’t want to take that money away from people in need. So all the blood is going to local hospitals.” She nodded her head, indicating the back of the castle. “You’ve seen the ambulances drive up and haul the blood away.”

“Oh... “I forced myself to stop trembling. “Yes. I hadn’t thought of that. It’s very good of the Vanderlinds to provide such a service.” I forced myself not to think about the soiled goblets on the sideboard. I knew no good would come from asking their purpose.

“Yes, they are a great family,” Mrs. Denkler said with conviction. “I’ve never met finer.”

“I’m sorry for causing trouble,” I said, trying to stand up straight, but still feeling the need to clutch my elbow; it throbbed with a deep ache. I had to wonder if it was broken. “It’s just when I set the flowers down, the door popped open. That’s all.”

“I understand,” Mrs. Denkler said in a voice that was almost kind. “It’s usually locked. I guess someone was careless and left it open.” She stepped forward and touched me on the shoulder. “You’ve had a rough day and I think you should go home now. I’ll have one of the chauffeurs take you home in the car.”

“But what about my sister?” I asked, almost afraid to leave Lilly there without me. “And my bicycle?”

“I’ll request one of the larger cars,” Mrs. Denkler informed me. “There will be ample room to put your bicycle in the back. As for your sister, I’ll tell her you weren’t feeling well so I sent you home.”

“Thank you,” I said in a choked whisper, staring hard at the floor. I wanted to ask to take Jessie’s gift with me, but she was staring at me too intently.

“I need you to think very closely about what you’ve seen here today,” Mrs. Denkler said. “I need you to think about your relationship with Jessie Vanderlind. I understand that he’s a very handsome young man and I’m sure he can be charming when he chooses, but I hope you also understand that pursuing such a relationship might not be such a healthy choice for a young girl like you.” She reached out and squeezed my shoulder again, this time in a much firmer grip. “You might want to consider seeking other employment, if working here at the castle makes you uncomfortable.” The strength of her grip increased, making me squirm under its pressure. “But mind me when I tell you not to discuss what you’ve seen here,” she said. “About Arthur. The good people of Tiburon don’t need to know anything more about him. If the blood donations were to stop, then that could make things very unpleasant for a great many people.”

Chapter 40

Jessie

Mother, Emily and I were sitting in the dining hall, enjoying our evening repast when Daniel stalked in. We were used to him being moody and entitled, so his attitude was no surprise, but his presence seemed to fill the very air with disapproval.

“Is there something you want to share with us?” Mother asked. “Am I to guess that there is something going on?” Knowing Mother, she just wanted to get on with whatever criticism Daniel was about to rain down on us.

“Why don’t you ask him what’s going on?” Daniel said, thrusting his chin in my direction.

“It’s called diner,” I said, lifting my goblet for his benefit. “Maybe you should have some. It might make you feel better.”

Emily was seated next to mother, enjoying a meal of roasted pork and mashed sweet potatoes. I hated when Daniel had one of his little temper tantrums in front of her. She was at an impressionable age and I didn’t want her to think that she had to tolerate such poor behavior from a man. She kept her head bent to her meal, but I knew she was observing our exchange through her lashes.

“It case you haven’t noticed,” Daniel said, continuing to address our mother, “your second son has been diddling with one of the housemaids.”

If this came as a surprise to Mother, she did not react as if it was. She simply regarded Daniel with a calm expression on her face. “And you feel that Jessie’s activities somehow affect you?”

“It could have damning repercussions for all of us,” he exclaimed. “I don’t see why he couldn’t just go to a cat house if he wants some pretty little mortal to toy with.”

“He’s not toying with her,” Emily said, straightening up from her meal. “He’s in love with her.” She looked over at me, her eyes glowing. “And she is completely in love with him.”

“That’s completely preposterous,” Daniel practically shouted. “No Vanderlind would soil himself by falling in love with a mortal girl.”

Mother turned to look at me, her eyes filled with curiosity, but also encouragement. “Is this true, Jessie? Have you fallen in love with a mortal?”

“Yes,” I said, addressing my mother, but steadfastly staring at my brother. “I am in love with Colette Gibson. She is a mortal young woman who works as a maid in this house.”

“I knew it,” Daniel all but howled. “I knew you were too soft-hearted. You’ll bring shame to us all. You disgust me.”

“Daniel, that’s hardly called for,” our mother chastised him. “And besides, falling in love is the best sort of news. It’s a reason to celebrate.”

“Your son admits to being in love with a mortal and you think that’s good news?” Daniel was aghast. “Excuse me, but I really don’t want to be staked in my coffin because of his foolishness. God only knows how much he’s told her about our family.”

“I haven’t told her anything,” I said, rising so quickly from my chair that it tipped over. “I’ve actually wanted to tell her. I thought I owed her the truth. But she refused to hear it. She said that she wanted to get to know me and not have her feelings influenced by any dark secrets the Vanderlinds might be concealing.”

“She’s obviously just a little gold digger,” Daniel insisted. “She shows you the shapeliness of her ankle and suddenly you fancy yourself in love.”

I wanted to fly across the room and smash my brother in the face. But I also knew that he probably wanted me to lose my temper and I wasn’t going to play his game. “I am in love,” I told him. “I know that’s an emotion you don’t easily understand, but just because you’ve never felt love doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

“At least I know better than to fall in love with some little trollop who probably only sees you as a meal ticket.” He rubbed his chin. “Or maybe that’s how you see her? Were you waiting for someone pure so you could slake both your lust and your appetite?”

“Boys!” Mother thundered, slapping her palm down loudly on the table. “That is enough.” She turned to my brother. “Daniel, you are acting beyond ill-bred. Didn’t I raise you to have better manners than this?”

“Yes, Mother,” Daniel said, immediately cowed by her displeasure.

“I’m glad you realize that,” Mother said. “Now take a seat and let’s hear what your brother has to say.” She turned to me. “Jessie, it makes me so happy to hear that you’ve found someone you care about. And you obviously know that loving a mortal comes with many disadvantages, so I know you didn’t enter into this thing lightly.” Her gaze was steady, but also kind. “I’d like to know what your plans are. Do you think you’d like to turn this girl and make her your bride? Is she the type of young lady who would fare well as a vampire?”

“I don’t know,” I had to admit. I loved Colette with every ounce of my soul and I wanted to be with her every moment of the day, but the idea of turning her into a member of the undead had never entered my mind. I loved her for who she was, not for who she might become. “I’d have to give it some thought.”

“It’s actually something you should have thought about before you started pawing at her,” Daniel grumbled.

“Daniel,” Mother said, sharply. Then she turned back to me. “If you’re truly in love with this girl, then her future is something you have to think about very carefully.”

I was in love with Colette Gibson. There was no shred of doubt in my mind. But what kind of life could we have together, coming from our two different worlds? I couldn’t imagine turning Colette into one of us, the undead. To do something like that would have been like painting over a masterpiece. I wanted Colette for who she was, not to simply turn her into somebody new. But I couldn’t let things keep going on the way they were going. I had to make a decision or the fates would make one for me. I nodded to Mother. “I understand.”

Chapter 41

Colette

Mama came running out of the house, apron still tied around her waist, when she saw the big car pull into the driveway. “What happened?” she asked, racing down the steps. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I told her. “Mostly fine. I slipped off a ladder while dusting and hurt my elbow.” My arm had actually stopped throbbing, so I knew it was going to be fine, but it was also a convenient excuse for why I’d left work early.

“Here, let me help you into the house,” Mama said, putting her arm around me. “Do you think I should call Doctor Winters?”

“No, I don’t think so,” I told her. “It’s probably just really bruised. I’m sure it’ll be better if we just use some ice.”

We didn’t have any ice in the house, so Mama sent the chauffeur off to get some. He looked like he wanted to protest, but my mother didn’t give him the opportunity. Then she tucked me in bed and fussed over me, making sure I was comfortable. “Are you sure it’s just your elbow?” she asked, once I was situated. “You seem very upset.”

“I’m still a little rattled from the fall,” I assured her. “The castle floors are really hard and I was worried I was going to crack my head.”

Mama kissed my head several times just to ward off the horrible thoughts that had obviously entered her brain. “I’m glad you’re alright. But let’s keep an eye on that arm of yours. If it swells more or the pain starts increasing, then I think we should call Dr. Winters anyway. Better safe than sorry.”

After letting my mother fuss a bit more, I feigned sleepiness and she left the room. I loved my mother dearly and felt comforted by having her there with me, but I also needed time alone to think.

Did Arthur exist? That was a big question that I had no way of answering. The state of his room indicated that he didn’t. Even if he had left for a clinic in New York, then there would still have been some remnants of his having stayed in the room for months on end. There would have been clothes, or leftover medical equipment. And he probably wouldn’t have taken all of his furniture with him. Not if he intended to return to his family home. No, there was nothing to indicate that Arthur had ever been a real person.