The Tiger Within (3 page)

He was cut off when the door was swung open and an irate Lord Richard Talbot, Earl of Euston entered the room and slammed the door.

“You bastard!” Lord Euston stormed toward the young couple who quickly stood. He stopped close to his daughter and inhaled deeply. His low growl echoed through the room. “Why have you done this to her? Could you not allow her a normal life?”

“A normal life, Richard? You know as well as I that most women take their own lives if they are not mated to their proper mate or worse choose the life of a doxy. The change is suppressed, but the effects are still there. The emotions still overwhelm and confuse. They feel trapped within their own bodies because the animal cannot come out. They are unable to bare children, but desire it above all else. Even if we were joined after, the damage would already be done. Is that the life you wish for your daughter?” Lord Bute was angry and unashamed of his temper.

“I found a mate not of our kind. She could have done the same,” Lord Euston insisted. “I wanted her to have the choice denied all of us! My miracle could have been hers too. She is different! She deserves the right to choose who she will spend her life with.”

“You are a man! You are born with the ability to change. She is not! You know the joy the change holds. Would you deny her that joy? Would you doom her to feel as she does now forever?” He stepped closer to the older man. “You have always known this day would come. I have known it since her birth. I was a fool to allow you to keep her from me. She is my mate and I will not be denied her any longer.”

Lord Euston looked into his daughter’s beautiful eyes and watched them change. She was upset by his attack on Heny, but she didn’t know why it upset her. He concentrated on only her and spoke to her mind. “I only wanted to protect you, my daughter. I only seek your happiness. When everything is revealed to you I pray you remember this.”

Her eyes softened and he knew she understood. She smiled up at him and squinted her eyes. Deep furrows grew in her forehead and he wondered at her. Then he felt a vague sense of peace. He smiled down at her again.

“You did very well my Amelia. It was so subtle that at first I thought it was truly my own thought. How long have you been leading me by the nose?”

She beamed. “It really worked? Oh, Papa I only learned of it just now and have never tried it ever before!” She was fairly bouncing with excitement. In that moment she appeared as innocent as a child. He reached out to her and pulled her into his embrace.

She looked up at her beloved father and asked, “Are you quite sure Mother cannot do it too?”

“Yes, I am quite sure and thankful,” he laughed and released her. “That was truly your first attempt?” At her nod he looked to Henry and inclined his head slightly. “You will soon regret your decision to make her aware of this gift, I think. Although, unless she gains some experience, it will be exceedingly easy to know when she attempts it.”

Both men laughed at the scowl that Amelia gave them. Her father kissed her forehead.

“Papa, I still do not understand what this is all about. I understand that we are different and that somehow mother is not, but how are we different? How is any of this even possible?”

“I am afraid, my dear, that I am unable to explain this to you. We are different in many ways, but the only way for you to truly understand is for you to experience it yourself, and I cannot aid you in this.”

She looked to Henry. “Can you show me, Henry?” She looked at him in a blatant attempt to charm him and it worked because he smiled warmly at her.

“We will discuss the many things I can show you another time, my love. I must speak with your father now. Perhaps you should find your mother and assure her that all is well.”

At her narrowed gaze he raised his hands and shook his head. “I am only suggesting it, my love. I will not seek to rule your mind, for I fear retribution too desperately.”

“Very well you should, My Lord.” She then turned and left the room.

“What happened to ‘Henry’?” He said as the door closed. He then turned to Richard and made plans to spend the evening with Amelia.

Chapter Five

The London Season was exhausting. Amelia stood near the open doors of the dining Hall. She hadn’t seen Henry, but she knew he was there. He watched her. She felt his eyes on her flesh as though they were his hands. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she longed to feel his hands and his mouth on her again.

He took her hand and kissed it. “Do not be ashamed. It is the most pleasant aroma I have ever encountered. My only fear is that I may not be the only one affected by it,” he said as he gazed out over the room. “I must ask that you remain near your father or myself tonight. There are many enemies here this evening, and there are few here who would attempt to stop them.”

Fear deepened her voice as she turned again to face the room. “Tell me who I can trust.”

“Lord and Lady Featherton are of our kind and can be trusted. I fear I do not know many of the others. Have a care tonight. Do not stand too close to the outer doors. I will watch you at all times. The humans will not seek to harm you, but neither will they step in to help should you need it.”

“How will I know the difference?”

“The ladies are easy. Those who are mated will bare the mark of their mate. It is not easy to see unless you are looking. There will be four small circles on the neck where it meets the shoulder usually on the left side.” As he said it he ran a finger over the area on her neck. Amelia felt light headed. She closed her eyes as pleasure rushed through her. He continued to stroke her neck as he continued to speak. “Those with out the mark are either human or unmated and just as good as human. Stay with those ladies. There are at least six gentlemen here who are interested in you and they are not all of our kind, but enough like us to know our ways. Be careful….” He trailed off when her low moan reached his ears and the scent of her release clouded his senses.

Henry turned Amelia around to face him. The sight of her almost made him lose control of his own desires. Her eyes were dark with desire. Her cheeks were flushed. She licked her lips and stared up at him.

“God,” he groaned. “You will be the death of me.” He bent to kiss her, but before their lips met Amelia was wrenched from him and her father’s irate voice broke through the sensual fog.

“What in Hell are you about? Are you going to toss up her skirts and have done with it here in the middle of Featherton’s dining hall? I would think you would practice a bit more restraint. Instead her scent has attracted the attention of every male in the room. Is she to suffer for your lack of restraint?”

Henry felt heat surge up his neck. He was a fool. He meant to protect Amelia and instead he had brought her to the attention of every changeling in the room. The sweet scent of her release hung in the air around her in an intoxicating cloud that would stir the lust of any who encountered it.

“You have my deepest apologies Lord Euston, Lady Amelia. I assure you this was not my intent. I did not realize how susceptible she would be to my touch.”

Lord Euston then turned to his daughter. “You will behave yourself. You will stay with me or your mother until dinner is concluded and then we will depart. I can honestly say I am displeased with you at this moment, more than any time in your life.”

Tears brimmed Amelia’s eyes as shame filled her. “I am sorry Papa.”

“Yes, I can see that,” he sighed. “You must try to close your mind to them. They will overwhelm you if given the chance. They will all try to convince you that you are too warm and you need air or something similar to get you outside.” He looked at her with concern on his face. “It will not be pleasant for you if they do. You cannot leave the house for any reason. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Papa.”

The quiver in her voice caused anger to surge into Henry with such force that he could feel his fangs descending. With a force he did not know he possessed he controlled the urge to rip Lord Euston’s throat out. He had hurt Amelia. Henry took Amelia by the arm and turned her around to face him again. He lifted her chin to force her to look at him. The shame he saw there almost unmanned him.

“Amelia. What just happened was
my
fault. You did nothing wrong. I did not mean for it to happen, but the fault is still mine.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek, knowing it would create a stir but not caring. “It was beautiful and pure. There is no shame in it. Most of the women and all of the men in this room have felt that pleasure, and want it again. It is usually in a more private place and more difficult to achieve,” he gave her a half smile, “but it is still the same. Even your father has experienced it.” He said with a pointed look at Lord Euston. “It is nothing to be ashamed of.” With that he bent his head and lightly kissed her lips and turned to her father. “Lord Euston, I think it would be prudent to announce our betrothal. We wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about Amelia’s virtue or what has happened here.”

Amelia gasped and looked to her father.

Lord Euston scowled, but nodded his agreement. “I think sooner would be best. I will speak to Featherton. Can I leave her with you without another incident?” He asked and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I want nothing more in all the world. You must know that you are more to me than any other ever could be.” Henry smiled down into her beautiful face.

Chapter Six

As they entered the room all eyes turned, at least all male eyes turned toward them. Amelia could feel the malice in some and the lust of others. Her mind was bombarded with foreign thoughts. She felt flushed. She needed air. She was beginning to panic.

After the announcement they were congratulated by everyone. It seemed every person in the room had touched her. She felt so unwell she was afraid she would swoon. Henry quickly became engulfed in conversation with the gentleman at his left and was no help to her at all. Her heart was racing and she began to gasp for air. Then she looked up into the deep brown eyes of her childhood friend, Charles.

“I fear you must.” Charles looked sadly down at her as he took her arm in a strong grip that she would normally find insulting, but due to her lack of air she did not complain. They had almost reached the doors when Lady Euston stepped in front of them.

“Amelia, my dear. Hello Charles.” Lady Charlotte intercepted them on their way out.

“My Lady. Please excuse us. Amelia is not feeling well and it seems the Scottish fellow you have paired her with has little concern for her.” He spat distastefully. “I intend to take her for some air.”

“I expect you do, but I must insist that she come with me now. I’m sure you will not deny me this Charles.”

Charles tightened his grip on Amelia’s arm and glared at her mother. “I’m sure you would not want her to feel uncomfortable. She should have some air.”

At his words Amelia began to gasp desperately for air.

Lady Euston smiled serenely and reached out to remove his hand from her daughter. At her touch he jerked his hand away as if he’d been burned and stared at her horrified.

“What are you?”

“No one you should trifle with I assure you. Now I find it very difficult to say this, but due to your ill treatment of my daughter and your rudeness toward me, I will no longer welcome you into my home. You have proven to be less than trustworthy. I bid you goodnight.”

“You would have her bare the cubs of scum like him? I love her and you will give her to that Scotsman over me? He will do nothing but destroy her.”

“I simply wish for her happiness, and you forget yourself. I suggest you find your composure before you return to dinner.”