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one difference that mattered, somehow.
He blinked. I will always provide for you, but if my presence becomes& unwelcome, I will not burden
you with it. An image formed in her mind of a cracked and lined old woman living alone in some palatial
house while the vibrant man who looked thirty careered around the capitals of Europe having liaisons
with beautiful women like Beatrix Lisse, Countess of Lente.
I would help you find Kivala even without your kind offer. The revelation cost her something, but in her
confusion she could not tell exactly what.
He chewed his lip and got up to pace again. I know. I know you would. That is a testament to your
character and your sympathy, undeserved as sympathy is in this case. But there are texts at the tomb that
must be translated in order to enter, which means you must go with me. I trust no one else. If you go in
my company without the protection of a wedding band, your reputation will be ruined, your life made&
difficult. I could not bear to harm you in such a way. You deserve only the highest consideration, and
distasteful as this must be& He whirled on her, his face aghast. Of course, you probably have other
offers. I am forgetting myself.
I& have no other offers, she murmured.
Rufford raced on, as though he were afraid to stop. If you marry someone else, still you should not
return to Africa with anyone but me. With Asharti on the loose, who else could protect you? He
stumbled to a stop. But perhaps you don t wish to go to Africa&
I do want to go to Africa. Beth was surprised her voice was calm. Indeed, Mr. Rufford s chaotic
speech had created some small island of hope inside her. Still, she had to know a little more. I simply
hate to saddle you with an unpleasant burden, for who knows how many years. I am still young, you
know. You will tire of me even on this trip, I imagine.
Burden? He looked blank. I could not imagine a more congenial traveling companion. You never
complain. You are interested in everything. Your observations are always penetrating. And you play a
very decent game of chess. He smiled a rather touching, secret smile. Just at my level. What more
could one ask?
Or a little beyond your level. She tried to keep her eyes serious.
That I do not concede. His gaze rested on her with an expression that contained wonder and almost
tenderness.
Beth felt the door of hope open a little wider. Now was the moment. She either threw herself through that
door or closed it forever.
I should be happy to accept your offer of marriage. The words, once uttered, almost shattered her.
What had she done? She felt her eyes grow large. She could not get enough air in this stifling room. Why
ever did Lady Rangle always set these chairs so close to the fire?
They stared at each other as though a chasm had opened up right here in the drawing room and they
tottered on the edges. Right, Rufford said, recollecting himself. Ahhh, when would be convenient? I
had thought tomorrow? There is some urgency, you know.
Tomorrow! This was becoming altogether too real. One can t get married upon a moment s notice.
There are the banns, the arrangements&
He fished a heavy paper from the breast of his coat awkwardly. I have a special license. Just in case,
you know, you agreed. A ship leaves Portsmouth for Casablanca before dawn Saturday. I think we
should start there. Kivala is somewhere east of the Atlas Mountains and west of El Golea.
Beth drew her brows together. However did you get a special license?
He glanced away, then deliberately back. It s very hard to resist a vampire s request.
Oh. Beth s mind darted over the possibilities inherent in that statement. Had he compelled her to
accept him? She hadn t felt compelled& but tomorrow? Who would she get to stand up for her? And
she had nothing to wear, an objection she could never voice to Rufford. She was becoming positively
missish. The pink will do, she thought. Could we settle upon day after tomorrow? That would give me
time to pack, and yet we could still make the sailing on Saturday. Rufford nodded. But he must pass a
final test. One thing I must know.
His eyes opened in apprehension.
What is behind the doors you want me to unlock that will allow you to defeat Asharti?
He swallowed. You are ever practical. He took a breath, and she could see him resolve to tell her the
truth and let her make her own choice. It is a temple. In it, a strange being waits whom Asharti calls the
Old One, He Who Waits. His blood made the first vampires. It makes Asharti strong. If I can get him to
give me his blood, perhaps I can defeat Asharti. He shook his head, embarrassed. It s not much of a
chance. He shrugged. It s the best I have.
He had passed the test. She squared her shoulders. You deserve your chance. I will do what I can.
He peered into her eyes, searching her soul. He did not seem to see what he had anticipated. He shook
himself. I expect I must ask your aunt for permission. I don t suppose she is equal to it now, but there is
so little time& He fidgeted with the license.
Up to it? She is probably waiting for it. Beth rang for Edwards.
Do you think& ? I mean it is sudden.
Beth raised her brows. You will find her grateful for taking me off her hands.
Beth was not wrong. Lady Rangle cared nothing for propriety when so great a catch as the very rich
brother of a Viscount was involved. She cooed and clucked, Oh, Mr. Rufford, how satisfying it is to see
a man so carried away by love! Both Beth and Rufford were discomfited. Thursday, you say? But how
will I recruit a respectable attendance?
Beth glanced at Rufford. Mr. Rufford and I were thinking of a private ceremony.
Yes, Lady Rangle. We are beginning our wedding trip from Portsmouth on Saturday. I thought we
would visit Miss Rochewell s beloved Africa.
Oh! Oh, dear. No reception after the ceremony? She looked from one shaking head to another. No.
She sighed, obviously mourning a chance to show off her niece s catch to jealous matrons. That will
look so havy-cavy. Well, she acquiesced.
I& I will send round with all the details. Whom should I see about the marriage settlements? Beth
could see he had not thought this far. A sheen of perspiration broke out upon his forehead. Her own
thoughts were already spinning ahead to the wedding night and on to all the arrangements to be made for
an expedition and then back to the wedding night.
My man of business, Edgely at Drummond s, will see to it. Do you go to the Fairfields ball? Lady
Rangle asked with slightly more animation. We were just about to leave. Ahh, Lady Rangle saw an
opportunity for an informal announcement of her triumph. Beth was wrung with conflicting anticipation of
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