“Why do you persist in associating with that creature?” Miss Tarabotti straightened her skirts, draping the pleated hem more carefully over her kid boots. She demurred. “I like Lord Akeldama.” The earl abruptly looked more livid than tired. “Do you, by George! What has he been luring you in with? Little pip-squeak, I shall wallop his scrawny hide to ribbons.” “I suspect he might enjoy that,” murmured Alexia, thinking of what little she knew of her vampire friend’s proclivities.
