Helppppp I can't find the title of a book

[Miranda]

Ok! So years ago I read one of the very few vampire books I have ever liked! And I have been trying to find it for the past few days and google is failing me!

The round about story:
So I think this is all told from the lead character who is currently recounting his life while being locked away in an insane asylum.
So a poor guy ( very cunning I think his name is Jamie or maybe it's Jesse) starts sailing on ships... like as a crew member and all that. Somehow crosses paths with a vampire who decides he is going to make (let's say) Jamie* into his "assistant".
I remember a point in the book where Jaime is to be married to a rich mans wife and that vampire ruins it somehow. . . It's a damn good book I just can't remember the name and its killibg me! PLEASE HELLPPPPP

[[deleted user]]

Maybe a Anne Rice book?