Vampire's Lust

 

Chapter One

 

Being a Duke had its advantages. The many parties, brothels, pubs, living in

England being able to travel from Mansion to Townhouse in France during the seasons and being able to do as you pleased was the life of any wealthy single man.

But not so, for twenty-one year old Drake De Savoy, who sat down by the mill pond remembering how he was pulling petals off of a Black Eye Susan and chanting the silly phrase, "She loves me. She loves me not." Who was he kidding? She was interested in gifts and parties and well...men. Sarah Lewis was out of his league, he knew, but still his perusal of her charms always failed to lure her into his embrace.

Her idea of a real man was tall, dark, and handsome and what she wanted was a real Highwayman. He bent down once more over the water and still couldn't see his reflection change into what she expected. He would always be the thin, plain looking, gangly kid that no woman would want. Sighing, he then tipped backwards on his heels stood up and walked at a slow pace back to the mansion.

His father would be expecting him as well to continue more of his teachings and getting him ready to travel back to his schooling in France and more training in fencing.

He was actually looking forward to it. This warm season he spent the entire time wallowing in self-pity over Sarah. Watching her from far away, manipulate the men who surrounded her in such a way that they would do all of her bidding. He wanted desperately to become one of those men. If only she had noticed him once, looked in his direction. That alone would have lasted him a lifetime.

Mattie the head servant was in the scullery kitchen just adding more wood to the fireplace when he walked in. "Oh there ye are laddie! Be a good boy and lift that kettle over the fire for me?" Mattie watched him warily..."Poor lad, what's wrong?" Drake shook his head as if to say nothing was wrong, but she knew better. "Don't be late for supper dear, I am makin' yer favorite, roast goose with cranberry. Should be ready in three hours time."

He smiled softly then said, "Thank you." Mattie practically raised him from infancy, and probably knew him better then his own parents. Albert the butler was outside plucking the goose, while Agnes the house servant took his place while the Duchess was entertaining.

Once he was done he began to walk toward his rooms on the other side of the house. Using the scullery entrance wasn't proper for the masters of the house, but Drake knew what awaited him in the parlor where his mother was entertaining his future bride and her own mother.

Anastasia La Fontaine sat quietly, and extremely bored, sipping tea trying so desperately not to hear the conversation at hand. She wanted to scream at her mother for doing this to her. For forcing her to wed a boy she'd never met.

Raised in a prim and proper home she knew this would be her destiny, as was with all young girls of the time.

Gone would be the debutante balls, the masques, and all the traveling she did with her family to France. She would forever be forced into a life of servitude for one man, a man she didn't love. But what of love? Bah! That made no difference according to her father.

"You will learn to love him my Dear." Her mother's simple tone broke her trance.

She placed the empty tea cup back onto the tray on the table then folded her small gloved hands back in her lap. This would never do! She would have to run away! But where would she go? Surely her father would send out the entire militia to locate her.

Duchess De Savoy waved for the servant to bring in the cakes and more tea. "Oh where is that boy."

She heat was unbearable and she slapped her fan open in a huff and waved it in front of her flushed cheeks.

"It is quite all right, Duchess. Emily and I have time to wait. I am sure he will arrive soon."

Lady La Fontaine replied matter-of-factly in her heavy French accent. She glanced about the room admiring the lovely Burgundy damask drapery, and the Victorian style furniture. The Persian carpets caught her eye, which continued the flow of the conversation. Anastasia stood then walked over to the window. She sat on the wide ledge and watched the horses out in the pasture and thinking about how dull her life would be if she had to live outside of the confines of her beautiful plantation in France, she was beginning to get a bit home sick and wanted to return as soon as it was made possible.

She glanced into the distance and noticed the house on the far hill just beyond the DeSavoy house. The strange structure of it was unlike the buildings where she had been staying, but it did attract her interest. The sun was beginning to set just beyond the mountains and she watched the yellow orange hues of the sky turn to grayish purple wisps in the clouds right before the heavens turned to total darkness with only the stars and the half-moon to illuminate it.

Anastasia saw a glow in one of the windows in the house on the hill. Strange as it seemed it was quite bright just for one candle. She was interrupted by Mattie announcing supper, and the sound of that made her quite famished all of a sudden.

"Come now, shall we dine?" Duchess De Savoy led her company into the large dining room. The scent of freshly cooked goose wafted up her nostrils. The table setting was that of the one she had chosen for this meal that morning, and as usual it was the good wedding china because after all, a proposal was certainly in order this night, or so they had hoped.

The women were seated, wine was poured and they began to eat the first course when Drake stumbled in. He was a bit unruffled and tucked his shirt tails in apologetically. His mother gave him a look of warning. Instead of arguing with her he decided that diplomacy would be best so he sat down in his father's chair at the head of the table. His mother nodded approvingly one he was settled into the chair.

The Grand Duke DeSavoy was away on royal military business and wasn't expected back until the months end. Drake was now in charge. But knew he would regret this night for the rest of his life.