Read Catherine (Echoes of Ossiria #1) for Free Online

with any female over a man any day. I’d let you go right now, except I don’t think
you’re done learning from us, yet.”
    “Learning what?”
    “That’s for you to
figure out.”

 
    ****

 
    Bags and boxes
were carried in by the servants in Alicia’s wake.   “Bloody hell, Alicia, did you buy out all of
sodding London
in one day?”
    “A new wardrobe
can hardly be built in a day, William, though we did come close.”
    “Where is Catherine, anyway? You didn’t lose her…”
    “ No , I
didn’t lose her! I told her to wait outside to make her entrance once the boys
finish carrying everything in.”
    “Alicia… How’d she
do?”
    She paused on the
stairs.   “They swallowed it hook, line,
and sinker. She’s a natural.”
    Catherine came
through the front door as Alicia disappeared upstairs.   William turned toward the sound of her
footsteps.   “Hi,” she said shyly,
wiggling her fingers to wave.
    Her hair was in
glossy waves instead of a French braid, and she wore snug jeans with a violet
scoopneck sweater instead of the usual baggy attire.   A knee-length black wool coat topped the
ensemble.   It was the first time she
really felt like an adult.
    “Cat got your
tongue?” Catherine asked.   When he didn’t
reply, she ducked her head and headed for the stairs.   “I’ll just…” she muttered.
    He grabbed her
arm.   “No. Don’t. I mean, you don’t have
to run off. You look lovely.”
    “You’re not just
saying that?” she asked.   “Alicia’s taste
is a lot more overt than mine—”
    “ Catherine .
I mean it. You can even put on a bloody fashion show, if you like.”
    She blushed.   “I believe you. Thanks.”
    He let go of her
arm and guided her into the parlor to sit.   “You enjoyed being out today? Alicia can be a bit much in large doses.”
    Catherine
nodded.   “It was nice once I figured out
the salon wasn’t going to do something scary. And she’s a pretty good shopping
buddy despite running me around until my feet fell off. London’s a beautiful city. I’m glad I’ve seen
it at least once.”
    “Good, good… And
you got a dress?”
    “Yes. It’s being
tailored. We actually agreed on it, if you can believe it,” she said,
chuckling.  
    “It must be
special, then. Have you eaten?”   They’d
missed dinner with the others.
    “Yes, we stopped
at a restaurant before heading back. I was pleasantly surprised, since I’d
heard English food…lacked.”
    “Mocking my
heritage now, are we?”
    “Depends on if
that offends you,” she teased back.
    “And if it
did?”  
    “Then, I’d
apologize, or take my punishment like a good girl, depending on your
preference.”  
    Thinking on
Alicia’s advice, Catherine realized she no longer feared William.   She wasn’t sure when it happened, but she
felt confident enough to show she was more than a meek woman-child.  
    The ball was now
in his court.
    William’s eyes
widened in surprise, then narrowed in scrutiny.   “You don’t fear me anymore, do you?”
    “Should I?” she
said mildly.
    “Always,” he
purred.   “I’m still a vampire.”
    “True, but if you
were going to eat me, you already would have,” she countered.   “You’re not like Tallis .”
    “Maybe not, but
you read the book.”   He waited for her
nod.   “I’m a bad man.”
    “But miles apart
from him .”
    “Romanticizing my
exploits, love?”
    She shook her
head.   “No, but none of us are defined by
one action. We’re the sum of all our decisions. I do want to know…”
    “Yes?”  
    “Why suddenly go
under the radar?”
    “Why do you want
to know that?” he snapped.  
    “I…I only want to
understand.”   Her voice was soft,
timid.   “I kinda like you, when you’re
not yelling at me.”   She dropped her gaze
to her hands in her lap.   “I’m sorry for
being too nosy.”
    “Catherine…maybe
another time. Turn in early. You’ve had a long day.”
    “Of course.
Goodnight, William.”
    She