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unnatural sexual urges to an unusual liking for ice cream.”
    Olivia gave him “the look.” The one all wives give their husbands when said husband makes a joke that no one but him could possibly find amusing—at least in the wife’s estimation. “They said they understood how difficult it must have been for me to be a mother to James, given my proclivities.Really, Reign, what else could they have meant? I lead a perfectly normal life—or as normal as I can given the circumstances.”
    She was right, of course, but it disturbed him to no end that someone might have determined her vampire nature so easily. He could berate her for not being more careful, or he could suspect James of having offered up the information—either freely or under duress. He chose the latter. “Did the note state what they want?”
    She looked away. And that’s when he knew there was more to the story than she was telling. “No. Only that I’m to go to Scotland to await further instructions, but I don’t think they’re going to just hand James over. I think they’re going to want something from me.”
    Of course they would. That was what kidnapping was all about—having the upper hand and forcing someone to give you what you wanted. “What part do I play in this?”
    â€œI can’t find James and free him by myself. They’ll expect me to try something.”
    â€œBut they won’t expect me?” How gullible did she think he was?
    â€œI haven’t been with you since before James was born. How could they? I need your help. Whoever took James must have seemed like a friend, someone of good society. You have social ties in Edinburgh, do you not?”
    â€œI do, yes.” He had just been there earlier in thespring, and the fact that she’d thought of that eased some of his suspicion, but not by much.
    â€œWe can ask questions of the right people, find out who James was spending all his time with before he was taken. You can get me into parties and soirees where his friends will be—events I couldn’t get into on my own.”
    In other words, he would be useful. He knew she merely wanted to exploit him, so why this pricked feeling in his chest? “Do you think James told them you were a vampire?”
    The look on her face gave away her surprise. Obviously the thought hadn’t occurred to her as it had to him. “He would never do that.”
    Under the right circumstances people would do just about anything, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. She was already worried enough about the boy without him announcing that James was either being tortured or had willingly betrayed her to his captors. Neither would be a huge surprise, given what he knew humans to be capable of.
    â€œSomehow,” she continued, “someone has discovered what I am, and that someone has taken James and is using him to get to me. I am not going to allow them to get away with that.”
    What she said made sense, but there was something not quite right with all of this.
    â€œWhat aren’t you telling me?” He almost laughed. What did he expect, that suddenly she’d confess all?
    â€œNothing.” She was lying. She met his gaze too determinedly to be doing anything but. He had no idea why, but he did know one thing—her desperation was not false. Whatever her motives, it was very important to her that he accompany her to Scotland. As much as he didn’t trust her, he could not let her down. And he couldn’t let her go alone and risk her own safety. Not when she was the only woman he had ever truly loved in all his long, long life.
    â€œI will help you,” he told her, watching the relief soften her strong features. “But on one condition.”
    Her brandied gaze met his, hope replaced by suspicion. “And that is?”
    â€œIf we are to appear as husband and wife in public, then we will act as husband and