The tight knot in his stomach eased, but he re-mained on rigid guard. He had already failed once this night. He would not fail again.

"Amadeus was here," he said in dark tones.

Nefri gave a nod of her head. "Yes, he a.s.sumed-the shape of poor Molly and attempted to lure Jo-celyn from the house."

"b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l." Lucien closed his eyes in disgust. He had known it was a risk to leave Jocelyn.

And yet, he had allowed his eagerness to end the battle with Amadeus to cloud his wits. He had once again been overly impulsive and far too eager to act rather than remain patient. Only, on this occasion it was not himself he had harmed with his unsteady nature. "I should never have left her alone."

As if sensing his bitter self-recriminations, the older vampire stepped close enough to lay her gnarled hand upon his arm.

"Lucien, you could not have known his plans."

"I allowed Jocelyn to be in danger."

The pale eyes that glittered like jewels in the darkness hardened at his harsh tone.

"You must not be so hard upon yourself," she commanded in tones that brooked no argument. "You have done an admirable job in protecting the Medallion."

Lucien was not so easily rea.s.sured. Not while his body still trembled with the lingering fear at the re-alization that Amadeus had boldly entered this house and attempted to harm Jocelyn.

"I thought to track Amadeus to his lair, and instead I left Jocelyn to his mercy." The fingers upon his arm tightened. "Listen to me, Lucien. If you wish someone to blame for placing Jocelyn in danger, you can look to me. It was my choice to bind her with the Medallion.

But I did so because I sensed she possessed a pure heart and the necessary strength to bear the trials she must endure. We can only do our best to protect her. In the end it will be Jocelyn who will determine who is to win this battle."

He gazed into the wise countenance, battling a renegade stab of anger that Nefri had ever discovered Jocelyn. The poor maiden had endured far more than she ever should have been forced to bear. Surely it was unfair to place her at the mercy of renegade vampires. A danger that had been so willingly thrust upon her.

"How can she fight a battle she does not even realize she has entered?" he charged.

"Is she prepared to learn the truth?" Nefri swiftly countered. "And are you prepared to tell her of yourself?"

Lucien stiffened at the mere thought. Confess to Jocelyn that he was a vampire? To watch her face fill with horror? To know that every time he came near her she would be filled with terror?

"No," he retorted in abrupt tones.

"Then we must wait. We cannot allow her to be frightened into fleeing. She would then certainly be at the mercy of Amadeus."

Lucien glanced toward the slumbering woman upon the bed. His heart twitched in pain. He might wish that Jocelyn had not been involved in the battle between vampires, but now that she was, he had to make certain she was kept safe.

"Yes," he agreed in low tones.

Nefri regarded him with a knowing gaze, easily able to sense his growing bond to the young maiden. "But, Lucien, do not allow your feelings for Jocelyn to conceal the truth too long. There must be honesty between you," she warned.

Lucien took an instinctive step backward, shaking his head in denial. "She will never understand. How could she?"

The smile returned to the old woman's lips. "You will find a way."

So easy for her to say, Lucien acknowledged wryly. This great and powerful vampire had dedicated her life to the ancient lore of the past. She had created the Veil that brought peace and wisdom to her brothers. She had sacrificed herself to bear the burden of the Medallion until the traitors had attempted to steal it from her. She was beloved among all.

While he had devoted his life to pleasure and revelry. He had never had another depend upon him or seek his protection.

It was terrifying to suddenly be thrust into the role of hero. And even more terrifying to hold Jocelyn's safety in his hands.

"I wish I could share your confidence," he said in husky tones.

"Have faith in yourself, Lucien," Nefri retorted. "I do."

He studied the thin countenance, not for the first time wondering how he had ever been chosen for such a dire task.

"Why?" he demanded simply.

Her expression softened as her hand reached up to lightly pat his cheek.

"Because like Jocelyn, you possess a pure heart and a spirit that brings joy to all those about you."

Hardly the stuff of heroes, he thought with a pang. Surely he should be responsible and brave? Able to slay dragons?

His lips twisted as his gaze returned to Jocelyn. "Will it be enough?"

"That is for fate to decide," Nefri said softly. "We can do only what is in our power. Be at peace, Lucien."

With a last smile Nefri stepped back into the shadows and disappeared. For many moments Lucien pondered the appearance of Nefri.

We can do only what is in our power...

Wise words, no doubt. He was perhaps not a perfect hero. Or even the most suitable vampire to protect Jocelyn. But there was no one else who would be more concerned for her welfare, he acknowledged with a renewed sense of hope. Or more determined that she was kept out of danger.

He would devote his heart, his soul, and his very life to her.

He could offer no more.

Needing to be close to the maiden, he slowly moved to the bed, then, careful not to disturb her slumber, he lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms.

The sweet scent of her wrapped about him, and with a smile Lucien allowed his taut muscles to relax.

At least for the moment she was safe.

Jocelyn knew she was being a coward.

For three days she had virtually hidden herself in the small, stuffy study. She had avoided Meg and Lucien with determined care and even neglected those upon the streets who so depended upon her.

A part of her was embarra.s.sed by her sudden bout of brooding self-pity. It had been years since she had allowed the pain of her scandal to darken her heart. It was the past. Wishing that she had not been such a foolish, headstrong maiden could alter nothing.

But the encounter with Lord Patten had ripped open the wounds that had never fully healed.

She might easily tell herself to forget the gentleman who had been her downfall and concentrate upon the life she had made for herself, but the heavy mood would not lift.

She was standing before the window, gazing blindly at the narrow street, when she was suddenly aware that Lucien had entered the room.

There had been no sound, no indication of his arrival, but Jocelyn knew beyond a doubt he was standing in the doorway.

It was, in truth, rather frightening to realize just how sensitive she had become to his presence. She knew when he was in the house, and where. She knew when he drew near.

Absurdly, it even seemed that she could sense what he was feeling and even at times what thoughts were within him.

At the moment she sensed a tightly bound frustration within him that seemed almost to reach out and stroke over her skin.

With an effort she smoothed her expression and slowly turned to encounter the smoldering golden gaze.

As always she caught her breath at the sight of him. Although plainly attired in a smoke-gray coat and black breeches, there was nothing una.s.suming about him. Instead, there was a compelling beauty in the lean features and golden eyes that commanded attention.

"Lucien," she breathed softly.

Easily holding her gaze captive, he crossed to stand before her. "This cannot go on, my dove."

Jocelyn shivered as those tingles of awareness washed through her. "Pardon me?"

"I have allowed you to hide from me for days. My patience is wearing thin."

A hint of color touched her cheeks. It was one thing to know she was cowering from the world. It was quite another to be confronted with her cowardice.

"Do not be ridiculous," she attempted to bluff. "I am not hiding."

He arched a dark golden brow. "No?" "I have been very busy." Her hand absently waved toward the desk that was littered with papers. "It is not a simple matter to run two separate households."

His expression remained stern. "Perhaps not simple, but you are far too competent to be forced to devote every hour of the day to accounts."

It was impossible to deny the truth in his words. No one would believe that she must spend such long hours adding up columns of numbers.

With a frown she wrapped her arms about her waist. "Is there something you need?"

Surprisingly his lips twisted in a rather rueful fashion. "Your company would be a pleasant change."

Her heart gave a sudden leap at his tempting words. There was no denying that the presence of Lucien always managed to lighten her day. Even when she was determined to remain aloof and indifferent to his persuasive charm he lured her into forgetting herself. How could any maiden resist such a potent charm?

But while she was forced to acknowledge that he could provide her with a much-needed comfort, she discovered herself reluctant to press her poor spirits upon him.

It was hardly fair to ruin his day as well.

"You would do better to seek companionship elsewhere," she warned him with a sigh. "I am not in the humor for entertainments."

The golden eyes shimmered wryly at her sad tones. "No, you would rather brood over your encounter with Lord Patten."

Her lips thinned at his taunting. "It is not amusing."

"No." His expression became somber. "Nor is it wise. Brooding upon the past will not change it, Jocelyn. There is no magic that will accomplish such a feat."

It was what she had told herself a hundred times over the past few days. That did not, however, make it any easier.

She abruptly turned about to gaze out the window. "Do you have no regrets?" she demanded in unconsciously bitter tones. "Nothing you would alter if you were able?"

There was a pause before Jocelyn felt warm hands lightly touch her shoulders, offering her an unspoken strength.

"None of us is without regrets," he murmured. "We have all taken paths that were less than smooth, but they quite often teach us lessons that must be learned."

Jocelyn battled the urge to lean back into the warm comfort of his chest. She was not so lost to reason that she did not sense that every day, every moment, she became more and more entangled with this gentleman.

Not just in the desire that was undeniable between them. But in a far more dangerous manner.

One that might very well break her heart.

"Some lessons are more painful than others," she muttered.

"True enough." The disturbing fingers gently squeezed her shoulders. "Tell me of Lord Patten."

She tensed at the soft question, but for once she did not cringe from the painful memories.

Instead, she allowed her thoughts to reluctantly return to those days that seemed to be a lifetime ago.

"I met him during my first Season in London," she slowly confessed. "He was handsome, charming, and I was incredibly naive."

"You fell in love with him?" Lucien demanded in oddly thick tones.

Jocelyn shuddered. Love? Oh, no, there had been nothing pure or beautiful about her feelings for Lord Patten. Instead, they had been too sordid to admit without a sick sensation in the pit of her stomach.

"No," she whispered with a grimace. "I do not even have that excuse. You see, in Surrey I was considered the most beautiful and sought-after debutante in the county. There was no gentleman who did not vie for my attention."

He gave a low chuckle. "Hardly surprising."

Her own expression remained dark. "I was spoiled, willful, and vain. A dangerous combination."

"You are far too hard upon yourself, Jocelyn."

She gave a shake of her head. "No, it is the simple truth. I came to London expecting to dazzle the ton with my charms and, of course, to discover a husband who would offer me wealth and position."

His fingers abruptly tightened upon her shoulders. "Of course."

"It did not seem a difficult task." She paused for a moment, shamed by her memories. "I was swiftly toasted as an Incomparable, and within a fortnight I had received a dozen offers of marriage. It was all tar too easy... even dull."

"Yes," he murmured.

"I began to long for excitement."

"You desired a challenge."

"Yes."

"And you found it in Lord Patten?"