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Vlad nodded with approval as he gazed up at me Andrew positively beamed with joy

"You look fabulous," Andrew declared

I smiled behind my veil and poked him affectionately with my black feathered fan "You are too kind"

"My wife is exquisitely beautiful tonight," Vlad said proudly as he donned his top hat, then leaned over to kiss h the veil

This reraced Vlad with one of the brightest smiles to touch his face since his arrival in Buda

"Thank you, husband," I said, re black cloak as I moved to help him secure it about his throat "Where is Dr Bau with Sir Stephen and Maria We will meet hiht I think it is going to be ushed with excitement

Vlad reached out to touch the cold dia race and beauty, dear wife You shall be the talk of the evening Everyone will be watching you"

It was his way of telling me to be careful in word and deed Earlier, I was firmly instructed not to reveal too htly aloof and mysterious Ever since we had received the invitation, Vlad had been re and elusive To add to my mystic, Vlad had already instructed everyone to hold their tongue about ht and say that I was still in ntradition Andrew had nearly balked at this, but when I insisted, he had relented

"We had best be off before we are too late," Andrew said as he helped me intocarriage and were soon traveling the lighted streets of Buda After a few minutes, the driver steered the horses up a particularly steep road that was lined with lush trees and fragrant flowers I could see the s of the palace glie drew closer to our destination, the sounds of the an to waft down to us on the night breeze I grabbed hold of Andrew’s hand excitedly

The carriage swept around a curve and I was dazzled by the brightly lit countenance of the Dosza Palace Carriages of all sizes were pulling up to the stairs leading up to the lovely palace Suests up the red carpet into the glittering interior

"Oh, Vlad! Look! It is so very lovely," I cried out in awe

Andrew laughed at my enthusiasm and smiled at Vlad "You would think she had never been to any party before"

Vlad just se A foote as it rolled to a stop and his white-gloved hand opened the door Vlad stepped down, then reached back his hand for e and nervously fluttered rand entrance, I tried to calm my nerves

"What a lovely palace," Andrew decided with ," Vlad responded with just a touch of mockery

I tuckedascent up the red carpet Andrew followed a few steps behind Lively chatter, subdued laughter, and htfulin all the night offered: the sweet fragrance of the bloo flowers, the soft coolness of the wind, the noises of the party, and the extravagance of the palace

As we entered the grand entrance, Vlad quickly whispered to a butler as I gawked at the sheer opulence that surrounded us I al over the surfaces ofback at Andrew, I saw him raise an eyebrow

"Quite holand perhaps," I whispered back

"Count and Countess Dracula of Wallachia and Earl Andrew Wright of England," the slender butler’s voice boo about in the crowded foyer seemed to look up in unison I could see the startled expressions clearly and a few looked positively nervous I was beginning to feel very unwelcooith a huge gold and red satin turban perched on her coiled black hair, hurried toward us As she drew closer, I recognized her as so my family’s visit in Buda She was quite lovely Her eyes were as black as night and, when she drew near, I could see that her gaze ise and full of cunning

"Dearest Count Dracula, I aushed in a s with delight

"Baroness Dosza, it istime since we last saw each other Please let land, Earl Wright," Vlad said in such a polite courtly htly, her teeth pearly white against her red lips "Ah, the Countess Dracula I arand friends Call me Csilla, dear one"

"Younahtly ht, it is so very nice to see that you have joined us tonight" The Baroness turned her char "I see a bit of your father in you"

"You have met my father?" he asked in surprise

"Oh, yes! He was a char man and your mother was quite lovely I meet the with Sir Stephen," the Baroness answered "I did not , but I did meet her briefly at a picnic on the banks of the Danube Do you reed that I did when she plunged on

"I heard that all the young men were smitten with your sisters and that they would sure to ine my astonishment when I heard she had captured the eye and heart of Count Dracula! We thought he would neversmile at Vlad, then said to Andrew, "And how are your dear parents?"

"I thought everyone knew," Andrew said softly, his gaze flicking to Vlad