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CHAPTER ONE

In Which There Is Almost a Bath and Definitely a Trip to the Theater

I said no such thing," gruly, to be trussed in a new evening jacket He twisted his head around, annoyed by the height of the collar and the tightness of the cravat Floote patiently waited for hi with the jacket Werewolf or not, Lord Maccon would look his best or Floote’s given naernon--which it was

"Yes, you did, my dear" Lady Alexia Maccon was one of the few people in London who dared contradict Lord Maccon Being his wife, itso Alexia was already dressed, her statuesque foroith mandarin collar and Asian sleeves, newly arrived from Paris "I remember it quite distinctly" She pretended distraction in transferring her necessaries into a black beaded reticule "I said we should show our patronage and support on opening night, and you grunted at runt of displeasure" Lord Maccon wrinkled his nose like a petulant child while Floote skirted about hi away nonexistent cru dewrinklers

"No, dear, no It was definitely one of your affirave his wife a startled look "God’s teeth, woe, dear Regardless, I’ve replied in the affirmative that ill be in attendance at the Adelphi at nine sharp in time to take our box We are both expected There is no way out of it"

Lord Maccon sighed, giving in Which was a good thing, as his wife and Floote haddress and there was no way to escape that

In a show of solidarity, he grabbed his wife, pulling her against hi her neck Alexia suppressed a smile and, in deference to Floote’s austere presence, pretended not to enjoy herself i"

Alexia gave her husband a little ear nibble for this coht to know that theabout this dress is how reet into and out of"

Floote cleared his throat to remind them of his presence

"Wife, I intend to test the veracity of that state of yours"

Alexia pulled away fro at her hair self-consciously "Thank you kindly, Floote Very well done as always I’ular duties"

The elderly butler merely nodded, expressionless "Of course, madam"

"Especially as there seem to be no drones about Where are they all?"

The butler thought for a ht, oodness We had best escape quickly, then, Conall, or I’ll never be able to get away in time for--"

Clearly summoned by her fear of just such a delay, a knock sounded at Lord Akeldama’s third closet door

How Lord and Lady Maccon had co in Lord Akeldama’s third closet in the first place was athose privy to this inforotiated exchange of spats and possibly proe remarkably well for all parties,as the vampire hives did not find out, it was likely to remain so Lord Akeldama now had a preternatural in his closet and a olf pack next door, but he and his drones had certainly weathered hbors, and he had certainly housed far s in his closet, if the ruh on two years, Lord and Lady Maccon hadnext door, Lord Akelda all his closets, and his dronesfull creative control over everyone’s wardrobe Most ih to her child to come to everyone’s rescue Unforeseen as it ely clear that the home of a metanatural required the presence of a preternatural or no one was safe--particularly on bath night

Lady Maccon opened the closet door wide and took in the sorry sight of the gentleman before her Lord Akelda They set the ards to collar points and spats The handso man who stood before her represented the best London society had to offer--an exquisite pluh-tied waterfall of white about his neck, his hair curled just so about the ears--except that he was dripping with soap suds, his neck cloth was co untied, and one collar point drooped sadly

"Oh, dear, what has she done now?"

"Far too much to explain, my lady I think you had better come at once"

Alexia looked down at her beautiful new dress "But I do so like this gown"

"Lord Akeldaracious!" Lady Maccon seized her parasol and her beaded reticule--now containing a fan; her opera glassicals; and Ethel, her 28-caliber Colt Paterson revolver--and charged down the stairs after the drone The poor boy actually squelched in his beautifully shined shoes

Her husband, with a gru unhelpfully after

Downstairs, Lord Akelda chahter It had beco to be an event of epic proportions, requiring a rooh to accommodate several of his best andLord Akeldama, even a room dedicated to the cleanliness of an infant was not allowed to be sacrificed upon the unadorned altar of practicality

A thick Georgian rug lay on the floor covered with cavorting shepherdesses, the walls were painted in pale blue and white, and he’d had the ceiling frescoed with sea life in deference to the troublesoness to associate with such The cheerful otters, fish, and cephalopods above were hter saw the more than squishy threats

In the exact center of the rooe for a toddler, but Lord Akeldaht double it at three times the expense There was also a fireplace, before which stood hly absorbent drying cloths and one very sht drones in attendance, as well as Lord Akelda could take on Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akelda was at stake

The tub was overturned, saturating the beautiful rug with soapy water Several of the drones were drenched One was nursing a bruised knee and another a split lip Lord Akelda racks had fallen on its side, singeing a cloth in the fire The foot a bar of soap in one hand and a wedge of cheese in the other The nanny had collapsed on a settee in tears