A Taste Of A Vampire

Chapter 3

     On the morning of the third day that Claire was at the manor, she was just finishing her breakfast when she heard the doorbells chime, and she wondered who it might be. A few moments later, Granger came in and gave her a nod.

“You have a guest. It’s Lord Drake Thomas,” he said evenly.

Claire frowned slightly. “I’m afraid I don’t know him. Do you know who he is and why he’s here?”

Granger lifted a thin eyebrow. “I know that he lives about an hour away from here at his estate. I’m not certain why he’s here, as he didn’t say. He’s waiting for you in the drawing room. I’ll bring tea and coffee in, if you’d like.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a smile and a nod. “I’d appreciate that.”

She went to the drawing room, her heart beating a little faster as her mind rushed to a myriad of reasons why a lord she had never met might be coming to see her. She glanced down at her sweater dress and heels and was relieved that she hadn’t worn jeans that day, by a lucky coincidence. The sweater dress was a cobalt blue color, and it set off her pale skin and dark eyes, while hugging her feminine curves and long legs, at least, to just above her knees.

Lord Drake Thomas was tall and thin, even more so than Granger. He had a sort of rough outdoor look about him, but in a polished way. His hair was a tumble of ash blonde and gray curls, trimmed about his head, and he had no facial hair. He was wearing a tweed jacket over a button up shirt, with tan colored pants. He turned and looked at her when she entered the room, and his bright blue eyes locked on her right away. He was handsome, and she got the sense that he knew it well.

“My goodness…” he said with a widening smile as she walked toward him. “I was expecting someone older, I suppose. Someone Lord Nolan’s age. You’re far from that.” He gave her an appraising gaze from her head to her toes and then back up again, taking all of her in without hesitation or shame.

He drew near to her and reached his hand out to her. “I’m so pleased to meet you. I’m Drake Thomas. Please, call me Drake.”

She wasn’t quite sure what she thought of him, other than that he was bold, but she was glad that there was finally someone who would call her by her first name without the title.

“I’m Claire Everett. You can call me Claire,” she responded. “Granger is bringing tea and coffee in. Would you like some?” she offered lightly.

“That would be nice, yes,” Drake answered.

As if on cue, Granger entered the room with a silver cart laden with carafes of tea and coffee. He set it up for them and then gave a nod to Claire.

“Will that be all, milady?” he asked without any show of emotion.

Claire gave him a nod. “Yes, thank you.”

Drake went to one of the sofas and sat on it, and Claire fixed tea for him and a coffee for herself. She sat opposite him on another sofa and held her coffee cup in her hands.

“What can I do for you, Drake?” she asked, with no idea in the world what he might answer.

He smiled widely and leaned forward a little, sipping at his tea before he set it down on the table between them.

“I heard a rumor that Grayson Manor may be up for sale and I wanted to be the first to talk with you about that.” His bright eyes locked on hers.

She tried not to show the absolute surprise that she felt. “How did you hear that?” she asked in an even tone.

He shrugged. “Well, you know how servants and staff talk. Word gets around. I heard the news that Nolan had passed away. I’m sorry about that. Your family has my condolences.” He reached for his tea and took another sip.

 “I wondered what would happen to the old place after that. I guess everyone did really, since he had no children. No one knew who it would go to, and it’s been kept pretty tightly under wraps. Am I the first to visit since you arrived?” he asked curiously, giving her a grin.

She nodded. “Yes, actually, you are.”

He tipped his head a little to one side. “Are you American?” he asked in wonder as it dawned on him.

“Yes, I am,” Claire answered simply.

“Well, well. Imagine that. This grand old place going to an…” he trailed off and peered at her for a moment before speaking again. “So, this must be a big change for you. Are you enjoying it here?”

“I am. It’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.” She spoke honestly. She wondered what he was going to say about the grand old place going to an American, or maybe it was to a woman, or something along those lines. She wondered who he’d have preferred it to go to.

“It is the most beautiful place for a long way around here. That’s one of the reasons I’m keen to talk with you about it. You see, if you are considering selling it, I want you to seriously consider my offer on it. Whatever it is that you want to sell it for, I’ll take it off your hands. I also want to be certain that you won’t consider any other offers.” He looked as serious as he sounded.

She was immediately taken aback. “You’re that interested in buying this estate? Why is that?”

He gave a slight shrug. “It’s the nicest estate north of Oxford, and maybe even further than that. It’s certainly been the most coveted. Everyone has had their eyes and hopes on this place for centuries. No one ever thought it would leave the family, but now… perhaps there’s a chance.” He grinned anxiously.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “So, you pounced on it.”

He let go a shallow laugh. “Well… I did want to be the first to take you up on the opportunity to buy it, if there is one.” He paused a long moment, his eyes searching hers. “Is there… one? Are you selling it?”

There was a strange sensation of protectiveness and pride of ownership, and loyalty to her lineage and the staff who lived and worked at Grayson Manor, that welled up suddenly in her, bubbling just below her cool exterior. Defiance grew in her with the feeling of protectiveness.