Desire by Blood by Melissa Schroeder

to write her column, it had become a necessary evil. After a night of no
sleep, getting engaged, and moving to her sister’s rented townhouse, she wanted
to curl up in bed for three days.
    Cordelia had not wanted to come to the ball tonight. Diana
had insisted. When her sister decided on a matter, there was no way to avoid
doing what she wanted. In fact, her father had said both of them had been
cursed with their mother’s pride. Diana apparently inherited more than she had
because Cordelia was standing in a hot ballroom watching people dance.
    “Do stop moving around, Cordelia.”
    Cordelia drew in a deep breath and almost coughed. “This
dress is just a bit tight. I cannot seem to get comfortable.”
    Diana glanced at her. “I did not know you had filled out so
much or I would have made sure to have it let out.”
    “Why did I need to make an appearance? I do not understand what
it will help.”
    “You know why. What I cannot understand is why you did not
tell Mr. Blackburn where you would be tonight.”
    She shrugged. “I did not even contemplate that.”
    “Why not? Soon you will have to answer to him.”
    Her stomach muscles clutched at the thought. “Mr. Blackburn
does not like society that much.”
    At that moment, it felt as if something brushed the back of
her neck. Her heart quickened as she shivered.
    Nico .
    She did not know how she knew he was there, but she did. It
was as if her blood had warmed ten degrees. Her body tingled with excitement.
    Cordelia looked around the room and saw the tall
Egyptian-looking man who had been with Blackburn the night before. He was so
tall that he was easy to see. Her gaze shifted, and she saw that Blackburn was
with him.
    “It seems that he tracked me down.”
    Diana looked at her. “Whatever do you mean?”
    “He is walking toward us.”
    Diana followed her line of vision. “Oh, he does not look too
happy.”
    “He rarely does.”
    Her sister glanced at her then back to Nico and Malik. “Who
is that man with him?”
    “Blackburn called him Malik last night. I am unsure of his
full name.”
    As if he had some kind of special powers, the crowd parted,
allowing the men to walk through it with ease. He stopped just inches in front
of her. He stared at her for a moment as if he expected her to do something.
She could not. Her heart was beating hard against her breast, and it seemed
that the heat of the ballroom was finally getting to her because she was
lightheaded.
    “Lady Cordelia.” He took her gloved hand and even through
the material, she could feel the heat of him warm her hand. Again, he ignored
etiquette and pressed his mouth against her glove. It was blatantly sensual and
completely against the rules. There was one thing she had learned about her
soon-to-be husband and that was he had never really worried about society’s
decrees of proper behavior.
    Instead of letting go of her hand, he stepped beside her and
set her hand on his arm. “You met my friend Malik last night, of course. Malik,
this is Lady Diana, Lady Cordelia’s sister.”
    He nodded in the direction of her sister but said nothing.
He looked a little too stunned to speak. When she looked at her sister,
Cordelia was surprised to see Diana’s cheeks pink, and for once she seemed speechless.
    “I did not know you had moved to your sister’s home.”
    She heard the reprimand in his voice, and she did not like
it. “I apologize.”
    The look he sent her said he knew she was not truly sorry.
His lips twitched. “I was worried. My mother arrived and wanted to meet you.”
    “Your mother?” she asked loud enough for a few people around
them to look at her strangely. She cleared her throat. “I apologize. I was just
taken aback by the announcement.”
    “She is here, as is my father. They would like to meet you.”
    Her heart was already beating out of control and now he
wanted her to meet his parents? She was not good at socializing. Her father had
never thought it important to have her