“I don’t know that I would call it [i]marking[/i], per say,” Vail mused in return to Victoria’s comment. “It isn’t as intentional as you think, but I suppose it’s similar enough to be compared.” The forested area they were walking through was quite thick with trees, but he was sure they were still on the Crest family’s land since they hadn’t passed through any other gates. Offhandedly, he noticed that their estate was rather vast in comparison with the Hygraces’ manor. His own family’s mansion was just as large and ornate, since they were also members of the highest class in London, but the lot wasn’t nearly as wide as this one. He wondered how many servants were required to tend the whole sum of it.

As the Lady went on to joke with him about the talents he’d confessed, Vail casted her a sideways glance. They hadn’t known each other for very long, but she was already quite comfortable around him. He found her lightheartedness curious, especially since they were currently on their way to her summer house so he could feed on her again. He hadn’t expected his prey to be so cheery. Still, he did find her comments somewhat flattering—or, more so her interest in learning more about him. Outside of his own family, it had been a long time since anyone had asked him so much about himself out of genuine intrigue. He enjoyed answering her questions and expressing his interests to her in such a relaxed manner.

When Victoria described the various subjects she had studied, Vail was surprised to hear how much she had already covered. She didn’t look very old to him—perhaps early twenties at the latest—yet she was clearly very well read even now. He found himself impressed by her thirst for knowledge. It was an outstanding trait in someone her age when most Ladies he came across were too busy gossiping to crack open a book.

Of course, she took another opportunity to flatter him, and this time he couldn’t stop the hint of a smile that crossed his lip. He had always been quite proud of his ability to dance, and it pleased him to know that she had enjoyed the waltz they’d shared at her party. The memory was a fond one for him too. He could still hear the echo of the music and smell the mixture of perfume and blood that had intoxicated him so. Thinking about it now sent his heart racing and made him all the more eager to have her to himself again.

When they reached the house, Vail followed Victoria inside and took a moment to look around. The room was quaint with plenty of cushioned furniture to recline on. It would make a suitable place for them to meet up, since they would likely be seeing more of each other regularly. His eyes drifted back to the Lady as she asked about him once again. “Both,” he answered, stepping over to stand behind her while she searched for matches. “More landscapes than portraits though, I’d say.”

Gently, he caught hold of her hand before she could find the matchbox on the table. With a Saint sniffing around outside, he preferred not to light any lanterns, so there would be nothing to attract attention to the house they were hidden in now. “There’s no need for that,” he murmured by her ear, hovering close to her neck as he took in her feminine smell. It was time to do what he’d sought her out for in the first place.

A smile played on his lip, and he rested his other hand on the small of her back. “Just trust me… and relax,” he went on in a low voice as he guided her over to the chaise lounge.