Predictably the maiden's eyes widened in shocked horror. Humans could become so illogi-cally attached to one another.
"Dear heavens," she breathed.
"A shock, I know," he sympathized.
"Are you certain it was Molly?"
He heaved a deep sigh. "Unfortunately it was I who found the body."
There was a moment of silence as Miss Kingly struggled to come to terms with the disturbing news of her friend, then she abruptly straightened her shoulders with commendable fortitude.
"Where have they taken her?"
Once again she managed to catch Amadeus off guard with her display of courage. His brows rose at her firm words.
"No, you must not attempt to see her," he retorted in solicitous tones.
"Of course I must."
"My dear, it would not be at all prudent."
Her expression hardened to one of determination. "I do not care for prudence. She may have been a prostitute, but I cared for her."
It was the opportunity he had been awaiting. He would display just how kind and compassionate he could be.
"A most honorable sentiment, my dear, and I fully applaud your generous nature. I myself have pledged my life to helping these poor wretches who nightly struggle just to survive.
However, my desire in preventing you from joining the poor child stems from the knowledge you would be deeply disturbed by her grievous attack. The murder was quite savage."
She paled at his soft words, her hands trembling as they clutched the shawl. "Oh."
"It is truly best that you return home."
Clearly disturbed by the unexpected end to Molly, the formidable woman gave a reluctant nod of her head.
"Yes, perhaps you are right."
Once again Amadeus held out his arm. "Shall we?"
"No, no, I thank you," she stammered, still uneasy in his presence. "I prefer to be on my own."
Incensed, Amadeus took a step forward, his fangs instinctively lengthening in anticipation of the kill. He would teach this vexing chit a lesson in daring to defy him. Then, with an effort, he regained his composure.
All things would come to him in their proper time.
Patience.
"As you wish." He performed a stiff bow. "I do hope that you will not hesitate to seek me out if you ever have need of my services. Until then, good night, my dear."
"Good night." With an absent nod the maiden turned and soon disappeared around the corner.
On his own, Amadeus clenched his hands in frustration. The evening had not progressed nearly as well as he had hoped. Miss Kingly had not readily embraced him as her savior, nor had she eagerly turned to him for his assistance. Instead, she remained wary and far too distant.
Still, he would not allow himself to press matters. Unlike Tristan, who was always brutal and impulsive, or Drake, who was far too arrogant, he knew that it was his keen intelligence that would allow him to succeed.
He had planted one further seed this evening. In time it would lure Miss Kingly into his clutches. Of that he did not doubt.
Until then he would simply enjoy the undeniable pleasures of his various experiments.