"I�m an art consultant," she replied. "My company supports the museum�s charitable endeavors."

"Really? Which firm do you represent? Our father just passed�I�m sure Dorian told you�and we may need someone to valuate the�"

"Thank you, Malcolm," Dorian said, "for putting your usual damper on the moment. Now, if you don�t mind, I�d like to escort my guest back to the manor."

Their arms were still linked, and Charley looked up at him, momentarily dumbfounded.

His father just passed?

"I� I�m so sorry for your loss," she stammered. "I didn�t know."

"Wonder what else he�s left out of the family history," Gabriel grumbled.

"We weren�t close," Dorian said sharply, more to Gabriel than to her. Then, turning back to Charley with a smile clearly meant to appease her, "And no, we don�t need a consultant. We need drinks. Shall we?"

He tried to steer her away from his brothers, but Gabriel stepped in front of them.

"Don�t forget your obligations, brother. The guests of honor are asking for you. Unless you�d rather I tell them you�re�" His gaze roved over Charley, lip curling. "�entertaining."

Dorian�s muscles tensed beneath Charley�s grip, a low rumble vibrating in his chest.

Jesus, she did not need to cause a fight between the Redthorne brothers, no matter how badly Gabriel needed a beat-down.

"It�s fine," Charley said, unlinking herself from Dorian�s arm. "Go find your guests. There are a few people I should say hello to, anyway."

Dorian glared at his brother another beat, then finally sighed and turned back to Charley, his eyes sparkling once again. "If you�ll excuse me, Ms. D�Amico. I�m afraid we�ll have to continue our conversation later."

"Count on it, Mr. Redthorne. Oh, and for the record?" She flashed a devilish grin, stretching up to bring her mouth to his ear. "You�re definitely the hottest brother."

"Ravenswood was built in 1815," Dorian said, "modeled after our family home in England, which was built in the late sixteenth century by my great, great� well, someone a great deal older than me."

Isabelle and her father laughed as Dorian led them through the tour, pointing out the architectural marvels and artwork that gave his home its unique character. In the shadow of all the terrible things his father had done, Ravenswood was a shining achievement�one Dorian would always cherish. He loved the rich oak wainscoting, the molded plaster ceilings, the Renaissance paintings adorning the long gallery on the second floor. The deep crimson of the interior walls reminded him not of blood, but of passion�a fire that still smoldered inside him.

"It�s gorgeous, Mr. Redthorne," Isabelle said, running her hand along the intricate strapwork of the mantle in the first-floor hall. "If this were my home, I�m not sure I�d ever leave."

Perhaps it will be, Dorian thought.

At thirty-nine, Isabelle was older than most witches who entered into a bonded partnership, but her experience, discretion, and professionalism were legendary. Dorian often wondered why she�d never been placed before, but according to Lucien, Isabelle was extremely discerning and hadn�t found a vampire house that suited her.

Tonight, she seemed relaxed and happy�almost at home. Dorian hoped that was a good sign.

That hope was enough to temper his irritation at losing precious time with Charlotte, and it carried him through the rest of the tour, culminating at his study, where he�d planned to offer Isabelle and Lucien a drink from his prized collection of rare scotch before slipping away to find his woman.

"The study is one of my favorite rooms in the manor." Dorian opened the heavy oak door and stepped over the threshold, but what he found on the other side turned his hopeful mood to dust.

The twin, unmistakable scents of blood and sex assaulted him, followed immediately by the sound of a soft, sloppy moan.

Across the room, Gabriel sat in a chair before a roaring fire, hands buried in the hair of a woman kneeling before him, cock buried in her mouth. JrNovels.com