Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) by Melissa Pearl Page A

right.
Harrison had spent hours pouring over his mother’s notes and doing
extra research of his own. Gemma was feeling confident.
    “Well.” Gabe slapped her on the shoulder.
“Use your brain and stay alert. And don’t…”
    “Come back dead.” Gemma smiled. “I know. I’ll
be safe.”
    His cheeks creased with a smile as he pulled
her into a solid hug before kissing the top of her head and passing
her over to Harrison.
    Her boyfriend looked nervous as he ran his
hands over her cheeks and held her face firm.
    “It’ll be okay. I’ll be back before you know
it.”
    He attempted a smile, but failed. She let her
eyes shine with an “I love you” as he pulled her face towards his
and sent her senses reeling with a passionate farewell.
    She staggered back from him and blushed. With
obvious effort he stepped away from her. She knew he was watching
her the whole time as she closed her eyes and began to
visualize.
     
    * * * *
     
    London, England – 1820AD
     
    Much to her chagrin, it took Gemma two hours
to find the Clayton’s residence. Thankfully she had managed to
clothe herself easily, although she carried a weighty guilt as she
pictured the finely dressed man now tied to a barrel in nothing but
his underclothes.
    Lifting her chin she gazed up at the
beautiful Clayton home and grasped at the images Harrison had shown
her the day before. Pulling up the blueprints in her head she
worked out where she was supposed to sneak in. She played with the
lapels of her coat, trying to look inconspicuous as she sauntered
around the back of the premises. The lack of undergarments was
taking a toll on her muscles as the damp mist seeped through the
fabric. She could feel goose bumps on her flesh as she studied the
trellis. If she had any hope of getting to Nathaniel without
catching pneumonia she’d have to borrow more suitable clothing.
    The vines made her climb to the second story
a little more challenging, but she made it to the top without
slipping and was grateful to find the bedroom window unfastened.
Edging into the warm room, she perched on the sill and took in her
surroundings. A luscious four-post bed dominated much of the room.
Gemma admired the beautifully carved structure as she dropped to
the floor and tiptoed towards the fireplace. Taking a moment to
warm her hands she closed her eyes and sought the blueprints again.
If their assumptions were right, Emilie would probably be having
tea in the parlor. Gemma crossed her fingers, praying their
information was correct and that Robert was away for the week.
    With her breath on hold, she opened the door
and crept down the corridor. The murmur of voices ascending the
stairwell had her jumping behind the nearest door and leaning
against the wood. She listened to the footsteps clip past her and
cracked the door open to watch two housemaids, their arms full of
clean linen, heading into the bedroom she had just left. With a
quick nibble on her cheek, she snuck out once again and fled down
the stairs with as much stealth as possible.
    The parlor was quiet as she approached. When
she peeked her head around the corner, she saw Emilie sitting on
the sofa, her back as straight as an arrow, sipping from a china
cup.
    With light steps, she entered the room and
raised her hands in warning, hoping to stop Emilie’s startled
scream. The woman’s eyes rounded with surprise and her mouth
dropped open. Gemma ripped off her hat and the room fell silent as
Emilie swallowed her scream. Instead her head tipped to the side
like a curious bird’s and her eyes narrowed.
    “I know you,” her voice was soft, only the
smallest hint of a French accent remaining.
    “Yes.” Gemma nodded and took another step
forward.
    “My guardian angel?”
    Gemma smiled and nodded once again, her body
flooding with relief. “I was hoping you’d remember me.” She
approached the woman with confidence and knelt at her feet.
    “What are you doing here?” Sudden fear
morphed her elegant features. “Is