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Thanks for all the responses to this story. I am glad you like the visit with the French family.

Chapter 10

"You know I would never ruin Cynthia's ceremony. She is like a sister to me," Coraline sputtered. "How dare you even suggest that?"

"Calm down little sister, you forget how very well I know you. You are addicted to St. John and I'm willing to bet you are sitting somewhere near Philippe's house, are you not?" Lance asked shrewdly.

Coraline frowned at her phone and then swiftly scanned the area around the car as if expecting to see Lance standing nearby. She wanted to tell him to go stake himself but held her tongue. Her oldest brother was not a vampire to make angry.

"Your silence tells me I'm right. Go home Coraline and get some freezer time. You will need to be in control of yourself when you are in St. John's presence tonight," Lance instructed.

"Will you attend?" Coraline asked.

"I will pick you up at ten," Lance informed her. "Be ready. Now go home."

After her phone went dead, Coraline released an angry sigh but did start her car and drove home. She resented bowing to Lance's orders but she knew he was right. Control would be easier if she got some rest and that control would really be necessary if she was to accompany Lance.

*M*M*

The afternoon sun was hanging low in the sky when the vampires started to stir. Cynthia had arranged for blood to be delivered to each guest room so that everyone could get ready for the party at their own pace.

When Philippe stepped out of the bathroom in only a towel to discover Cynthia was all ready dressed in a shimmering black cocktail dress. She was busy applying her makeup as he came up behind her.

"You don't need any of that, you are beautiful," he said in appreciation.

"Thank you," she smiled at him in the mirror. "It is always nice to hear that from my sire after all these years." Then her expression sobered. "Philippe, are we making a mistake having this party tonight? Would it be better to wait for Mick and Beth to meet your brothers at the ceremony?"

Philippe stood behind her, his hand resting on her shoulders as she sat at her vanity. He kissed the top of her head.

"It is not a mistake. Cherie, I do not want anything to spoil our commitment. If my brothers cannot behave tonight, then they do not need to attend Friday's ceremony. I only want to celebrate with those who truly wish us well," he told her seriously. "It will be fine."

Cynthia nodded, seeing his point. She hoped he was right, she did not want the powerful Duvall family unhappy with her joining the family.

"Did Lance say if he was attending tonight?"

"He called and left a message…he is bringing Coraline," Philippe replied.

Wincing slightly, Cynthia realized that her best friend would be under the thumb of her older brother for the evening. She knew just how much Coraline would hate that.

"Poor Cora, she is not going to enjoy this," she sighed.

"It might make sure that she behaves around Mick and Beth," Philippe suggested lightly.

"She promised…"

"Cyn, you do realize Coraline always promises to behave, right up until she sees Mick," Philippe said gently. "I love her but she always loses control when she sees him. We have to deal with that fact."

"I wish she could let him go. It's not good for her," Cynthia said sadly.

"Perhaps it will be better tonight," Philippe said as he gently squeezing her shoulders and then he went to his closet. "Sooner or later Coraline will realize she can't have Mick."

"I hope so," Cynthia muttered under her breath.

Fifteen minutes later they went downstairs to make things ready for their guests.

*M*M*

As he finished knotting his black tie, Robert smoothed it against the crisp front of his white shirt. He ran his fingers through his hair and then touched the slight grey on his sideburns.

"I have always thought that touch of grey makes you look very distinguished," Moriah said from behind him. "It gives you a worldly, dashing air."

Turning to face her, a smile broke over his face at the sight before him. Wearing a scoop-necked, sleeveless dress in a deep burgundy, Moriah was attempting to fasten an intricately linked gold collar around her throat.

"Let me help," Robert offered as he hurried to her. He took the heavy necklace from her and secured the clasp. "You haven't worn this in many years," he commented.

Moriah's fingers stroked the two inch wide collar that would have made an Egyptian queen envious.

"I felt the need to display my heritage tonight," she said proudly. "The Duvall's put great stock in their royal connections and I wish to remind them they are not the only ones to have the blood of kings in them."

"You are every inch a queen to me," Robert assured her as he kissed her neck above the collar. Her only other adornments were golden oval hoops in her ears and gold combs holding her thick dark hair back.

"Thank you my love," Moriah said turning to hug him.

"It was exactly that type of snobbery that led me to leave France before this family was created and travel to England. Since the class system was not much better there, I set my sights on the freedoms of the New World. Did I ever mention that I met Darius once?" Robert asked.

"No…what did you think of him?" she inquired curiously.

"It was an unpleasant experience and I was pleased to put a great deal of distance between us. But it is why I am eager to meet the rest of Philippe's brothers," he explained.

A devilish glint appeared in Moriah's eyes and she kissed him quickly.

"Let's go downstairs. I can't wait to learn your impressions as they arrive. I have a feeling tonight will be very entertaining."

*M*M*

Across the hall, Rayna stepped into an ice blue dress and Josef zipped it up for her. He let his hands linger on her cool shoulders, fingering the thin straps of the gauzy dress.

"Is this new?" he asked, admiring the way the dress clung to her slim figure.

"Yes, I bought it just for this trip," she responded, her beloved diamond earrings swinging as she nodded. "Do you like it?"

"You look gorgeous in anything Beauty," he assured her. "But this one is particularly lovely."

Rayna turned to face him with a smile but Josef could see there was uncertainty clouding her beautiful grey eyes. He leaned in to kiss her gently.

"We are going to have a wonderful time tonight, there is no need to worry," he promised.

"I am not looking forward to seeing either Lance or Coraline," Rayna grumbled. "I hope I can remain civil."

"Beauty, I have complete faith that you can control yourself. Ignore Lance and leave Coraline to Mick and Beth. I think our friends are able to handle themselves. Our Beth is quite the determined young vampire and she is blood related to this family. I predict that the brothers will find her charming."

"I will trust your knowledge in that. I only know Lance and Coraline and that doesn't make me very hopeful."

"You will find Marius charming," Josef said as he reached up to tie the blood red tie that contrasted with his pale grey shirt. Rayna took over, expertly tying it as the light caught her diamond bracelet and made is sparkle. Josef took her hands in his as she finished and looked at her seriously.

"We have more friends here than enemies. Relax my love, this will be fun," he told her.

"I will try but I will never trust Coraline. I can't Josef. Every time she gets near Mick, she attempts to pull him back into her web. I know that Mick rejects her but she manages to hurt Beth with every effort," Rayna said passionately. "I love Beth like a sister and I do not like her hurt every time that woman shows up."

Josef pulled her close, kissing her sweetly and trying to calm her.

"Easy Beauty, I promise she will not be physically harmed. You forget that we have age on our side. We have Moriah and Robert, not to mention myself, who are all older than this family. It will be fine and Beth has Mick. Nothing Coraline does can touch their relationship and Beth is stronger than you think. Now….let's go and dazzle this crowd. We need to show them that the American vampires are every bit as strong as this European crowd. Personally I can't wait to see Lance in the same room as Moriah; she has no great love for him."

"So then I am not the only one who has to watch their temper?" Rayna asked in amusement.

"No…..although knowing our Moriah, she could cut Lance down with her words alone. I do think that Lance is smart enough not to take on someone with her age and power. But it sure will be fun to watch the guy squirm," Josef laughed at the thought.

Rayna stepped free of his embrace and held out her hand.

"Then let's go and see who has arrived," she suggested. "I hope that Philippe and Cynthia know how volatile this party can get."

"It will be fine," Josef repeated and taking her hand, led her out of the room.

End chapter.

I think it is time things get under way. If nothing else, it won't be dull. Thank you so much for reading. I would love to hear what you think.