A Steampunk Guide to Hunting Monsters 18 | Page 13

by a carriage. To be sure! Oh, Philomena, isn’t it the
most unlikely meeting?”
“I am Philomena Dashwood,” I said, trying to
regain some sense of politeness.
He responded, “Of the Dashwoods who dash
hither and thither and settle in no place they belong?”
Perdina was confused by this sentence, but
laughed most heartily, believing it to be wit beyond
her comprehension.
“I have yet to meet a Dashwood in society,” he
said, coldly.
“And you will have to wait longer yet,” chirped
Perdina, “for Philomena’s name will change to
something even fi ner when she is married to
Perseus, ‘Percy Longville,’ Duc du Longueville, isn’t
it the sweetest thing!?”
Th e man replied: “Dashing hearts to pieces on
your way to become a Duchess, no doubt.”
“Surely you have seen the announcement in the
papers?” Perdina asked.
“Indeed,” he returned. “I would not miss such an
announcement. For Longueville is a family connection
that I will not soon forget. I believe we must be
distant cousins. But alas, the reception must be highly
exclusive, for I have not received an invitation. And I
could only come if I had an invitation.”
“I’m afraid,” I said most staunchly, “that it is a
private aff air, for family only.”
“And friends of course, too, dear,” added Perdina,
turning between us and taking the Lord’s hand.
“You simply must come. I’ll invite you. Who could
deny such a helpful and handsome young Lord an
invitation to his own relation’s wedding?”
My heart dropped, for then I realized that a
vampire had an invitation to come into my home,
and worse yet, to attend my wedding!
“I would not miss it for the world,” Gowrie said,
his eyes burning.