‘Are you an educated man?’ she continued.

‘No, ma’am. I planned to study at the University of Virginia. The war put a stop to that.’

‘War is good for no one,’ Winfield said as he stabbed a piece of bacon with his fork.

‘The war put a stop to much casual travel back and forth between the states,’ Margaret added.

‘What’s that to do with anything?’ Bridget demanded.

‘Your sister is suggesting that it’s an odd time for me to come north,’ I explained. ‘But my father recently died…’

‘From the war?’ Bridget demanded breathlessly. Lydia and Mrs Sutherland glared at her.

‘Indirectly,’ I answered. A war had claimed my father’s life, a war against vampires – against me. ‘My town…it burned, and there was nothing left for me anymore.’

‘So you came north,’ Lydia said.

‘To try your hand at business, maybe?’ Winfield suggested hopefully.

Here was a man with three daughters, three beautiful daughters, but no sons. No one to share cigars and brandy with, no one to push and encourage and compete with in the world of business. I was both worried and amused by the gleam in his eye when he looked at me. Surely there were families with sons in Manhattan who would make for more auspicious marital alliances.

‘Whatever I can do, I aim to make my way in the world on my own,’ I replied, taking a sip of coffee. I would have to, without Lexi or Katherine to guide me. And if I ever saw Damon again, the only thing he would guide me towards was a newly sharpened stake.

‘Where are you living?’ Margaret continued. ‘Do you have family here?’

I cleared my throat, but before I had to tell my first real lie, Bridget groaned.

‘Meggie, I’m bored of this interrogation!’

A hint of a smile bloomed on Lydia’s lips, and she quickly hid it behind her napkin. ‘What would you prefer to talk about?’