"Wolf Next Door" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dare Lydia)

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To Tammy—Thank you for always being there,

for putting up with me when I'm difficult,

and for making this process magical.

To Jodie—Thanks for opening the door to the past,

for walking so willingly into the paranormal,

and for making it so much fun.

One

Langley Downs, Hampshire December 1816

Prisca Hawthorne was fairly certain Bedlam was in her future. Still, she couldn't help herself. She had to leave, to see if her wolf had returned. It was a foolish thing to do, Prisca well knew. How many nights had she gone in search of him, only to return home tired and disappointed? Still, something in her soul told her she'd be successful tonight. And she never questioned that feeling; it had always been correct in the past.

She slipped into her long, wool coat as she padded across the cold marble floor. After all, it would be simply foolish to traipse around her property in the middle of night in only her flimsy nightrail. More foolish than searching for an elusive wolf.

Prisca pushed open the double glass doors that led to the veranda. The frosty winter wind swirled around her, lifting the edge of her coat and making her shiver. This was surely madness.

She quietly closed the doors behind her and rushed across the veranda, down the stone steps, and out toward her garden. The moon was full tonight, lighting her way, which made her smile. He only came to her when the moon was full. She sped up her pace.

The garden was not in bloom this time of year, but the hedgerows and topiaries still kept their form. Prisca pressed forward down the path, first around one hedge and then around another.

She spotted him and stopped in her tracks.

had

come.

Standing in a shaft of moonlight, the wolf seemed to be waiting for her. Prisca's heart pounded out a familiar beat, and anticipation coursed through her veins. He was still the most magnificent creature she'd ever seen, with his regal black coat, icy blue eyes, and proud stature.

If anyone else had seen her approach the dangerous creature, her conveyance to Bedlam would have been summoned immediately. But she knew from their past encounters that he was, if not tame, of no risk to her.

She was the only one who'd ever seen the wolf. At times, she doubted he was real. In fact, it seemed like a lifetime since she'd seem him last.

Prisca smiled at the beast and stepped forward. "There you are. I didn't know if I'd see you again."

She sat on a stone bench and patted the space beside her.

The wolf appeared to heave a sigh, though that seemed an odd thing for him to do. Then he slowly walked toward her. He stopped before her feet, peered up at her with his cool blue eyes, and rested his head in her lap.

Prisca stroked his coarse black fur and closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of him. There was something so familiar, so comforting in the animal. Which was why she could never tell anyone about him; they'd all think she had lost her mind.

The wolf pressed closer to her, and Prisca laughed. "I missed you, too. You should visit me more often. You could even stay here," she suggested. Wouldn't all of Hampshire faint if they discovered she kept a wolf for a pet? "I'd take good care of you."

The wolf closed his eyes, and Prisca scratched behind his ears. She told him all about her brothers and the goings-on around their village, just like she always had whenever he visited her. All the while, the wolf enjoyed her ministrations and seemed content to stay there forever.

Suddenly, he lifted his head with a jolt, looked her straight in the eyes, and ran out of the garden and into a copse of trees at the edge of the property as though he'd been summoned by some invisible force. It happened so fast that Prisca couldn't even call out for him to wait.

She sighed in defeat, wondering how long it would be until she saw him again.

***

Emory Hawthorne sank down into a chair at the breakfast table and stifled a yawn. He glanced around at the other places at the table and discovered the eyes of his four younger brothers all focused on him, which was a bit unnerving. How unusual for any one thing to capture the interest of each Hawthorne brother at the same time. Emory scrubbed a hand across his face. Had he neglected to shave this morning? Or were his eyes red-rimmed? Or his cravat uncharacteristically wrinkled?

What the hell were they looking at?

"Well?" Pierce began, his dark brow raised in question.

Emory frowned at the brother closest to his own age. What the devil was going on? "I beg your pardon."

"You're the only one who still lives here," Garrick informed him, as though Emory might be unaware of the circumstances of his own residence.

"And by God, you were supposed to keep the rest of us informed." Darius folded his arms across his chest.

No question about it, Emory was definitely missing something. Had the others been this mysterious when they'd all lived together? He couldn't quite remember that far back, at least not this early in the morning. Life was fairly peaceful without his brothers, however. As it was, only their father and Prisca still remained at Langley Downs…

Then it hit him.

Prisca.

This inquisition was about their sister.

"Ah, the light finally dawns." Garrick, the vicar, leaned forward in his seat. "What

Prissy's status?"

Emory groaned. He wished he knew the answer to that question. He really, truly did. He'd labored over such ponderings on too many sleepless nights. "You know as much as I do," he admitted, then winced a bit when four sets of brotherly eyes narrowed on him. But what was he to say? Lying wouldn't do any good.

"Oh, for the love of God, Emory!" Darius growled.

"Don't blame me," he insisted. "You know how stubborn she is. I've tried a million times over to get her to consider a suitor, any suitor. I haven't been picky."

"But she

said

she was husband hunting." Pierce, the merchant, raked a hand through his dark hair.

Emory rose from his seat. "She may have said that—"

Garrick cleared his throat. It was hell having a man of the cloth at his very own table to keep him honest, Emory thought.

He shook his head. "All right, she

did

say that. But I don't think she meant it."

"What's wrong with her?" Garrick complained. "Most chits want to get married. I've performed enough weddings to know the truth behind that. They always have starry eyes. Every last one of them."

Prisca's eyes were never starry. Emory shrugged his answer. If he knew what was wrong with their sister, he'd have done his best to fix it long before now.

"It's William Westfield," Blaine, the youngest and furthest down the table, finally spoke.

A hush fell across the room and lasted until Darius chuckled. "God help her if that's true."

"Do you think," Garrick began, glaring at the recently returned army lieutenant, "that you can keep the Lord's name out of this, Dari? That's the third time in as many minutes."

Darius ignored the vicar and focused on their youngest brother. "I know she fancied herself in love with him when she was in leading strings, but you don't think she still does, do you?"

Blaine sighed. "She still looks at him like a mooncalf."

Did she? How had Emory missed that? He'd always thought she looked at Will with barely concealed disgust.

"It was just an infatuation," Pierce muttered. "At least I thought it was."

Emory sank back down in his seat. Will and Prissy bickered like an old married couple. They'd done that for more years than he could remember. In fact, Prissy saved her most vicious barbs for his old friend. Did she truly fancy herself in love with the scoundrel? It seemed far-fetched.

"Well, if Westfield is what she wants," Pierce began, "I say we get him for her."

Garrick dropped his cup of coffee back to the table, sloshing the contents on either side. "Have you lost your mind?

William

Westfield?"

Pierce shrugged. "Well, of course, Will. Simon and Benjamin already have wives. Besides, she has her heart set on him."

"At one time or another, each of you has caroused with the man," the pious vicar complained. "I hardly think William Westfield would make a suitable match for our sister."

Darius broke out into a fit of laughter. "Would you rather thrust her at some unsuspecting man who thought he was gaining a malleable wife?"

Malleable

didn't begin to describe Prisca. Emory couldn't believe he actually agreed with the army lieutenant. But Will was one of the few men of their acquaintance who could actually handle their baby sister. "I say we do it."

"And just how do you propose that?" Garrick gaped at him, as though he'd grown a horn and sprouted a tail. "The man is far from the marrying sort."

At this pronouncement, Blaine rose from his seat. "I think I have the solution."

As Blaine was fresh from Cambridge and still wet behind the ears, Emory doubted that his youngest brother had the answer to their problem. Still, he had no ideas himself about how to proceed. "And?"

Blaine shrugged. "Will plans to spend the holiday at The Hall. He's going to be around for a while, and we're all in residence here at the moment. We can finagle reasons and opportunities to thrust her in his path. There are five of us and only one of him. Besides, he has a hard time avoiding pretty women as it is."

"For a tumble!" Garrick's face resembled an outraged tomato. "Do you want Prissy ruined?"

"No, not ruined—married." Emory shook his head. Despite whatever character flaws Will possessed, he was honorable. "Perhaps we can trick him into compromising her. Will would do the right thing in that

unfortunate

circumstance."

The air escaped from Garrick's lungs, and he sunk back in his seat like a deflated hot-air balloon. "You want William Westfield to compromise her?"

Darius grinned and nodded with enthusiasm. "Brilliant! Think about it, Gar. How many times have you said the ends justify the means?"

Pierce raised his hand as though he were a schoolboy and had the answer the instructor wanted. "Wrong brother, Dari. That was me. Business is business, after all."

"Never mind." Emory rose from his spot at the table, and though he hadn't eaten a bite, he felt more rejuvenated than he had in quite a while. Together, they could pull off this charade and see their sister finally walk down the aisle. Of course, if they failed, she'd probably kill each and every one of them. Still, one needed to take chances in life as often as one did at the hazard table. "I say we do it."

"Put it to a vote," Pierce suggested.

"Very well. It has been proposed that we will seek out ways to thrust Prisca and Will together at every conceivable opportunity. And if there are no opportunities, we will create them ourselves. All in favor, raise your hand."

Three arms shot up in the air. Emory smiled as he raised his own and sent a meaningful glare in Garrick's direction. "If you don't join us in this, you may not be happy with how we go about it."

Grudgingly, the vicar raised one finger in assent. "You're still a bully, Emory."

Emory shrugged. "We all have our talents."

Darius leapt to his feet. "We need a campaign."

"A campaign for what?" Prisca asked from behind them.

Emory turned and bowed slightly to their sister and smiled. His mind raced, hoping to come up with a plausible response. "A, um, campaign for Father."

"For Papa?" She raised one delicately arched brow.

"Yes," Pierce answered, coming to stand beside Emory and clapping him on the back. "I've been looking at a piece of property in South Hampton, but Father doesn't think it's sound. Darius suggests we put a campaign together to change his mind."

She looked from one brother to the next, finally settling her gaze on Garrick. "Is that true?"

The blasted vicar squirmed in his seat. "Father can be difficult at times. You know that."

Emory bit back a smile at Garrick's evasion. Still, if questioned again, his pious brother would break. He stepped toward Prisca. "Speaking of difficult, I was at Westfield Hall yesterday and the dowager has taken a bit ill. Perhaps you should pay her a call. You know how your visits always cheer her up."

Prisca sighed. "A bit ill?"

"I do think you should visit," Emory pressed.

"I'll go this morning."

This morning would be perfect. Will was due to arrive at any time.

Two

Lord William Westfield awoke to find afternoon sun streaming through the window of his rented room at The White Lion. It took him a moment to realize where he was, and then the foolishness of the prior night washed back over him.

Damn, what was wrong with him?

He'd tried so hard to stay away from Prisca. Seeing her always tore at his heart. He should have learned his lesson long ago. She didn't care for him, not anymore, not like she once had. He

knew that; he just didn't want to accep

t it. And it was so hard to do so when her eyes sparkled with joy whenever she saw him, or at least the wolf he became during a full moon. Her delicate fingers stroked through his fur, and her soft touch, so unrestrained and unhesitant, soothed him. What he wouldn't give to have her fingers trail over him when he was a man.

That want must have been what led him to make reckless decisions. He'd been foolish to stay as long as he had the night before. But whenever he was with Prissy, time seemed to stand still. He'd barely managed to get away before dawn.

He snorted to himself, imagining her reaction if he transformed in front of her. One minute he'd be a wolf and the next a man, completely naked with his face in her lap.

She'd murder him on the spot, and if she didn't, her brothers would.

It was God's cruel joke that she was only able to be civil to him when he was in his Lycan form. Will heaved a sigh. He needed to get his mind in order if he was going to spend the holidays with his family and see

her

again. Because the next time she saw him, her pretty violet eyes wouldn't be looking at him in wonder but with barely concealed disgust. They'd go back to the relationship they had as man and woman. She didn't like him nearly as much when he wasn't sporting a tail and long teeth.

Of course, he had only himself to blame for that.

If he was smart, he'd turn right back around and return to London. Even as the idea occurred to him, Will knew it wasn't a possibility. It had been a lifetime since he and his brothers had all been together, and so much had happened in that time. Besides, their mother would be heartbroken if he didn't arrive for her holiday festivities. He wouldn't be allowed to leave until well after the New Year.

God have mercy on him. He'd need it when the Hawthornes got word of his arrival. Well, when Prisca got word of his arrival.

Will left the inn and traveled the rest of the way to Westfield Hall in his carriage. Memories spun in his mind as he watched the familiar countryside from the window. Every passing cottage and copse of trees made him think of her. How long did he have to wait before he paid a call on Emory Hawthorne? What was the best time of day to happen upon Prisca? Perhaps the holiday spirit would make her look kindly on him.

Foolish thoughts, all of them. She hadn't looked kindly on him in years, not since their elopement failed. Things would have been so different if she'd met him like she was supposed to all those years ago. But that was the past, and there was no going back.

Will turned his focus to his family. It would be nice to see Benjamin again, and Elspeth. He saw Simon fairly often, but his oldest brother was always in a hurry to return home to his wife. At least for the next few weeks, they'd all be together, almost like old times. Almost.

His brother's baroque manor house came into view, and Will leaned back against the squabs. He closed his eyes, hoping to capture the last bit of peace he was sure to have before he entered Westfield Hall.

The coach rumbled to a stop, and Will threw open the door without waiting for his coachman's assistance. He strode down the path, white rocks crunching under his Hessians, and then bounded up the stone steps. Before he reached the front door, Billings, the old family butler, hauled it open and greeted him with a smile.

"Lord William, it is good to see you again."

Will handed his hat and cane to the man. "Thank you, Billings."

"His Grace and Lord Benjamin are in the duke's study, my lord."

Will inclined his head and then started in the direction of his brother's inner sanctum. Even before he reached the door, he heard Simon berating their younger brother.

"Your allowance doesn't leave room for such indulgences, Benjamin." Simon's voice filtered down the hallway.

"I hardly call the building of my home an indulgence. Besides, I have some investment ideas that should replenish your coffers."

"My coffers are fine," Simon growled. "That's hardly the point."

"I don't need a lecture," Ben complained. "I'm not a boy anymore, Simon."

Will pushed open the door, but both of his brothers were too preoccupied to acknowledge him. His oldest brother, Simon, the Duke of Blackmoor, sat forward, leaning on his desk with a stern look on his face. "Oh, I know you're not a boy anymore. I realized that when you sent word you'd married some lass in Edinburgh. A lass no one has even met until now."

"I've met her," Will replied from the doorway, though he was promptly ignored by both of his brothers.

From his spot across from Simon, Benjamin examined his fingernails. "I know you're unhappy about it—"

"Me?" Simon raised his brow with dark amusement. "I could care less what you do. You're Elspeth's problem now, but Mother was quite offended she wasn't invited. You hurt her terribly."

"In Ben's defense," Will interrupted again, striding into the room, "he didn't have many options at the time. He'd just compromised the girl. Do you think he should have waited for a caravan from London to make things right?"

Simon's grey eyes flashed up to meet Will's. The look the duke wore had intimidated many over the years, but Will wasn't one of them. "I don't recall asking for your opinion, William."

Will laughed, sliding into an overstuffed leather chair next to Ben. "You did the same thing yourself, Simon, with Lily. If Mother hadn't arrived when she did, she would have missed your wedding, too. You're just put out that you had to listen to her complaints."

Simon snorted. "So is that the way of Westfield men, then? We'll only marry by force?"

Will scowled when both Simon and Ben stared at him. He was the only bachelor in the room. "Don't look at me. I'm not planning to ever marry—by force or otherwise." Not when the only woman he truly wanted had closed that option to him.

Simon leaned back in his chair, studying Will with a frown. "What took you so long? You should have been here hours ago."

Will rolled his eyes. "I don't answer to anyone, Simon, not even the formidable Duke of Blackmoor."

"Where were you?" Simon pressed.

The duke was the alpha of their pack, and it was always impossible to dissuade him from his course. Will shrugged. Answering Simon would be easier in the long run.

"Last night was a full moon. Perhaps you noticed. I slept in late today. Please forgive me, Your Grace," he replied drolly.

"Have you seen Mother yet?" Simon leaned back in his seat.

Will shook his head. "You two are the first I've seen."

"Well, go see her, will you? She's been feeling a bit out of sorts. And she's been on pins and needles the last few days."

That didn't make one bit of sense. Their mother was not of the hysterical variety, by any stretch of the imagination. Alice Westfield, the dowager Duchess of Blackmoor, was the picture of grace and charm. Pins and needles didn't describe her.

Obediently, Will rose from his seat. "Of course."

He strode directly down the hallway toward the green sitting room, where his mother generally held court. As Will passed the staircase, he heard a feminine squeal. He turned just in time to catch his fiery-haired sister-in-law, Elspeth, as she hurled herself into his arms. "Will!"

He grinned down at her and kissed her cheek. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"Better after my nap. It's a long journey from Edinburgh. I doona think I'll be ready ta go home anytime soon."

Will winked at her. Halfway through her pregnancy, Elspeth glowed even more than usual.

"William Westfield with a woman in his arms— what a surprise," came a haughty voice from behind him. He suppressed a shudder. He'd hoped the lilac scent that had assaulted his nose and made his mouth water as soon as he stepped through the door was something Lily had taken to wearing. Now he knew better.

Will cringed. It had already started. What he wouldn't give to make her stop hating him. He released Elspeth and turned to find his beautiful tormentor regarding him with distaste. Even furious, she was the loveliest woman in the world.

"Prisca," he said raising his brow. "May I present Lady Elspeth Westfield, Ben's wife."

Her eyes rounded in surprise, which brought him a bit of satisfaction. Will draped his arm around Elspeth's shoulders. "Ellie, this is Miss Hawthorne—the bane of my existence."

"Oh!" Elspeth gasped. "Miss Hawthorne, I have heard so much about ye," she gushed with her charming brogue, her smile focused on Prisca.

Will held his breath. Elspeth, more than anyone, knew what Prisca meant to him. The two of them had engaged in several heartfelt conversations on the subject.

"Indeed?" Prisca asked skeptically.

"Benjamin has told me all about ye. And yer brothers. However did ye survive

five

older brothers? I canna even imagine it."

"It is a punishment I still suffer, especially as all are in residence at the moment." Prisca smiled, brightening the room. "It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Lady Elspeth. You and Lily will have to pay me a visit, and then you can judge that for yourself."

Prisca stepped around Will and started for the front door. His heart lurched. "You're leaving?" he asked, before he could stop himself. Foolish. It was foolish to alert her to the fact that he still cared if she came or went. He cared quite a bit. But it'd be best she not know that.

She looked back over her shoulder at him, her striking violet eyes raking across him. Despite the stiffness of her shoulders, something lurked in the depths. If only he knew what it was.

"I've just finished tea with Lily and your mother." Then she turned her attention back to Elspeth. "Until next time, and do give Ben my best."

***

Prisca barely breathed until she heard Billings close the door firmly behind her. She dared hope someday she would see William Westfield and not react as though her heart would thump right out of her chest.

Seeing a woman in his arms made her think of things best left forgotten. For as long as she could remember, she'd wanted to be the woman tucked close to his heart. At one time, she had been, until she found out what a cad he truly was.

She'd basked in his attention, drunk in his compliments, and happily welcomed him chasing after her skirts. Now he paid no attention to her skirts at all. She tried to tamp down the disappointment that the loss of his affection still caused in her heart. It was foolish to want the impossible.

Hopefully, he'd never know a huge chunk of her heart still belonged to him, despite her best efforts to move on with her life. She thought she hid her feelings well. Each moment they spent together was a series of jabs at one another. It had become a sport between them. A source of entertainment for those who watched. A source of pain for her.

Prisca shook the thoughts of Will away as she stepped through the doorway of her own home. The manor was surprisingly quiet, which was almost unheard of when all five of her brothers were in residence.

Prisca found four of her brothers sequestered in Papa's study, where Pierce reclined in an overstuffed chair with a ledger across his knee, absently making notes. He was nothing if not meticulously organized. Emory called out items for him to write.

"There's the Yule Ball, of course. And her friendship with the duchess. Not to mention the dowager and Benjamin's wife, both of whom are visiting. I believe there will be ample opportunity."

"Opportunity for what?" she asked as she breezed in the door and dropped onto the settee beside Garrick. He smiled softly at her. But he fidgeted as he glanced toward Pierce's ledger. Pierce snapped it closed and tugged it close to his body. How odd.

"Opportunity for you to spend gobs of Papa's money on clothing and other fripperies," Emory replied.

"As though I need an opportunity," Prisca scoffed. "Since when did you become interested in my fripperies?"

"He's more interested in the chit who comes to help you with your sewing, I think," Darius intoned.

Old Eunice? Hardly! What was going on here? Before she could ask, Garrick tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. The others might be up to something, but Garrick would never be a party to it.

"I've never met such self-serving individuals as our brothers, Priss," he said, but a smile threatened to erupt. "It's as though they were all raised in the wild." Prisca laid her head on Garrick's shoulder and sighed deeply. Though unruly, her brothers couldn't truly be called wild.

The clunk of boots in the corridor gained her attention. For a tiny moment, she thought she recognized Will's unhurried gait.

"Oh, it's just you," Prisca grumbled as Blaine rounded the corner.

But then Blaine stepped to the side, and a handsome golden-haired gentleman entered to stand beside him. "I don't think I've ever been greeted quite so enthusiastically," he laughed, his eyes twinkling.

Prisca leapt to her feet. "I'm terribly sorry. I thought it was just Blaine," she mumbled to Garrick, who dropped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

"That's what you get for thinking," Blaine teased.

Prisca shot him a look. Irritating man.

"Everyone, this is Dashiel Thorpe, the Earl of Brimsworth," Blaine continued. "He's a friend of mine from Cambridge. He didn't have any plans, so I invited him to spend the holiday season with us."

He pointed out each brother in turn, all of whom enthusiastically greeted the newcomer. Then Blaine walked up behind Prisca and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"And, this is my sister, Prissy," he said, pushing her forward like one might push a reluctant child.

"My name is actually

Prisca." She smiled at the ear

l before glaring over her shoulder at Blaine, who shrugged and smiled.

Brothers!

They all knew she hated that moniker. It made her sound like a petulant five-year-old. Then Prisca held out a hand to his lordship and nodded. "Welcome to Langley Downs, Lord Brimsworth."

"So nice to meet you, Miss Hawthorne," the handsome earl returned, taking her hand in his and squeezing it lightly. His amber gaze danced with something. Possibly mirth? Of course, he might find the antics of her brothers amusing. However, something else lingered in his brilliant amber depths. Interest, perhaps? She wasn't sure.

Prisca glanced back to find Emory and Darius with their heads tipped closely together. Those two were definitely up to something. What she wouldn't give to find out what they were saying!

"I'll do quite nicely for what?" the earl asked. Had

heard them? How was that possible? She hadn't been able to hear a thing. Her brothers sprang apart like children caught plotting against their governess.

Emory coughed into his hand and then said, "I was thinking of a game of piquet later. You'd do quite nicely as a fourth." He shrugged. "If you've an interest, of course."

"I am a horrid card player, but I would love to play. If Miss Hawthorne is joining us, that is."

Prisca suppressed a shiver as his warm eyes met hers. Why did she feel as though she was missing something important?

Three

Will now knew why he hadn't visited either of his brothers in a long while. Neither Simon nor Benjamin had made any attempt to quiet their amorous bedtime activities, and with his Lycan hearing, Will had been unable to block out the sounds. Each moan or gasp throughout the night left him twisting and turning, clutching his bedclothes in tortuous agony.

A man couldn't hear such sounds without wanting a woman beneath him. And this close to Langley Downs, he only wanted Prisca. Of course, he always wanted her, though he tried to ignore it. But since she'd been at Westfield Hall earlier in the day, he could still smell the sweet scent of lilacs that was uniquely hers. God, he wanted her more each time he saw her.

Damned fool! Why did he let such thoughts plague him? He was still pondering that question when Lily and Elspeth sauntered into the morning room like two well-sated women. He grumbled under his breath. Not that he begrudged his brothers their happiness, but the ladies' dreamy expressions made him remember the cries of passion that had kept him awake all night.

"Morning, Will." Lily grinned at him. "I don't recall you being such an early riser."

"I had a hard time sleeping," he mumbled.

Elspeth frowned. "So did the dowager, I'm afraid. Her cough dinna sound good ta me."

Ah, yes. He'd heard his mother coughing through the night as well. Though his brothers and their wives had nearly drowned out that sound.

"She has been a bit under the weather, which is unlike her." Lily slid into a spot across from Will and smiled as a footman poured a cup of coffee for her.

"I'll see what I can do ta relieve her pain today," Elspeth promised. And since she had a healing touch in her fingertips, Will had no doubt his mother would be up and around in no time.

That idea had promise. "Do you have a nice sleeping draught?" he asked his young sister-in-law. It could certainly come in handy if he was going to remain at The Hall for any period of time.

Elspeth's green eyes flashed to him. "Hmm. Ye do look a wee bit tired."

"A wee bit," he agreed.

"Too tired to accompany us to Langley Downs?" Lily blew into her cup to cool the steaming coffee.

Langley Downs? Will's eyes widened. "You're visiting the Hawthornes?"

The duchess nodded. "Prisca invited us yesterday. Emory sent a note asking you to come along as well."

Will's pulse pounded at the thought of seeing

her

again. He shook his head. Would he never stop being a fool over Prisca? Apparently not, if just the thought of her made his breath catch.

"No?" Lily asked.

Had he said something? "No?" he echoed.

"You shook your head. If you don't want to escort us, I can ask Simon; but you know how irritable he is around Prisca."

Will forced a smile to his face. "I was thinking of something else, Lily. Forgive me. I would hate to put Simon in a foul mood. The rest of us would pay for it the remainder of the day. I'd be happy to see you and Ellie to Langley Downs."

"What a gentleman to make such a sacrifice." Her hazel eyes twinkled as though she knew his heart's desire.

"She did seem quite lovely," Elspeth added.

Meddling sisters-in-law he didn't need, well intentioned or not. It was difficult enough to be around Prisca without worrying what Lily or Elspeth would dream up. "I am going to Langley Downs to see

Emory

. It's been an age."

"Of course." Lily smiled into her coffee cup before taking a dainty sip.

Will rose from his spot. "Do let me know when you're ready to go." Then he escaped into the corridor before Lily could question him further or Elspeth could cast any more knowing glances at him. He could do without either.

After spending the morning in his own company, Will ambled into the library. There he found his brother Ben sitting in the far corner, perusing an old tome, which was fairly un-Ben like.

Will folded his arms across his chest and grinned at his younger brother. "Has Elspeth taught you to read? How industrious of her."

Ben's eyes shot up, and he closed the book with a thud. "Always so clever, aren't you? I was just waiting to speak with Major Forster, if you must know."

"Oh? Has he arrived?" Will strode into the room. He shouldn't have been surprised that Elspeth's father was going to join them for the holiday, but the major hadn't mentioned it when Will saw him the prior week in London.

"This morning," his brother replied. "He's visiting Mother now. I've been listening in all day. They want to persuade me to convince Ellie to move to London."

Will snorted. "She hates London."

Ben sighed. "She does. And she needs to be with her coven, but he missed Ellie's childhood, and with the babe on the way, Forster wants a second chance."

A second chance. "Lucky man. We don't all get those," Will said to himself, but Ben heard it just as clearly if he'd bellowed it.

A playful smirk lit his brother's face. "Honestly, I don't know what you're waiting for. You should take Prisca to bed and get it over with. You'd both be happier."

Will gaped at Ben. "I can't believe you would even suggest such a thing."

"Of course, you can believe it. You dance around each other in the strangest mating ritual I've ever seen. It borders on the bizarre."

Mating ritual? "She hates me." She always would.

Ben shook his head. "You might be surprised."

If only that were true. "If she doesn't despise me, she puts on a rather good show."

"Both of you truly are the most stubborn pair in all of Hampshire, and that is saying something as Simon's here as well."

An irritated growl emanated from somewhere deep in the manor, most likely the duke's study.

"I don't think he appreciated that," Will laughed, dropping into a soft leather chair by the roaring fire.

Ben shrugged. "I can't help that he doesn't have a sense of humor."

"You always bait him. No reason to go poking a rabid dog."

Ben didn't even bother to hide his amusement. "Oh, there's a reason. It's both enormously fun and satisfying."

A delicate cough from the doorway alerted them to a female intruder in their midst. Will glanced over his shoulder to find Lily glowering at the two of them. Obviously, she'd overheard that last bit. She was as protective of Simon as he was of her.

Distraction would work best with the duchess, something he'd learned from her nephew. Will rose from his seat and nodded in her direction. "I take it you and Elspeth are ready to venture over to Langley Downs."

Ben choked on a laugh. "Langley Downs! Good God, the ritual's already begun, has it?"

"I'm visiting

Emory

," Will growled.

Ben managed to bring his levity under control, though his eyes still sparkled with mirth. "Of course, you are. Don't know what I was thinking."

"It's amazing to me that you can think at all." Will grumbled. He brushed past Ben and started toward the duchess. "Your humble servant, Lily."

She glanced past him at Ben. "Don't antagonize my husband while we're away."

"Then I'll wait until you return." Ben winked.

"Benjamin Westfield!" Lily's voice raised an octave, which caused a sudden ringing in Will's ears.

It must have had the same effect on his brother, because Ben winced and nodded in agreement with feigned contriteness. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

Which meant absolutely nothing, not that Will would tell Lily that. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her down the corridor. "Where's Elspeth?"

"Already in the carriage."

Will soon found himself seated across from his two sisters-in-law, and while they chatted about the wonders of Scotland, he settled his gaze out the ducal carriage window. What if Ben was right? What if Prisca didn't hate him? What if…?

He'd gone down that road before. Every time he tried to charm her, every time he tried to make things right between them, she rebuked his every effort. Ben had never been right a day in his life. Only pure foolishness tempted Will to put any faith in his younger brother's advice now.

Before he even realized they'd arrived at Langley Downs, the carriage jolted to a stop. He reached out instinctively and kept Elspeth from tumbling to the floor. "Are you all right, lass?"

She nodded quickly and dropped her hand to her rounded belly. "We're fine."

"Blasted Jenkins!" Lily muttered. "Don't know what has been wrong with the man lately."

A moment later, the door opened and the apologetic coachman poked his head inside. "Very sorry, Your Grace." He reached for Lily's hand.

"You are fortunate no one was hurt, Jenkins." She frowned at him.

"It was an accident."

"And even more fortunate His Grace is not here."

The coachman blanched. "It won't happen again. I swear it."

"See that it doesn't." Lily allowed the man to help her from the conveyance, and then he offered his hand to Elspeth.

Will followed them up the stone steps that led to the pillared entrance of the Hawthornes' residence. Almost instantly, anxiety gripped his heart as he caught the scent of… He sniffed the air again and shook his head. Not possible.

"Will, what's wrong?" Lily asked.

"Not a thing," he replied as he feigned a smile. There couldn't be another Lycan here, but it certainly smelled like it. A wild scent hung in the air. Very strange. Perhaps the lack of sleep was wreaking havoc on his senses.

At that moment, the large wooden door opened and the Hawthorne's ancient butler waved them inside. "Everyone is awaiting you in the yellow parlor, Your Grace."

Will trailed after Lily and Elspeth and concentrated on the strange scent. The odor only got stronger as they navigated the corridors. The hair on the back of his neck stood at attention. He was either losing his mind, or another Lycan was most definitely ensconced inside Langley Downs. But why and, more importantly, who?

Lily entered the yellow parlor, and Elspeth followed her inside. The scent was nearly overpowering. Will stood at the threshold, and from his spot, he scanned the room, overlooking each Hawthorne brother until his eyes landed on Prisca in the corner, seated across from a golden-haired stranger.

Her tinkling laugh held the man's undivided attention as she scooped a pile of buttons from the center of the card table in front of her. "It is a good thing we're not playing for real money, Miss Hawthorne," the stranger said. Then he shifted his gaze from Prisca to focus on Will, lifting his nose slightly as his eyes narrowed.

Who was this man, this other Lycan? Will felt the beast inside him roil and scramble for control when the libertine reached across the table to brush his fingers across Prisca's. Will clutched the doorjamb to steady himself.

"Will!" Emory Hawthorne rose from the settee, a welcoming smile on his face. "So good of you to come. It has been forever."

"Indeed!" Pierce Hawthorne pushed himself from the window seat where he was perched. "Haven't seen you since this past summer."

"Too bad for the lot of you," Lieutenant Darius Hawthorne chimed in, claiming Blaine's bishop with his queen in the process. "I saw Will just last week."

Will glanced from one Hawthorne brother's face to the next. They all sported the same mischievous twinkle in their eyes. He felt at once as though he was missing something important. "Well, here I am."

Prisca left her seat and embraced Lily. "I'm so glad you've come." She then squeezed Elspeth's hand. "You too, my lady. It will give us the chance to become better acquainted. It's no secret Benjamin is my favorite Westfield. How fortunate you are to have captured him."

"It was the other way around," Elspeth muttered quietly.

"And modest, too!" Prisca gushed, linking arms with both women. "Do let's retire to some place more private."

Her violet eyes briefly landed on Will, and he held his breath. In that instant, they may as well have been alone. But it lasted only for a moment.

"William," she said in her haughtiest voice, "you are blocking the doorway."

"Of course." He stepped aside, allowing her and the others to pass by him and into the corridor.

He watched them disappear around the corner but felt several pairs of eyes on him. Will turned back to find every Hawthorne brother watching him intently, and Pierce actually bit back a smile. What was

that

about?

Emory gestured to the golden-haired Lycan. "Will, allow me to introduce a friend of Blaine's, Dashiel Thorpe, the Earl of Brimsworth."

The earl smirked as though he knew a dark secret. "Lord William Westfield. Your reputation most certainly precedes you."

Will held out a hand to the newcomer, confirming his suspicion that the man was a Lycan when he felt the warmth of Brimsworth's skin through their gloves. Lycans were warmer than the average man, not that most average men realized it.

"Wonderful to meet you, Brimsworth," Will finally replied.

"You're not even going to comment on the slight to your reputation?" Blaine asked, his mouth hanging open in mock dismay. "Since the ladies are gone, I'd expected some witty rejoinder."

"A reputation such as his speaks for itself," Pierce clarified, causing a chuckle to bounce around the room.

A bored sigh escaped Will's lips. "I've no idea what you're referring to. I'm the epitome of an English gentleman." Then he let a smile he didn't feel break across his face. "An English gentleman with a sordid reputation, it appears."

Garrick's eyebrows drew together. "What

have

you been up to lately, Will?" he asked. The man looked none too happy, though that wasn't uncommon.

"A little of this, a little of that."

"A bit vague." Garrick's brow furrowed. Why did the vicar sound so suspicious? It was almost as though he was interviewing Will for some household position.

Will laughed at the absurdity of it. "Nothing much to tell, Garrick. I spent some time in Scotland this autumn. Ben's lovely wife is from Edinburgh. Beautiful area."

"Hmm," Garrick nodded. "Both your brothers seem to have accepted the marital noose around the neck without much complaint, haven't they?"

The unending noises of ecstasy from the night before echoed in Will's mind. "I haven't heard many protests." But he'd heard everything else. He refocused on the earl. If anyone should be answering questions, it was the stranger in their midst.

"What brings you to Hampshire, Brimsworth?" Will sank into a high-backed chair. He tried to sound as though the earl's response didn't matter. But it did. It mattered a great deal.

"I'm simply visiting for the holiday. The Hawthornes have been kind enough to allow me to stay for a bit."

Stay for a bit? In the house with Prisca? The Hawthorne men were mad. But, of course, they had no idea a beast lurked beneath their own roof.

"Where do you hail from?" Will accepted a glass from Emory and stared down into the amber liquid, though his ears perked up for any sign of discomfort from the earl.

"Kent, though I've not been home in quite some time." His shoulders visibly stiffened. Had Will found a source of contention for the earl?

"Where about in Kent?" Will pressed.

"Eynsford Park, if you must know. Shall I note the direction or provide you the names of my professors at Cambridge who can vouch for my character?"

Eynsford? As in the powerful Marquess of Eynsford? Most definitely a source of contention. "A bit peevish, Brimsworth?" Will calmly crossed an ankle over his knee, though his hackles rose at the mere tone of the man's voice.

"Being heir to a marquessate could potentially make one prone to eccentricities, I imagine," Garrick, suddenly the peacemaker, said slowly, coming to stand between the two.

"Being obscenely wealthy might do that as well." Emory laughed, raising a drink to his lips.

The Hawthorne brothers must think a great deal of the damned beast to extol his virtues in such a manner, Will thought, and it annoyed him to no end.

"Dash had great fun playing with Prisca this afternoon," Darius announced. Pierce and Emory exchanged anxious glances.

Will fought to keep his face neutral. "Is that so?"

"Lovely girl," Brimsworth said slowly, and Will saw something flicker in the man's gaze.

Will leaned forward with his elbows upon his knees. "I must tell you… I thought it was bad having just Simon, Ben, and myself in the same household. I can't imagine if two or three more were added to the mix. How do you all stand one another?"

"Oh, we each have our pursuits," Emory began.

But Blaine cut him off. "It's not so bad aside from Emory's blustering and Dari's cursing."

"The cursing has to stop," Garrick grumbled. "As should the late nights at The White Lion."

Pierce turned toward Will as though sharing a confidence. "Our good vicar doesn't approve of the wenches."

"Nor the drink," Blaine added as he punched Pierce in the arm conspiratorially.

"Having drunk with you before, Blaine, I can see just cause for his concern," Will joked. "You fall so heavily into your cups that you eventually lose consciousness. Then we're forced to go from bed to bed searching for you until we finally have to drag you from beneath whichever wench you've holed yourself up with just to bring you home."

"He nearly put my back out the last time we had to carry him into the house," Emory finished.

Blaine flopped into a chair with a harrumph. "Just because I'm the youngest doesn't mean I have to take this abuse," he grumbled.

"Better they discuss your lack of virtue than mine," Will replied as he raised his glass to his lips.

The rapid tip-tap of light footsteps in the corridor caught his attention. Prisca. He could hear that sound and smell her sweet lilac scent. He'd know her even at one thousand paces. Her brothers were oblivious to her approach. But the earl was not. Definitely not. He stood up, tugged at the lapels of his jacket, and said, "If you'll excuse me for a moment."

Emory nodded absently at him, and Brimsworth slipped out the door.

The hair on the back of Will's neck rose as he turned his head to hear the sounds from the corridor more clearly. The earl had obviously gone to seek out Prisca. And Will could just imagine why.

Four

Prisca hurried down the hallway toward her room so she could retrieve a swatch from one of the many bolts of fabric Pierce had brought her when he returned home. He'd gifted her with several bolts of the exotic cloth, but they were much too heavy and cumbersome for her to carry down the stairs.

As a successful merchant, Pierce often had an opportunity to visit new and exciting places Prisca would never see. Yet she could imagine each and every foreign locale, just from hearing his stories.

Prisca could already see in her mind how lovely Elspeth would look in the dark hues from the West Indies. And she was fairly certain she could turn the fabric into something the lovely redhead could wear to the Yule Ball, even in her state.

Prisca rounded the corner on the way back to the staircase, not paying any attention to her surroundings, fully immersed in thoughts of clothing design, and ran straight into an object in her path. Her breath rushed out in one huge gasp as strong arms wrapped around her.

Dark amber eyes peered down into hers, twinkling with mirth. And something else. Prisca wasn't sure what.

"Lord Brimsworth! I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." She reached out and laid a hand upon his chest, still trying to steady herself.

"My fault, entirely, Miss Hawthorne," he laughed. "I was just on my way to my room to collect something."

"Me, too," Prisca said, holding up the swatch of cloth she'd just recovered from her dressing room. "And you were ambling along quite nicely until I nearly knocked you off your feet. My apologies."

"No apologies necessary, my dear," he said, his voice deepening a bit. His hands settled more comfortably around her waist, which was her first indication that he'd not released her yet. "I quite enjoyed catching you, to be truthful."

"You can let me go, now."

"If I do that, I'll have to concoct another situation in which I can stumble into you."

"You concocted that one?" Surely he'd not stepped into her path on purpose.

"That one was by chance, Miss Hawthorne. Or luck, as it was on my part." He released her with what she assumed was a reluctant sigh.

"If you consider yourself to be fortunate when I bowl you over, I'll have to make an effort to stab you with a fork. Or crimp the rug before you come through the front door."

Lord Brimsworth threw his head back and laughed. "You are quite delightful."

"Tell that to my brothers, who would wholeheartedly disagree," Prisca scoffed.

"I doubt those brothers would be very happy to find you in a corridor with a strange man…" came a voice from behind them.

Prisca looked around the earl's shoulder to see Will striding toward them. His eyebrows were pushed harshly together, and he looked as though he could easily strangle someone, quite possibly her. She gulped. "Will? What are you doing up here?"

"I was looking for your father, actually," he said, avoiding her gaze. She could always tell when Will lied. He couldn't look her in the eye, and he'd done his fair share of lying to her over the years.

"Of course, you were." She nodded, narrowing her eyes at him. "Papa's study is

below

stairs." She knew how much he liked it when she talked to him as though he were an ignorant child. He thoroughly detested it. Which gave her great satisfaction. "Do you need a map, my lord?"

"I can find my way there, thank you," he returned crisply. Then he held out an arm to her. "Shall I escort you back to Lily and Elspeth?"

The look he shot at Lord Brimsworth would have felled a lesser man. But the earl just squared his broad shoulders and stood there, a quirk of his eyebrow his only response. He didn't even reply. He just regarded Will as though he were an incoherent aberration.

Prisca looked up at the earl. "Shall we accept Lord William's guidance? Or journey out on our own?" The horrified expression on Will's face was worth the amused look on Lord Brimsworth's.

"If I had my druthers," the earl began, smiling at her.

"You do not," Will said sharply. Then he took Prisca's hand in his and placed it on his arm. With a tug that nearly dragged her down the hallway, he turned on his heel and walked toward the stairs.

Prisca glanced back over her shoulder. "Lord Brimsworth, weren't you on the way to your room? To collect something?"

Brimsworth stopped and nodded. Did he suddenly look disappointed? "Oh, yes. I nearly forgot. Thank you for reminding me," the earl replied.

"I must get back to my friends. I'll see you later?"

"Most definitely. Perhaps another game of cards?" Brimsworth suggested.

Will nearly vibrated beside her, which was strange. Why should he care at all? She actually began to worry for the earl. He should stop talking this instant.

"Speaking of which," Brimsworth continued, "if the weather turns, Miss Hawthorne, would you care to take a short walk with me later?"

Prisca was nearly taken aback. Both by the earl's offer and by Will's low growl in response. He reminded her of a teakettle that was ready to boil.

"I'd love to," she said slowly, gauging Will's reaction. She didn't have to wait long.

"With a proper chaperone, of course," Will clipped out.

"Of course," Lord Brimsworth said, laughter coating his words. "Until later, then, my dear." He gave Prisca a tiny bow before turning the corner to go to his own room.

"You shouldn't be alone with him," Will grated out as he tugged her down the hallway. The muscle of his arm was tight under her fingers. So tight he felt as though it could break at the slightest provocation.

"You lost all rights to dictate to me, William. Besides, I didn't plan to be alone with him. We just bumped into one another."

"A poorly contrived coincidence," Will snarled.

"Are you insinuating that Lord Brimsworth's bumping into me wasn't accidental? How ridiculous." Prisca laughed, though her mind was spinning.

Prisca gasped as Will dragged her into the nearest sitting room. He closed the door, locked it, and leaned against it, drawing her close to him as he did so.

She shook her head. Had he lost his mind? "What are you doing?"

"Talking to you."

"Must you clutch me like a child would his governess' skirts while you

talk

to me?"

"I don't clutch you like a child, Priss," he said as his touch gentled. He brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead. "Never like a child." Slowly, his knuckles drew along her chin. Prisca closed her eyes, savoring the situation for a moment, until the memory of his betrayal sank back into her thoughts. Strange he should seem concerned about her now.

Perhaps it had something to do with Lord Brimsworth. Was he the reason why Will had dragged her into a room alone? "Are you jealous, William?" she asked as realization dawned.

***

Jealous? Was he? Bloody hell, of course he was. But he pressed his lips together.

"The consummate scoundrel

jealous. Oh, how far we have come," she sang as he looked at her.

"If I'm a scoundrel, you made me one," he said without thinking.

Prisca rolled her eyes. "You can't blame me for what you are, William. You were a scoundrel long before I came to my senses."

Will sighed. She would always believe the worst of him.

That night all those years ago came rushing back in his memory, not that it was ever far from his thoughts. If she'd only met him at the edge of the property like she was supposed to, they would have taken off for Gretna Green and all would be fine now. Everything would have worked out. But she hadn't, and nothing had been right since.

Did she still think he fathered Mary Osgood's child? No matter that the Osgood chit finally admitted the first footman was the responsible party, her original accusations had ripped Prisca from him. He still had the note she'd sent him the morning after they were supposed to meet, wishing him to the devil sooner rather than later.

Emory and the others had believed the tale in the beginning as well, which probably hadn't helped. He could only imagine her overhearing the Hawthorne brothers discussing the situation. She'd readily believed them. After all, they'd known him better than anyone, save his own brothers.

Still, Prisca should have known better, shouldn't she? Where was her faith in him? How could she believe he'd whisper sweet nothings in her ear, offer her his love and his name, and then go spend his nights with Mary Osgood?

If anyone had a right to still be furious about the past, it was him. But he didn't want to be furious anymore. He wanted his heart to stop aching whenever he was in her presence. He wanted her to look at him with the adoration that once shined in her eyes. He wanted her. Just as badly now as he ever had.

"We would have been married four years now, Priss. Do you ever think about that?" He did, all the time, though he tried his best to push thoughts of her far from his mind. Every widow, every lightskirt, that came his way was a distraction. Distractions that never filled the place in his heart that was reserved solely for her.

"I don't think about you at all," she said. But he could tell she was lying as her pupils dilated.

His heart leapt a bit, and he brushed his fingertips across her jaw. "Liar."

She inhaled quickly at his touch. "Will," she started, placing a hand on his chest to push him away.

"Do you have an interest in Brimsworth?"

"I haven't given it much thought. I just met the man. And I don't see where it's any of your concern," she replied. "Do step back. I can't think with you so close."

But he didn't move. He loomed over her like some powerful warrior.

She tried once more to push him away. "Priss…" he said quietly, his hand coming up to cover hers. He just held it there, over his heart. He felt her touch all the way through his jacket and the fine lawn of his shirt.

"Let me go, Will," she said quietly as she looked up at him, her lips close enough that he could taste the scent of her.

"I can't," he said as he clenched his teeth. The other Lycan could probably hear them grind from wherever he lurked in wait for Prisca.

"It wasn't a request. Let me go." She tapped his chest with her fingertips and then jerked her arm free of his grasp. He released her hand but leaned in closer, preventing her from sliding out of the enclosure of his arms.

This was why he stayed away from her. Because he could not resist her. He couldn't trust himself to play the gentleman. She'd normally never allow him to get so close. When they were fighting, she was so stiff and unyielding that he had no chance of ever drawing her near. Why was she letting him do so now?

Will wasn't about to ask. He might not get another chance. He bent and kissed her forehead softly. She wiped his kiss away like the vilest of concoctions was touching her skin. Then she grimaced. Her pulse beat in the room like the

clip, clip, clip

of a horse at a trot. Her skin was so hot it was moist, the skin above her bodice flushed and shiny with dew.

He reached out and touched the small gold locket that hung beneath the pulse in her throat. "What's this?" he asked as he fingered the ornate decoration.

"Just a locket." She shrugged as she tried to pull it from his hands.

"What's in it?" He needed to know. He didn't understand why, but it was imperative that he see what was inside that locket.

"A picture of my one true love." She smiled coyly at him. Gone was the sour-faced imp who threatened his peace of mind. Gone was the tempting siren who taunted his daydreams.

"May I see?"

"It's just a likeness I painted, really," she said as she flipped the catch and opened it.

Will's heart stopped. A dark wolf stared back at him.

"A dog?" he asked as casually as he was able. "Your one true love is a

dog

"He's not really a dog." She bristled at his words.

"Then what is he?" Surely she didn't know.

"He's

mine

. That's all that matters." She jerked the locket from his grasp.

"No need to be offended. I'll never tell anyone how much you love the dog." He attempted to chuckle, but it came out more as a cough.

"You wouldn't understand."

"I understand more than you think!" he snapped at her. He narrowed his eyes. She didn't know, did she? There was no way she could know that he and the wolf she wore so close to her heart were one and the same. He tipped up her chin with his crooked finger. "Stay away from Brimsworth, Prisca."

"Why?"

"Can you, for once, just do as I ask?" he barked.

Finally, she shoved his chest, and he let her push him back. She stood toe to toe with him, her hands on her hips, her chest heaving. "What I do or who I see is no concern of yours, William. You wouldn't appreciate it if I began to dictate your actions."

He had to keep her away from the other Lycan. No matter what. He held up his hands in surrender. "Dictate. Go ahead."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You wouldn't do as I say. Just as I'll not avoid Lord Brimsworth simply to satisfy your overly inflated sense of self-worth."

"Dictate, Prisca. Tell me what you want."

"You don't care what I want," she scoffed. "You're simply jealous."

"Worried. It's quite a different emotion." Hell, he was jealous, too. So jealous he could choke the life from the man, any man, who held Prisca in his arms.

"If you'll promise to be careful about Brimsworth, I'll accept a dictate of yours," he finally sighed.

"Beg your pardon?" Her violet eyes rounded in surprise.

"Anything your little heart desires."

He tugged her back into his arms, and she went willingly. Poor girl must have been stunned mad. He chuckled.

"No wenches. No maids. No widows. No women at all." She spoke so softly against his chest that a normal man wouldn't have heard her. But he did. And his heart nearly stopped beating. The only woman he wanted was her. The others were simply to fill the void.

"Done," was all he said. "And you'll stay away from Brimsworth."

"No." Prisca squirmed in his arms. "I said I'll

be careful

around Brimsworth. Those are very different things."

"Will you tell me if he makes advances toward you?"

So I can kill him.

"No. But I promise to take great care around the man. And I will strive to never be alone with him."

He wanted much more than that, but it was better than nothing. "And, in return, I'll…" Will stopped to cough. Or choke. He wasn't sure which. "Stay chaste."

"For how long?"

"God, Prisca, I don't know. Until our deal is null and void!"

"Very well. It's worth it just to curtail the most famous rake in London, if only for a little while."

"You take great pleasure in this, do you?"

"More than you," she snorted.

"I'm not looking for pleasure. I want you to be safe. And I'll call on you to check. As often as possible."

"Perhaps you should ask me if I

want

you to call on me, William."

Only Prisca could vex him in such a manner. Yet he still felt a grin tug at the corners of his mouth. "May I call on you, Prissy?"

"You absolutely may not, if you plan to call me Prissy." She lifted her pert little nose into the air.

"Prisca, darling." Her harrumph stopped him only momentarily. "May I call on you?"

"I may be able to tolerate your presence." A small giggle erupted from her throat. She was enjoying this. But then she gasped as he jerked her roughly against him.

"Don't play with me, Prisca. Unless you would like me to return the favor."

"Will," she whispered as he caressed her jawline with the back of his knuckles again. The pulse in her throat called to him. Bending to touch his lips to it, he trailed a kiss up her neck, across her jaw, and finally, his lips touched hers. "You said you'd stay chaste."

"My exile from lusty pursuits does not pertain to you."

"It doesn't?" she breathed.

"You have to grant me a boon, Prisca. I am not a monk."

She raised one haughty eyebrow at him. "So, if I'm to be wary of Brimsworth, you're to stay chaste. That's our deal?"

"That's our deal," he agreed. "Shall we kiss on it to formalize the entire plan?"

"I think most people shake hands, Will."

"Do you want to shake my hand?"

"Not particularly," she mumbled.

"Thank God," he breathed as he lowered his head. He pressed his lips against hers insistently, tilting his head to take more of her mouth. And, joy of joys, she kissed him back. He rejoiced when her lips opened and he could tangle his tongue with hers. He touched her elbow and lifted her arm to wrap around his neck. Then followed with the other arm. He wasn't satisfied until her arms clutched him to her, her fingers threading all the way to his scalp, her nails abrading him, just like when she petted him in Lycan form.

Only now they were equals.

Will heard footsteps coming down the corridor and pulled back to press a finger to her lips. She didn't even mutter against it. The door handle jiggled lightly before the boots stomped down the corridor.

Brimsworth… he was sure of it. Well, the earl could go straight to hell. Prisca had agreed to his bargain. Prisca was within his grasp. She'd be safe there. The earl could make his way to Kent or wherever else he chose.

"Oh!" Prisca pushed against his chest. "I need to get back to Lily and Elspeth! They'll think I'm the worst sort of hostess! And I can't blame my tardiness on you."

"No, I don't believe you should. Though I doubt they would be surprised by it."

Five

Prisca bolted down the corridor toward her private parlor, clutching the dark-green-and-blue silk swatch against her chest. If her heart pounded any harder, it would thump right through the muslin of her gown. It wouldn't do for her to be short of breath or for Lily and Lady Elspeth to see her in such a state. She slowed her steps and tried to calm herself.

Had Will actually kissed her?

Prisca's heart soared at the memory. She'd never even dared dream that such an occurrence could happen again. Well, she had dreamt of it, but that was so long ago. She shook her head. It was one thing to lie to others and quite another to lie to herself. In all honesty, she still wanted Will as much as she did when she'd agreed to run away with him all those years ago. She still wanted to be taken in his arms, feel his lips against her bare skin, be the woman he loved…

Prisca laughed at her own foolishness. William Westfield did

not

love her. He never had. For some reason, he felt threatened by Lord Brimsworth, and that was all it was. She just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Or was it the wrong place at the wrong time? She wasn't quite sure which.

It had taken years to piece her heart back together after learning of his betrayal. She knew now he hadn't fathered that trollop Mary Osgood's child, but he could have. One only had to listen in on her brothers' conversations to know the truth behind that. He was a scoundrel of the highest order.

Which went to show what a fool she was. From her earliest memories, she'd felt as though there was a connection between her and Will, that they belonged to each other. What nonsense. William only belonged to himself and whatever lightskirt happened to be in the vicinity.

Though he

had

promised to forgo his usual entertainments if she accepted his demands, hadn't he? All under the pretense of keeping her safe. That made no sense at all. Will wasn't the sort of man to give up pleasures of the flesh. Not for her. Not for anyone. Besides, he didn't even know the earl. How could he possibly have determined so quickly that Brimsworth was unsafe?

She stopped in front of the door to the private parlor where she'd left her guests and took a deep, calming breath. Hopefully they wouldn't be able to tell that she'd been kissed, and certainly not as thoroughly as she just had.

Prisca closed her eyes, counted to ten, and then bounded through the door with a cheerful exuberance she didn't quite feel. "Sorry it took me so long. What do you think of this?" She offered the swatch to Lady Elspeth.

The pretty Scot ran the silk through her fingers. "Actually, Miss Hawthorne, I do appreciate yer offer, but…"

"My sister-in-law is concerned about attending the Yule Ball in her delicate state."

"I doona want ta embarrass Benjamin's family, and…"

Prisca dropped into a seat across from her guests. "We are not in London, Lady Elspeth. Things are a bit more lax here in Hampshire. Besides, with current fashions, I'm certain no one will even notice you're expecting. And I do have such beautiful designs dancing in my head."

"Prisca is a genius with a needle and thread," Lily gushed. "Just wait."

"And those colors will make you sparkle with radiance," Prisca promised.

Lady Elspeth bit her lower lip. "If ye're certain it'll be all right."

Prisca laughed. "Oh, heavens. I'm always right. Just ask Lily."

The duchess' hazel eyes twinkled. "She is right more often than she's not."

Lady Elspeth nodded. "All right, then."

"Splendid!" Prisca smiled. "It's been forever since I've had such a delightful project."

"Ye're very kind ta offer."

"So, Priss," Lily began, sliding forward on the settee. "Who was the golden Adonis you were playing cards with?"

Interesting. Everyone seemed inordinately curious about the earl. Prisca shrugged. "Lord Brimsworth is a friend of Blaine's. He's a theology scholar at Cambridge."

"I've never heard you mention him before."

"He arrived last night. First time I met him."

"He's quite handsome," Lady Elspeth added.

He was, wasn't he? And she certainly had him to thank for Will's sudden attention. Or to curse for it… it was too soon to tell. "I hadn't noticed."

Lily frowned at her. "I know you better than that, Prisca Hawthorne."

She couldn't help but giggle. "Honestly, Lily, I hadn't given him much thought." But she was thinking about him now, and more importantly, Will's reaction to the man. "He's fairly charming but a bit rough around the edges, if you must know. But then most men are, aren't they?"

"Well, he seemed quite taken with ye," Lady Elspeth said softly.

"But then most men are." Lily echoed Prisca's earlier sentiment.

"What an exaggeration!" Prisca insisted.

"Now who is being modest, Priss?" Lily laughed. "I've never seen a woman receive and turn down as many marriage offers as you, and I haven't lived here all that long."

"I can't help that all the men in Hampshire are exceedingly dull." Except for Will, though he spent very little time outside of London anymore. He rarely entered Hampshire.

"Benjamin said ye refused more offers than he could count."

Prisca fell back against her seat, bubbling over with laughter. "Ben does himself an injustice with such words. I have it from the highest authority, meaning my brother Pierce, that he is quite proficient with his numbers." She shook her head. "Besides, this is all utter nonsense. The secret to my allure, Lady Elspeth, is I have a rather large dowry."

"And Aphrodite's face doesn't hurt either," Lily added.

"Heavens, Lily, I thought you'd finished with

The Iliad

months ago. Adonis and now Aphrodite. What shall you say next?" It was always embarrassing whenever anyone discussed her appearance. There was so much more to someone than outward beauty, but men always seemed to focus on that aspect of her. Rather shallow of them, really.

"Is there no one," Lady Elspeth began, breaking her reverie, "who ye would consider in marriage?"

Prisca shook her head. "Much to my father's and brothers' dismay. I'm afraid I'm a bit difficult and haven't met a man who can handle me yet."

"I'm sure that's not true," Lily insisted.

But it might as well be true. Prisca tilted her head to one side. "I'm not complaining. Men are difficult creatures. How do you put up with Blackmoor? Some days I swear I can hear his bellowing all the way from Westfield Hall."

"He's quite sweet in his own way," Lily defended. Then she exchanged a look with her sister-in-law. "I think the Westfield men have the most redeeming qualities. And they are far from dull."

Lady Elspeth blushed at this pronouncement, and Prisca was certain she was missing some secret only married ladies knew.

***

When Will rejoined the Hawthorne brothers in the yellow parlor, he realized immediately that blasted earl wasn't among their numbers. Blaine and Darius were still playing chess. Garrick sat in a high-backed chair, flipping through a periodical of some sort. Emory and Pierce sat with their heads together whispering, which was maddening. Will could pick up a word here or there, but the hissing sound in between wreaked havoc on his ears.

But where was that skirt-chaser Brimsworth? He most definitely required watching.

Before Will could escape back into the corridor and search for the lost Lycan, Emory spotted him and rose from his seat. "Ah, there you are. Just the man I was hoping to talk to." He crossed the room and clapped Will on the back. "Mind if I run something by you?"

"By all means."

Emory gestured to the empty card table across the room and then proceeded to makes his way toward it. "I'm thinking about a mining investment in County Durham. Pierce thinks it's sound."

"Well, if you've got Pierce's opinion, why do you need mine?"

Emory chuckled as he slid into a seat. "It's true… No one knows business better than my brother, but he only sees the numbers on a page, the sort of return one can hope for."

Will frowned. "That's what one usually wants in investments." He took the spot across from his friend.

"Human costs don't generally enter Pierce's mind," Emory confessed. "And I'm concerned about the safety of the miners. It's one thing to read about unfortunate accidents in

The Times

and quite another to be funding the venture. I was hoping you could get me in touch with your friend in Lord Sidmouth's office."

"Albie Granger?"

"The fellow you introduced me to at Madam Millish's."

Will winced. He'd just made that bargain with Prissy, and even though he hadn't been to Madam Millish's in ages, he'd rather not have the place mentioned. He quickly glanced around the room. Thank God, there was no sign of her.

"What is wrong?"

Will shook his head. "You don't have to go around bandying Madam Millish's name about."

Emory broke into laughter. "Who do you think is going to hear it, Will?" He gestured around the room to his brothers. "Each of us has been there or someplace similar with you at one time or another—well, except for Garrick. I don't think you'll be upsetting anyone's sensibilities."

"Lily or Elspeth could have overheard you," he complained. Or Prisca. He didn't need anyone planting such images in her mind right now.

"I don't think they'd be surprised to hear it either." Emory smiled. "But I'll refrain from mentioning all the places where you indulge in debauchery if it'll make you more comfortable."

Will squirmed in his seat. "Wonderful. Can you stop mentioning them now, then?"

Emory laughed again. "Are you feeling all right? You don't seem like yourself at all."

"I'm fine," he ground out. "Just didn't get a lot of sleep last night. My brothers' faults, I assure you."

His friend leaned back in his chair, kicking his feet out in front of him. "Brothers are easy, Will. It's sisters who are the chore. I thank God I only have one of those. But I do have a plan for that one, and it should make my life easier in the coming months."

Meaning what exactly? "A plan for Prisca?" He tried to sound nonchalant.

Emory's eyes twinkled, and a roguish grin played about his mouth. "It's well past time she got married and became someone else's problem."

"Well past?" Will scoffed. "She's barely out of the schoolroom."

"She's nineteen, Will. She'll be twenty this spring. She's refused every offer that's come her way, but not any longer." He leaned in conspiratorially. "And I've got just the man in mind for the position."

Will gulped. He wasn't sure if he was more afraid to hear his own name or someone else's. "Who?" he squeaked out.

"Brimsworth, of course." Emory shrugged. "He does seem quite enchanted by her, doesn't he?"

"He can un-enchant himself," Will grumbled beneath his breath.

"Beg your pardon?" Emory eyed him suspiciously.

"I said, how much do you know about him?" Are you aware he sprouts fangs and a tail under a full moon? That he has an uncaged beast residing right beneath his surface?

"Just what Blaine says. The man seems like an allright sort."

"I'd think you'd want to know a hell of a lot more than what Blaine says," Will barked. "Have you looked into his past? His finances? What are his parents like? Does he have a history of beating small animals? Or—"

"Beating small animals?" Emory chuckled. "Heavens, you must have formed a very different opinion of the man than I have."

What an understatement. "I just don't think you can be too careful. She

your only sister. You don't want her shackled for life to some man you know nothing about." Will scrubbed a hand across his face. How had things gotten to this state? How could his friend force Prisca into the arms of some stranger? A dangerous one at that.

"True," Emory agreed. "But she doesn't have an interest in any of the men locally. She's too outspoken for the men in London. You should have seen the scene she caused at Lady Parkridge's soiree last season. On second thought, I'm glad you didn't see it. Bloody nightmare."

No, but he'd heard about it. Some foxed lordling had tried to coax her out onto the balcony, and she'd crashed her fist into his jaw, dropping him like a wet rug. Will actually loved that about her. The man had had it coming, in his opinion. Still, he didn't think she could hold her own against Brimsworth. There was something wild about the earl, and he couldn't see her saddled with him. Honestly, he didn't want to see her saddled with anyone. Not when he…

Will shook the thought from his mind. She'd let him kiss her and hold her, but she'd never settle for him.

At that moment, Darius approached their table. "Bloody nightmare?" he echoed. "Are you complaining about tomorrow evening again?"

"What's tomorrow evening?" Will asked.

Emory scowled. "Prissy has invited the entire Giddings' brood to join us for dinner and parlor games."

Darius winked. "Our little matchmaker is under the impression that Lizzie Giddings has set her cap for Emory."

Will choked on a laugh. "Lizzie Giddings? Isn't she the one who snorts when she laughs?"

Emory shook his head, a sour expression on his face. "That's

Sarah

Giddings, though she'll be in attendance as well. Lizzie is the one who wheezes when she breathes."

Ah, yes. Will remembered the chit now. "Lucky fellow. Set her cap for you, has she?"

Emory's glare darkened. "You can go straight to hell."

Will couldn't help but chortle. "You are in trouble, my friend. If Prisca has her mind set on something, she always gets it."

Something flashed in Emory's eyes. "I'm well aware of that. Why don't you join us tomorrow and keep her distracted? Help me out a bit, will you?"

Which would allow him to keep an eye on Prisca and Brimsworth. Will cocked his head to one side as though he was considering the possibility. Then he shrugged. "Why not? It sounds enormously amusing. Word of advice, however."

"Please." Emory rubbed his brow. "The whole idea makes my head hurt."

"Don't go anywhere alone with the Giddings chit. Prissy successfully got Simon leg-shackled to Lily when she put her mind to it. He's better for it, but he was wholly opposed to the idea in the beginning."

His old friend snorted. "That's why you'll be there to keep Prissy's Machiavellian mind off me." He sighed. "And I'll be sure to have a brother on either side of me all night."

If Emory thought that would stop his sister from dreaming up some scheme, Will was certain he was mistaken. What an entertaining way to spend an evening and keep an eye on Prisca at the same time.

Six

Will stalked into Westfield Hall with a single-minded purpose. "Have you seen my brothers?" he barked at the aging butler. "Quickly, man," he urged as Billings took his coat.

"In His Grace's study, my lord," he finally replied.

"Thank you," Will clipped out as he started down the corridor.

"We'll forgive your lack of manners this time, Will," Lily called to his retreating back.

Will winced as he realized he'd barely helped them alight from the coach, much less escorted them inside. He'd make it up to them later.

"Miss Hawthorne has a way of rattling his cage, does she no'?" he heard Elspeth remark quietly. "I've never seen him so out of sorts."

"That's because you'd never seen him with Prisca," Lily said, her words nearly concealed behind a giggle. Nearly, but not quite. Fine. It was just dandy that they all knew how he felt about her. At that moment, he didn't particularly care.

Will stomped into Simon's study without knocking and crossed the room quickly.

Simon jumped to his feet. "What is it?" he asked. But then he covered his nose with his hand and scrunched up his face. "Have you been rolling around with Emory's hounds?"

"What?" Will sputtered. How could Simon discuss hounds when so much more needed to be said? There was a strange Lycan about, for God's sake.

Ben got to his feet as well and leaned close to sniff him. Will growled low in his throat. "That's not a smell I know." Then Ben's eyes glimmered with mirth. "The lilacs, I can place. But not the hound."

"Lycan," Will clarified. Then he dropped into a seat across from his brother's desk and waited for them to speak.

"You say

Lycan

like it's an expletive, all of a sudden," Simon remarked. "And I hope you weren't dallying with Miss Hawthorne

after

seeing the hounds. That would be bad form."

Ben chuckled, and Will shot him a look that nearly quelled it.

"What you smell on me, dear brother, is another Lycan. He was at the Hawthornes'."

Simon's eyebrows drew together.

"And, no," Will continued, "I didn't dally with him, either."

"Oh, there was definitely some dallying going on," Ben murmured. "Otherwise, you'd not come home smelling like a flower shop. A randy one."

Will banged his forehead with the heel of his hand. They were insufferable.

Simon held up a finger, which immediately quelled Ben's laughter.

"Thank you," Will grunted.

"What's this about a Lycan?"

"There's one at the Hawthornes'. He's a friend of Blaine's. Visiting for the holiday."

"Someone you know from The Society?" Simon tinkered with his quill and inkwell.

"If I knew him, I wouldn't have rushed home to tell you about him, would I?"

From the doorway, someone cleared his throat. Will glanced over his shoulder to find Major Forster, Elspeth's father. The old officer stepped into Simon's study. "What's this about a strange Lycan?" he asked.

"Finally!" Will groaned, coming to his feet. "A voice of reason."

"Tell your Lycan he needs to wear sandalwood instead of lilac oil," the major said, finally allowing a smile to cross his old, weathered face. "Congratulations, by the way."

"For what?" The muscle above Will's right eye began to twitch.

"For getting her in your arms. A man doesn't wear a scent that strong unless…" He let his voice trail off.

Will sighed and stalked toward the door. "I don't know why I bother talking to any of you," he grunted.

"Oh, come back," Ben urged. "We'll stop." He motioned with his hands for Will to reclaim his seat. "With your work at The Society, you're well aware there are others of our kind. So why are you so surprised to find another one living within polite society? We only chase the moon one night per month. The rest of the time, we're quite honorable."

"No one is aware of what he is."

"Well, I would hope not." Simon frowned. "It's not something one goes around discussing."

"Of course not," Will growled. "But they don't know the danger they've put themselves in." Then he faced the major. "His name is Dashiel Thorpe. The Earl of Brimsworth, heir to the Marquess of Eynsford."

"Eynsford, you say?" the major asked as he stroked his chin and appeared deep in thought.

Major Forster headed The Lycanian Society and was privy to more information about those of their kind than the average Lycan. It was quite possible he knew something helpful about the earl's family. "You know of him?" Will asked.

But the major shook his head. "I vaguely remember some sort of scandal years back. But it has been a very long time."

"Eynsford is a powerful force in the Lords. One doesn't go up against him easily," Simon informed him. "Didn't know the man was a Lycan, though. I don't think I've ever caught his scent."

The major shook his head as though the information was new to him too. That didn't bode well.

"What about Lord Brimsworth bothers you?" Ben asked, breaking Will from his thoughts.

"He's got his eye on Prisca," he blurted out before thinking the better of it.

"Ohhhh," Simon and Ben both said at the same time, shooting loaded looks at one another.

Will wanted to shout. Actually, he wanted to strangle them both. "Don't say it like that. There's something about him. He seems a bit wild to me. And dangerous."

Benjamin leaned forward across Simon's desk, looking their oldest brother square in the eyes. "What are we going to do?" he asked quietly.

"It's not our concern," Simon replied with a frown.

Ben shook his head as his father-in-law patted him on the back. "I know you're worried about her, my boy, but—"

Ben looked over his shoulder at Major Forster. "Of course, I'm worried about her. Prissy is like a little sister to me. And Will—"

"Made his decision years ago," Simon added.

"My decision has changed," Will declared. One could have heard a pin drop, it became so quiet at the pronouncement.

Simon's shrewd silver eyes narrowed. "Are you quite certain?"

"Quite," Will clipped out.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" the duke asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"In part, I've stayed away from her all these years because I didn't want her to end up with one of our kind," Will hedged. No reason to tell them he'd have leapt at the chance to have Prissy long before now if she'd given him any sort of encouragement.

"Understandable." Simon nodded. After all he'd gone through with Lily, he would be the last one to refute a statement such as Will's. "But how has that changed?"

Will shrugged, hoping he appeared more at ease than he actually felt. "Emory's prepared to push her in Brimsworth's direction. So if she's to marry one of our kind, it will be me."

Ben chuckled. "How selfless of you."

Simon scowled at their younger brother. "No one needs your quips just now." Then he turned his attention back to Will. "So, the pursuit begins in earnest?"

"I don't think it'll be that easy," Ben began.

"Nothing with Prissy is ever easy." Then Will faced each of the three Lycans in turn. "I'd like for you all to meet Brimsworth. Lily said in the coach we've all been invited for a night of games. I believe she and Elspeth accepted for the rest of us."

Simon's growl was menacing. If Will wasn't used to it, he would scurry from the room with his tail between his legs.

"Tell me if I'm overreacting," Will pleaded.

"Would it change your direction?"

Not now that he'd held her in his arms. And kissed those sweet lips. And seen that her one true love was… him. "No. It wouldn't." His heart skipped a beat at that confession. "I plan to win her hand no matter what."

"God love you," Simon grunted as he settled back in his seat. "Now about this Lycan—"

A wracking cough from above them stopped the conversation, and all four men glanced up at the sound. Ben sighed. "She's getting worse."

Their mother. How could Will have forgotten? "At breakfast, Elspeth said she'd heal her."

Ben snorted. "Over my dead body."

At that statement, Will gaped at his brother. Of the three of them, Ben was the mama's boy. "I beg your pardon."

His younger brother winced, and a tortured look spread across his face. "Sorry. We argued about it this morning. I can't let Ellie do it, Will. You know the last time she healed someone, it almost killed her. And now with the baby on the way…"

He didn't need to say any more. Will gave Ben's shoulder a brotherly nudge. "Mother will be all right. Not everyone has a healer in the family, and they all seem to get by just fine."

Ben nodded. "It just makes me feel like the worst sort of cad."

Will fully understood Ben's strong desire to protect Elspeth; he felt the same way about Prisca. After leaving his brothers in the study, he asked Billings for foolscap and an inkwell, and settled himself in the library. He penned a simple note to his friend Richard Wheeler, who hailed from Kent, asking for any information about the Earl of Brimsworth. That was a good place to start.

***

What had Emory been thinking? Inviting the Westfields to dinner tomorrow and for games after? It had been hard enough to see Will as much as she had over the past few days. Now she'd have to endure an entire evening?

Prisca dropped onto her bed and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. Perhaps she could cry off this evening with a headache. That wouldn't even be a lie. But Lizzie Giddings would be there, and she did plan to see if Emory had any interest in the girl.

She sighed and fell back against her pillow.

"You sound tortured," her maid, Molly, said from the corner of the room.

Prisca sat up with a start. Where had her maid come from? "My brothers drive me mad… that's all."

Molly smiled, an action that lit up her face. Prisca took a long hard look at the other girl. A plan popped in her head. If she had to see Will day in and day out, if he really had a mind to court her, shouldn't she know if he was true to his word? She couldn't imagine her maid as much of a seductress, but Will didn't seem to be particularly discriminatory. The young maid was pretty enough. Golden, silken curls, striking green eyes, slender figure. Blaine had a soft spot for Molly, she well knew. She'd have to do. Prisca knew she could trust her.

"Molly, I need your help."

The maid's eyes rounded. "I don't think I like the way you said that, Miss."

Prisca leapt from her bed and grasped her maid's hands. "Hear me out. I need you to play a role for me."

"A role?"

"Can you play a seductress?"

Molly backed away and covered her heart with her hand. "Miss, I'm a good girl."

Prisca grinned. "A good girl who casts sly glances at Blaine whenever he's about. He watches you all the time, you know."

A blush stained the maid's cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She knew exactly what Prisca was talking about. Apparently her maid was more of a seductress than she'd originally thought. Molly would be perfect. Who else could she trust to tell her the truth anyway? "It's not up for debate, Molly. I need to know if Lord William is being honest with me."

"And you want me to seduce him to find out?" Prisca doubted Molly's face could turn any redder at this point.

She nodded. "I want you to try. I want to know if he succumbs to your wiles."

A gasp escaped the maid's lips. "And if he does?" she squeaked.

Then she'd know the truth, wouldn't she? "If he does, then you'll simply tell him that he failed my test and all bets are off. That will dampen his ardor rather quickly."

A frown marred Molly's brow. "I don't know, Miss."

But Prisca paid her no attention. "You simply can't refuse, Molly. I have to know the truth, and you're the only one who can help me."

***

Dinner had been far from riveting, and Prisca slowly climbed the cantilevered steps that led to the family quarters. How had she tolerated living with those five idiots all her life? In recent years, things had been so peaceful with just Papa, Emory, and herself. No matter that she loved each brother dearly, they still were predisposed to giving one a headache.

Even now she could hear raucous laughter erupting from the dining hall where her father and brothers still entertained Lord Brimsworth. If she could just go someplace to get a little quiet, perhaps she could put two thoughts together, which she sorely needed after Will's visit.

The only quiet place she could think of was the garden. Of course, no one but a fool would go out of doors in the chilly evening air. But that also meant no one would go traipsing out there after her, either. With her mind made up, Prisca entered her room and pulled out a scarf and her warmest walking coat. She buttoned herself in tightly and then made her escape down the steps and out the garden door, successfully avoiding servants along the way.

The wintry air swirled about her feet and Prisca shivered, but she knew she'd adjust to the temperature soon enough. She tipped her head back, enchanted by the waning moon in the sky. The stars shimmered above her, reminding Prisca of a glass of celebratory champagne. Though she wasn't certain if she should celebrate or not.

Years ago, she would have swooned if Will had taken her in his arms as he had done this afternoon. But she'd been young and foolish then. Now she knew what sort of man he was, and though her heart still raced whenever she saw him, she wasn't certain swooning was the wisest course of action.

"Will, Will, Will…" She shook her head. "What to do about you?"

She stuffed her hands inside her pockets to keep them warm and retraced her steps from a few nights ago when her wolf had visited. Prisca's eyes flew to the stone bench where she'd sat that evening, stroking the regal animal, and she sighed at the memory. It was a shame he wasn't there now. She could use his council. Foolish as that sounded, she always felt better after divulging her fears and worries to the beast. Perhaps it was simply saying the words aloud that did the trick. It was worth a try.

Prisca flopped down on the bench and suppressed a shudder at the coolness that seeped through her coat and gown. For a brief moment, she felt as though someone was watching her, and her heart leapt with the hope her wolf had returned. She turned her head in one direction and then the other, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of him—but she was well and truly alone.

Here went nothing. "He takes my breath away, and I—"

"You're not so bad yourself," a voice came at her shoulder.

Prisca gasped and leapt from the bench, her heart pounding in her ears. Standing just a few feet away, the Earl of Brimsworth smiled wolfishly. "Where did you come from?" No one was there a moment ago. How could he possibly have moved so fast?

"Just out for a walk, Miss Hawthorne." He took a step toward her, his amber eyes glittering in the moonlight. "The better question is what are you doing out of doors?"

Wishing her heart would return to its normal pace, Prisca folded her arms across her chest. "This is my home, my lord. I can go out of doors whenever I like."

"I don't doubt, Miss Hawthorne, that you can do whatever you like, indoors or out, whenever the mood strikes you. I simply meant that it is fairly cold at the moment."

He was correct about that, not that she would let him know. "I prefer a little nip in the air. What are you doing out of doors?" Will would be very unhappy with her if he knew she was alone with the man after they made their bargain.

"I needed a bit of fresh air." He gestured to the bench between them. "Mind if I join you?"

She really shouldn't. Prisca shook her head. "I was just about to return to bed."

Lord Brimsworth laughed. "No need to look so frightened, Miss Hawthorne. I'm not the big, bad wolf, you know."

Wolf ! Prisca narrowed her eyes on him. How did he know? "What do you mean by that, sir?" she snapped.

He held up his hands as if to surrender. "It's just a turn of phrase, my dear. My, you are skittish this evening."

Was she? He'd simply scared her; that was all. Prisca shook her head. "I am sorry, my lord. It's been a long day, I suppose."

He nodded in agreement. "If you are truly headed back in, I'd love to resume our game from this afternoon."

She smiled. There was no reason to be terrified of the man. He'd been a perfect gentleman so far. She'd simply allowed Will's distrust to seep into her thoughts. "Of course."

***

Surrounded by all four brothers, crowded around their father's desk as though they were plotting the invasion of a small country, Emory glanced from one to the other. "So what do you think?" he asked quietly.

Darius grinned from ear to ear. "I think it's bloody genius." He ignored the huff from Garrick at his cursing and continued, "Did you see the look on Will's face when you said you planned to pawn her off on Brimsworth?"

That had been a welcome surprise. "He nearly turned green."

Pierce rubbed his chin. "How did none of us ever realize Will had a soft spot for her?"

"We weren't looking for it," Emory replied. "Not until now."

"But after the way she tried to ruin him," Blaine chimed in and then let his words linger in the air. What a mess that had been.

"She was still a child. Will's aware of that," Garrick sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"I'd thought it would take a lot more work on our part to bring him around."

"It will be easier than we thought," Darius agreed. "Thank God."

"Are you sure about that?" Garrick asked. "She didn't seem happy to see

him

, if you ask me."

Pierce turned a bit purple as he tried to quietly hold in his chuckle. "You truly know nothing about women, Gar."

"And you do?" the vicar hissed.

Pierce shrugged. "I obviously know more than you do." When Garrick scowled, he continued. "When you were too busy glaring at Will, Prissy surreptitiously shot him glances as she batted her eyelashes."

"How much port

did

you drink?" Garrick asked. "She did nothing of the sort."

"Yes, she did," Blaine said. "Saw it myself."

"'Fraid so," Darius added.

Garrick shook his head. "What about Brimsworth? He does seem taken with Prissy. What if we honestly supported a match with him?"

A horrified expression flashed across Blaine's eyes. "That's a truly awful idea, Gar."

"But why? He comes from a good family. He'll be a marquess someday."

"The vicar, our mercenary brother." Darius snickered.

Blaine shook his head. "Look, Dash is a friend, a good friend of mine. But he's the last sort I'd ever want to see shackled to Prissy."

"What's wrong with him?" Emory asked, not that he wanted to change their plans, but Blaine's countenance piqued his interest.

The youngest Hawthorne brother sat forward, lowering his voice. "Nothing I can put my finger on," he confessed. "And his reputation mirrors Will's, actually. He goes through some dark spells, and every now and then I think he could just snap. Makes me a bit uneasy sometimes."

"Wonderful!" Pierce hissed. "So glad you brought the man into our midst then, you dolt."

"What?" Blaine complained.

"Well, he doesn't seem like the sort of fellow we'd want panting after Prissy, does he?" Pierce frowned. "Why did you even invite the man for the holidays?"

Blaine raked a hand through his dark hair. "I invited him before we decided to use him in this little ruse. He doesn't ever speak to the marquess, and he's by himself most of the time." He shrugged. "I just thought it might do him some good to be part of a big family, if only for a few weeks."

"This is getting us nowhere," Emory said, "Brimsworth is here, but he's not our concern. Will and Prisca are." He leaned in closer. "So focus on the task at hand. What is the plan for tomorrow?"

Pierce grinned roguishly. "How about a little Blind

? Let him get his hands on her."

Garrick inhaled sharply.

Emory winced. "I don't know, Pierce. We'd all have to play, and I'd rather not end up fondling Lizzie Giddings, if you don't mind."

"So you don't have to play. Be standoffish in the corner and scowl at the girl," Pierce suggested.

"How else can we get them alone?" Darius asked.

"We could do some sort of scavenger hunt and pair them up," Blaine said. Then he winked at Emory. "Don't worry. We'll make sure you end up with one of us to keep you from Miss Giddings' grasp."

"Go ahead and laugh, Blaine. She hasn't got her eye on you."

Blaine bit back a smile. "So what if she's got her eye on you? No one can make you do anything about it."

Darius laughed. "You, little brother, were at school when Prissy finagled Blackmoor's demise. If she ensnared

him

, none of us have a prayer."

"Blackmoor wanted to be ensnared," Emory informed them. "But Prissy didn't give him a choice in the matter. Just think, men, if we're successful in our plans, she'll have her hands full with Will over the next few years and we can all live free from fear of her ever doing such a thing to us."

"Self-serving as always," Garrick complained.

"Indeed." Emory looked down his nose at his most difficult brother. "And for that,

you

can be paired off with Lizzie Giddings during the scavenger hunt."

Garrick shrugged. "She's a perfectly fine chit. I don't know what you're complaining about."

Seven

Will smothered a chuckle behind a closed fist as Garrick slid up next to him and said quietly, "Save me from Lizzie Giddings."

Garrick winced a bit when Will clapped him on the shoulder and said, "I thought she'd set her cap for Emory?"

The vicar shook his head. "His scowling has put her off, and she's focused her attention on me."

Ah. That made sense. "Well, I believe Emory is about to reveal the partners for the scavenger hunt. I'll say a quick prayer for you." He bent his head, closed his eyes and mouthed a few words.

"Your sense of humor is sorely lacking," Garrick grumbled, his eyebrows drawn together tightly. "Prayer is not a laughing matter, you know."

"My apologies, Garrick." A heavy pant reached Will's ears, and he looked around the floor. Surely Emory wouldn't bring the hounds inside, not into the parlor while guests were here, even if he was trying to dissuade particular ladies in attendance. Then he glanced up and caught the gaze of Miss Giddings, whose heavy breathing grew louder and louder as she approached.

"Will God forgive me if I warn you she's flanking you right now? You've only moments to make an escape, should you desire one."

"I'll say a prayer for you, Will," Garrick said sto ically, as he stepped around him and ducked his head. But, as he did, Will didn't miss the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. The good vicar did have a sense of humor after all. One could not grow up with so many derelict brothers and not maintain some appreciation for the fantastical.

Lizzie Giddings nearly ran Will over to chase after Garrick. "Oh, Vicar Hawthorne," she sang, waving her hand in the air as she trailed him. Will could do no more than shake his head and laugh.

"That's what he gets for condemning Emory for not wanting to partner the girl," Blaine whispered quietly, stepping to Will's side.

"I bet he'll not do that again," Will replied absently. His gaze settled on Prisca, his ears perking up when he heard her laugh over something Brimsworth said. Damned earl! He'd been by her side the entire night.

Be careful around the man

. What a fool he'd been with that bargain. He should have asked for a lot more than that! Stay twenty paces away from him at all times. That should have been his demand. Don't flirt with him. Don't laugh at his inane jokes. He should have thrown those in for good measure.

"Prissy's having a good time of it," Blaine said. "And even Blackmoor has relaxed a bit." Will glanced over to where Simon stood talking amiably with the Giddings brothers. He was much closer to Prisca than where Will stood, which comforted him just a bit. That was probably because Lily was with her.

Of course, Ben rested on the couch with his hand on Elspeth's expanding stomach. He'd not moved more than two feet from his wife, either. It was almost as though he sensed some sort of danger. Like any good shepherd circles his flock, a Lycan would circle his true master all night, if he sensed danger nearby.

Will had been trying to edge closer to Prisca throughout the evening, but every time he took a step in her direction, Brimsworth grabbed her elbow and pulled her farther away. And she'd gone willingly. At least his brothers sensed the same danger he did. He wasn't completely daft. Just worried.

"I believe it's time for a game of Blind Man's Bluff," Emory said over the conversations bouncing around the corners of the room. With a smile, Prisca passed him a length of silken fabric, which he folded to make a blindfold.

Will wanted to groan with the tedium of it, but then Prisca called out, "Once you're blindfolded, the person you touch will also be your partner during the scavenger hunt, provided that you can name the person you've captured, of course."

Lizzie and Sarah Giddings both clapped loudly. Garrick sunk back to lean against the wall. "Fun, fun!" Lizzie called. "Who goes first?"

Prisca scanned the assemblage quickly. Then Emory held the blindfold out to Lily, who laughed as he beckoned Simon to bend down so she could tie it over his eyes. "You will owe me for this, Your Grace," Simon muttered to her, so low that only Lily and the other Lycans in the room could hear him.

Will couldn't hold back his chuckle when Lily replied in a hushed whisper beside Simon's ear, "Promises, promises, Your Grace." Then she giggled, tied the knot, and spun Simon in a quick circle. The object of the game was to disorient the seeker so he wouldn't know who he grabbed blindly. But the game was a complete failure on a Lycan. A Lycan always knew his mate. And with their sense of smell, any of the Lycans in the room could pick out exactly who each person was.

However, Simon made a grand show of reaching out blindly, clasping and unclasping his hands. Darius grunted when Simon bumped an elbow into his ribs as he spun around. And Pierce held back an oath when Simon trod upon the toe of his Hessians. Simon would get recompense, one way or the other.

Finally, Simon gave up the game and honed in on Lily. She had a playful gleam in her eye. She was the only person who'd ever been able to

play

with Simon. When he stepped closer to her, he reached out to grab her arm but she dashed around the outside of the room, making a show of keeping a finger in front of her mouth, urging everyone to be quiet.

Simon followed slowly, his gait predatory. "Lily, dear. I believe you're cheating," he challenged. Then he made one giant leap over the settee and landed on his feet directly in front of her, where he swept her into his arms and kissed the side of her neck. "Oops, I missed," he laughed as Lily pulled the blindfold from his eyes.

"You never miss," she laughed as she patted his chest and then turned to hand the blindfold to Elspeth.

Ben and Elspeth danced a similar dance, but theirs was a bit more comical to watch. Ben didn't go after Ellie with the single-minded purpose that Simon had used. But, finally, he caught her.

Then it was Will's turn to catch Prisca.

Will watched as Elspeth removed Ben's blindfold and he bent to claim a quick kiss to her cheek. He wanted a love like that. Elspeth held the blindfold out to Will, but as he kicked himself away from the wall and started across the room, Brimsworth got there first.

"Would you mind if I take the next turn, Lady Elspeth?" he asked graciously, sending her a charming smile. The man probably had a slew of women dropping at his feet to kiss his boots on a daily basis.

"I was goin' ta pass it ta William, but if he doesna mind," she said as she looked around Brimsworth in Will's direction. Her eyebrows raised in silent question. And sympathy.

There was no way Will could take the blindfold and catch Prisca if Brimsworth got it first. By not taking it, he guaranteed Prisca would be partnered by the strange Lycan during the scavenger hunt. She'd disappear alone with him. And there'd be nothing he could do about it. But to raise a fuss would appear suspicious with everyone looking on. Will simply shrugged and reclaimed his place against the wall, where he leaned negligently against the doorjamb as though he hadn't a care in the world.

Yet Will's heart raced within his chest. The earl tied the blindfold over his eyes himself, and then Emory came forward to spin him around.

"Oh, dear," the earl grunted as he bumped into a tea table. Then glasses rattled as he bumped the sideboard. "I hope I didn't break anything," he joked.

"Not yet, Brimsworth," Emory called back. "Though you get closer to doing so every second."

"Hopefully, I'll stumble into one of the lovely ladies in just a moment. One of the beautiful Giddings sisters would be a great find right now."

Will looked over at them where Sarah Giddings fanned herself with her hand. She laughed a bit, followed by a loud snort. Blaine tucked his head into his chest and bit his bottom lip to hide his grin.

When Brimsworth was within a foot of Prisca, Will kicked away from the wall again and tensed. Simon sent a warning look, but Will paid it no heed. The blasted earl sniffed loudly, his nose close to Prisca's hair.

"I believe I know

that

scent," he said. Then his hand reached out and touched the back of Prisca's head. A red haze passed before Will's vision as the earl stroked down the length of the shiny sable mass, his hand finally landing at the small of Prisca's back.

"Miss Hawthorne," the earl said slowly with a smile that made Will want to rip his lips right off his face, "I do believe you've been caught."

A round of applause sounded around the room as Brimsworth jerked the blindfold off and bowed dramatically before the occupants of the room.

"Looks like I'll have the fortune of being paired with you during the hunt, Miss Hawthorne," the earl said.

Prisca smiled back at him, as any gracious hostess should. "Bravo," she congratulated. But her eyes lacked their normal sparkle. Was that disappointment in her gaze? Or was his foolish mind playing tricks on him?

Play continued around the room until each of the Giddings sisters were paired with a Hawthorne, except for Emory who was exempt from playing the game as he'd been the one to hide the scavenger items— something he looked rather smug about.

Will, thankfully, was paired with Garrick, who looked to be immensely relieved himself. "Thank heavens it's you," the vicar said as he and Will took off in search of their hidden item, a shepherdess figurine once belonging to the late Lady Hawthorne.

Will's heart told him to stay close to Prisca, not to get far from her. But, with Garrick leading the charge and having great fun with the scavenger hunt, there was no possible way for him to bow out gracefully. As he brushed past Simon, his oldest brother murmured, "There are three of us. No worries."

Will nodded slightly. But he

was

worried, all the same. And angry. And so damn jealous he couldn't see straight.

***

Prisca bit back her disappointment at being paired with the earl. In truth, she'd hoped to end up with Will. She'd wanted an excuse to spend time with him. After their brief encounter, she didn't even know what she'd say to him. But she did have a million questions all running together in her mind.

"Where shall we start looking, Miss Hawthorne?" Lord Brimsworth asked, a smile on his face that would probably charm the squirrels from the trees without even the promise of a nut.

"What is it we're searching for, again?" she asked as she leaned close to him to look at the unfolded square of foolscap he held in his hand to see

bust of Sir Alfred

Hawthorne

scrawled in Emory's handwriting. Their grandfather's likeness was usually in the gallery, but where would her oldest brother have hidden it?

As she pondered this question, Lord Brimsworth shifted closer to her, and she could almost swear he inhaled hard enough to suck her hair right up his nose. "Are you all right?" she asked.

"I must tell you that you've quite enchanted me, Miss Hawthorne," he said slowly as she led the way down the corridor toward the study. She thought she might find the item listed in her father's sanctum. "That scent you wear makes me take leave of my senses. If you'll forgive me for saying so."

Prisca hugged her arms around herself to fight a sudden desire to flee. "Forgive you for paying me a compliment? Is that normal practice? I'll have to pen a note to the head mistress of my girls' school and let her know, Lord Brimsworth." She threw a smile in his direction.

He swallowed it like she'd thrown a bone to a dog.

"Would it be all right to dispense with the formalities? I'd love to hear you call me Dashiel."

"Dashiel?" she asked, her mind still on Will.

"It's so nice to hear it from your lips," he said quietly as he brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. She shook his touch away as nicely as she was able. "May I call you Prisca?"

"As long as you don't pick up any of the horrid monikers my brothers use for me," she replied pertly. "I assume it's all right."

Dashiel took her elbow in his hand and turned her slowly toward him as he stepped into her space. Prisca firmly believed that she, like everyone else, had a space around herself she could call her own and which only those invited could invade. And William Westfield, of course. After all, there was an exception to every rule.

Dashiel was breaking her rule, which made her a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm not typically so forward, Prisca," he began, his amber eyes glittering at her. "But I fear that if I don't make my intentions known, I could miss out on something I want very badly."

Prisca looked at him blankly. "I don't…" she began.

But he cut her off. "I sense there's something between you and William Westfield. Would I be correct?"

Had he not been holding her elbow, she'd have probably toppled over. Wait. Why

was

he still holding her elbow? She tugged it gently from his grasp. "I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. Please tell me if I am treading on territory he's already marked."

"Marked?" Prisca shook her head to clear it.

"I would like to get to know you better, Prisca," he said, bending to look into her eyes. Something dark lurked in their depths, but she wasn't sure what she saw. Whatever it was, it scared her just a bit.

He had none of William's charm. Nor wit. Nor anything else she adored about him. But, of course, he wouldn't. He was a different man, after all. One who wanted to get to know her better.

"I'm not certain we'd suit, Dashiel," she said quietly, shaking her head. She should call him off immediately. It was most definitely the appropriate thing to do.

"There's only one way to find out," the earl said.

"And what would that be?" She wished he would stop talking in riddles.

Before she even saw it coming, the earl bent down a bit and touched his lips to hers. They weren't soft and supple like Will's. And he had none of the silky glide that made her want to crawl into his lap and kiss him all day.

She should really stop comparing the man to Will, particularly when he was kissing her.

Dashiel finally lifted his head and looked down at her. "You've been kissed before?"

"W-why do you ask?" Prisca stammered.

"You'll need a bit of practice, I'm afraid," he said slowly, his amber eyes watching her face closely.

A loud cough sounded from the corridor. A hacking cough. An I-am-about-to-expire-this-moment sort of cough. Prisca sprang back and resisted the urge to wipe the earl's taste from her lips just as the Duke of Blackmoor entered the room.

"Ah, Brimsworth, there you are. I've been searching everywhere for you," the duke drawled.

"Was there something you needed?" Dashiel growled.

"Not needed. I simply wanted to discuss the House of Lords with you and Eynsford's place in it. He's quite a powerful man, your father." Dashiel tensed tight as a drawn bow beside her.

"Would you both excuse me?" Prisca asked of the gentlemen.

"Of course," Blackmoor replied as he bowed slightly, but he raised one dark eyebrow at her. "You are all right, aren't you?"

She waved him off with a toss of her hand. "I'm fine. I just need a bit of air."

"You'll be back to finish the game?" Dashiel asked her as she started for the door.

Prisca pretended she didn't hear him and refrained from answering as she slipped from the room as quickly as she could. She ran down the corridor, thankful no one was about. After several turns this way and that, she neared the kitchens. Without a second thought, she opened a closet door and stepped inside, closing it firmly behind her.

***

Will left Garrick's side at the first possible opportunity. He needed to keep an eye on Prisca, to make sure Brimsworth didn't put his filthy paws on her. He rounded a corner and nearly ran over a poor little maid.

"Terribly sorry," he muttered, reaching out to keep her from toppling over.

Her green eyes rounded in surprise and then a playful grin played about her lips. "No apologies necessary, my lord." She batted her lashes and took a step toward him.

Will blinked at her. Was she flirting with him? "Thank you, I didn't mean to knock you over, miss…"

"Molly," she said, biting her plump bottom lip.

Molly, the little maid Blaine drooled over. Will took a deep breath and backed away from the chit. "Well, Molly, I'll just be on my way."

"Must you leave so soon, my lord? I think I may have turned my ankle."

Was she flirting with him? Or had he truly injured the girl? "Does it hurt to stand?"

She nodded, batting her lashes again.

Will frowned but took her arm, directing her to the closest parlor. "Sit down, and I'll find someone for you."

"No." She pouted. "Won't you look at it for me, my lord?" She dropped onto the settee and tugged the hem of her serviceable grey gown up to her knees. An invitation, if ever he'd seen one, and he'd seen plenty. "Please? It hurts so terribly bad."

The girl did have very nice ankles and a snug little bodice. No wonder Blaine was so enraptured. Pouty lips and sparkling green eyes that spoke of unbridled passion. Last week he would have been tempted. Two days ago he would have been tempted. But after holding Prisca yesterday, after their bargain, he couldn't even consider the girl and what she offered.

"I think not." He backed toward the entrance. "But I'll find someone who can be of assistance."

"But, my lord," she continued, "I'm certain your hands could make it all better."

Will didn't even answer her. He strode from the room, wondering where Prissy had gotten to and spotted Blaine at the end of the corridor. He was mad for the little maid; he could heal her twisted ankle instead. "Blaine," he called.

The youngest Hawthorne brother smiled, approaching him. "Have you disposed of Garrick already?"

Will shrugged. "I'm afraid I knocked into one of your maids just now. Molly, I think. I left her in the pink parlor with a twisted ankle. You should check on her."

"Molly?" A stupid grin landed on Blaine's lips. "The pink parlor, you say?"

Will nodded. "Indeed. I'd better find my way back to the vicar." Though he had no intention of doing that. Prisca was somewhere alone with that vile Brimsworth, and if he didn't find her soon, he would go out of his mind.

Eight

Prisca stood in the dark broom closet and held completely still, forcing herself to breathe slowly and evenly, as though that would help her calm her rapid heart. She had to admit it was cowardly and juvenile to stand in the closet. But she truly wanted to be alone, if only for five minutes. She needed that amount of time to collect her thoughts.

Intelligent women planned. They didn't simply fall into situations from which they were unable to extricate themselves, as she was prone to doing. She was in a mess of disastrous proportions. Now, how to improve upon her situation?

The heavy clomp of boots stopped outside the closet door. It was Dashiel… she knew it! Prisca held her breath, sure he could hear her.

Five minutes. All I

need is five minutes. I need to think.

The steps faded as he walked away from the door. Prisca relaxed a bit, allowing herself to breathe. And that was a good thing, because as soon as she filled her lungs, the door to the closet was flung open. The bulky form of a man slipped inside, and then he closed the door behind him.

***

"Don't scream!" Will grunted at her as his hand covered her mouth. He could just imagine her wailing loudly enough to call all her brothers, his brothers, and that damned Lycan into the hallway. "I'll uncover your mouth if you promise not to scream."

She nodded frantically beneath his hand.

"Good girl," he soothed her.

"Who are…" she started. Her palms landed flat on his chest. "Will?" she asked.

"Yes, love. What are you doing in here?"

There was very little room in the closet and, although his Lycan eyesight allowed him to see her, he had no doubt she couldn't see him. A broomstick brushed his shoulder.

"Ouch," Prisca cried when it hit the top of her head.

"I have it. Never fear, I'll strangle the worrisome beast," he laughed softly. Then she took a step and landed on his toe. "Oww, be still!" he whispered.

"There's not much room in here, Will, and you're taking up most of it."

He reached out and curled an arm around her waist, drawing her body against him. "There. Just be still."

"Why are you in the closet, Will?" she asked.

"I asked you first," he chuckled.

"I was hiding, if you must know. How did you know I was in here?"

"I could hear your heart beating."

"I don't doubt that. It was thumping like mad. Now, tell me the truth?"

"Your gown stuck out from beneath the door," he lied smoothly.

"Then it's a wonder Dashiel didn't find me," she mumbled.

Will managed not to growl. He hated hearing the man's name on her lips. "When did the two of you become chummy enough that you call him Dashiel?"

"Tonight, I assume," Prisca sighed.

"Why were you hiding from him?" Had the beast done something to hurt her? He'd march right out of there and strangle the life out of the Earl of Brimsworth.

She shrugged against him. "I don't know. I just needed some time to myself."

The smell of the Lycan was all over her. On her clothes. On her hair.

Damn it.

"And just what were you thinking about while you hid in the closet?" he asked.

"Kissing."

Will swallowed so loudly that he could hear it. "And why were you thinking of kissing?" When she didn't respond, he jostled her shoulder. "Priss, answer me."

"Dashiel says I'm bad at it."

How the devil would the earl know if she was good or bad at kissing? Will balled his hand up in a fist. "He said

what

"He didn't say I'm

bad

at it. He said I needed practice."

And the earl had himself in mind to tutor her, Will was sure. "Brimsworth is an idiot. When did you kiss him?" He'd only been gone from her for a few moments. "That's hardly being careful around the man."

"I didn't kiss him. He kissed me."

Of course, he did. Will would kill him.

"You think I kiss all right, don't you?" She turned her pretty little face up to his. Her eyes were closed, probably because she couldn't see, even with them open. She looked perfectly kissable.

"I think you kiss just fine," Will grumbled. He needed to move away from her because simply talking about kissing her made him so hard he was sure she'd be scared by it, if she took notice.

"Just fine?" she hissed. "That's like being really cute. It's steps below beautiful."

"You are beautiful." He smiled until she jabbed him in the gut. "All right, Priss, I believe your kiss was better than fine. But, it's so hard to remember. We should do it again so I can give you a full report."

***

"Are my kisses

that

forgettable, Will?" Or was it simply that he'd kissed so many that she didn't stand out? If she didn't kiss well enough to impress Dashiel, how could she ever measure up to all the women Will had kissed? Her confidence was quickly evaporating there in the dark with him pressed against her.

Will's lips brushed her forehead. "Definitely not forgettable, Prissy."

She couldn't help but sigh loudly. He did sound sin cere. "We can get out now. I think I'm done thinking."

"You think you're done thinking?"

"Yes, I believe so."

His arm tightened around her. "I don't know, Priss. You definitely need to think about this some more."

"I should get back to my guests."

"Then go, but your moment of peace will be shattered," he reminded her. "As soon as you leave, Brimsworth will be chasing your skirts again."

"My moment of peace was shattered the second you stepped in here with me."

"That's just because you're thinking about kissing

," he said, bending close to her ear. As he spoke, his warm breath brushed the shell of her ear.

"I am not." Only a little bit, and only because she worried she'd disappointed him the day before.

"Oh, have I just caught Prisca Hawthorne as she told an untruth?" he teased. Laughter made his chest rumble beneath her hands. The muscles of his chest were taut beneath her fingertips. She flexed her fingers, testing the muscles. "Don't do that," he growled.

"Do what?"

"You know what you were doing."

"As soon as you

tell

me, I'll know." Why did everything have to be an argument with this man?

"You were touching my chest. Not quite a caress but definitely exploring."

"I was not!" she gasped. Well, maybe she was. But she didn't have to admit it.

"If I did that to you, you would cry foul and run from the closet screaming."

"I would do no such thing." In fact, the thought of him exploring her body with his fingers made her heart thump. His body was hard, pressed against her, and warmth radiated from him in waves.

She tested him with her fingertips again. "You're just so hard."

"Yes, I am that," he growled. The primitive sound made her soul vibrate. Then she felt him against her lower belly. Perhaps he had something in his pocket.

"Prissy, let me try that kiss again so I can decide if it's worth having or not."

Did he really want to kiss her again? Prisca lifted her face toward him. "I can't even see you, much less kiss you."

A heartbeat later, his lips touched hers softly, sliding against her closed mouth for only a moment.

"Not bad." He lifted his head. "It'll do."

"It'll do?" she cried. That was hardly complimentary.

"Let's try it again." His lips met hers. This time, he tilted his head, his mouth pressing firmly against hers. His tongue tickled her lips, caressing the seam until she opened for him. Then he swept inside.

All conscious reasoning left her in that moment. She lifted herself onto her tiptoes and wrapped her hands around his neck. Her breasts pressed against the hard wall of his chest.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, and her hips rocked against his. There was definitely something in his pocket. Finally, he broke the kiss. But not before she was breathless and witless.

"Will it do?" she gasped out.

"And then some," he grunted.

"That's better."

"Only a fool would complain about your kisses, Prisca."

And if Brimsworth touches you again, he's an even

bigger fool.

"When I was with him…" She hesitated until he nudged her. "I mean, kissing him was not like kissing you."

"Good."

"Why is that good?"

She wanted to hit him. And kiss him again all at the same time.

His finger tipped her chin up. "When you're with him, he doesn't make you feel like this, does he?" His lips touched hers, a quick and profound kiss.

"No," she finally admitted.

"You're not made for him," he told her, as he caressed her jaw with his fingertips.

She couldn't see his face, which made it easier to ask, "Then who am I made for?" She steeled herself for his answer.

"Me," he said softly, and her heart soared.

Did he feel the same connection to her that she felt to him? "Will—"

Before she could ask, the closet door opened and the light from the hallway washed over them.

Nine

"Get out of the closet, William," Simon hissed at him. Then he turned his gaze on Prisca. "And you, too," he growled, making a jerking motion with his thumb.

Prisca squared her shoulders. "I think I may just stay in the closet the rest of the night. Please close the door on your way out." She paused briefly and then shot Simon a glare. "Your Grace," she sneered at him.

Will wasn't sure if he should laugh out loud or roll over and show Simon his belly. His oldest brother's face was ripe with rage, though Prisca didn't seem to notice.

"You will get out of the closet and then you will thank me, Miss Hawthorne," Simon clipped out. "As we speak, each of your brothers is searching the premises for the both of you. Have the two of you lost your fool minds?"

Will captured Prisca's hand in his and pulled her from the closet. "No need to bark at the girl, Simon. She was only looking for a little peace."

"And what were you looking for?" his brother countered.

Prisca tilted her face up to him. Will's heart nearly thudded to a stop when tears welled up behind her eyelashes. He never could bear to see her cry. "Priss, are you all right?"

She barely nodded. "You'd better go so they won't find us together."

He wasn't about to leave her. "Not while you're upset."

"William!" She frowned, snatching her hand back from his. "Surely it's not in your best interest to be caught in my presence. Please go with His Grace."

He could only stand there and gape at her.

Prisca shook her head irritably. "Never mind." She turned her glared on Simon. "You may tell them you found me and that I have retired to my room with a headache." And with that, she fled down the corridor and around a corner.

"And still no 'thank you,'" Simon grumbled.

Rage coursed through Will, and before he could stop himself, he grabbed Simon's jacket and thrust his older brother against the wall with such force he felt the manor's foundation tremble. "I'll 'thank you' right out the window," he seethed.

Simon growled low in his throat. No one ever challenged him, not ever. Will knew better, but his control was long since gone.

"If you want to keep those hands, you'll remove them from my person this instant," Simon threatened.

Will blinked, trying to regain his thoughts, and released his hold on Simon's jacket. "I don't know what came over me," he apologized, backing away.

Simon smoothed his jacket back into place and straightened his ivory cravat. "That's not an excuse, William. Think for one moment about what you're doing."

Will raked a hand through his hair. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Indeed?" Simon's brow rose. "Because your behavior is a complete mystery to me. Tell me, little brother, if someone other than me had opened that cupboard, what do you think would have happened?"

But it wasn't someone else. It was Simon, and Will had heard his approach. "There was nothing to worry about."

Simon growled. "Are you trying to compromise her?"

"No!" The air rushed from Will's lungs. Honestly, he hadn't given it any thought. Still… "But it did work for both you and Ben." It could be the quickest way to get her in front of the altar and away from Brimsworth.

"The situations aren't even remotely similar." The dark look his older brother shot Will nearly shook the idea from his head. But he stood his ground. "There are other ways to go about this, William. Honorable ways. Do you want Emory and the others to think less of their sister? Do you want to lose the best friends you've ever had? Because that is what awaits you if you travel down the path you're on."

Will sighed. That was the last thing he wanted for both himself and Prisca. "Well, what am I supposed to do, Simon? You saw the way Brimsworth snatched her from me in the parlor. You saw the way he kept her at his side all night. The damned man is a guest here—in this house—with her. How am I supposed to compete with that?"

"You can start by behaving honorably," Simon advised. "I know it's a stretch for you, but…" He glanced down the corridor. "Emory," he whispered.

Will nodded. He'd know his old friend's approach anywhere.

"Ah, Will," Emory said as he rounded the corner. "Garrick was worried when you deserted him in the middle of the game."

Will feigned a smile and started down the corridor toward his friend. "Don't know why. I told him I was going outdoors to get a breath of fresh air for a bit."

Emory glanced around Will as though he was searching for something. "Have you seen Prissy? She seems to have become lost in our own home somehow."

Simon cleared his throat. "Actually, I spotted her on the way to her room a while ago, Emory. Said she had a headache. I should have informed you, but when I stumbled upon Will, I became distracted."

Emory frowned and seemed a bit disappointed, though Will couldn't reason out why. "Headache, huh?"

Simon nodded. "She did look exhausted. Perhaps having so many guests has been a bit draining for her."

"It has been a while since we've had so many visitors at Langley Downs." Emory's voice softened. "I hadn't realized it might be too much for her."

***

Prisca flopped on her bed and covered her head with a pillow. Heavens, she was a fool. First kissing Dashiel and then Will. She winced. She'd behaved like a wanton, like all the women who threw themselves at him. She would never be able to look him in the eyes again after tonight.

A knock sounded at her door, and Prisca groaned. There wasn't anyone she wanted to see at the moment. "Go away."

Of course, the door opened. No one she was related to would do as she asked. But that didn't mean she had to talk to the interloper.

"Prissy," Emory's voice came from the doorway.

Perfect. Why couldn't it be one of the others? She could at least intimidate the others.

"Prissy," he said again, more urgent.

She sat up and tossed her pillow at her oldest brother's head. "Stop it, Emory. You know I hate it when you call me that."

He smiled and dropped onto the bed beside her, handing her back the pillow. "Glad to see you're still feeling yourself. Blackmoor had me worried about you."

Perfect! What had that puffed-up, arrogant duke said? "It's just a headache, Emory. One you're making worse."

He tucked a curl behind her ear. "Is that all it is? A headache?"

She nodded, as it wasn't wise to say anything else.

"Lily wanted me to thank you for a delightful evening. And she asked for you to visit the dowager tomorrow."

Then she'd have to see Will again, and Prisca wasn't at all ready to do that. "I've already promised Sarah Giddings that I'd help her pick out a gown for the Yule Ball, tomorrow." Thank heavens the girl

had

asked for her help this evening. She wouldn't want to lie to Lily.

Emory kissed her brow. "Just get some sleep then." He winked at her. "You'll need all the help you can get if you've got to spend time in that madhouse tomorrow."

She smacked his chest. "You were awful tonight, by the way. Lizzie had her heart set on you, and you acted like a perfect beast."

A smile twitched on his lips. "That's doing it up a bit brown, sweeting. And I don't think she had her heart really set on me. She seemed to shift her affections fairly easily to Garrick, after all."

"Only because he was so much nicer to her than you were. You actually snarled at the poor girl during dinner."

Her brother laughed. "I must confess that was Darius' suggestion. A rather good one. I'll have to thank him properly."

Prisca scowled at him. "Why was I punished with the five of you?"

Emory's dark eyes twinkled. "I'd say it's the other way around, Prissy." Then he flicked her nose. "See you in the morning."

Ten

Will scooped up a handful of pebbles from a side path leading up to Langley Downs. Then he gazed up at the Palladian home as he approached it. Prisca's room was the fourth window from the far corner on the second floor. At least it used to be. God save him if he woke one of her brothers instead.

Quiet as a stalking wolf, he made his way around the house until he found the window in question. Fortunately, a soft glow from a lamp illuminated the room, which made him hopeful she was still awake. They had a lot to discuss, especially after what had transpired between them, and he didn't want the night to pass before they did so.

Taking aim, he threw the first pebble. It bounced off her glass making a satisfying "ping." He held his breath, hoping to catch a hint of movement, but there was nothing. After a moment, he took aim again and once more hit his target perfectly.

Still nothing.

He heaved a sigh. So her hearing wasn't as sensitive as his. Will looked down at the pebbles left in his hand. Perhaps if he threw them all, he'd get her attention. Of course, he could also break the glass, which would be rather difficult to explain. Still, nothing ventured, nothing—

"It won't matter," came a deep voice from the shadows.

Brimsworth!

"She can sleep through anything."

And just how would the damned earl know that? Will clasped his pebbles tighter and imagined forcing them down the earl's throat.

His nemesis strolled from around a hedgerow, quiet as a deadly predator and with a smug look upon his face. "Should I inform the Hawthorne men that you've come to abscond with their precious sister? I doubt they'd appreciate that."

Abscond? Will growled, wishing the idea had occurred to him before now. "And I'm equally certain they wouldn't appreciate the liberties you tried to take with that very girl this evening under their own roof."

Brimsworth laughed. "You mean like the ones you stole in that cupboard?" Then he held up his arms as though he was calling a truce. "You should be a good pup and head back home, Westfield. You don't belong here. We both know you don't deserve Prisca. Haven't you done enough damage to the girl's heart already?"

Though it was bitter cold, Will grew hot beneath his greatcoat. What the devil did Brimsworth know about it anyway? "I beg your pardon?"

The earl's amber eyes narrowed to little shards. "I've been at Langley Downs long enough to learn how you crushed her tender heart all those years ago. What a vicious pup you've been. You're fortunate she even lowers herself enough to speak to you."

The words stabbed at Will's heart. It was one thing to know the truth himself, quite another to hear it from the unwelcome Lycan's lips.

"The Hawthorne brothers have a long memory," the earl continued, examining the fingernails of one hand. "So, have you come back to finish her off, then?"

Will dropped the pebbles in his hand and lunged for Brimsworth, ready to crush the man with his bare hands. However, the earl was quicker and easily slid from Will's reach. The lack of purchase when he reached for his prey caused Will to tumble to the cold ground. He rolled to his side.

"Watch yourself, Westfield," the earl crowed from above him. "Uncontrolled emotions cause one to make mistakes. Now run on home before you wake the entire household." Then the man dusted his hands on his trousers.

"Watch

yourself,

Brimsworth. Prisca Hawthorne is mine," he growled. Whether she knew it or not.

The earl grinned, his white teeth gleaming under the moonlight. "I beg to differ. As we speak, Sir Herbert is considering my offer for her hand. I can't imagine he'll refuse it."

Brimsworth was in for a surprise if he thought Prissy would accept his proposal, no matter what her father wanted. Will tossed back his head and laughed.

"Something amusing?"

Will leapt back to his feet, glaring at the other Lycan. "Do you know how many offers Prisca has refused over the years?"

Brimsworth stared blankly back at him as though he had suddenly sprouted pointy ears and a tail.

Will folded his arms across his chest. "More than you can possibly imagine. She won't settle for just anyone."

"I'm not just anyone," the earl growled, as he began to circle Will. "I'm the one who'll catch her."

Not on his life. Will shook his head. "Not if I catch her first."

Brimsworth stopped in his tracks. "May the best man win, then?"

"It won't even be a competition."

The earl's brow rose with haughty indignation. "I do suppose you're right about that."

***

Prisca bolted upright in bed, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of her. She rubbed her eyes, surprised to realize her candle was still lit. Heaven help her if Papa learned of it. He wasn't stingy with most things, but beeswax candles could set him off like nothing else.

She glanced down and realized she was still in her gown from that evening. What was the matter with her? She should have rung for Molly hours ago. It was too late to do so now. Poor girl.

Prisca heaved a sigh and crawled from bed. She shimmied out of her light blue silk, stumbled over to her wardrobe, and pulled her favorite nightrail from the drawer. She quickly threw it over her head and started for her bedside table to blow out the candle when a strange sound from outside caught her ear.

Heavens! What was that? She raced to the window but couldn't see a thing in the darkness. She retreated to her bedside table, blew out the candle, and returned to the window. There in the moonlight, she could make out a man stalking across the lawn toward the old path that led to Westfield Hall. But he wasn't just some man. Her heart leapt when she recognized Will. What was he doing there? Hadn't he left hours ago?

Why would he be there now? In the dead of night? And why was he leaving? Her heart urged her to call out to him, to ask him to stay. Shocking herself with this line of thought, she padded back to her bed and fell on top of the counterpane.

Will had kissed her. Two days in a row. Each time leaving her more breathless than the last. She was in just as much danger of falling for him now as she had been at fifteen. Was she willing to risk her heart again? If he broke it a second time, she knew it would never heal properly. She would never be whole again.

Which meant one thing. She had to pack her girlhood fantasies of Will away and never shake them back out.

***

Will avoided the flirty gaze of a chambermaid as he strolled toward his mother's room. Why did it seem as though every maid he came in contact with had that come-hither look? The dowager's cough had woken him more than once during the night, not that his sleep was particularly restful. But in truth, he was starting to have serious concerns about his mother's health. She hadn't been out of bed since he'd arrived from London. And, for her age, Alice Westfield was a healthy and active woman.

He slowed as he approached her chamber door, which stood half-open. A low chuckle made him tilt his head and perk his ears up so he could hear better.

"Your son is outside the door, listening to us," a male voice rumbled. Will could nearly hear the laughter in the man's tone. But he heard something else that disconcerted him even more than that. He heard the low rumble of affection, admiration, and perhaps even desire.

Even though he knew his presence had already been detected, Will still waited outside the door, unable to make his feet move any farther.

"Simon and Benjamin both have better things to do, so I assume you're referring to William."

"I'm not certain I like the idea of my daughter being

something

for your son to do."

His mother laughed. Not the laugh of a mother. Or a duchess. But the laugh of a woman besotted. When had that come about?

The major had been one of his father's dearest friends, but he'd never known the fellow to be so close with his mother. Perhaps, since Ben and Elspeth were about to make them grandparents, they shared a common bond now.

Will finally leaned around the edge of the door. The scene in the room was so cozy it nearly made him uncomfortable. The major sat in a chair at his mother's bedside with his elbows resting on his knees, his arms extended so that he clutched her hand between his own and looked lovingly upon her.

He wished his mother every happiness. She had been alone a good many years, but… Well, the idea of anyone, even a man he greatly respected, paying court to Alice Westfield made him fairly uncomfortable.

"Good morning, William," the major said, without taking his eyes off the dowager duchess.

"Uh, good morning," Will said as he stood there in the doorway, looking like he was completely daft, he was sure.

"Did you need something, Will?" his mother asked. She dragged her eyes away from the major as though it was a chore to do so.

"I just wanted to check on you. I can come back later."

"That would be wonderful, dear," she replied absently, her eyes closing slightly.

"I'm afraid I've worn her out this morning," the major said, his brow knit with concern. "Alice, I'll take my leave as well." He looked at her with a question ing glance.

"Stay," she murmured as her eyes drifted completely shut. The major settled back into the chair at her bedside and shot him an apologetic glance.

Will wasn't quite sure what to think about this latest development. Was either of his brothers aware of the situation? He couldn't imagine that Simon would approve. Of course, Ben couldn't complain as the major was his father-in-law. His mind awhirl, Will stalked from his mother's room toward the staircase, anxious to find his brothers… until the sweet scent of lilacs that was uniquely Prissy stopped him at the top of the stairs.

What was she doing here? And so early? He hadn't even breakfasted yet.

Will took the steps two at a time, noticing Billings at the bottom of the staircase. "Miss Hawthorne's here?" he asked.

The butler nodded. "She just arrived, my lord."

Will couldn't help but smile. She'd come to see him. She must feel the same insatiable need to see him as he felt for her. Morning, noon, and night. When exactly had that happened? "She's in the green parlor?" he asked, though he could tell that by her scent.

Billings frowned a bit. "Miss Hawthorne has come to see

Her Grace

, Lord William." The old butler's censure hung in the air. Single young ladies couldn't call on a bachelor, but that wasn't really the case with them. They'd always been more than that.

"After I speak with her, you may inform the duchess of her guest."

"But, my lord—"

Will halted the man's objections with a wave of his hand. "Thank you, Billings. That will be all." He turned and hurried into the parlor before the butler could regain his voice or train of thought.

Prisca's back was to him, her dainty hands clutched together, as she studied an old portrait of his mother that hung above the mantel. He cleared his throat and she spun around, an enchanting blush stained her cheeks. Will inhaled sharply at the sight of her. Prissy's beauty never failed to take his breath away.

"You're not Lily," she accused.

Simply seeing her soothed him in so many ways. "Not since the last time I checked." He shut the parlor door to keep eavesdroppers at bay, although his brothers and Major Forster could listen in if they were of a mind to do so. If they wanted to keep their tails, they'd resist the urge.

Prisca folded her arms across her chest, which only made her décolletage even more appealing. "What do you want, Will?"

"Hmm. What

I want?" He closed the distance between them, wishing she would smile at him like she had the night before. "When I came downstairs, I was anxious for breakfast, but then I realized you were here." He smiled his most charming smile and grazed her cheekbone with the back of his hand. "Now you're all I can think about, Prissy."

Her delicate brow rose indignantly. "Do you think you can smile at me, William, and that I'll melt at your feet?"

"You nearly melted for me last night," he quipped. But he immediately wanted to withdraw the words as he saw the storm clouds brewing in her violet eyes.

She turned her back to him and refocused on his mother's portrait.

"Priss… I'm sorry."

She glared at him over her shoulder. "I'll not be one of your conquests, William."

that

what she thought? Will shook his head. "I would never—"

"So I don't think it's a very good idea for me to be alone with you."

This wasn't going at all the way he'd hoped when he'd smelled her lilac scent from the steps. She'd been so soft and pliant against him last night. What could possibly have changed? "Priss, I thought we'd moved past all this—"

She stepped away from his touch, leaving a settee between them. "In fact, I don't think it's a good idea to see you at all, in the company of others or not."

Will's mouth went dry. What was she saying? Certainly she hadn't accepted Brimsworth's offer. His heart constricted at the thought. "What changed between last night and today? When I last saw you, I thought you at least

liked

me."

For a moment, he thought her expression softened a bit, but then her jaw tightened and she looked as though she could kill him where he stood. "No, you mistook me for some lightskirt, which was completely my fault, considering my behavior. But I won't let it ever happen again."

"A lightskirt?" he whispered in astonishment. How could she think such a thing?

"Do you think I'm daft, William?"

He winced. In his experience, women didn't ever truly want an answer to that question. "Priss…"

"Do you think I don't know what you and my brothers get up to at The White Lion or that Madam Millish's or whatever bawdy house happens to be in fashion at the moment?"

He felt the blood drain from his face, and he didn't know what to say to that. "I, um…" he stumbled, "I would hope that you didn't know any of the details." That was really a poor thing to say, which he knew as soon as Prisca picked up a

La Belle Assemblée from the sid

e table and threw it at his head. He caught the periodical in the air. "You needn't try to decapitate me, love."

"Don't '

love

' me, Will."

For a moment, he stopped to think about what she'd said. He knew she meant not to use the term of endearment. But he wanted it to be more. "I don't think I can help myself," he admitted.

She looked as though she was ready to skewer him with her gaze. "Is that why you decided to spend some time in the cupboard with me, because you can't help

?" She blew the hair from her forehead, as though she was thoroughly frustrated by him. "Why am I not surprised?"

Why was she being so bloody difficult? "If you would stop being a shrew for one second and

listen…

"A shrew? Tell me you did

not

call me a shrew." The toe of her shoe began to thump loudly against the Aubusson rug and Will gulped.

"You always twist my words around."

"Twist them around? William, you're the one who said 'shrew,' which, by the way, I do not appreciate in the least."

If she kept talking, he'd never get back in her good graces, if he'd ever been there. "Priss, can you be quiet for just a moment?"

Her eyes narrowed to little shards. "How dare you?"

Perfect. She couldn't be reasonable. He began to circle the settee she'd put between them. "I'll take that as a 'no.' So let me be of assistance."

"Stay where you are," she warned.

But he paid her no heed. The beast inside him took over, and he leapt over the settee and caught her waist with his hands. "There's only one way I know to get you to be quiet," Will said, and then he pulled her flush against him.

***

Prisca gaped at him. Did he really think to kiss her after she just finished telling him she couldn't be alone with him, that she wouldn't play the role of lightskirt for him? She balled up her fist and landed it against his stubborn chin.

Will flinched and then released her. "What the devil…?"

She bolted from the room and darted into the corridor where she collided with Lily. "Heavens!" the duchess gasped as she toppled to the floor. "Prisca!"

Mortified, Prisca held out a hand to Lily and pulled her back to her feet. "I'm so sorry, Lily."

"Billings just informed me you were here. Are you all right?"

"Of course," she lied. She didn't think she'd ever be all right ever again. Simply being in Will's presence made her mind all a jumble.

"You don't look all right," Lily insisted. "Do come into the breakfast room. Elspeth and I were enjoying a spot of tea."

Prisca shook her head. She didn't think she could be cordial, and it would be very obvious something had happened, which was the last thing she could ever confess. If she was going to put Will out of her mind, she couldn't discuss him with anyone, most especially Lily. After all, the duchess was related to the reprobate.

She clutched the locket around her neck and gathered her strength. "I'm such a ninny, Lily. I completely forgot that I was supposed to visit the Giddings sisters today. I've been so distracted with Langley Downs nearly overflowing, I ended up here instead. Do forgive me?"

"Of course." Lily hooked her arm with Prisca's. "Are you sure I can't convince you to stay a while?"

Prisca shook her head. "I have so much to do. I started Lady Elspeth's gown yesterday, but now Sarah needs my help as well. I'm afraid I don't have time to spare today." Hopefully, Lily would never know she'd already sent a note to the Giddings' begging off for the day. She did hate lying, especially to Lily; but she couldn't very well tell her that she could not stay at Westfield Hall because it pained her too much to see Will. Lily would smile and try to push them together, and Prisca refused to have her heart broken again. She had to leave. She needed to be alone for a while and sort out her thoughts.

As her carriage was still on the drive, Prisca bounded inside and snuggled under a traveling blanket while she waited for Harris to resume his spot on the perch and drive her home.

Eleven

"I think you should ride right over there. Tell Sir Herbert you compromised her and be done with it," Ben offered, standing in Will's doorway.

He glared at his brother from where he lounged on his bed, trying to find a solution to this situation with Prissy. Ben's presence didn't help.

"Thank you for respecting my privacy in this matter, Benjamin."

His younger brother shrugged. "You didn't exactly make it easy on us. The two of you were practically bellowing at each other. It's a wonder Lily and Ellie didn't hear you. What

did

you do with her in the cupboard last night?"

"Go. To. Hell."

Ben stepped inside Will's room and shut the door behind him. "Was it bad enough to compromise her? I mean, since Simon found the two of you, Sir Herbert wouldn't have a choice in the matter."

Will glared at his irritating brother. "You should know your advice is in direct opposition to Simon's."

Ben snorted. "As if that's a surprise. Besides, I know Prissy better than he does. It may be the only way to secure her."

"She hates me, Ben." He could see it in her eyes as she'd fled from him. He didn't want to trap her, to give her no choice in the matter.

Ben sighed. "She doesn't hate you."

Will scoffed and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I have it on the highest authority that she does."

"You'll have to take my word for it, Will."

He'd never taken Ben's word for anything. His younger brother wasn't exactly known for his good judgment, even if Ben and Prisca had engaged in years' worth of exchanged letters. "If I don't want Simon's advice, I certainly don't want yours. Now turn back around and go keep an eye on your father-in-law."

"What's wrong with the major?"

"There's something going on with him and Mother."

Ben's eyes widened in surprise. "Major Forster?"

"Do you have a different father-in-law?"

Ben laughed. "I wonder if Ellie knows."

"No idea," Will said. "Why don't you go and discuss it with her?"

Someone was about to knock on his door, so both Will and Ben turned expectantly. Then the rap came and Ben pulled the door open.

Simon stood on the threshold. "Will, Emory Hawthorne is in my study."

"And?" Will asked.

Simon frowned. "He came here looking for Prisca."

But she'd left hours ago. Will brushed past both brothers and started for the stairs. He bolted down the steps and through the house until he reached Simon's study. He found Emory pacing the floor.

"You don't know where she is?" Will asked.

Emory shook his head. "Blackmoor said she

was

here?"

"She was. But she said she was headed to the Giddings'."

Emory looked tortured. "She's not there. That was the first place we looked. I think she's run off."

"She wouldn't," Will said, though as soon as the words left his mouth, he knew Emory was right. She would only take so much before she'd try to escape it.

But all of her brothers were at Langley Downs. So where

would she go?

"We need to find her. If anything happens to her…"

Will grasped Emory's shoulder. "We'll find her."

"Did she seem upset when she was here?"

Furious. Though Will wasn't ready to divulge that bit just yet. "She seemed like Prisca," he hedged.

Emory shook his head in frustration. "I know Harris returned her to Langley Downs safely. But from there, her trail's gone cold. Her horse is still in the stables. I can't imagine where she would go. Only my sister would pick up and leave on foot in the middle of December."

A chill raced down Will's spine. "What about Brimsworth?"

Emory frowned. "Helping Blaine search the property. Why?"

Will took a deep breath, relieved she wasn't with the earl. "We can use all the help we can get."

***

"I must be the most cursed woman in all of England," Prisca mumbled to herself as she stopped to remove a clinging spider web from her hair. She shook the sticky string from her hand, disgusted at the very thought of the thing clinging to the top of her head.

What had began as a quick walk to clear her head had become hours and hours of walking in circles. Or at least, she assumed she was walking in circles.

With Brimsworth chasing her skirts all over Langley Downs and Will invading her every thought, she needed a temporary escape. Her mind made up, she'd taken a path from the garden into the forest. Although she'd walked the same path hundreds of times when she was younger, it had been years since she'd stepped foot into the thick woods that backed up to the estate.

Just as she'd grown, so had the forest. Nothing looked the same. None of the old landmarks were present. She'd very quickly found herself lost, though she hadn't realized it at first. Not finding her way home wasn't a fear initially—it had been early in the day and the sun was shining. Though it was cold, she was nice and warm in her wool coat. But the farther she'd walked, the darker the sky had gotten. There was a nip in the air that hadn't been present that morning.

Prisca hugged her arms tighter around her body and spun slowly in a circle. She could swear she'd passed that croft of trees at least three times in the last hour. But then, all trees looked the same when what you truly wanted to find was home.

A drop of water landed on her nose. "Oh, perfect. Rain." Within moments, a slow drizzle began to fall. She picked up her pace. If there was ever a time she needed to find home, this was it.

Yet, she walked. And walked. And walked. And nothing looked familiar. The drizzle turned to a shower that quickly became a chilling downpour. Finally, as the sun sank in the sky and when she could no longer feel her fingers or toes, or her nose, for that matter, she stopped. Surely, if she just stayed in one place, someone would find her. But, then again, she'd thought that hours ago. No one had appeared to ease her torment.

Surely, someone had to know she was gone. Her father would have missed her presence at all three meals, which was uncommon. Her brothers would have noticed she wasn't around to pester them. And Brimsworth had been shadowing her every move for days. Certainly, he'd realize she was missing.

Prisca picked up her skirts and walked a little faster. "Ah!" she cried when she misstepped, her ankle twisting painfully as she fell to her hands and knees on the drenched forest floor. She rolled to her backside, reaching for the offended ankle and gasped as she tried to flex her foot. A curse word flitted through her mind, though she was too much of a lady to voice it.

Prisca levered herself to a standing position on her good leg and tested her weight. Oh, definitely not. It would not accept any pressure on it at all. Drat!

Disheartened, she dropped down on a fallen log, sheltered under a large tree, and extended her leg, cursing her blasted luck. Her teeth chattered from the cold. Her hair hung like a sodden, cold mess with wet tendrils sticking to her face. Her clothes were heavy and uncomfortable. And freezing cold. She rocked back and forth as she sat there and shivered while the light of day was replaced by the darkest of nights.

Someone would come for her soon.

***

Will drew his reins in front of Westfield Hall just as Lily ran out the door to greet him. "Did you find her?"

"Not a trace. Simon? Or Ben?" he asked, knowing the answer already. Lily wouldn't have asked him, if his brothers had been successful.

Lily shook her head slowly. "No sign of her. They went back out to search, along with the Hawthorne brothers. They're checking the local inns and the coaching houses, just in case." Lily placed a hand on his sodden calf. "Come in and put on some dry clothes. You'll be no good to anyone if you catch your death."

"I can't stop, Lily. She's out there somewhere. Damn this storm." He glared at the darkening sky.

"Be careful," she said quietly as she stepped back from his horse. He nudged the mare with his heels and rode toward the neighboring estate. As he neared the stables, he caught a scent in the air. He raised his nose to sniff. Nothing. Unfortunately, the blasted rain made it harder to find the scents that came so easily to those of his kind. But, there was still hope. For a moment, he had smelled the faint scent of lilacs.

Will tossed his reins to a waiting groom and turned to walk toward the house. He smelled it again.

That

was most definitely Prisca. His heart began to thump in his chest. Dear God, where was she? He

had

to find her. He had to be sure she was safe.

"You smell it, too?" a male voice called out.

Will looked over his shoulder to find Brimsworth riding toward him. He held up one hand, stopping Will. "You needn't raise your lip at me like that. I caught the scent about an hour ago. I searched as far as I could, but then I lost it before Blaine and I headed toward the village."

"Which way?" Will growled.

The earl pointed as he turned to Will and said, "We should call a temporary truce, Lord William."

"Which way?" he nearly screamed. Prisca was out there somewhere, perhaps injured, and this dolt wanted to call a truce. Brimsworth was the last thing on Will's mind.

"I know you're one, too," Brimsworth continued calmly. "I've never met another like myself before now, but I imagine two snouts are better than one. I'll accompany you."

The devil he would. Will leapt off his mare and charged the earl, knocking him from his steed. "If you've done anything to hurt her," Will snarled. "I will

kill

you."

Stunned, Brimsworth gasped and tugged at Will's arm. Suddenly, Will released the man and he slumped to the ground. "Why would I hurt her?" he croaked out. "I plan to marry the girl."

A light lilac scent tickled Will's nose, and he turned to the east. "If you want to keep your bloody head, you'll be gone when I return." He didn't wait for a response as he mounted his horse and started for the thick forest that called to him.

After a mile or so, it was so dark and the brush so thick that he couldn't continue on horseback. But he knew he was on the right path. Under the shelter of trees, Prisca's scent had only grown stronger. He dismounted and slapped his mare on the rump. She'd find her way home and hopefully alert the others. For a normal man, the dark, wooded area would seem like an endless pit of gloom. But his eyesight allowed him to see, despite the fog that hung over the area and the lack of moonlight in the heart of the forest.

"Prisca!" he called, but he heard nothing. He stopped and closed his eyes. The wind shifted, and her scent was stronger than ever. It stayed with him as he ran. In the back of his mind, he tried to calculate the number of miles she must have walked today. He could only imagine her exhausted, wet, and freezing cold.

Finally, his eyes caught the shimmer of pale fabric ahead. There she was. She rested beneath the overhang of low branches, her legs drawn up close to her chest.

"Prisca!" he shouted. He could hear her teeth chatter from where he stood.

Will ran to her, not stopping until he reached her. Prisca's alabaster skin was even more pale than usual, her lips blue. Will watched the slow rise and fall of her chest, the only indication that she still breathed.

"Will?" she asked, her voice cracking with the effort.

"Yes, it's me, love," he sighed as he slid his arms from his coat and wrapped her body in it. She instinctively turned toward his warmth as he cradled her gently in his arms. If his bearings were right, they were on Westfield land and there was a small cottage nearby. It was the shelter Simon sometimes retreated to when the moon was full, when he needed to seek solitude. It would have to do, as it was much closer than Westfield Hall.

She weighed nearly nothing in his arms. He ran with her cradled against his chest. Twice she groaned, but she didn't complain even once.

Will looked up when he heard the slosh of boots across the sodden earth.

"Will, did you find her?" Ben called out.

"I have her!"

Ben stopped in front of him, his breathing labored. "Is she all right?"

"She's cold."

"I'll run ahead and start a fire at the cabin. I assume that's where you're heading." He didn't wait for a response. Will would never underestimate the bond between brothers again.

When Will arrived at the small cottage, Ben had a roaring fire in the hearth and the chill was already being replaced by heat.

The rustic little cabin had just one bed. Will placed Prisca on it, and then he began to remove her shoes.

"You can go, Ben," he said without looking up.

"And send the others?"

Will met his brother's eyes. He might not get another chance if he let this one pass. "Not yet."

"What is your plan?" Ben asked, and he didn't sound the least bit surprised.

"Firstly, to make sure she's safe." He tugged her boot from her left foot. "Turn around," he said as he reached beneath Prisca's skirts and pulled off her sodden stocking.

Ben did as he was bid. "And then…?"

Will sighed. "You're a bloody nuisance, Benjamin."

"That's nothing new."

"If you must know…" Will heaved a sigh. He couldn't believe it had come to this. It certainly wasn't the best possible plan, but he didn't have much of a choice, not with Brimsworth waiting to snatch her up. This experience had taught him something. He knew he couldn't lose her, and he couldn't be without her any longer. "I plan to keep her here long enough to thoroughly compromise her."

Ben chuckled at him from behind his back. "Bravo. About time someone took my advice." He started for the door. "I'll check on you in the morning."

"No need. I'll bring her back when I'm ready."

Will looked at Prisca's sleeping form, so beautiful despite her current circumstances. He closed his eyes and prayed she'd forgive him.

Twelve

Pain gripped Prisca. She woke and gasped loudly as Will jerked her right foot to tug her boot off. "Don't!" she cried.

He immediately stilled. "What's wrong?" Worry crossed his features.

"I twisted my ankle," she groaned as he jostled her leg. "Please, stop!"

"Priss, I need to take this boot off so I can see how bad it is. Can you stand it?"

Prisca bit her bottom lip as he slipped the boot from her foot with the utmost care. "How bad is it?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," he said as he flexed her foot. "Bad enough to keep you off it for the time being."

Will's hands moved to her bodice.

"And just what are you doing?" she gasped as she shoved his hands away.

"You need to take off those wet clothes. You're shaking. And your lips are blue."

"Oh." Prisca glanced around the small one-room cabin. "Where are we?"

"A crofter's cottage," Will replied. "Are you going to take those wet clothes off, or shall I do it for you?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I can manage quite well on my own, thank you," she grunted.

"Yes, you were managing quite well there on the forest floor," he murmured as he turned to stoke the fire. Was that disappointment she'd glimpsed so briefly in his gaze?

She glanced up at him and stared as he shrugged out of his jacket. Then his waistcoat. When he made a move to tug his shirt over his head, she was thoroughly engrossed in watching him accomplish the task. She'd never seen a man in nothing but his small clothes. He was magnificent. She snapped her mouth closed as she realized it was hanging open and tried to look at something else. But the image of him was still there. Blast him.

Will tossed her a shirt from a trunk at the end of the bed.

"Whose is this?" she wondered aloud.

"Simon's," was Will's only reply.

Why did the duke have a set of clothes in a crofter's cottage? Prisca shook the thought from her mind and busied herself by putting on the duke's shirt. She pulled it down to cover her bottom and then she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"Don't do that," he said slowly.

"Don't do what?" She frowned at him.

Will covered her legs with the counterpane. "A man can only take so much," he said.

"Please," she snorted. "With as many bare legs as you've seen, I'm sure you're immune to such sights. Besides, I want to sit by the fire."

Before she could even blink, Will scooped her up and carried her across the room, taking great care with her injured ankle. He set her down softly in an overstuffed leather chair by the grate, and she tucked her legs beneath her shirt and wrapped her arms around herself. It was so cold.

Prisca took in her surroundings—one wroughtiron bed, an old musket mounted above the hearth, a settee she thought she remembered from years earlier in Westfield Hall, a writing desk, an oak table with a couple of chairs, and a plush rug that didn't seem to belong in a small crofter's cottage. The entire ambiance was very strange.

"I'm afraid the cupboards are bare except for some whisky," Will said, interrupting her perusal.

Prisca blinked up at him. Whisky and soft rugs, the duke's extra clothing… "Does Lily know about this place?"

Will laughed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Don't you think you have enough of your own problems without worrying about what Lily does or does not know?"

"I'll take that as a no." She narrowed her eyes on him. Blasted Westfield men. All of them were deceitful scoundrels. "Why would he keep this a secret from Lily? What does he do out here?"

Will sighed as though it was a chore even to speak with her. "Lily knows all about this place, Prissy. And it isn't in your best interest to go around stoking Simon's ire."

As if she cared what the Duke of Blackmoor thought. He was a boorish creature who barked at everyone around him. Though he must have some sort of charm to him, as he'd somehow managed to make Lily fall in love with him. "Honestly, His Grace's opinion means very little to me."

"Only because you can't manage him."

Prisca turned back to the fire. "I have my hands full with my own brothers. What do I care about yours?"

"You are exasperating, you know?"

Despite his words, his light blue eyes twinkled, and Prisca's breath caught in her throat. He had always been devilishly handsome, even as a boy. When she was a child, she'd been mesmerized by his charm and bravado. No. She couldn't go down this path again.

"I need to go home," she said quietly.

"Not tonight, love."

Her eyes flew wide. "Yes, tonight. I'm sure everyone is worried about me. Besides, I can't stay here with

you

Will shrugged. "I don't think you have much of a choice unless you want to go out in nothing but one of Simon's shirts, traipsing through the drenched forest alone in the darkness." His gaze raked down her legs. "You'll not get far on that ankle. And, as strong as I am, I cannot carry you all the way back to Langley Downs. The dark makes it even worse, Prissy. It's too dangerous."

"It's more dangerous to be with you."

A grin curved his lips. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

A likely story. Who knew what he'd do with an entire night on his hands? But he'd mentioned Ben earlier, hadn't he? Ben wouldn't leave her with him all night. He'd be back soon with clothes and one of Blackmoor's mares.

A twinge of sadness ached in her heart. It had been a lifetime since she and Will had been completely alone. A stolen moment in a cupboard didn't count. Nor did his dragging her into a room so he could talk to her. Now that they were, she wasn't quite certain she wanted him to be on his best behavior. She might not ever get another chance such as this. Prisca gasped at her own wicked thoughts. What had come over her? Obviously spending time in his company was not conducive to behaving properly.

"An entire range of emotions just played across your face, Prissy. What

are

you thinking? Or should I be afraid to ask?"

She couldn't tell him the truth. He'd pounce on her like he would any lightskirt who crossed his path. "I suppose I should thank you for finding me tonight," she said instead.

***

Will frowned, the anxiety he'd experienced earlier still fresh in his mind. Finding her like that had taken years off his life. "What were you doing out there?"

She stared into the fire. "I went for a walk to clear my head."

"And decided freezing to death was preferable to returning home?"

She worried her bottom lip with her teeth, and Will had the overwhelming desire to kiss the marks she left. Didn't she know what seeing that did to him?

"What is it, Prissy?"

She shook her head.

"You know you can tell me anything."

Her violet eyes pierced him straight to his core. "I got lost, Will." Then she snorted in disgust. "That is most ridiculous, I know. How does anyone get

lost

on her own property?"

"Well, technically, you're on Westfield land," he said, hoping to lighten the mood. He hated to watch her berate herself. It had only been a mistake, but one that would make her his once the night was through.

She choked on a laugh. "Yes, but I started out on

property. Thank you for trying to make me feel better, though."

Will clasped his hand above his heart. "Prisca Hawthorne has actually thanked me twice in one night." However, that apparently was the wrong thing to say as she sobered rather quickly and looked down at her hands.

Will could have kicked himself. For the first time in ages, she was laughing with him, and he had to go and ruin it.

"Sorry," he muttered. Will rubbed his brow. Perhaps he'd finish off the rest of Simon's whisky after all.

Her eyes followed him as he stood up and made his way to the small cupboard on the far side of the room. "No brandy?" she asked.

Will bit back a smile. "Brandy? Afraid not, though you're welcome to share my whisky."

She scrunched up her nose. "It tastes so woodsy."

"But it will warm you from the inside out."

Prisca heaved a sigh. "Maybe just a bit."

Will poured two glasses and handed one of them to her. Standing over Prisca, he had a clear view of her golden locket, tucked in her cleavage. He couldn't be closer to her heart. "So, your

dog

…" he began, leaning against the hearth, "Is it one of Emory's?"

Prisca put a hand to the chain around her neck. "No." She avoided his eyes and took a sip of her whisky. She made a face at the taste.

"I've never seen it before," Will continued. She squirmed in her chair, giving him a nice view of what lay beneath her borrowed shirt. "What are you keeping from me, Prissy?"

She frowned, seemingly deliberating on whether or not to trust him. Finally she sighed. "He's not a dog, Will."

"No?" he asked, keeping his amusement in check.

"You'll think I'm mad."

"I promise I won't."

Prisca raised her eyes to his. "And if I tell you, you promise not to yell at me for being reckless?"

Will swallowed the rest of the whisky in his glass. "I told you, Priss, you can tell me anything."

She heaved a sigh, and he could see a whole new set of emotions flash across her face. "He's a wolf."

No surprise there, though he did his best to feign the reaction she was looking for and let his mouth fall

She nodded. "He visits me."

wolf

visits you?"

"I knew you'd think I was mad."

He sunk down to his haunches before her. "I think you're beautiful."

"And mad," she added, though Will noticed a pretty blush creep up her cheeks.

"I don't think you're mad," he said softly. "So he visits you?"

"I don't know how to explain it, Will." She leaned forward until their noses were almost touching. "I've seen him for years, always in the garden at Langley Downs. He's…" She blushed. "Well, he seems magical."

Interesting. He'd always thought of it as the other way around. He was a wild beast in his Lycan form, though she never failed to calm him. She was so close; he couldn't help but caress her cheek. "Perhaps you're the magical one."

Then he very softly touched his lips to hers.

Thirteen

All thought escaped Prisca's head as Will's hands threaded into the hair at her temples, his thumbs tipping her chin up so he could take her mouth more completely. His tongue coaxed her lips apart, and then he nipped her lower lip with his teeth and growled softly.

Prisca pulled back from him and brought her feet down to the floor. She'd heard that sound before.

He let her pull away but didn't release her. "What's wrong?" he asked, his eyebrows drawing together.

She shook her head slightly, her eyes roaming across his features. His blue eyes were warm and inviting, his hair damp and tousled. For some reason, he seemed so familiar. And not just because he was Will.

"What is it?" His hands left her hair, and he rested them on her knees. Her bare knees. She shivered as his thumbs drew small circles on the sensitive flesh. "You're cold?" he asked before frowning and throwing more wood onto the fire.

Shadows from the fire danced across his naked back. Cords of muscle rippled down his spine as he stoked the flames. Prisca's mouth watered at the sight. "I'm not cold," she squeaked. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm not cold, Will." She was anything but cold.

"Good," he nodded as he passed her glass back to her. "Drink this anyway. It'll keep you warm."

Prisca wanted to say he was already doing that, but she took a big swallow of whisky instead. Then she coughed and sputtered. She raised her balled fist to her mouth and coughed against it.

"Whisky should be sipped," he laughed.

She simply nodded. Of course, he would think that was humorous. "Are there clothes here that

you

could wear?" she asked. If he was fully dressed, she would feel much more comfortable.

His gaze moved from her bare feet up to her knees and lingered on her thighs. She tugged the bottom of the shirt down. "You're wearing the only shirt in the trunk." He held out a hand, his blue eyes twinkling with laughter. "You could give it back to me, if you're done with it?"

If the whisky wasn't helping to relax her, she would have thrown the tumbler at him. In fact, she looked down to do just that and noted that it was empty. She held it out to him, instead.

"More?" he asked as he tilted his head and regarded her quizzically. A dimple appeared on his left cheek.

"Please." She nodded.

"Have you had whisky before?" he asked, his voice soft and nearly as nice as a caress.

"Of course, I have." She rolled her eyes at him.

"When?" he asked as he passed the tumbler back to her with more whisky in it.

Rather than reply, she took another sip of the horrid stuff and was surprised to find that it got better with every swallow. What had once been a harsh burn to her throat was now a pleasant, warm sensation.

"Be careful with that," Will warned.

"Oh, I'm fine," she said before she tossed back the last of what was in her glass. She tried to place it on the side table, but the empty glass thunked against the surface. "Sorry," she said as she righted the cup.

Will smiled broadly at her.

"What's so amusing?"

He wiped a hand across his mouth, as though wiping away all traces of merriment. He failed miserably. "Nothing." He shrugged.

"Come now. You're finding something to be quite amusing. Out with it," she motioned with her hand, only to find that it wasn't quite as easy to manipulate as it usually was. She sighed loudly as she rested her hand in her lap. "I have had a long day. Can we go to bed?"

His eyebrows immediately shot up and the smile disappeared from his face. "Can

go to bed?"

"Not we," she clarified. It was as though the man had a muddled mind. She was being quite clear. "Since you're bigger than me, you should take the bed." She laid her forearm over her eyes and relaxed. But then she felt the room spin around her.

"Put one foot on the floor," Will said, suddenly beside her.

She did as he said, but gasped quickly when pain shot up her leg.

"The other foot," Will chuckled.

The room immediately stilled. She lifted her arm and looked up at him. But his gaze wasn't on her face. It was on her body, particularly the area revealed when she'd parted her legs to put one foot on the floor.

"Oh!" she gasped as she tugged the shirt down and brought her foot back up. But then the room started to spin again. "Do be a gentleman, Will, and go away."

"Being a gentleman is the last thing on my mind," he replied, his voice suddenly husky and rich.

***

Will had good intentions when he walked closer to her. He honestly did. But when she'd parted her legs, all those thoughts of good deeds left his head. And would probably never return. He was now doomed to a lifetime of seeing Prisca's most private places in his head, in his dreams, in his hopes.

He removed the counterpane from the bed and laid it over the rug in front of the fire. Then he very gently picked her up and laid her upon it.

"What are you doing?" she grumbled.

"It helps a bit to have a solid surface beneath you when you're too foxed to sit up," he chuckled. He sat down beside her.

"I am

not

foxed," she replied, but the x came more like an s. "I'll show you," she said as she sat up slowly. Seeing her unsteadiness, Will parted his legs and then pulled her to rest between them, her back against his chest.

"Thank you," she sighed and sank into him. "That's much better."

"Just be still," he said. Then she moved. "Priss, if you can't be still, I won't be responsible for my actions," he growled.

She turned in his arms until she lay cradled against his chest, her lips inches from his. "You're never responsible for your actions, William Westfield."

"What is

that

supposed to mean?"

She stiffened in his arms and started to pull away, but he held her firmly.

"I don't want to fight with you, Will."

"I don't care to fight, either, Priss," he murmured.

"So, what would you like to do, instead?"

I want to take off that blasted shirt and taste every inch of

your body.

That would never do. "I just want to hold you like this," he said instead.

"We can't possibly stay like this, Will."

"Why can't we?"

She reached a hand back and rubbed her backside. "Because my bottom is hot."

"I beg your pardon?" he choked. It most certainly was.

She took his hand in hers and guided it to touch her back. Then moved it down and under the long shirt she wore. "See," she said as his hand slid across the silky skin of her cute little derriere. "My bottom is hot."

He laughed out loud. He rubbed his hand across her flesh. She was right. Her skin was warm enough that it was probably pinkening from the heat of the fire. He manipulated his body until his back was to the flames instead. "There, is that better?" he asked. He knew he should stop stroking her soft skin, but he just couldn't.

"Much better," she sighed. Her warm, whisky scented breath brushed across his cheek. His hand continued to rub and finally to massage. "That feels nice," she said, smiling, her voice whimsical. Would she remember tomorrow that she'd allowed him to touch her bare skin? He certainly hoped so. It would make what came next easier.

"I can make it feel nicer," he whispered against her lips before kissing her softly.

"How?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

She nodded, her eyes full of wonder. Or was that lust? He wasn't sure. And didn't particularly care at the moment. He slowly lowered her back to lie on the counterpane, taking care to keep his body between hers and the rolling flames in the hearth.

He very slowly unbuttoned her shirt and pressed his lips to the tender skin of her throat.

"That's nice," she said quietly.

He unbuttoned another button and kissed the cleft between her breasts. "That's nice, too," she said as she arched her back a bit. Her nipples stood hard and pointed beneath the fabric of the shirt. He uncovered her breast and pressed a kiss to the soft, plump skin. As his fingers danced down the rest of the buttons, he took her nipple into his mouth and tongued it gently.

She cried out. The scent of her desire reached his nose and called to the beast within him. He pulled harder on her turgid flesh. Prisca rocked her hips against his thigh, which was trapped between her legs.

"Please, Will," she whispered. "Make it stop."

He couldn't have heard her correctly. Will lifted his head. "You want me to stop?"

"No. Make

stop." She gasped as his lips touched her lower belly and his fingers tangled in the hair at the juncture of her thighs. When he moved to part her flesh, she stilled.

"Are you all right?" he asked between kisses against her inner thigh.

"This is what happens…?" she let her sentence trail off and met his gaze.

"This is what happens," he confirmed, as his fingers parted her flesh and his tongue licked across her center.

Prisca called out, arching her hips against his questing tongue. "I like what happens," she moaned as she reached above her head and grasped the counterpane in her hands.

"So do I," he laughed. Then he slid a finger into her as he felt her melt against him.

He would never, ever forget the little gasps she made next, the hectic pants, then the clench and release as he showed her pleasure.

Slowly she relaxed, her body melting back down onto the counterpane. She jerked as he kissed her one last time and then came up to lie beside her.

"I didn't know," she started as she clumsily climbed over him and put her elbows on his chest, where she looked down at him.

"Ow," he laughed. "I give you pleasure, and you impale me with your elbows." He spread her arms so that she lay flat against his chest. The weight of her was perfect, but he wanted more than anything to be inside her. He needed to ruin her before the night was over, but he wanted to take it slowly as there was much more night to be had.

"Is it always like that?" she asked, her violet eyes shimmering with… something. Perhaps it was lust. Or perhaps it was affection. It could have just been the light reflected from the fire. He reached up to brush her dark locks back from her face.

"No," he assured her. "It's not always like that." Her bottom lip poked out as she frowned.

"It's not?" she asked.

"No. Sometimes, it's better," he growled as he adjusted her hips so that she straddled him. He freed himself from his drawers. His want for her was nearly painful. If he didn't have her soon, he'd surely lose his mind.

"Oh," she sighed with one long breath. She laid her head on his chest. "I have much to learn." Her words slurred a bit.

"I know. I like teaching you. I'll teach you more tonight, and when we're married, I'll teach you more and more." He lifted his hips so that his shaft touched her wetness.

"Married?" she raised her liquor-soaked, passionnumbed head. It was no wonder the woman was dazed. "We'll talk more about that tomorrow," she murmured as she turned her head and laid her cheek over his heart.

"You can depend upon it," he assured her. "But we've other things to do tonight." At last, she would be his. After wanting her and lusting after her for years, he'd finally move inside her, claim her as no other could or would.

A soft snore rose from her. "Priss," he said as he nudged her. She didn't move, except to breathe heavily.

Will lay his head back on the counterpane and cursed. "Bloody hell." His teeth ground together so loudly he thought the sound might wake her. He nudged her again. No. Nothing would wake her at this point. She was soundly asleep. Her naked body lay atop him, and though he was hard and ready, she slept.

Very slowly, he rolled her from atop his body, so that he could stare down at her sleeping face. He'd planned to have her that night, needed her desperately. But even he had a conscience.

Will picked her up and carried her to the bed where he laid her down gently. He retrieved the counterpane, covered her with it, and then slid in beside her. She barely moved, except to roll toward him and throw one leg over his hip.

Will groaned. Only Prisca could torture him so thoroughly.

Fourteen

Prisca opened her eyes slowly as a soft hand brushed the hair from her forehead.

"Good morning, Prissy," Will said softly from where he lay beside her.

"What?" she mumbled, raising her head to look around. "Where am I?"

He didn't answer. He just continued to stare at her, his eyes as hot as the fire from the previous night. He simply placed a hand on her hip and gently rolled her onto her side to face him. He lay with his elbow bent, his head resting in his hand. A welcoming smile tilted the corners of his mouth. She shivered.

"You're not cold, are you?"

The front of her body lined up against the front of his, heat flowing from his body to hers. "Please, tell me I'm not naked," she breathed, closing her eyes tightly.

"Sorry, love. I can't do that," he laughed. She squeezed her eyes closed tightly.

"Then please, tell me

you're

not naked?" she tried. But she already knew her breasts brushed the sparse hair of his chest.

He brought his mouth close to her ear and said, "I'm not naked. Not completely, anyway. You, on the other hand…" He let the sentence trail off. He lifted the edge of the blanket and held it up. "Did you want to see?"

She turned her head quickly away and rolled onto her back. He laughed. The cad actually

laughed

"I think you're enjoying this," she mumbled.

"Having you in bed, naked, beside me? Of course, I am." His thumb brushed her bottom lip. "I was so worried last night when no one could find you."

She snorted. "You never worry about me."

"You're wrong about that." His voice was strong and firm.

She lay there in silence while her mind tried to sort out the situation. How had this come to pass? Images popped into her mind from the previous night. Him laying her before the fire. Unbuttoning the shirt she wore. Licking down her body. "Oh, Lord," she moaned.

"Your head hurts?" he asked as he softly kissed her brow. That was as good an excuse as any. She nodded.

"You saw me naked."

He inhaled sharply, his chest pressing into hers. She held her breath until he laughed. "I did. And it's a sight I will never, ever forget."

She was going to die of embarrassment. Prisca tucked the counterpane firmly beneath her arms and stared up at the ceiling. How could she ever look at him again?

"No need for modesty now. I've already seen you," he whispered, his voice teasing yet intense as his eyes fell to her breasts. "And you're quite perfect."

She shivered again as his tone and heated gaze did odd things to her belly. His eyebrows drew together. "Are you still cold?" He reached a hand beneath the counterpane to place it on her hip and roll her back toward him.

"I'm quite all right," she squealed and reached for his hand to stop its slow slide across her bare skin. He let her tangle her fingers with his. "I need to get out of this bed," she murmured.

"Not if my life depended on it," he growled as he rolled her beneath him and settled between her thighs.

***

At that moment, Will heard the tromp of horses in the distance and groaned as he buried his face into her neck. He'd never get inside her at this rate.

"Do you remember anything about last night?" he asked, his gaze boring into hers.

Prisca gulped.

"Do you remember me making love to you?" he asked, praying the whisky still numbed her mind, praying she'd forgive him for this when she learned the truth.

Her eyes grew wide at the question. "D-did we?"

Will breathed a sigh of relief. "Hmm," he lied. "You were marvelous, Prissy."

"I was?" she squeaked, unable to meet his eyes any longer.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, love." He tried to soothe her fears away and tried to ignore his own feelings of guilt. "You did promise to marry me first. Not every bride waits until her wedding day to seal the deal, so to speak, no matter what they say."

"I remember you said something about marriage."

Voices of her brothers could be heard on the other side of the door. Will steeled himself to receive their wrath.

Prisca squirmed beneath him, finally meeting his gaze. "That's Emory!" she hissed, horrified.

Will nodded. "Don't worry, love. It'll all turn out for the best."

A knock sounded on the door. "William!" Emory called. "Are you in there?"

"Please," Prisca whispered. "Don't say a word."

But it was too late for that as Pierce already peered in through the small window. Even if Will had wanted to change his plan now, he'd gone too far to turn back.

Her brother's eyes round with surprise. "He's in there. They both are."

Then the door swung open, and no one said a word. Not a gasp, grunt, groan, or bellow left their lips.

"Does the end truly justify the means?" Garrick's stricken voice was so low that Will barely heard it. Certainly the vicar couldn't know of his duplicity.

He glanced over at his old friends. Perhaps someday they'd forgive him. Aside from Garrick, who looked to be on the verge of expiring, if the color of his face was any indication, the others' expressions shifted from shocked to smug to relieved before starting the cycle over again. Certainly not what he expected. "Morning," he offered lamely as Prisca groaned beneath him and covered her face with a pillow.

Emory rubbed his jaw. "See you found Prissy," he said, for lack of anything intelligent to say.

Shouldn't they have been more angry? Will nodded. "Do you mind giving us a moment?"

Blaine closed his mouth, which had been hanging agape. "By all means, take a couple."

The brothers Hawthorne filed back outside.

Prisca's tortured groan only grew louder beneath the pillow. Will tugged the pillow away from her face. She looked completely devastated, not that he could blame her. The emotion niggled at him, too. After all, he'd told Ben he'd bring her back in the morning. There was no way the Hawthorne brothers would have found them without his little brother's assistance.

He smoothed a curl from Prisca's forehead. "Sorry about that."

Her face squished up in mortification, and he felt a twinge of remorse, but only a twinge. She'd be his forever now. "But it was probably for the best," he tried to assure her.

She swung the pillow at his head. "How can you even say that, William?"

"Well, they'll have to accept our marriage now," he said hopefully.

***

Prisca wanted to thrash him. How dare he take advantage of her in her drunken state? How dare he get her so foxed she couldn't even remember his lovemaking? If she was going to have to marry the lothario, she at least would like the memory of the sin. Or maybe she didn't. How wanton was she?

Prisca groaned again. Why had she agreed to marry him in the first place? William Westfield was the last man she should marry. If she hadn't been able to keep her heart safe from him before, how would she ever protect herself now? Now that they would live together. Now that he could share her bed whenever he wanted. Now that she didn't have a say in the matter. "Where are my clothes?" she snapped.

Will frowned and appeared a bit wounded, but Prisca couldn't bring herself to care at the moment. What was she going to do? The reprobate had seen to her complete ruination, and her own brothers had witnessed the event. Heaven help her, there was no way out. Blast them all. And still she could only remember the briefest of memories from the night before. Shouldn't she remember more? Shouldn't she remember everything? Shouldn't she feel different?

She remembered the feel of his lips as he'd kissed his way down her body. And the naughtiest kiss she could even imagine. Who'd have thought having someone kiss her

down there

would feel so sublime? Not in a million years. But after that, she couldn't remember anything else.

Will slid from the bed and retrieved her peach walking gown from a chair by the grate, where it lay drying. "Still a bit damp, I'm afraid," he said, handing it to her.

A bit damp? The thing was practically drenched, and she couldn't imagine sliding it over her head. She shivered at the very thought.

Will turned his back on her and began tossing his own clothes on. Muscles flexed in his back as he pulled on his trousers, and Prisca winced. She really would like to remember what he'd done with her the night before. She had a feeling it was worthy of remembering, especially if even half the tales about him were true.

"I know you're angry," he said as he pulled his shirt over his head. Of course,

his

clothes seemed perfectly dry. Blast him.

"I'm not angry, I'm…" What was she? Humiliated? Confused? Frightened? "Never mind."

Will turned back to face her, sympathy in his eyes. "I'll go speak with your brothers."

He tugged his boots on, and then without a word trudged outdoors where Emory and the others waited.

Prisca tossed her sodden dress across the room and wrapped the counterpane around herself in a panic. She tested her ankle by putting weight on it and gasped as pain shot up her leg. She hobbled to the small window to see what was going on outside.

All five of her brothers stood with their arms folded across their chests, identical frowns upon their faces. They resembled a small army of irritable soldiers. She winced. Poor Will.

Then a smile broke out on Emory's face. "I assume you plan on marrying our sister?"

She could only see Will's back, so she couldn't see his face, but he did nod. "I'm sure that took a few years off your life…"

Pierce stepped forward. "So you'll marry her as soon as possible?"

Again Will nodded. "She agreed last night, before…"

Why

had

she agreed? What had he said to convince her? She would never drink whisky again. The horrid stuff had ruined her life.

"You'll be by Langley Downs within the hour to speak to our father?"

"Of course," Will agreed.

Then Emory chuckled. Prisca inhaled sharply. How could her oldest brother

laugh

at her ruination? It was the most unlaughable situation she could imagine.

"Funny how things turn out," Emory began. "To be quite honest, I should tell you that we intended to trap you for Prissy before Christmas."

She pressed her face against the window. She couldn't have heard him correctly.

"I beg your pardon?" Will said. Apparently, he couldn't believe it either.

"In marriage," Blaine clarified.

Well, of course, in marriage. What other way was there to trap a man?

Darius had the good sense to frown. "Though we hadn't planned on you

truly

ruining her."

"You schemed to trap me as a husband for Prisca?" Will sounded indignant, as he should. In fact, if she was wearing more than an old counterpane as a wrap, Prisca thought, she'd give each of those insufferable louts a piece of her mind. Why would they plan such a thing? Didn't they care about her feelings at all?

Emory nodded. "Yes, but on our terms. We figured you were the only man of our acquaintance who could actually manage her."

Prisca's vision turned red. There wasn't a place in Britain where her brothers would be safe from her wrath.

"Of course," Pierce broke in, "you'll still have to answer to us for actually compromising her. We didn't really plan for that contingency."

Prisca was numb. If those five idiots thought she would take this lying down, they had another think coming. Ruined or not, she wouldn't marry William Westfield. Not like this. No matter what her brothers said or did. And they would rue the day they stoked her wrath.

Fifteen

"I can't believe she refused to come back with us," Blaine grumbled as Emory paced the length of their father's study. Garrick sat in a high-backed chair, staring at the floor and clenching his jaw every few seconds.

"What did you expect her to do? Be happy we arrived to rescue her? She'd never have been placed in that situation if not for our meddling." Garrick pointed a finger at Emory, Darius, and Blaine in turn, his expression so stern that Emory feared a lightning bolt would split the heavens and cleave the three of them into sixes.

"And why did Blackmoor have a musket in the blasted cottage? If she'd never found that, we'd have been able to force her to return."

"None of this is Blackmoor's fault." Garrick's frown darkened. He was correct, of course. The musket belonged to the duke, but the five of them had given Prisca the ammunition and the desire to pull the trigger.

"You should have seen the look on your face when she lifted that gun to her shoulder," Blaine said, a smile breaking across his mouth. "And the way Will dove for cover was priceless."

Of course, they'd all scattered when she'd flung the door open, wearing nothing more than a man's shirt that hung to her knees, and pinned them within her sights. The barrel of the gun had swung from one to another.

"She's probably up there in that little cabin crying her eyes out," Garrick snapped.

"Pfftt," Darius scoffed. "It's more likely she's plotting our demise. If she doesn't poison our food, we'll be quite lucky."

"I doubt any luck will be involved. Not for the five of us." Emory dropped heavily into a chair. "She'll make our lives miserable until the end of our days. On that you can depend."

"It was your brilliant idea to admit we'd been trying to pair her up with William."

In hindsight it hadn't been the best idea, not that Emory would admit that to his brothers. "How was I to know she was listening?"

"Because she's Prissy?" Blaine suggested as one dark eyebrow rose in half-amusement.

"It was foolish to say anything." Darius shook his head. "Will ended up walking into a trap of his own making. There was no

reason

to tell him what we'd planned!"

"She'll never forgive us," Garrick added dramatically.

Blaine shivered. "And poor Pierce is still out there."

"Someone had to stay and watch her. We couldn't just leave her," Emory complained.

"He's probably freezing to his death as we sit in relative comfort." Blaine pulled a silver case from his pocket and opened it to retrieve a cheroot. He silently offered one to the others, and Darius was only too happy to take one.

Garrick turned up his nose at both of them. "Don't think for one moment you're going to smoke that in here."

With a beleaguered sigh, Blaine returned the case to his pocket while Darius rolled his eyes.

"Do you suppose she's allowed him within one hundred yards of that cottage yet?" Ever the soldier, of course, Darius would be concerned about the logistics.

A knock sounded on the door.

It must be Will, crawling through the door with his tail between his legs. "Enter," Emory called absently.

To his surprise, it wasn't Westfield at all. Brimsworth flung the door open, frowning at the lot of them. "I'm sure this isn't a good time," the earl began.

"No, it's not," Emory said blandly. Will was due any moment, and the family didn't need an extra pair of ears listening in on the discussions. "Can we talk a bit later? We're in the middle of a family crisis."

The earl didn't look surprised at all. "Yes, I heard," he said calmly.

"The servants must already have wind of it," Garrick groaned. "This is

not

good for Prisca."

Brimsworth hurried to assure him. "No, no. No one else is aware of Westfield's treachery."

"Treachery?" Emory asked.

"Treachery. Betrayal. Cozening. Shall I continue?"

"That's quite enough," Garrick muttered. "We understand how you could think William…"

"I'd like to renew my suit," the earl announced as he smoothed the lapels of his jacket, puffing his chest out with pride.

Garrick's jaw dropped.

"You'd like to do

what

?" Emory asked, coming to his feet.

"I'd still very much like to marry your sister."

"I believe it's all been settled," Emory interjected, hoping to stop his diatribe. "She's to marry Lord William."

"Not necessarily," Garrick interrupted, looking happier than Emory had seen him since their scheming had began.

"What?" Certainly, Garrick didn't want to encourage the earl. Blaine shot Emory a dark look and shook his head the tiniest of degrees.

"All I ask is that you allow Sir Herbert, along with Miss Hawthorne, to decide who she's to marry," the earl continued.

"You're aware she spent all of last night in Westfield's bed?" Darius always had been a bit crass. But that comment was the most uncouth thing he'd ever heard, as it pertained to their baby sister. Emory glared at the soldier.

"Her chastity is yet to be determined." Brimsworth puffed out his chest again. "At the very least, I'd like to discuss it with her."

Good God! Was it too early in the morning for whisky? Emory leaned his head back against his chair and groaned.

***

"You did what?" Lily gasped, her hand flying up to land on her chest.

"I compromised her," Will murmured. "But that's not the point. I need clothes for her. And I don't want to go to Langley Downs just yet."

"Afraid her brothers will lynch you?" Simon asked, his voice much too calm and quiet.

"Actually, no. As it turns out, Emory and the others were scheming to do the very same thing. Using me as their foil. So, I'm not afraid of recrimination from the Hawthorne brothers."

"And Sir Herbert?" Simon's finger began to tap a rhythm on the top of his desk.

"Uh, that'll be a different story altogether. He's liable to have my head on a platter before nightfall." The baronet was overly protective of Prisca, and the idea of relaying the previous evening's events to the old man made Will nauseous.

"Roast pig?" Lily asked, her eyes narrowing at him. That sounded more like something Prisca would say. Wonderful. His sister-in-law was disappointed in him, too. Actually, she looked more disgusted by him.

"Lily…" Will began as he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "I realize you're much taller than she is, but do you have anything Prisca can wear? I just need to take her home. She refuses to go in the wet gown from last night."

"Clothing does help a woman feel a bit less shamed after being ruined," Lily ground out as she stomped from the room.

Will glanced up at Simon, who simply sat back in his chair with his hands steepled before him. "I specifically warned you against taking this course, William."

Will sat forward in his seat and raked a hand through his hair. "The opportunity presented itself."

His brother's brow rose in question. "You think this was fair to Prisca?" Simon asked softly.

Guilt washed over Will. "She'll forgive me. In time." At least Will hoped so. She couldn't stay mad at him forever, could she?

"The only solution now is for you to marry her."

That was the plan. Will nodded.

"I'll go on to London and visit with the Archbishop before I collect Oliver from the Schofields'." Simon stood. "I'm certain under the circumstances he'll grant you a special license. I hadn't planned to leave today, but I don't have much of a choice now if I want to get the lad home in time for Christmas."

"Shall I go with you?" Will asked.

"And save yourself from the wrath of Prisca Hawthorne? And Sir Herbert?" His chuckle dripped with sarcasm. "I'd never let you get off so easily."

He left within moments, but his laughter could be heard all the way down the hall.

Will growled loudly with frustration.

"Let's go, William," Lily snapped at him from the doorway. He swung his head around. She let out an exasperated sigh, and Will jumped to his feet.

"Where are we going?"

You

are going to take

to Prisca so I can give her this set of clothes." She patted the bundle in her hands like he was a bedlamite. "And some food."

Will eyed the basket hooked around her elbow suspiciously. "You're certain that's just food?"

"What else might it be?" The toe of her shoe began to tap against the floor.

Gunpowder

and

ball

for

Simon's

musket,

Will couldn't help but think. But he'd be damned before he'd mention it. Lily already looked like she wanted to kill him. He'd not give her the means

and

the matter.

Will reached out to take Lily's load, but she backed away from him as her glare darkened. "I can handle it myself."

"After you," he grumbled.

Lily tossed her head back and started toward the entry hall. Will followed in her wake, feeling like more of a cad with each step he took. But what was he to do? Let that earl get his hands on Prisca? Of course not. He had had an opportunity to fix things in his favor, and he had taken it. He refused to be sorry about it now.

Why should Lily be angry with him anyway? None of this had anything to do with her. However, he opted to keep his mouth closed about that, as her back was straight and rigid, and he wasn't certain what she was capable of at the moment.

The carriage ride to the crofter's cottage was relatively short, though Will would have sworn it lasted half a lifetime. Lily's hazel eyes condemned him from across the carriage for being the worst sort of blackguard. He squirmed on the opposite bench, silently willing Jenkins to race like the wind.

"You do realize you've ruined any chance of happiness with Prisca?"

Will's mouth fell open. The situation couldn't be that dire. Besides, Prisca had enjoyed herself more than he had, up until her whisky-soaked mind caused her to fall asleep. "I wasn't the only one in the cottage last night," he clipped out, even as uneasiness gripped his heart. "I wasn't the only one swept away by passion."

Lily folded her arms across her chest. "There was a better way to go about all this, Will."

He frowned at her. "Yes, you and Simon keep saying that. But you didn't see the feral gleam in Brimsworth's eye the other night. I didn't want to take the chance she'd choose him simply to spite me." Which was something she would do. He'd always known her stubborn streak was longer than most.

Lily rolled her eyes. "For a lothario of your reputation, you know very little about women's hearts. Or at least Prisca's heart."

Before he could respond, the carriage lurched to a stop and Lily fell to the floor at Will's feet with a thump. Stunned, Will offered his hand to assist her, but her scowl made him pull it back. "Lily?"

"I will have that man's head," she seethed. "Jenkins!" the duchess called. Then she threw open the door and stepped from the conveyance.

Will followed closely behind her.

She glared up at the coachman, with hands on both her hips. "Jenkins, what has gotten into you?"

The coachman scratched his balding pate. "I am sorry, Your Grace," he stumbled. "I didn't expect to see Mr. Hawthorne. He frightened me, is all."

Pierce Hawthorne stepped from the brush into view. "Apologies, Your Grace."

Will looked past his old friend to see that they were within feet of the crofter's cottage.

"What, Mr. Hawthorne, has gotten into you?" Lily demanded.

Shivering slightly in the cold, Pierce gestured to the cottage with a hopeful look in his eye. "I am so glad to see you," he told the duchess. "I don't think she'll take aim at you."

"Take aim?" Lily echoed.

Will stalked past his friend toward the door. "For God's sake, Pierce. She doesn't have any ammunition in there."

"She doesn't?" the merchant exclaimed. "Why didn't you say so before? I'd have dragged her back to Langley Downs long before now."

Which is exactly why he hadn't divulged that bit of information to her brothers. God forbid her memory return when he wasn't around. "I didn't realize until after I reached The Hall."

He reached the handle, but Prisca called out, "If you open that door, I won't hesitate to put a ball in your chest."

No wonder Pierce was so frightened. Though the situation was far from humorous, Will couldn't help but smile. She was a spitfire, soon to be

his

spitfire. And if her passion from the previous evening was any indication of how they would get on, he was an incredibly fortunate man. "Priss, it's me."

"Don't you think I know your voice after nineteen years, William? You're the one I

most

want to shoot."

It was a lucky thing Simon's musket wasn't loaded, then. "Come on, Priss. We're in this together."

She laughed without a hint of merriment. "You should have taken me home when you found me last night."

And lose her completely? Not a chance. "Prisca. I am coming in."

He threw open the door, but before he could even focus on her, a shot rang out. Good God! She'd actually shot him, if the pain radiating from his shoulder was any indication.

Sixteen

Prisca screamed. What had she done? Will fell backward against the doorjamb, clutching it with his fingers. Then he slowly descended to the cottage floor.

Prisca leapt from the wrought-iron bed and managed to hobble over to him. "Will! Oh, Will, are you all right?"

She hadn't meant to actually shoot him. She'd only meant to scare him.

"Dear God!" Pierce muttered from the doorway, staring at the scene. "I never should have taught her to shoot."

She reached Will, ignoring the pain in her ankle and dropped to the floor beside him.

His light-blue eyes had a glassy look to them. "You shot me?" He sounded more surprised than angry.

"I told you not to come in," she said, not meaning it to sound as heartless as it probably did. But all the same, she

had

warned him. How was she to know he would ignore her threat and come barreling inside? She'd been so startled that she'd pulled the trigger.

Will shook his head as though to clear his mind. "I didn't think it was loaded."

She hadn't either, if she was to be honest. "Are you hurt?" She peered closer at his shoulder. A sticky redness seemed to coat the outside of his jacket. "Oh, Will! I'm so sorry."

"I'll be fine," he grumbled.

Lily stepped forward, horror emblazoned on her face. "Heavens, Prisca!"

"I didn't mean to," she protested.

Lily turned her attention to Pierce. "I have a basket and a set of clothes for Prisca in the carriage, Mr. Hawthorne. Retrieve them for me, will you?"

Reluctantly, Pierce nodded and started toward the Blackmoor coach. Prisca's heart pulsed. What if she'd killed Will? How would she ever live with herself?

"Will, can you stand?" Lily asked.

The two of them exchanged the strangest look. Finally, Will nodded.

"Good," the duchess exclaimed. "Go sit on the bed. I want to take a look at your shoulder."

Will shook his head. "I'll be fine, Lily."

Her hazel eyes narrowed. "I'm sure you will. But Prisca and Mr. Hawthorne are certain to be frightened. If only to appease them, go sit on the bed."

With more energy than he should possess, Will rose to his feet and crossed the room as though nothing was wrong. How strange. Whenever Prisca's brothers were ill or injured, one would think the world was coming to an end. They behaved like infants over the smallest things. Prisca had assumed all men were the same in that regard. But Will's face didn't seem to reflect even the slightest discomfort. Not like it had when she'd first shot him.

He sank onto the bed and Lily followed him, blocking Prisca's view of her inspection. After a minute, the duchess sighed with relief. "Thank heavens, you've only been nicked. Don't even know where all that blood came from."

"I told you I was fine," Will complained.

Lily stepped away from him just as Pierce returned with a picnic basket and small valise. "Is this what you need, Your Grace?"

The duchess gifted him with a beatific smile. "Indeed, Mr. Hawthorne. Thank you so much. William has the smallest of scrapes. Nothing at all to worry about. The two of you can wait in the carriage while Prisca dresses. Then we can all proceed to Langley Downs together."

***

Will sat across from Pierce in the Blackmoor coach and kept reminding himself to act as though his shoulder hurt. As it had already healed and he was trying to overhear Lily and Prisca's conversation from where they stood inside the cottage, which wasn't the easiest of tasks. Damn his sister-in-law for whispering. She knew he couldn't hear properly when she did so.

The bits he could make out were less than reassuring. Prisca couldn't remember much of the night before, and while that was a relief for him, the circumstances of this rather hasty betrothal had her on edge in more ways than one. The panic in her voice did not bode well for their future.

"Terribly sorry about the shoulder," Pierce finally offered, breaking his concentration.

Will touched his already healed shoulder with his opposite hand. "Just a scratch. I'll be good as new in no time."

"In time for the wedding," Pierce added.

Will nodded. "Simon is already on his way to London to acquire a special license."

"Awfully admirable of you, considering my sister tried to take your head off."

A laugh escaped Will's lips. "I wouldn't want her any other way." Well, perhaps he'd want her not so obstinate, but other than that she was perfect.

Pierce snorted. "You are a strange man, William Westfield. Assuming I ever marry, it won't be to a girl who opened fire on me."

"Trying to talk me out of it?"

Pierce laughed. "After you compromised her last night?" He shook his head. "Darius is a better shot than Prissy. If you didn't marry her now, you wouldn't live to tell the tale."

The carriage door opened, and Lily poked her head inside. "Prisca has agreed to travel to Langley Downs. Now make room." She took the spot beside Will, leaving Prisca to slide in beside Pierce.

The gown Prisca had borrowed from Lily nearly swallowed her whole and billowed about her ankles. Still she held her head high, as regal as a princess. Her eyes bore into Will's across the coach. "How is your shoulder?"

"I hardly feel a thing," he assured her.

Prisca sighed with relief and then stared at her folded hands in her lap the rest of the way. Meek and mild was a new look on her, and Will didn't like it one bit. He wanted to lean forward, to take her in his arms and soothe her worries and fears away.

Before long, the coach rumbled to a smooth stop in front of Langley Downs. Without a moment's hesitation, Will bounded from the carriage and held his hand out to Lily and then to Prisca, who winced as she stepped out of the coach.

"Your ankle still hurts?"

"It's the very least of my concerns." She heaved a defeated sigh.

Will scooped her up in his arms and started for the door. "Don't be frightened, Priss," he said softly. "It'll all turn out."

"I'm not frightened. I'm angry. I'm angry at my blasted ankle. I'm angry at you. I'm angry at myself for falling under your spell. I'm angry at my fool brothers for putting this whole thing in motion in the first place. But mostly I'm angry for not having a choice about my own future."

She said it all with quiet resignation. He'd rather she'd rant and rave. Or shout and throw things. This was far worse and made him feel like the worst sort of man for lying to her. But she'd be safer in the end. And that was what mattered.

The Hawthornes' butler opened the door wide, and the four of them filed inside. "Sir Herbert awaits you in his study, Lord William." Prisca wiggled in his arms until he set her down gently.

"You should wait in the parlor, Priss," Will said, directing her toward the closest receiving room.

She scoffed as she limped beside him. "Not on your life. Whatever my father has to say, I have as much right to hear as you do."

He was about to argue the fact, but he noticed Lily shake her head, warning him against such action. "Very well." Besides, he could let Sir Herbert send her off. Then he wouldn't be the villain in her eyes. At least not in that regard.

Will led Prisca down the corridor and around two separate corners until they reached her father's study.

Leaning against the door, his arms folded across his chest like a wolf in wait of his prey, Brimsworth's eyes trailed down her form. "Miss Hawthorne, I was so worried about you."

Prisca smiled tightly. "No need, my lord. As you can see, I am whole and hale. Mostly."

"I would like a word," the earl said, stepping forward. "I want you to know I don't hold you responsible for this situation in the least."

"It's really none of your concern." Her brow rose haughtily, though she stiffened at Will's side.

"Westfield!" Sir Herbert bellowed from within the study. "Is that you?"

Will tugged Prisca closer to him. Though he didn't want her to witness his conversation with her father, he wanted her in Brimsworth's presence even less. He opened the baronet's study door. "Yes, sir. We just arrived."

Sir Herbert's grey hair stood on end as though he'd been raking his hands through it all morning. He rose from the spot behind his desk and glared at Will, his face the same purple as an overripe plum. "Get in here!"

Will gulped.

"Sir Herbert…" Brimsworth pushed his way into the study. "I do ask that you hear me out."

The baronet shook his head. "Lord Brimsworth, I appreciate that you're willing to look past Prissy's indiscretion. Emory tells me you still want to press your suit. However, under the circumstances, I cannot allow it."

"But, sir," the earl pressed, "at least allow Prisca to consider me."

Will's heart lurched. He couldn't lose Prissy. Not now, not after everything. "She has already accepted my proposal." He growled the same lie he'd been repeating all morning. He placed his hand over Prisca's to keep her beside him.

Brimsworth turned his furious amber gaze on Will. "You, Westfield, are not a gentleman. Prisca deserves better. I thought we had an agreement between us."

"Agreement?" Prisca asked, tugging her hand from Will's grasp. "What sort of agreement?"

The earl bowed his head before her. "A gentlemen's agreement. However, that was before I realized the man didn't qualify. Marry me, Prisca. I can give you more than he ever could."

Her violet eyes grew round in surprise. "A gentlemen's agreement?"

"I'll make you a countess," Brimsworth promised. "And a marchioness one day. And I'll never take advantage of you, and—"

Despite her swollen ankle and oversized dress, Prisca rose to her full height. "Am I to understand that the two of you had some sort of agreement about

Will shrugged. "Only that the best man would win."

Her mouth dropped open in surprise.

"And then he proved himself to be the furthest thing from a gentleman," Brimsworth added, seemingly proud of himself.

"How dare you? How dare both of you!" she fumed.

"Prissy!" her father barked. "Go to your room and wait for my summons."

She shook her head. "I have every right to be here."

Sir Herbert's face turned more purple, which Will hadn't realized was possible. "I have been overindulgent with you, but no more. This is not up for debate."

"What are you going to do, Papa?" she pressed, not budging from her spot.

The baronet looked from Will to Brimsworth and back. "I suppose I will listen to these two young men and make a decision."

That wasn't going at all the way Will had envisioned. He couldn't allow Brimsworth to steal her from him after everything he'd done to secure the situation. He'd been shot, for God's sake. "There's nothing to discuss. Prisca could very well carry my child," he blurted out. "I want her. She's marrying me."

The gasp Prisca released frightened Will to his core, but he forced himself to appear unconcerned. Sir Herbert sighed dramatically and then nodded to the earl. "Lord William does have a point. I doubt Eynsford would approve. I'm afraid I cannot consider your very generous offer, Lord Brimsworth. Now please allow me to speak with my future son-in-law in private." Then he turned his stare on his daughter. "And you will await my summons in your room."

She pursed her lips together. "In my room? You would banish me as though I'm a child? Careful, Papa, or I may never come out."

"If only you'd been there last night," her father said quietly, disappointment evident in his tone. Will's heart clenched when tears began to swim in her violet eyes. Before they could cascade down her cheeks, she stomped off. Will could hear the briefest intakes of air as she walked on her tender ankle, but she didn't give any outward signs of her injury, proud as the loftiest of princesses.

Brimsworth growled low in his throat, a threat if ever Will had heard one. Then the earl stalked from the study.

"Sit!" Sir Herbert ordered.

Will nodded, dropping into one of the high-backed chairs in front of the baronet's desk. Sir Herbert resumed his seat, his brow furrowed in anger.

Will swallowed as he faced the man. In all his years, he'd never seen the baronet so furious. "I'm sorry we're meeting under such circumstances, sir."

"So am I." Sir Herbert scowled. "I have known you all of your life, William. Your father was a dear friend of mine. Never in all my years would I have ever imagined that you'd ruin my daughter."

A fresh wave of guilt washed over Will. He tried to ignore it. "It was not my intent, sir. I have no excuse except that I lose all rational thought when I'm with Prissy. I do plan to make this right."

"By marrying her?"

Will nodded. "Simon is already on his way to London to procure a special license."

Sir Herbert sat back in his chair and studied Will as though he were a display at the British Museum. "I don't like the way you've gone about this, William," he said.

Will simply nodded. He'd take his scolding like a man. If someone did the same to his daughter someday, he would probably draw and quarter the fool. "I'll make her happy."

Sir Herbert chuckled. The man actually laughed. "Oh, we'll see about that." Then he leaned forward in his seat and scratched his jaw. "Tell me something, William."

"Anything."

"Do you love my daughter?"

The air rushed from Will's lungs. He'd never admitted that to another living soul. Not even his brothers, though he knew they suspected the truth. "Yes, sir, I do."

"But you haven't told her?" The baronet's dark eyes softened.

Will shook his head. "Have you by chance noticed how much she despises me?"

A smile tugged at Sir Herbert's lips, which Will did not find amusing at all. "I do believe you'll suit each other."

"Thank you," he replied, not knowing if the man meant it as a compliment or not.

Sir Herbert studied him a minute and then said, "My property is unentailed. So in addition to Prissy's dowry, I'm including the northwest patch of land that borders Westfield Hall."

Reducing his friend's inheritance had never been part of Will's plan. It wouldn't be right. "But Emory—"

"Is not your concern, William. You don't have land of your own. Prisca is my only daughter, and I want her close by. You will allow me that."

Finally, Will nodded. "Of course, sir. If you're certain. Would it be all right if I spoke with Prisca? Just for a moment?

Sir Herbert grunted. "I suppose you've done all the damage you can do already."

***

Will scratched lightly at Prisca's door.

"Go away," she called back.

"You don't even know who it is," he said softly, fully aware that she stood close to the door.

"I do now," she sang. "So, go away."

"Do you hate me?" he asked of her.

The door flew open with such force that Will nearly fell inside. "You will be very fortunate if you don't find a knife in your back before the end of the honeymoon, my lord." She smiled sweetly. But the evidence was right before him in her red-rimmed eyes. She'd been crying. And he hated the very thought of her being so miserable because of him.

Stubborn as always, even when she was miserable, Will thought as he shook his head. "I am better for you than Brimsworth," he growled. "I'd never hurt you."

"I'm already hurt." A lone tear slid slowly down her cheek.

He brushed the tear away with the pad of his thumb and replaced it with his lips.

"I don't want to marry you, Will," she said softly. "Please, don't do this."

"You don't want me?" he asked, his pride warring with his heart. "Are you sure about that?"

shot

you, didn't I? Doesn't that give you an idea of how I feel?"

"You didn't mean it." Will caught her lips with his, but she refused to kiss him back. Within seconds, he'd picked her up, sat down in the vacated chair, and pulled her onto his lap. She struggled against him until he locked his arms around her waist.

Will pulled her head down to his and took her mouth. But there was no tenderness in the kiss this time. There was only passion. And a need to prove to her how much she wanted him, to prove it to himself. Finally, she softened against him and he gentled his kiss. When she began to kiss him back, he loosened his hold on her waist and slid his hands up her sides to finally cup her breasts. He began to thumb her nipples as his tongue continued to war with hers. He offered no quarter, no rest from his assault.

When she was mewling and arching against his hands, he stopped his ministrations. But she was so far gone that she didn't notice for several moments. He simply watched her, her eyes closed. He couldn't help but smile. There was no lovelier sight on earth.

When Prisca finally realized he'd stopped, her eyes flew open. It was probably a really bad thing for her to catch him smiling at her.

"You do want me," he said softly. He could smell her desire. "You want me so much you ache with it, like I do for you."

"Oh, you scoundrel!" she said as she heaved herself quickly from his lap. Her violet eyes flashed with anger. "I hate you." She pointed one finger toward her door. He rose and walked slowly through it.

"You might hate me," he said softly as he exited. "But you still want me."

She slammed the door behind him.

***

After a few moments alone in the hallway outside Prisca's room, Will gathered his wits about him and readjusted his trousers. Prisca Hawthorne always left him affected in one way or another, and it would take time for his ardor to cool. Why couldn't he have fallen for a sweet girl like Elspeth or a caring one like Lily?

Loving Prisca was a punishment, a curse of sorts. He'd tried over the years to fight his feelings for her. In fact, he'd made quite a name for himself in London as a charming rogue. He'd entertained women of all classes and positions, hoping someone would make him forget her. No one ever had.

He heaved a sigh. In a matter of days he'd have the girl, but her heart was another matter, and she didn't seem willing to give it to him.

Will ambled down the hallway, wishing he was already at Westfield Hall. He slowly made his way toward the grand front door. The Hawthornes' ancient butler handed him his greatcoat and hauled the door open for him.

Will stepped out into the bright December sunlight. The clouds were sparse, but the sky was bleak and grey. A cold breeze blew past him, and a chill tickled down his spine. He started toward the stables, but a voice behind him halted his step.

"It appears as though you've won, Westfield."

Brimsworth.

Will looked over his shoulder to find the earl just stepping over the threshold. "Your expectations were contrary to the outcome?" Will asked. "Sorry to disappoint. When do you plan to leave?"

The young earl furrowed his golden brow. "I thought I might stay to toast the nuptials."

Will spun on his heels to face the earl. "If you do anything to hurt her…" Will began.

Brimsworth sneered at him. "If you'd only played fair, I'd have accepted the outcome."

Will stalked toward the earl, his fist clenched. "And I'd do it again, pup. You've no choice but to accept it."

The man laughed. "Do I?" Will could barely keep himself from wrapping his hands around the man's throat and choking the life out of him. "You're the same as me. I can smell it."

"And I can sense your wildness, your lack of control. If you touch one hair on her head, there won't be enough left of you to heal." He stared Brimsworth down, until the earl looked away submissively.

Will once again started for the stables.

"Watch your back, Westfield," Brimsworth called after him.

Will didn't even bother to turn around.

Seventeen

"I don't care, Molly," Prisca explained for the thousandth time. "I don't care what he says."

"Please, Miss… It's Mr. Hawthorne's birthday," her maid begged.

Blaine could go straight to the devil along with the rest of them. "I'm well aware of the date. As I'm not feeling the least bit festive, I believe I'll stay right where I am."

With an exasperated sigh, Molly sat on the edge of Prisca's bed. "They can't function without you. Sir Herbert is barking at everybody. All your brothers are grumbling at each other. If you'd just come down and see them, I'm sure—"

"When my father sees reason, I'll join him and my brothers. But not until then. And you can tell him I said so." Reclined on her bed, she closed her copy of

Emma

and leveled her maid with her frostiest glare.

Molly winced under the pressure. "I'd rather not be that messenger, Miss Prisca. He'd bite my head off, and I'm rather fond of it."

Prisca tapped her fingers against her book. For the first time ever, she wished she were a man. No matter what trouble Emory or any of the others had ever gotten themselves into, their father had never demanded

they

marry. It wasn't fair.

Of course, she was well aware that life wasn't fair and women often got the shabbiest deal, but… She couldn't marry Will. She

wouldn't

marry Will. Not under these circumstances.

It would be different, she supposed, if she could remember him asking her to be his wife. What could he have possibly said that made her accept his offer? Blast her foggy memory. She'd give anything to remember what he'd said and done that night. Not that it mattered now. Ever since her ruination, he'd behaved like a medieval brute. He'd simply

told

her that she would marry him. End of discussion. How completely unromantic. Not that she expected more of him. His charm generally lasted only a night.

Years ago, Will had confessed to her he might not be the marrying sort, which she soon came to learn was the most truthful thing he'd ever said. He'd lured women to his bed by the dozens. More than she could count, and she'd been keeping track over the years. The society rags were awash with his exploits, and though Ben kept her generally well informed, she knew—he left much unsaid.

William Westfield was a scoundrel of the first order, an unrepentant blackguard, and the worst sort of profligate. Yet, despite all that, he never failed to make her heart race or her breath catch, foolish woman that she was. He was still as handsome and charming as ever, which was maddening.

How could she marry him knowing the sort of rogue he was? She wanted a husband who would be true to her, who would love her. William Westfield only loved himself. None of this was what she wanted.

"Please, Miss Prisca," Molly's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Everyone else is here—even the duchess."

Prisca winced. She hated for Lily to perceive her as a spoiled brat, but it couldn't be helped. She wouldn't go downstairs if Prinny himself ordered it.

For the hundredth time that evening, Prisca wished she had a place to run. But she had no funds at her disposal. Nowhere she could go for help. Anyone she would go to was already here—waiting to watch her marry Will. Disloyal brothers, the lot of them.

She heaved a sigh. She was all alone in this, and she had to make a stand somehow. Unfortunately, refusing to leave her room was the best she could do under the circumstances.

Prisca shook her head. "Molly, I believe I have given you my answer." Then she picked

Emma

back up and opened the book. She lamented that the lenient Mr. Woodhouse wasn't her father. Then again, if Emma had been discovered in Mr. Knightley's bed, even Mr. Woodhouse might have noticed.

Some of this was her fault. Though what should she have done when Will refused to take her home? Run out into the freezing night wearing nothing but the duke's shirt, hobbling on her twisted ankle? She probably shouldn't have kissed him, a voice in the back of her head said. That was foolish, but she always felt the urge to behave foolishly in Will's presence. He was a bad influence.

***

As the days passed and Christmas approached, Will grew as restless as a caged wolf. He'd always been fairly patient, always able to calm Simon when he was in a rage. But the last few days had been torturous, to say the least. He'd visited Langley Downs every day, but Prissy wouldn't see him. She wouldn't see anyone. Stubborn chit. Sir Herbert only knew she was well, since she sent back her food tray empty every night.

"Don't worry," Sir Herbert said as he ushered Will into his study. "As soon as His Grace returns with the license, I'll break the damned door down. There's no point in my doing so yet."

"I understand Lord Brimsworth has departed." Which was the only good news he'd had in days.

Sir Herbert's eyes darkened. "Under the circumstances, he thought it best if he returned to London."

At least Prisca wasn't in danger of encountering a livid Lycan, other than himself anyway. He thanked the baronet for his time and returned to Westfield Hall.

The days were shorter and drearier, and deep in his soul, Will worried that something would go wrong. However, as soon as he entered his brother's manor, it was obvious that Simon had returned.

Oliver York, the teenage Earl of Maberley whom Simon and Lily were raising, rushed down the hallway, smiling. "Will! Simon says congratulations are in order."

If only that was true. Not that Will would discuss Prisca's petulance with the lad. "I think you grew another foot, Maberley," Will said instead, as he patted the top of the boy's head.

"I'm the biggest Lycan in school now," Oliver beamed.

"So, there's more than one of you?" Will looked down his nose at the boy, hiding his grin.

Oliver shuffled his feet. "Well, there are two of us, but Mr. Schofield says two more will be enrolling for the Hilary term."

"He's quite right," Will affirmed. "I met their fathers at Canis House a few weeks ago. I hope you'll be a proper mentor to them as Leo has been to you?" He let the question linger in the air.

"I'll do my best," Oliver assured him, before he turned to bolt up the stairs.

"Oliver!" Will called after him. The lad turned in his direction. "Keep in mind that there'll be no talk of Lycans when Miss Hawthorne is in residence."

"She doesn't know?" Oliver's jaw dropped open.

It was just one of the many things she didn't know. Will shook his head as he took his correspondence from Blackmoor's loyal butler. "Thank you, Billings," he said absently.

"But won't she need to know before you change with the full moon?" Oliver asked.

Simon poked his head out of his office, frowning at the two of them. "What is the matter with you?" he hissed. "Certain things shouldn't be discussed out in the open."

Will started for the study, with Oliver following in his wake. "How can she not know?" the boy persisted. "Don't you plan to claim her?"

Simon choked.

Oliver met the duke's eyes and shrugged. "I know

you

didn't keep your promise. I saw Aunt Lily's neck." Then he dropped into the closest seat near the grate and grinned. "But Mr. Schofield explained it all to me—much better than you or your books did, so I figure it's all right. She seems happy anyway."

"Out!" Simon barked, holding his door open widely.

Oliver scowled but rose from his spot anyway. "I don't know why I have to leave. You told me everything in the coach."

"Maberley," Simon growled, "my love for your aunt is the only thing keeping my temper in check. If you'd like to reach your next birthday, you'll leave my study this instant."

The boy slinked from the room, grumbling under his breath—though both Will and Simon heard him question the circumstances of the duke's birth.

Simon slammed the door behind Oliver and then rubbed his temples. "That boy will be the death of me."

"And yet you're ready to start your own family?" Will asked as he took the seat Oliver had vacated.

"Sir Herbert says that you fall in love with them when they're born and it keeps you from killing them as they grow older. As he sired six of them, I'm inclined to believe him."

At the mention of Sir Herbert, Will leaned his head against the back of the leather chair.

"That bad?" Simon asked as he settled himself on the corner of his desk.

"She'll come around," Will said, more to convince himself than Simon.

"What did I miss?"

Will shrugged. "She's barred herself in her room and refuses to talk to anyone but her maid."

"Perfect." Simon scrubbed a hand across his face. "You've really gotten yourself into quite the mess."

Which he knew. Will just wasn't prepared to give up yet. "She'll get used to the idea. Once she's away from Langley Downs, once she's a Westfield…" He let his voice trail off, too uncertain of the future to say the words aloud.

"Yes, I'm sure it'll all be different then," Simon remarked drolly. His brother tugged the chain to his pocket watch and flipped it open. "With that in mind, what time do we plan to leg shackle you to Prisca?"

Last year would have been nice. "You do have the license, I assume?"

"Would I have returned without it?"

Of course not. Will took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Then I suppose the sooner the better. I only wish Mother was feeling well enough to travel." And she did adore Prisca.

Simon frowned. "Doctor Bramber's tonic hasn't helped?"

Will shook his head. "And Ben and Elspeth have been quarreling over the situation since you left."

"Do you think she could really heal Mother?" Simon rubbed his jaw.

Of that Will had no doubt. "She may look tiny, but she's more powerful than any other woman of our acquaintance. But that is neither here nor there. Ben won't allow it; and if she was my wife, I don't think I would either. He has the babe to consider as well."

Simon heaved a sigh. "Then we'll just have to pray the tonic does its job."

There wasn't much else they could do. "So," Simon began, his voice lighter as he changed the subject. "Are you ready to join the ranks of us married men?"

More than he'd ever thought possible, not that he'd voice that to his older brother. He managed a cheerful smile. "I suppose it's time to drag Prisca from her room, kicking and screaming, so we can be joined in wedded bliss."

"Good luck with that." The corners of Simon's mouth twitched upward, and then he glanced down at the correspondence that had piled up on his desk while he was away. "Hmm," he said picking up a letter emblazoned with The Society's emblem. "This one's for the major."

"Going through your own post now?" Will asked, surprised. His brother was notorious for allowing letters to go months or longer without reply.

Simon shrugged. "Lily is helping me stay a bit more organized. I somehow don't believe your bride will be as accommodating."

Probably not. Will pulled the note from his pocket that he'd just gotten from Billings and tore through the seal.

"Were you expecting something?" Simon's brow arched as Will quickly exhaled.

"I sent a query to an old friend in Kent to learn more about Brimsworth."

Dear Will,

It was quite a surprise to hear from you this

morning. To be honest with you, I do not know

Eynsford's heir. However, I have heard much about

the Monster of Eynsford Park. Of course, that is

just servants' talk. I do not actually believe such a

creature exists. My valet, however, swears that his

cousin, who is in Eynsford's employ, is convinced

that an evil monster stalks the halls of the marquess'

residence and has torn the interior to shreds on more

than one occasion. It sounds ridiculous, I know.

When are you returning to London? We have

much to catch up on and haunts to visit.

Sincerely,

Richard

Will frowned at the letter in his hands. The Monster of Eynsford Park? It didn't take a genius to realize the creature mentioned in the letter was a Lycan. The question was why did Eynsford destroy his own property? Every Lycan of Will's acquaintance went out of doors to transform.

Will and his brothers had been taught by their father to respect their Lycan traits and to do what it took to keep others safe. That meant retreating to the forest and into solitude when the moon was full. Indoors, a Lycan could react like a caged beast and could be a danger to those around them.

Thank God, Prisca would be safe from him from now on.

Eighteen

Prisca heard her father bellow her name from the bottom of the staircase, but she ignored him completely. He'd already sent Molly, two other maids, and the butler to rouse her, but she refused to go down. When Molly informed her that the Westfields had arrived with a special license in hand, Prisca knew her time was up.

Still, she wasn't ready to give in. So she settled back in her bed and continued to stitch the gown she'd designed for Lady Elspeth. It was easy to escape into her own mind as she hemmed the gown, the task soothing in a way that would have been difficult to explain to someone else. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she hoped if she ignored them long enough, they would all go away.

A knock sounded on her door, which Prisca promptly disregarded.

"Miss," Molly's voice filtered into the room. "Everyone is at sixes and sevens. Please do come down. I'm afraid Sir Herbert is going to come up here himself."

Prisca could imagine her father doing just that.

? Her brothers were probably all scowling at each other and pacing the floors, except for Garrick who would stand very sto ically in Papa's study, all pious with his Bible, ready to shackle her to William Westfield for life.

Unfortunately, she could also imagine what life with William would be like—constantly wondering where he was and who he was with. Was he under a whore or on top of one? Was he searching for a mistress? Or a widow with whom to while away his days?

Prisca opened the door marginally and jerked her maid into the room. The surprised look on the girl's face quickly turned to annoyance as she rubbed her wrist.

Prisca had to know. She'd never asked about the results of her little test the night she'd sent Molly to seduce Will. The very thought that he might have taken her up on it had nearly eaten Prisca up inside. So, she'd pushed it to the back of her mind.

"Tell me," she blurted out.

"Beg your pardon?" Molly returned, the look on her face making Prisca feel horribly guilty for using the woman in the first place. Molly had a kind heart. And had always been good to Prisca.

"The night I asked you to seduce Lord William, Molly."

Prisca knew the moment the girl remembered the event. A quick smile spread across her face. "What would you like to know?"

"Did you offer yourself to him?" The very thought made tears well up in Prisca's eyes.

"In a manner of speaking…" Molly hedged.

Prisca began to tap her foot against the rug. "Can you be more specific?"

"I put myself in his path the night of your party. The one the duke and duchess attended."

"I remember. Please continue."

"He thought it was his fault, but I ran directly into him. He reached out to catch me and set me back on my feet." Her face took on a dreamy quality. "He is a very nice man."

"Molly!" Prisca would wring her neck if she didn't get to the meat of the matter.

"Yes, yes. I'm getting to it. He paid me no mind at all."

"None?"

"Not a bit. I even told him I had injured my ankle. And asked him to take a look. I pulled my skirts up around my knees." She blushed furiously. "But he simply left me alone to go and find someone else to help me. That was when he sent Mr. Hawthorne." This time, the girl flushed

and

fidgeted.

Prisca raised one eyebrow at her. She had a very good idea which Mr. Hawthorne had seen to Molly. "Blaine?"

"We are discussing

your

relationship, miss."

"Maybe he has changed?" she asked quietly.

"I would wager on that," Molly said definitively.

"Thank you, Molly. You may go."

"Yes, miss." When Molly got to the door, she turned back. "If I may, miss, I'd advise you not to let the past cloud your future."

Prisca just nodded and chewed on her bottom lip as the maid slipped out the door.

If she looked in her mirror, she probably wouldn't even recognize herself. She prided herself on being confident and composed at all times, but she didn't feel very well put together anymore. In fact, she was a complete mess. Prisca turned and buried her face in her pillow and let out a muffled scream. It was the only thing she could think to do at the moment, and it did help relieve a bit of pent-up frustration, but only a bit.

A heavy fist pounded on her door, heavier than Molly's knock in any event.

"Go away," she called.

"Prisca," her father intoned. "Open the door."

"Papa, may I have a moment, please?" She glanced toward the window. If she wasn't on the second story, she might be able to jump to her freedom. But there were stone tiles below her. Maybe she'd only break a bone or two. How far could one travel with a broken bone? She hadn't gotten very far with a twisted ankle. Could she hobble to the stables before anyone caught her?

Her father called again, "If you don't open this door, I will break it down. You are

not

too big to paddle over my knee."

Prisca gasped. "Papa, I'm not dressed!" she stalled. In fact, she

was

only wearing her nightrail. After all, she saw no reason to dress since she didn't plan to leave her room until the end of time. Besides, it made it easier to wallow in her own self-pity.

She heard a shuffle outside the door. A clink and a clank later, the door was lifted off its hinges. Only it wasn't her papa standing on the other side. It was Will. She pulled her wrapper from the end of the bed and slid her arms into it.

"You should

not

be here," she hissed.

He stalked into her room. "No,

you

should not be

here

," he whispered vehemently. "You should be downstairs, pretending to be an obedient little wife."

Prisca snorted. "If that's what you think you're getting, you are sorely mistaken."

"A man can hope, can't he?" Will murmured.

***

In truth, Will didn't want an obedient little wife. He wanted Prisca. He always had. With her flashing violet eyes and her soft-as-sable hair. He wanted to touch her alabaster skin. She looked positively sinful, even in a cotton nightrail with long sleeves and a frilly collar. He could think of nothing more than sliding it over her head. Soon. Soon he would have her. Soon she would be his for all time.

He adjusted the fit of his waistband and shot her a look.

"Is something wrong with your trousers, William?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Nothing that marrying you won't fix," he replied as he turned to her wardrobe and opened it. "What will you wear for our nuptials?"

"I was thinking of nappies and a bonnet, since everyone seems to think they can decide my fate as though I'm still in leading strings."

Will closed his eyes and sighed. "Prisca." When he opened them, his gaze settled on her angelic face. "Is the idea of marrying me so repulsive?" He crossed the room and tipped her chin up with his forefinger. "If it is, tell me now."

Her eyes grew round. "Would it matter?"

"No," he admitted. He'd marry her with or without her acquiescence, but having it would be better.

"I'd not make it that easy for you, Will. You are officially stuck with me. And I'll not make it an easy alliance. It'll be work on your part."

"I would expect no less," he said as he lowered his head to kiss her. She turned her face away at the last moment, and he caught her cheek.

That

will take work as well," she taunted him.

Will had no doubt he affected her. He could hear her heartbeat as it sped up. "I'll look forward to the challenge." He glanced toward her wardrobe. "Will you dress and come downstairs now? Or do I have to remove your nightrail and dress you myself?"

She responded, as he'd hoped, with a gasp. "

Dress

me? And here I thought you were simply an expert at removing a lady's clothes," she replied tartly.

Will frowned at her. "How long will it take you to ready yourself, Prisca?"

"Not long," she replied airily, which only made him suspicious.

If she was going to be accommodating, she'd have done so long before now. "See that it doesn't." Will let her go and walked to the doorway of her room.

"I can't change clothes with the door removed from my room, Will." She smiled sweetly at him. Too sweetly. Something told him he would rue the day she smiled at him like that.

He stepped outside the room and propped the door against the frame, but he didn't slide the hinges in place. He might need to get back in there.

He skipped down the steps, relieved that she'd given in without him having to throw her over his shoulder. Although, that might have been fun, too. He scratched his jaw.

Waiting for her, Will stood in the front entryway, talking with his family, Sir Herbert, and the Hawthorne brothers. The baronet's lips formed a thin, pale line when he heard Prisca's bedroom door crash against the wall. Will could just imagine her shoving it from the doorway, then standing back and wiping her hands together, smiling at her good work.

"Are you sure you want to marry our sister, William?" Emory asked, as he bit back a smirk, not that Will could cry off if he wanted to.

Everyone looked to the top of the staircase when they heard soft footsteps. Lily and Elspeth both gasped. A fit of coughs attacked Simon. The Hawthorne brothers all snickered. And Ben had the nerve to chuckle out loud until Elspeth elbowed him in the stomach.

His soon-to-be wife, his lovely Prisca, stood at the top of the cantilevered steps. Not an inch of her body showed. She was draped in black from her head to her toes. From the heavy black veil she wore to the unattractive black bombazine dress, she looked every bit the widow in mourning.

And all Will could do was wonder who would survive the night—him or her.

"For God's sake, Prisca," Darius Hawthorne grumbled under his breath.

Garrick cleared his throat.

"Sorry," Darius muttered.

Will took a deep breath. He could envision her violet eyes sparkling mischievously behind the veil. She obviously wanted some sort of reaction from him. Well, he was determined not to give it to her. After all, she already held more power over him than she should.

He steeled his expression to one of nonchalance and lifted his hand toward the staircase, waiting for her. "Ah, Miss Hawthorne, so glad you could join us."

Wordlessly, Prisca descended the steps and then brushed past him into the yellow parlor, ignoring his outstretched arm. Will's fury began to mount. She was intentionally goading him, seeing how much of her belligerence he was willing to take. In a few short minutes, she'd be his wife, and they'd have a long discussion about how they would go on from here. Will just had to make it that long. It wouldn't do to lose his temper in front of her entire family or his either, for that matter.

Will watched everyone quickly take their places, as though afraid that any sort of delay on their part would give him a reason to bolt. Prisca stepped up to Garrick and planted her hands on her hips. "I expected a bit more loyalty from

you

The vicar looked across the sea of faces to their father and gulped. "You don't have much of a choice, Prissy. It'll be me or someone else."

She folded her arms across her chest but said nothing in response.

Will swallowed uncomfortably. For years, he'd hadn't allowed himself even to hope that Prissy could be his, and yet she would be his wife in a matter of minutes. The idea was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. He took a steadying breath and then crossed the parlor's threshold.

***

Prisca stared at Will through the black veil and she shivered. Her husband. William was going to be her

husband

. She was relieved that no one could see the tears in her eyes or the fear she was certain was there. Since she was a girl, the mere presence of William Westfield had filled her head with romantic notions.

She'd daydreamed about becoming his bride for almost half her life. But not like this. She wanted his love, not his sense of duty, though it was surprising to know he even had one.

Or did he love her? Why couldn't she remember that blasted proposal? Perhaps he'd professed his undying love and devotion. Perhaps that's why she'd accepted, why she'd shared his bed. Prisca snorted at her own foolishness. Will would never say such a thing. So what had he said? How had he proposed? She'd asked herself those same questions for days.

Garrick cleared his throat, as though he was ready to begin the ceremony. Traitor.

Will closed the distance between them and took her hands in his. Prisca winced, hoping he couldn't tell she was trembling. If he did, she hoped he'd believe it was her fury and not nerves.

Garrick opened his Bible and met Will's eyes. "In Proverbs we read, 'Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing.' I do hope, Lord William, that this will be a good thing for you both."

Will inclined his head in agreement, and his hands tightened around Prisca's.

Garrick took a deep breath. "Do you, William Thomas Farrell Westfield, take Prisca Elizabeth Hawthorne to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'til death do you part?"

"I do." Will's quiet answer whispered across Prisca's heart.

Garrick turned his attention to her and smiled supportively. "And do you, Prisca Elizabeth Hawthorne, take William Thomas Farrell Westfield to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love, honor, and obey 'til death do you part?"

Behind her, one of her brothers—she would wager it was Pierce—snorted when the word

obey

was uttered. She froze and stared at Garrick. He nodded for her to speak, but she didn't have a voice.

"Prisca!" her father hissed at her side.

She swallowed, and her father nudged her. "All right!" she snapped, glaring at him through her veil. It was a good thing he couldn't see her eyes.

"Do you need me to repeat it, Priss?" Garrick asked softly.

She shook her head. "I… I…" Will's hands tightened around hers, and she looked up at him, at the uncertainty in his light eyes. How she wished there was a way out of this. She closed her eyes tightly, ignored the tears that trailed down her cheeks, and wrenched the words from her soul. "I do," she whispered. What other choice did she have?

It seemed as if everyone released the same breath all at once. Garrick smiled with relief. "William, you may kiss your bride."

Will released her hands and lifted the veil from her face. His light-blue eyes widened as he looked at her, and then he carefully brushed her tears away with the pads of his thumbs. When he softly touched his lips to hers, Prisca wanted to cry even harder. How would she ever protect her heart from him now?

Applause broke out behind them, and Will raised his head. His blue eyes seemed to glow with some sort of promise, and Prisca shivered. Almost immediately, they were torn apart. Her brothers swarmed around Will, and the Westfield women swept down upon her.

"Alice had the Westfield staff ready the dower house for you and Will," Lily rushed to tell her.

The quaint Georgian house not far from the main Westfield estate? No one had lived there for as long as Prisca remembered. "The dower house?"

"As newlyweds, she thought you might prefer to have your own space for a while."

More likely it was so their constant bickering wouldn't grate on everyone else's nerves. "How thoughtful," Prisca muttered, though the thought of being alone with Will sent butterflies scattering about her belly.

Nineteen

Will watched Prisca from across the room as she spoke with Lily and Elspeth. She looked utterly ridiculous in her black gown and black veil, but she certainly knew how to get her point across.

She caught his gaze and her eyes narrowed with suspicion, as though she wondered what was on his mind. If she only knew, she would hide her face in embarrassment. All that Will could think of was removing her ridiculous clothing piece by piece, until all of her silky skin was exposed. He wondered if she wore black garters beneath that dress. Very soon, he would find out.

"If you keep looking at her like that, she's likely to melt into one big puddle on the floor before you even get through your wedding night," Ben said quietly from where he stood by Will's side.

"I've no idea what you're talking about." Will tried to look shocked. Ben's chuckle told him he had failed miserably. "Did you know the Duke of Blackmoor couldn't even sit through his wedding breakfast without picking up his new wife and carrying her upstairs to start their honeymoon early?" It was always best to shift the attention to another brother when one wanted to avoid a particular topic.

Ben coughed into his hand. "

Our

brother did that?"

"He most certainly did." Will nodded. He was happy to have the attention back on Simon. "In front of everyone. He marched over and scooped her out of her chair. Then carried her up the stairs two at a time."

Ben sighed. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Will, but I rushed Elspeth away myself. So, I'd not hold it against you if you wanted to sneak away with your new wife."

"Something tells me, dear brother, that Prisca is not going to be quite as willing to be carried away as Lily and Elspeth were."

"I don't see why not," Ben replied. "She's a little angry about how all of this occurred. Beautiful gown, by the way. But since you were successful in bedding her once, I don't think it will be difficult now that she's your wife. She's probably waiting for you to scoop her up in your arms."

Will winced, and it did not go unnoticed by his younger brother.

"What is that look for?"

Will growled. "Leave it alone, Benjamin."

Understanding dawned in Ben's eyes, and his mouth fell open. "You

didn't

," he rasped.

Good God! Was his duplicity written across his brow? "I don't know what you're talking about."

Ben grabbed Will's jacket and tugged him to the far corner of the room. "But you told me you were going to… I mean, Emory and the others found you…" He raked a hand through his light brown hair. "Damn it, Will, you

told

Sir Herbert she could be with child," he hissed.

Will looked over his shoulder. No one appeared interested in their conversation. Thank God. Then he turned his glare back on his ever-seeing younger brother. "Keep your voice down. Do you want Simon to overhear you?"

Ben scoffed. "Simon is the least of your problems, William." But he lowered his voice anyway. "Does Prissy know? I mean that would account for the dress. But why wouldn't she tell Sir Herbert?"

"Because she was so foxed that she passed out, and the next morning I told her we'd consummated the relationship. If she'd known the truth, she would have batted her eyes at her father and limped on that ankle of hers, and he'd have swept it under the rug."

Ben's mouth dropped open wider than Will had ever seen it, and that was saying something.

"Don't stare at me like that. You look like a fish. Close your bloody mouth. Everyone will know something is wrong."

"Wrong?" Ben echoed. "Aren't you always the one who says I don't think things through clearly? I'd love to hear, dear brother, how you plan to tell your new wife that she is more innocent than she believes herself to be."

Uneasiness settled in Will's stomach. "Very carefully?" he suggested.

Ben exhaled slowly. "You'd best make sure there isn't any weaponry in the dower house. I don't think it'll be your shoulder she aims for next time."

No, knowing Prisca, she'd aim for his favorite appendage a bit lower. "I said I'll go about it carefully, Benjamin," he growled.

"As carefully as you've done everything else?" Ben rolled his eyes. "God help you with that then. And what will happen tomorrow when she tells her brothers how you've manipulated them?"

"And just who manipulated whom?" Simon asked from behind them.

"Oh, it's nothing," Will said as he waved his hand nonchalantly. He shot Ben a look.

"It's not

nothing

," Ben protested.

"Ben, if you will come down off your pedestal, you will realize that this was the right thing to do."

"And completely self-serving," Ben said, nodding his head. "I thought you'd finally won her over. God, Will, your honeymoon is doomed before it starts."

"Don't you wish you had a magical faerie that could make Prisca tolerate you?" Simon laughed. "Otherwise, she'll have you sleeping in the guest quarters."

"Or worse," Ben grumbled under his breath.

Will scratched his chin. He didn't have a faerie. But he did have a witch. Or at least Ben did. And who would be better at performing magical miracles? "Do excuse me." He left his brothers and hastened across the room to find Elspeth.

By the time he'd maneuvered himself though the throng of Hawthorne men to where the ladies stood huddled together, Will felt terribly awkward tapping Elspeth on the shoulder. She turned toward him, a question in her green eyes.

"May I speak with you a moment?" he asked quietly.

Her eyebrows drew together. "Of course. Is somethin' wrong, Will?"

"I need to ask you a question," he mumbled to her quietly as he led her away from the others. He glanced back at them and scowled when Lily giggled. What could she possibly find amusing at the moment?

"Is somethin' wrong with ye, Will?" Elspeth reached to touch the side of his face, as though feeling for a fever. He tugged her hand down.

"I'm fine, Elspeth, but I need some… advice?"

"Are ye asking me if ye need advice? Or telling me ye do need it?" When he scowled, she mumbled, "I'll go with the former."

"It's about the wedding night," he began.

Elspeth rolled her eyes. No wonder she and Ben got along so well. "If that's what ye want ta discuss, ye'll have better luck talkin' with yer brothers."

Will shook his head, wondering if he would ever understand the female mind. "Never mind that. May I ask my question now?"

Elspeth nodded.

"Do you have any of that Lady's Man-man-man… What is it called?"

Elspeth gaped at him. "

Lady's Mantle

That was it. Will nodded. How could he have forgotten? One of her coven sisters had wanted to use it on him this past autumn. "Yes. Do you have any with you?"

"I doona carry it around on me, no. It's very powerful and…" Her eyes narrowed on him. "I doona make love potions anyway, Will."

Frustrated, he shook his head. "It doesn't have to be a love potion, Ellie. Do you have anything that would make a

potion? I'd take that."

"I canna believe ye'd ask me that." Elspeth's green eyes flashed with anger.

Why not? He was in need, and she was family. "Come on, lass. I just need a little help persuading her to have a bit of affection for me."

"Ye want me ta drug my new sister-in-law on her weddin' day, without her knowing it." Her glower deepened.

"Oh, no." He held up two hands as though surrendering. "I'd never ask that of you."

Elspeth tapped her foot against the floor in irritation.

"A potion isn't drugging her," he protested. "Not really." He held up his thumb and forefinger, and pointed out the space between. "I just need a little help."

"Will, I have always adored ye, but I'm goin' ta pretend ye dinna ask me that."

Defeated, Will sighed. What was he going to do now?

"But I may be able ta help ye without that." She glanced furtively around the room, as though gauging who was listening. "My suggestion for ye is that ye do the opposite of what ye normally do when ye're in her presence."

This time, Will rolled

his

eyes. "Thanks for the advice."

Elspeth giggled. "Please accept my condolences on yer marriage." She giggled again.

"That is

not

humorous. How did Ben find such a

? You're beautiful,

and

you have wit." He tried not to make it sound like a compliment. But he smiled despite himself.

"I'm glad ye can see the humor in the situation," she laughed again.

"I believe you're seeing enough humor in my situation for the both of us." He walked away from Elspeth to go stand by the window alone and think over his dilemma.

The night at the cottage in the woods, Prisca had been amazingly responsive to him. Of course, she'd been foxed at the time, but she still received his advances well. Will remembered the little noises she'd made as he took her over the top. He'd been hard ever since. If he took care with her, made her respond to him again…

He looked over his shoulder, across the room at her, where she smiled as she talked to Lily. She must have felt his perusal because her gaze settled on him. Her smile turned upside down. Quickly. How could he convince her that he was worthy of the same consideration as Lily? As anyone else in the room?

He let his gaze linger on her hair, still covered in back by the black veil. He couldn't wait to take down the silky locks and run his fingers through them. He wanted to see her heavy mane spread out across the bedclothes as he looked upon her naked body.

His gaze moved down to her face. A pretty blush crept up her cheeks. Obviously, she was aware of his heated stare. He slowly inhaled. Oh, yes. She was quite aware. As a Lycan, one developed a certain awareness of one's mate's physical signs of attraction. If they were fated to be together, the male Lycan would share this bond with her always. Just as Simon could sense Lily's desire. And Ben could smell Elspeth.

It was time to fan the flames of Prisca's desire. And there was no better time to start than now.

***

Prisca fanned herself with her hand as she tried to ignore Will's appraisal of her body. She was sure that's what it was, as his eyes moved across her breasts and down her torso. Her nipples hardened, and her breasts grew heavy.

Will stalked across the room, moving slowly in her direction. His gaze was predatory. Her heart skipped a beat, and he smiled as though he knew. One corner of his mouth lifted in silent amusement.

"How are you, wife?" he asked as he came to stand behind her. His words brushed across the shell of her ear like a warm caress.

"Perfectly well, husband."

"I have it on good authority that all the Westfield men abscond with their wives before the wedding celebration is even over."

"Is that so?" she asked, covering her neck with a cupped hand to keep him from blowing across her tender skin.

"Family tradition." A corner of his mouth lifted. "I do wonder if you would go willingly if I tried to spirit you away."

"That would make it much too easy for you, Will." She smiled in return. "You knew when you married me that it would be hard."

"Hard. That's me," he murmured as he bumped into her bottom with his lower body. "Pardon me," he said, his voice growing softer and deeper. "I didn't mean to do that."

A likely story. What on earth did the man carry around in his trouser pockets anyway? Perhaps she'd sneak a peek if he ever took them off.

You're foolish,

Prisca.

Of course, he'll take his trousers off. He couldn't possibly sleep in them. She fanned herself again as she thought of him naked. She'd only spied his backside in the cottage, but it was impressive.

Will reached around her to take a fresh glass of whisky from a footman. His arm brushed the side of her breast. Without even thinking, she gasped. Her breasts were already full and heavy. When he brought his arm back to his chest, he let his inner arm slide down her side again.

"Pardon, my dear. I didn't mean to do that, either." He smiled at her.

Her belly did a little flip. She'd so hoped to stay composed until their wedding night. Then she could tell him she had no plans to begin their marital relations. After all, he'd already taken her innocence, hadn't he?

But every time he touched her with his eyes, his hands, his body, she warmed like a candle set ablaze. And then she smoldered.

Will drew her away from the people milling about the room. He leaned casually against the wall, a small smile hidden in his serious expression. He toyed with a lock of hair that hung down over her shoulder. "I want to make love to you," he said quietly.

Prisca felt an immediate flood of warmth as her belly clenched. She took a sip of her drink and swallowed hard. She squeaked a little when she said, "I thought you'd already done that, though I don't quite remember the event."

Will put one arm around her waist and drew her so close their bodies brushed one another. He leaned over to say quietly in her ear, "The next time, there will be no doubt in your mind about it having happened, Prissy."

Prissy?

Would she never outgrow the moniker? Not as long as she lived. "My name is Pris

," she said, sounding out the last syllable slowly. "Do

not

mistake me for one of your whores with whom you can use a term of endearment and have her fall at your feet."

"I never expected you to fall at my feet. Nor would I want you there." He stood a bit taller.

She nodded and rolled her eyes. "For you, I am nothing more than another woman to lie in your bed."

Will's eyes flashed with something at her statement. Anger? Lust? She wasn't sure which. But then Will growled at her. "If that's what you are to me, then why are we standing here? You should

in my bed."

Prisca could do no more than squeal as Will bent at the waist, threw her over his shoulder, and stalked toward the exit. "Put me down," she cried, pounding at his back.

Not even one of her traitorous brothers came to her rescue. Emory actually had a smile on his face. Her father looked… satisfied.

Before Will walked through the doorway, he said, "Duck, wife."

She did, and only a moment soon enough. Had she not dipped her head, he'd have knocked it clean from her shoulders. "I hate you," she said loudly once they were outside.

"Tell me something I don't know, will you?" he asked, a chuckle in his voice as he started for one of the Westfield coaches.

Twenty

Prisca glared at Will as the coach lurched forward, with him stealing her away from her family and the only home she'd ever known like a medieval barbarian. "I cannot believe you did that!" How dare he toss her over his shoulder and throw her into his carriage? Arrogant beast!

"Believe it, my lady. And I have much more in store for you."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Go to the devil!"

"I probably will," he grumbled. "Sooner than later, I'm sure."

There wasn't much she could say to that, so she simply glowered at him instead. "Well, I hope you're satisfied, William. You've ruined my whole life."

Will leaned against the squabs, and his light blue eyes darkened. "I'd say that's a bit of an exaggeration, Prisca."

"Well, you've certainly ruined Christmas for me in any event. And it has always been my favorite holiday." She turned and looked out the window, watching the Hawthorne land slip away.

"I'll make it all up to you," he promised. "I even have a Christmas present for you."

Prisca scoffed. "Oh? Are you leaving already then? Will I have the entire Westfield dower house all to

?" She hoped he would leave while she was still furious. She couldn't lose her heart to him all over again. She'd never survive it a second time. And the more time she spent in his company, the more she longed for things that could never be. Therefore, ending this farce before it started was her only hope.

"Prisca," Will growled, "I am trying to be pleasant. I know you're angry about the situation, but I

your husband now and you will show me the respect due me."

Her eyes darted back to his and she lifted her chin defiantly. "Or what?"

He leaned forward and clasped her hands in his. "For once, don't make this more difficult than it has to be."

"I'm not afraid of you, Will."

Only of losing my heart

to you.

"Perhaps you should be," he replied enigmatically. Then he released her hands and leaned back against the squabs. "Lily has been droning on and on about the Yule Ball for days. I suppose tomorrow night will be as good a time as any to announce our nuptials to the village."

"Whatever you wish, my lord," she replied in the most obedient voice she could muster. It sounded hollow to her ears and must have to him as well, because Will regarded her with suspicious eyes.

***

Prisca was quiet. Too quiet, Will decided as the coach rambled to a stop in front of the dower house. He was almost certain she had some devious plan up her scratchy, bombazine sleeve. How long before she unveiled it?

He knew the idea of staying here had been his mother's in order to give them privacy, and Will couldn't have been more grateful for the decision. With his hearing, he couldn't be in the same house with Simon and Lily or Ben and Elspeth and not hear their intimate encounters. He wasn't at all anxious for his brothers to catch an earful of his and Prissy's lovemaking, or of whatever else she had in store for him.

"We're here," he said, opening the coach door and offering her his hand.

Prisca placed her black glove in his grasp and swallowed. Will could hear the thump, thump, thump of her heart, and he squeezed her fingers. "I won't hurt you, sweetheart."

"Hmm," she replied with an arrogant tilt of her head. "That's what you keep saying."

As they approached the stone steps, Will scooped Prisca up in his arms and marched toward the front door.

"William! Put me down this instant."

He chuckled, enjoying the feel of her curves in his arms and the pretty blush on her cheeks. "I will carry you over the threshold, Prissy. All traditions will be followed."

The front door opened, thanks to a borrowed footman from the main house. Will didn't know the fellow's name, though he nodded his thanks. "Please make certain a hearty repast is waiting in the kitchen and then you are excused."

The footman smiled. "Of course, my lord."

Prisca squirmed in his arms, and Will tightened his hold to keep her from falling as he started for the stairs. He'd been waiting years for this moment, but she was rigid as a board and he was well aware that softening her up might take a little doing.

Then he looked back at the amused footman. "Oh, and brandy. Make sure there is a bottle with the food."

At the footman's nod, Will climbed the stairs, two at a time, anxious to have his wife all to himself.

"Brandy?" Prisca's soft voice reached his ears.

"I seem to recall your preference for it over whisky," he replied as he ambled down the corridor and stopped in front of the large master's chamber. "I thought it might give you a bit of courage."

"Courage?" Her brow furrowed. "I'm not afraid of you, Will."

An idea flashed in his mind, and Will couldn't hold back his smile. Her bravado would be her undoing. "Is that so?" he asked as he pushed open the door and placed her back on her feet. "You seem like a terrified little girl to me."

Prisca's back stiffened, and her chin rose stubbornly. "How dare you?"

Will forced a serious look to his face. "It's all right, Prissy. I'll never tell a soul."

She poked his chest with her finger. "I'm

not

afraid of you or anyone else, William Westfield."

He raised his brow in disbelief. "Well, then, do you need help getting out of your dress?"

Prisca sucked in a breath and took a step away from him. "I think you misunderstood me. Just because I'm not afraid of you doesn't mean I'm going to climb into your bed."

Will scratched his chin. "Whatever you say, Priss."

"I think most of the women who land in your bed make the task much too easy for you."

"And you plan to be different?" he goaded her.

Her face darkened a shade before she put her hands on her hips and said, "I don't plan to land in your bed at all."

Will shrugged, trying to look unconcerned. But, in reality, his gut twisted at the thought that she might not let him make love to her that night or ever. "We don't have to land in bed." His voice lowered as he walked closer to her. She took another step back. And another until a chair blocked her retreat. "I can ravish you on the chair." He touched his lips to hers. "Or on a table, if you prefer." He palmed her hips and drew her to him until their bodies touched. "We can do it anywhere you please."

"I don't plan to make this easy for you," she said as he began to unpin her veil from her hair and proceeded to remove her hair combs, one by one. When her hair fell over her shoulders, his hands massaged her scalp gently. "I plan to make it very hard." She gulped.

"You already make me very hard," he replied as he ground his hips against hers.

Prisca's brows drew together in confusion. "May I ask you a question?"

"You may ask anything you like," he assured her while his hands skimmed her sides.

"What is it that you carry in your pocket?"

His pocket? Will stood up tall and looked down at her. "Pardon?"

She pointed down to where their bodies touched. "Your pocket," she said again. "There's always something in your pocket."

Will took his hands from her hips and filled his pockets with them. "Nothing there, love."

Prisca reached down between their bodies so she could feel for the object she'd just mentioned a moment before. When her hand approached his waistband and then went farther to touch his manhood, he groaned and pulled her hands away from him. Her innocent probing could be the end of their wedding day, as he'd been hard for hours. Days. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers. Her brow rose in confusion.

He chuckled softly. "I'll show you later, love."

"Are you laughing at me?" She swatted his chest.

"Definitely not," he said, though he was sure a grin tilted the corners of his mouth just a bit.

Prisca narrowed her eyes at him.

"So, what shall we do now, Priss, since you are too afraid to let me make love to you?"

"I'm not afraid," she quipped, spinning away from him to glance about the room.

"Good. Then we can dispense with the seduction and go straight to bed." He started to loosen his cravat.

"It's not even dark out yet," she protested, dancing farther away from him.

"Prisca," he intoned slowly, stalking toward her.

"William," she said, mocking his tone with false bravado, drawing her eyebrows together like his.

"I bought you a gift," Will said as he turned from her and reached into the wardrobe.

"A gift?" Her eyes sparkled as she stepped closer to him, warming to him just a bit. "Oh, but I've nothing for you," she began, clapping her fingertips over her lips.

"But you will," he whispered softly as his bent finger stroked her cheek. "Open this." He placed the gaily wrapped package in her hands.

Prisca dropped her angst for a moment, like one might drop a robe, and immediately tore into her present. She never could resist them, which he well knew. He may have to buy her an entire room full of baubles if this didn't work.

As soon as she untied the ribbons and lifted the lid, she gasped. Her eyes rose to meet his in surprise.

Inside the box lay a sheer garment, edged in lace. Prisca pulled it from the box and turned toward the mirror, where she held it in front of her body. The soft silkiness of the lavender garment was in stark contrast to her black dress. He immediately wanted to see the fabric drape her alabaster skin.

"This would be horribly indecent," she whispered, turning to look at him shyly. She obviously liked it but was concerned about him seeing her in it.

He would see her in less. Every day from now on. "Indecent?" he asked as he slowly approached her. "There's nothing indecent about seeing my wife's perfect body." Taking the peignoir from her, he draped it over a nearby chair. Then he very slowly walked around to stand at her back, where he could untie the laces of her gown. The bombazine crinkled as he unlaced the dress and pulled one shoulder down. He replaced it with his lips, letting them slide slowly over her skin. He had to hold back a smile when she shivered. Perhaps this would go better than planned.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked.

"You've no maid. So, I thought I'd help you undress." He caught her earlobe between his teeth and gently tugged before he kissed down the side of her neck.

Prisca willingly leaned her head to the other side as he tugged her gown from the opposite shoulder. She smelled of lilacs, and the scent of her grew stronger and stronger as her body warmed beneath his touch.

When he'd freed both of her arms, she still clutched the scratchy black dress to her breasts, refusing to let it fall. He came to stand before her and tugged it gently. She held tightly to the fabric. She even shook her head in denial. There was still work to be done.

Will's fingers threaded into the hair at the nape of her neck, and he tilted her head so he could take her mouth as he pleased. The first touch of his lips was gentle. But then she stood up on her tiptoes and pressed back against him. All thought of gentleness left his mind. He devoured her with a single-minded purpose—to pleasure her. When he was finally convinced that his mouth held all her attention, he lifted her arms to bring them up around his neck.

The dress made a crinkling sound as it fell. She didn't notice. He must have been doing something right. But this was not the time to gloat.

Without lifting his mouth, he took a tentative step toward the bed. She stepped with him. He took another. And another, until she could step no farther. Then he picked her up gently and laid her down.

Will climbed over her, now kissing across her collarbone as she held tightly to his arms. Her beautiful violet eyes stayed closed, her mouth hung slightly open.

She opened her eyes only for a moment when she heard the delicate fabric of her chemise tear.

"I'll buy you another," he mouthed against her skin, where he kissed the plump skin of her breast. She didn't protest. But just ran her fingers into his hair, holding him directly over her breast.

"What do you want, Priss?" he asked. He very lazily traced a finger around her nipple but refused to touch it.

She tugged his head and arched her back, bringing her quivering flesh within a breath of his lips. He wanted to tease her, to make her ask him. But the beat of her heart flooded the room and the scent of her desire nearly toppled him to the floor.

He took her nipple into his mouth, tonguing the turgid peak until she sighed with pleasure. He cupped her breasts, which would have overflowed a normal man's hands but fit his just perfectly. As his mouth devoured her flesh, the fingers of his other hand rolled the opposite peak between his fingers, tugging gently in time with his tongue.

Her legs opened finally, and he wanted nothing more than to surge between them and find her heat, making them one. But this was about more than pleasure. It was about mastery. In one thing, he could master her. If that one place was the bedroom, he'd take it.

He sat up until he rested on his knees between her parted legs, the sight of her damp curls and the scent of her nearly more than he could stand. Her drawers went the same way as her chemise, but she simply smiled when he tore them, too far gone with desire to care.

He placed a delicate kiss above her navel and then kissed his way down to the warmest, most tender part of her. His thumbs held her open as he licked across her heat. Her hand threaded into his hair and tugged. But not to pull him away from her. To push him to where she ached for him.

He devoured her flesh with soft nibbles, intrusive thrusts of his tongue, and then, when she was close to going wild with pleasure, he slid one finger into her. She arched against his tiny thrust.

"Will!" she called loudly.

He merely purred against her skin and then dragged her aching flesh into his mouth with one final suck. And that's when she erupted. Her wetness clung to his finger, her body arching for him. He slowly and masterfully showed her all the pleasure she could possibly desire in that moment. When she stilled and her heart began to slow, he moved up her body.

But the sensation he experienced when he looked into her passion-filled gaze was more than he could stand. She looked as though she adored him, all of her protective walls having fallen with her pleasure. Guilt ate at his soul. It was time to be honest with her.

Will rolled to his back, not touching her. Just lying beside her as she came down from her high. She rolled toward him, and he moved away from her. He was still fully clothed, while she was naked. "I need to tell you something," he said slowly as he rolled over to face her.

"What is it, Will?" she asked softly, her hand raising to gently brush his hair from his forehead. He had to do it now. She would find out as soon as he got inside her. So, he'd better inform her before that happened.

Will groaned. "You still don't remember the night in the cottage?"

Prisca sat up and rolled the edge of the counterpane over to cover her nakedness. He wanted more than anything to peel it back off her. "I remember some of it," she said as her eyebrows drew together.

"I wasn't completely truthful," he said in one explosive breath.

She scooted even farther back from him. "About?"

"About taking your innocence," he finally admitted.

"I don't understand," she said as she shook her head.

"What we just did a moment ago?" he prompted. She nodded. "We did that at the cottage."

A rosy blush stained her cheeks. "I do remember that."

"But nothing else." He released a sigh. His stomach clenched, and his mind shouted for him to stop, not to say another word; but his heart ached to tell her the truth.

She shook her head.

"Priss, that's all you remember because it's all that happened that night. You fell asleep on my chest."

"We didn't…"

"No," he said to stop her.

Her face paled. "But you let them all think…" she began, looking everywhere but at him. "You told Papa…"

"I'm sorry, Priss."

"You let them all think I'd willingly given myself to you."

He looked at her, his heart breaking at the look on her face.

"You let them think I'd lost my innocence, the very thing women hold most dear."

He reached for her, but she pulled back. If she went any farther, she'd fall right off the bed.

"I'd like to be alone for a moment," she finally whispered, staring at the ceiling above them.

"Priss," he groaned. If he could just make her understand…

"Only a moment, Will. I need to think a bit. Why don't you go and find that brandy?"

Perhaps brandy would help.

"I'll be right back," he sighed as he left the room.

***

He'd lied. The blackguard had lied. He'd allowed her family to think the worst of her. How could he?

Without giving herself time to think twice, Prisca slid from the bed, walked slowly to the bedroom door, and pushed it closed with a soft click. He'd be back soon. Too soon. Her gaze shot around the room. She spotted the chair draped with her peignoir set and considered moving it against the door to keep him out. That wouldn't work. He'd pulled her door off its hinges at Langley Downs. There was nothing to keep him from doing the same thing here. Then he'd be furious.

The purple gown across the room called to her. It probably wasn't the best thing to wear, given her circumstances, but her chemise was torn in two and she couldn't find her bombazine anywhere. The blackguard must have absconded with it when he went to retrieve the brandy.

She studied herself in the full-length mirror. Her breasts were a little too large to be fashionable, her hips a bit too wide. The side of her breast had been abraded by Will's beard stubble. And there was a small mark on her chest where he'd suckled her.

She didn't have many choices. Quickly, she tugged the peignoir from the back of the chair and lifted the silky nightgown over her head. She let it drop, where it fell like the gentlest touch she'd ever received. She turned to see the full effect in the mirror and frowned when she saw that the slit up the side went all the way up to her hip. It didn't cover much. Of course, he'd seen all of her and tasted nearly as much.

She jumped when she heard someone ascend the steps down the corridor.

***

Will stood outside the door and took a deep breath, trying to control the beat of his heart. What if she never looked at him the same way again? What if she never forgave him?

After he'd made his way to the kitchen, he'd found the light repast the footman had left. He held the plate with cheese and fruit in one hand and a bottle of brandy in the other.

He stood still and counted to twenty. He wondered if she'd still be draped across the bed naked. He knocked, then called out softly, "Prisca?"

"Yes?" Her voice was quiet and shaky.

"May I come in?"

"Can I say no?" she answered, her voice getting louder with each reply.

He cracked the door and poked his head into the room. He began to say, 'You absolutely may not say no,' but before he could get the words from his mouth, his breath left him in one big

whoosh

. He stepped the rest of the way into the room and nearly dropped the plate and bottle to the floor. "Now that I've seen you in

that

, there's no possible way you can tell me no," he said, quickly abandoning his refreshment and crossing the room in three strides.

"Do you like it?" she asked when he gazed down at her, her voice hesitant and uncertain. She patted her flat stomach and ran her hands slowly over the material.

"A better question would be, do

you

like it?" he said, as he stood back and just looked at her. A vision Venus would be jealous of.

Her black-as-night hair hung freely over her shoulders, the ends curling playfully around her breasts. He let his gaze linger there. She wore the wrapper that had come with the peignoir set, but the entire ensemble fit her like a silky second, lavender skin. He could see every bump and every dip of her beautiful body.

"Oh, I love it," she breathed, the hint of a smile playing around her mouth. But there was something wrong with it. He braced himself. "Thank you."

She sat down in a chair and crossed her ankles. "So, what happens now?" she asked.

Will scratched his head. He'd never had a woman ask that before. And for the first time in his life, he didn't know what to do next. Had she forgiven him? He took the chair across from her and placed the platter of food between them. "Hungry?" he asked.

She shook her head, which made her hair tickle at her breasts again. "No. Did you say you have brandy?" she asked, pinkening when his gaze lingered around her cleavage. She brought the sides of her wrapper together to cover herself.

"I do." He nodded.

She giggled when he didn't move. "May I have some?"

"Oh, of course," he said, jumping up in one lithe move. He splashed some of the amber liquid into a glass and held it out to her.

"Are you all right, Will?" she purred at him.

"I will be, as soon as I get you beneath me," he growled.

Prisca tapped her chin, her eyebrows drawing together while a smile that wasn't quite sincere played across her lips. "But since you like games so much, William…" she began as she stood up slowly and sensually, and then smoothly walked across the room. She flipped the counterpane from the top of the bed, revealing a chess set that lay in the middle. "Since you like games, I thought we'd play."

"Excuse me?" he choked, all hope of getting inside her escaping him in one big sigh.

"Chess, William. Let's play."

He didn't know what to say and could only gape at her. Did she intend to punish him then? "You don't like chess," Will finally growled.

"I will tonight," she said, smiling sweetly at him. "Besides, it's about as close as you'll get to having me in bed with you any time soon." She sat down on one side of the chess board, the slit at her thigh riding high.

Will's mouth watered.

"Shall I go first, Will?"

She couldn't be serious. She wouldn't do that to him. "Do you honestly intend to deny me my husbandly rights?"

"My, you are quick in understanding the situation." She moved her pawn forward one spot. "Your move."

Will gaped at her. What could he possibly say? He pulled the top off the brandy bottle and lifted it to his lips.

Twenty-One

The morning sunlight poured into the bedroom, and Will groaned as he squinted his eyes and threw an arm over his face. Blasted light! Who would pull back the drapes? "Priss," he grumbled.

But he couldn't hear a sound in the room. No breathing other than his own. Will's eyes flew open. He bolted upright in bed and then realized he was all alone in the little guest room of the dower house, still wearing his clothes from the day before.

Prisca had won the rights to the master's room at the end of their chess game the previous night. The memory of that made his blood boil. There was no way he should have lost the match, except that it was too difficult to concentrate on game play. Whenever he'd clear his head long enough to focus on the board, she'd lean forward and he could see straight down that damned ensemble he'd been foolish enough to give her.

Little tease.

He'd let her have her fun last night, but he'd endured all that he intended. Prisca was his wife, and that's all there was to it.

Will rose from the bed but then sat back down when the room began to spin. Damn brandy. "Prisca!" he called.

But of course, she didn't come running to his aid.

After a moment, he stood again and slowly made his way to the corridor. Finally having his bearings, he stalked toward the master chamber. "Prissy," he began as he threw open the door, "I think we need to have an understanding…"

But she wasn't there. It didn't appear that the bed had even been slept in. Will's breath caught in his throat. Had she left him in the dead of night? Stubborn chit!

Will sniffed the air and could smell lilacs all around him. She hadn't been gone for long. Perhaps she'd simply gone downstairs. "Prisca Westfield! Where are you?"

Nothing. Not a goddamned sound in the whole house!

The air whooshed from his lungs. She wouldn't up and leave him like that, would she? Will closed his eyes and concentrated on his hearing. The wind blew outside, and he could hear something small scamper in the woods nearby, but

nothing

inside the house.

He should have known better. He shouldn't have told her the truth. She said she wasn't going to make this easy on him, but he hadn't thought she'd run away.

Where would she go? Back to Langley Downs? And do what? Tell her father and the others about his duplicity? He shook his head at his own foolishness. He'd have to go after her. She was his wife. Just as he was about to stalk out, he spotted it. A small piece of foolscap folded up, lying in the chair beside the bed.

Will

was scrawled across the top in her delicate hand. He snatched the note and opened it.

Will,

I have gone to Westfield Hall.

Prisca

Gone to the manor house? Without him? He could just imagine what sort of trouble she was getting into up there all alone. Simon would have his head.

Of course, he was relieved that she hadn't taken off in the dead of night. But he couldn't help being annoyed that she was gone. Was it too much to ask for his bride not to trek out on her own the morning after their vows? Was it too much to ask for her to give him a chance to make things right between them?

He was a fool. Did he think she'd suddenly become malleable just because she'd married him? She'd proved just the opposite the previous night, hadn't she?

Well, no more. He'd had enough. Blood pounding in his veins, Will started off for Westfield Hall, ignoring the biting wind whipping at his face. When he found his wife, they'd have quite the discussion about her abandonment and then…

Will stopped in his tracks. He would do no such thing. She already held more power over him than was wise. If she knew how besotted he was, she'd lord it over him. He shoved his hands into his pockets and resumed his hike to the manor house.

Billings met him at the door with a smile. "My lord, I believe your wife is in the breakfast room with the other ladies."

"Perfect," Will grumbled. Everyone knew of her desertion, then. He'd never hear the end of it from his brothers. He doubted either of their brides left them lying alone in their beds the morning after their weddings. Of course, their wives had also shared their beds the night their vows were spoken. He'd not been nearly as fortunate.

After handing his coat to Billings, Will started toward the breakfast room.

"William," Major Forster called from the green parlor.

Will turned on his heel and poked his head in the room. "Morning, sir."

The old officer smiled and started toward him. "Your lovely bride is visiting with your mother, if you're looking for her."

His frustration with Prisca vanished immediately. "Oh. How is Mother this morning?"

The major's eyes lost a bit of their twinkle. "She's not well, son." He sighed. "She's losing what life she has left in her. A little bit more each day."

Will's soul ached at the words. He should have taken more care. He'd been so caught up in his situation with Prisca that he had neglected his mother a bit. "I'll go see her."

The officer shook his head. "Your Prisca does make her smile. Leave them be for the time being."

Mother had always adored Prisca. She'd taken her under her wing as a young girl and acted as a motherly figure, as Priss only had a house full of males growing up.

"Besides," the major broke into his thoughts. "There's something else I'd like to discuss with you." He gestured for Will to take a seat on the divan and then resumed his spot in a brocade chair.

Obedient as ever, Will sat. "What else is wrong, sir?"

Major Forster reached into his pocket, retrieving a folded note. "I'm worried about this Brimsworth fellow whom you've made an enemy of."

"Brimsworth left the area."

"Are you sure about that?"

Well, he hadn't seen the man or smelled his scent in days. "Sir Herbert said he'd decided to return to London."

"Well, perhaps it's nothing then," the major said. "Still, I should tell you Ben asked me to find out what I could about Brimsworth and his sire. This letter arrived from The Society yesterday."

There was obviously something unsettling the man. "And?"

The major frowned. "And there's nothing to be found. It appears, William, that there's no history of Lycans in Brimsworth's family at all."

"Then on his mother's side?" Will asked. After all, that wasn't unheard of.

The major shook his head. "His mother was Philippa Hawkins, the eldest daughter of Viscount Aberdare. No history there either. It's as though he's an enigma of some sort."

"Are you saying you think he is some sort of aberration?"

"I don't know what I'm saying. I just want you to be careful. Benjamin said the man threatened you."

Will snorted. "Ben is a busybody disguised as a Lycan."

The major leaned back in his seat and chuckled. "He's just a gentler breed than either you or Simon."

That was probably true. He supposed it was kind that Ben was looking out for him. Unnecessary, but kind. Will sighed. "I do appreciate you doing Ben's bidding."

"Go on and find your wife."

Will nodded his good-bye to the man and set off for his mother's suite of rooms. Within moments, he stood outside her threshold and couldn't believe his ears.

"—and it was so lovely, Alice. I do wish you'd been able to attend," Prisca gushed.

"Tell me all about it," his mother rasped. She sounded years older than she had the day before.

"Well," Prisca began brightly, "the entire parlor was done up in white hothouse roses and silver ribbons strung across the walls. It smelled delightful and looked like a spring palace waiting to blossom. Papa wore his best jacket, the darkest black, and he looked so dapper, his chest puffed out with pride. And I wish you could have seen my dress. It was the prettiest shade of blue, matching Will's eyes."

"I'd always hoped the two of you would find your way to each other," his mother whispered.

Will pressed his ear against the door. What was she talking about?

"So did I. And we are so very much in love, Alice. Do take your tonic now. Lily said you needed to rest."

So very much in love? Will's heart pounded faster. Did she love him? Could she? What was the Banbury tale she was spinning?

"Of course," the dowager replied softly. "Do send Desmond up to sit with me while I sleep, would you?"

"I'm sure he wouldn't have it any other way."

A moment later, the door opened and Will had to brace himself to keep from falling inside his mother's room. Prisca scowled at him. "Listening at doors, William?" she muttered so quietly only he could hear.

He grasped her arm and pulled her into the corridor. "What were you telling my mother?"

Prisca shrugged. "She wanted to hear about the wedding."

The wedding? Will's mouth dropped open. "White roses, silver ribbons, and I think you forgot to mention the black bombazine."

She narrowed her violet eyes on him and wrenched her arm from his grasp. "So I embellished a bit. That's not a crime."

Her version was so much nicer than the actual event. "Is that what you wanted, Prissy? The flowers and the… blue dress?" The color of which matched his eyes?

"What I wanted didn't matter. You all saw to that. You, my brothers, Papa."

He hated to hear the pain in her voice, and he touched his finger to her jaw. "I'll get you a whole room full of white roses and silver ribbons."

Prisca tipped her nose in the air. "It was a tale to make Alice happy, Will. Don't read any more into than that." She started down the corridor toward the steps, but Will was quick on her trail. They still had many things to discuss, and she wasn't going to escape him again.

At that moment, Elspeth came flying up the staircase past them, fuming. Ben followed in her wake, looking more furious than Will had ever seen him. Apparently all the Westfield men were chasing their wives this morning.

"Come back here, Elspeth," Ben ordered.

Amadain!

" she called over her shoulder. Will wasn't quite certain of the meaning of the word, but he didn't relish being called such a thing if her tone was any indication.

The two of them burst into the closest bedchamber and slammed the door. "I told you that you're not to heal anyone," Ben hissed. "Not while you're carrying our child."

Elspeth's grumbled more Gaelic words and Will winced. Poor Ben.

Prisca sucked in a breath. "Heavens! What was that about?"

"It's a long story," Will said, taking her arm again as they continued down the steps.

***

Prisca could just imagine that it was. She'd never seen such a display of temper. What could Ben have done? And what did he mean about healing? "Well, then it's a good thing I've all day to hear it, isn't it?"

The major appeared in the corridor and glanced from Prisca to Will and back. "Did Alice ask for me?"

Prisca nodded. "Yes, she did, sir."

He brushed past them toward the staircase while Prisca made her way to the blue salon. She spun on her heel to face her new husband and thrust her hands to her hips. One way or the other, he would tell her. "What is wrong with Ben?"

He looked at her as though he didn't have a clue what was going on. She didn't believe him for a second.

"I am waiting, William."

"You'll never believe it," he hedged, closing the door behind them.

It must be worse than she thought. "Try me," Prisca pressed.

"Elspeth is from Scotland."

Was he trying to say the Scottish were more prone to dramatics? "I imagine that was Gaelic cursing by the sound of it. But, honestly, what does that have to do with anything?"

Will shrugged.

He was definitely hiding something from her. Prisca flounced down on the settee, folded her arms across her chest, and tapped her fingers impatiently. "Will!"

He sighed and stepped toward her. "Have you heard the tales of healers and other mystical beings?"

She thought back to the faerie tales she'd heard as a child; she did remember a few. "You're not making any sense."

"The thing is, Elspeth is part of a coven."

She couldn't have heard him correctly. Was he trying to make a fool of her? More of one than he already had? "I beg your pardon?"

"A coven," he said a bit louder. She didn't know why he thought it would sound different if he said it louder. "A coven of witches, to be more specific."

Perfect! He intended to lie to her. "I do not find you remotely humorous." She rose from her spot and intended to march right past him. Perhaps Lily could tell her what was going on.

Will caught her arm and spun her around. "Priss, I'm telling you the truth." He took a deep breath. Then the words started to flow. "Elspeth

is a witch. She is one o

f five from a powerful coven in Scotland. Her particular talent is healing. She can do so using her touch. But she also uses herbs and potions to do other things."

"And so, she wanted to heal Alice?" Prisca asked, not believing one word out of his mouth.

He nodded.

"Then why is Ben so angry?" Honestly, did he expect her to believe all this drivel?

Will's face twisted miserably. "Well, the last time Elspeth healed someone, it drained her to the point that she nearly died. Ben won't let her take that chance again. Not that I blame him."

Her husband was either quite deranged or a terrible liar. Prisca had a very good idea which it was. He'd lied to her about her own innocence, hadn't he? She wasn't going to stay here and let him make a fool of her. She yanked her arm from his grasp and started for the door.

"Now, where are you going?" Will asked. "We have things to discuss, Prisca."

She'd not discuss one more blasted thing with him until he stopped spinning these tales. "I need some time alone."

"Priss," he complained.

But she ignored the plea in his voice. "More things to discuss? Like perhaps the existence of trolls or faeries? I'd rather not."

"I'm telling you the truth," he said solemnly, which truly annoyed her.

He sounded so honest, so sincere—about witches, for heaven's sake. How could she ever believe a word that came out of his mouth?

"Indeed?" she asked, narrowing her eyes on him. "Do tell me, William, are there any other secrets I

? Anything else I unknowingly took on when I became a Westfield?"

He shook his head tightly.

"Good," she replied. "Because I don't know how much more I could take." Then she breezed out the door.

Twenty-Two

Will scrubbed his hands over his face. His wife hadn't exactly been accepting of the "witch" news. He certainly couldn't tell her she'd married a Lycan. At least not yet. He'd hoped since she already loved his wolf self, he could be honest with her about who he was. However, after that reaction, it obviously wasn't the smartest idea.

Now he understood why Simon had wanted to keep the secret from Lily. Not that he'd kept it hidden for long. Will hoped his luck would hold out better than his brother's had.

He started for the door but found Ben blocking his path, with a dangerous expression that would have made a lesser man squirm. "I ought to tear your head off."

"Merry Christmas to you, too." Will nodded with indifference.

Ben stalked forward. "How could you tell her?"

"Tell her what?"

His brother's hazel eyes darkened even more. "Not that long ago, William, people were hunting witches and killing them. Ellie's secret is just as important as ours."

"Oh." Will cringed. He hadn't meant any harm. Prissy was family now, and if she knew some of their dynamics… "I just thought—"

"You weren't thinking at all," Ben growled. "What you tell Prisca about yourself is one thing but keep my wife and child out of it, will you?"

"Ben, you know she adores you. She would never hurt you or Elspeth."

Ben folded his arms across his chest, not giving an inch. "After you tell her what

you

are, and if she doesn't run screaming back to Langley Downs, you can tell her about the rest of us."

"Apologies." Will raked a hand through his hair. "Perhaps I wasn't thinking clearly."

"How did it go last night?"

If any other man had asked how his wedding night had gone, Will would have punched him right in the face. But Ben knew the truth of her innocence. "She made me sleep in the guest room."

Ben winced. "Told her the truth?"

"What choice did I have?"

His brother sighed. "You have made a mess of things, Will."

As though he needed to be reminded of that fact. "Thank you for stating the obvious." Will dropped onto the settee and stared at his younger brother. Ben looked positively tortured. "What about you? I picked up a word or two Elspeth hurled your way. They didn't sound of the adoring variety."

Ben walked toward the window and gazed out at the cloudless day. "You don't think I'm awful for not allowing it, do you? She's our mother, but Ellie…"

Will had seen the anguish his brother had gone through when Elspeth had nearly died after healing Ben a few months earlier. No man should have to endure such a thing. Still, their mother was in a precarious position. "It's not my decision."

Ben scoffed. "Whatever happened to my older brother who always told me what to do?"

"Simon's probably in his study." Will hoped to lighten the mood.

"No, he always ordered me around, while you simply told me what to do."

"I've got my own set of problems now, and I don't think I can answer this for you."

"Damn! I had hoped you'd relieve me of this torment." Ben spun from his spot to meet Will's eyes.

Will leaned back in his seat, studying his younger brother. He wished he could take the torment away, but it wasn't his place. "What does Elspeth say? Certainly she wouldn't put the child at risk."

Ben shook his head. "She can't help wanting to fix anyone and everyone who crosses her path. But even she doesn't know how it would affect an unborn child." He began to pace the floor, as though he was uncomfortable in his own skin. "I can't lose her again, Will. You saw what I was like before."

"You're not going to lose her," Will replied, hoping to give his brother some comfort.

"I'm a selfish dog! I mean, this is our mother we're talking about. How can I not allow Ellie to help her?"

"Does she

have

to touch her? Couldn't a potion or spell do the trick?"

Ben shook his head. "She's been drinking that tonic. Ellie made it, and we told Mother it was from Doctor Bramber, but it hasn't done a damn bit of good."

A cough from above emphasized the point. Knowing their mother languished in pain tore at Will's heart. "Isn't there another way? Some safe way for Elspeth…"

Ben heaved a sigh. "How could it be safe?"

What an awful predicament. Will sat forward in his seat. "Whatever you decide, Ben, Simon and I will support you."

A strangled laugh escaped Ben. "I must be bad off. I don't think you've ever said that to me before."

***

A witch! He must think her the simplest of simpletons to believe such drivel! Prisca stomped all the way back to the dower house. How enlightening to know Will thought so highly of her intelligence. A witch, indeed.

Elspeth would be mortified if she knew what he'd said about her. It would serve Will right for Prisca to tell her. He shouldn't go about maligning innocent ladies' names without fear of retribution.

"I understand felicitations are in order," a voice called from behind her.

Prisca stopped as dread crept up her spine. She looked over her shoulder and found Lord Brimsworth regarding her from the edge of the woods. He looked as handsome as ever with the sun beaming down on his golden hair. "My lord, what a surprise. I thought you'd returned to London."

He left his spot near the trees and closed the distance between them. "I wanted to ensure you were safe before I left these parts."

"Safe?" she echoed with a shake of her head.

"Westfield doesn't exactly have the most pristine of reputations, my dear. I wanted to make sure he didn't run out on you at the last moment." He moved to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear, but she dodged his hand.

The look on his face sent uneasy chills down her spine. "And if he had, what would you have done?" she asked tartly.

"I would have taken his place, as I originally intended." He flashed a radiant smile. "My fondest wish is for your happiness, my lady."

There was something in the way he spoke his words that made her shiver. Perhaps Will had been right about him all along. His eyes had a feral look to them, and she found herself quite uncomfortable in his presence. Ready to be rid of the earl, she resumed her walk to the dower house. "As all is fine, will you be returning to London now?"

He kept his steps even with hers. "In due time. So, if you have need of me, you have only to ask."

"Thank you," she replied, knowing full well she'd never ask him for a thing. She had the Westfields and her own idiotic brothers to go to, if she was of the mind. The Earl of Brimsworth should move on with his life. "Though I'm certain that's not at all necessary."

He grabbed her arm, halting her. "Don't be so certain. As I said, Westfield's reputation leaves much to be desired. Your brothers handed you over to him on a silver platter. You have only to ask for my assistance, and I will hasten to your side."

Prisca wrenched her arm from him and pasted on a fraudulent smile. "I do appreciate that, my lord. Now if you'll excuse me, I am awaiting my husband."

"Heaven forbid I keep you then," he replied with a charming smile.

Prisca said farewell and then briskly made her way to the dower house, her heart thumping loudly the entire way. Once she reached her destination, she threw open the door and tried to catch her breath. Something told her she'd narrowly made an escape.

***

Will followed Prisca's scent back to the dower house, walking slowly, his hands in his pockets as he kicked a stone in his path. They had important things to discuss, and she couldn't avoid him forever. She'd definitely been this way, because her scent was strong. But then another scent joined with hers. Will stopped in his tracks and sniffed the air.

Brimsworth!

Damn! He'd been certain the man had left the area. Will ran toward the dower house as fast as any Lycan possibly could. He barreled through the door without even waiting for the footman to open it.

"Prisca!" he called. There was no answer. But he could hear her humming from the master chambers. "Prisca!" he called again as he walked in that direction.

She met him in the hallway, her cheeks rosy red and her hair loose about her shoulders. He grimaced as he smelled the earl on her person.

"What were you doing with Brimsworth?" he barked.

Prisca took a step back and covered her chest with one hand. "I beg your pardon?"

"Brimsworth, Prisca." His heart pounded impatiently. "Why were you with him?" Will caught her by the shoulders and pulled her to him. The wild Lycan's scent was strongest on her forearm. "Did he touch you?"

She tugged her arm from his grasp. "How dare you ask me something like that?" she replied waspishly.

"I can smell him on you," Will growled.

Her violet eyes grew round. "Oh, that's ridiculous," she said as she pranced around him. "You must have spotted him from the manor and decided to behave boorishly."

"So you do admit to seeing him?"

Prisca folded her arms across her chest. "I didn't realize I was on trial."

She was driving him insane. "Prisca, what did he want?"

She lost some of her ire when she heard that question. Her eyebrows drew together. "It was terribly odd, Will."

He held back the growl that lingered in his throat.

"He wanted to tell me he would be around if I ever needed him."

"And do you?" Will asked sharply, realizing how it sounded as soon as the words fell from his mouth.

"Why on earth would I need Lord Brimsworth?" she countered, rolling her eyes. "Have you gone daft since we last talked? First

witches

and now you think you can

smell

a man on me?"

He probably did sound mad. Will shook his head. "His shaving lotion is an awful citrus concoction. I could smell him a mile away." That wasn't a complete lie.

Prisca wrinkled up her nose at him, as though trying to sort him out. She'd need more than luck for that. "What

wrong with you, William?"

"I just don't want Brimsworth sniffing around your skirts. You're my wife and I…"

"You're still jealous."

Will's mouth fell open. He'd never been accused of such a thing before. "I am not. I'm worried about your safety."

A knowing grin spread across her face as she brushed past him on her way to the stairs. "You'll have to do better than that. I can take care of myself. I was doing so before you popped back into my life."

Will followed her down the corridor. "No, Emory was looking out for you."

Prisca whirled around to face him. "Don't mention him or any of the others to me."

Will frowned at her. Prisca had always been close to her family, tagging along after one brother or another for most of her life. "Why not?"

She tipped her head back to meet his eyes. "Because they plotted against me. They didn't think I knew my own mind and decided you were the man for me, regardless of what I wanted."

The air whooshed out of Will's lungs. "Maybe I am the man for you."

She snorted.

Not quite the answer he was hoping for. "They just wanted what was best for you, Priss."

"Meaning you?"

He grinned despite himself. "I am highly thought of in most parts."

She rolled her eyes and started back for her chambers, and Will followed in her wake.

"You can't stay angry with them forever. You know they love you, and your father does, too."

At that, she spun on her heel and folded her arms across her chest, glaring at him. "Yes, let's not forget my father who thinks I'm a common trollop, thanks to you."

Will almost swallowed his tongue. He didn't know she even knew that word. "He does not think you're a trollop."

"He just handed me over to you without taking my wishes under consideration."

"I'm certain he considered everything," he said, gently touching her cheek.

"Yes, your

lies." She glowered at him. "What wer

e you thinking, insinuating that I could be carrying your child?"

"Well, we could make that a reality," he replied, unable to keep the grin from his face. "Tell me you're not really unhappy that you've married me, Prisca? I think we fit together rather nicely."

She turned her back on him and walked toward one of the windows. "I never wanted this, Will."

His heart sank. "Well, I am sorry things didn't turn out the way you wanted, then. I'll leave you to your solitude so you can lick your wounds in peace. Perhaps someone else will enjoy my company."

When she didn't reply but simply leaned her head against the pane of glass, Will turned on his heel. He wasn't going to stand around and watch her mope about being his wife. Perhaps they both needed a little time.

***

Prisca waited until Will was gone before she turned away from the window and swiped at the silent tears that streamed down her face. Men didn't know how to handle tears. She'd learned that at an early age when all of her big, strong brothers would stand around gaping if she cried in front of them. They always had a helpless look about them, and she didn't want to see that expression on Will's face.

She didn't want him to know she ever shed any tears over him. That would be terribly humiliating.

But the truth was she hadn't wanted any of this, not the way it turned out anyhow. She'd always wanted Will to love her and to want her. She'd wanted him to court her and to go about things properly.

She wanted him to come willingly to her, to care for her enough to do so. She hated that their marriage was based on lies.

Twenty-Three

Prisca was fairly pleased with the appearance of her sisters-in-law. Lily, always so pretty and statuesque, was more radiant than ever in the new red-silk gown Prisca had helped her order from Madam Grenier earlier in the month. Her auburn locks were pulled back, and her hazel eyes sparkled.

And anyone would be hard pressed to find a lovelier matron than Elspeth, even with her rounded belly. Her dark emerald dress matched her eyes exactly, and her fiery curls framed her face and were adorned with tiny white flowers.

Prisca looked down at her own icy blue gown with a shimmery overdress and wondered if her husband planned on making an appearance that evening. He was the one who'd said they would announce their nuptials at the Yule Ball, but after he'd left her that afternoon, he hadn't deigned to grace her again with his presence.

"I am surprised you didn't wear your widow's weeds again," Lily said beneath her breath as they departed the duchess' quarters.

Prisca grinned back at her. "I did consider it," she confessed. "But I decided it was one thing to make a statement to Will and my family and quite another to society in general. Besides, I would never intentionally embarrass you or Elspeth."

"It has been so long since I had a sister, Prisca. I am glad to call you one," Lily replied and squeezed Prisca's shoulder.

"I've never had a sister at all," Elspeth chimed in. "No' by blood anyway."

What a strange thing to say. "What other way is there?" she asked the pretty Scot. Elspeth met her eyes briefly and then looked away. Her earlier conversation with Will echoed in her mind. "You'll never believe the strange thing William said to me today."

Elspeth tilted her head to one side. "He told ye I'm a witch."

Prisca was certain the blood drained from her face. "I… umm… How did you know?" she sputtered, completely surprised that Elspeth would say those words aloud.

"Ben was furious with him. It's a bit of a secret," she explained with a sigh as they began to descend the stairs. "Though it's no' something I'm ashamed of. I come from a long line of witches, and over the centuries, we've helped a great many people."

Prisca glanced to her side at Lily. When the duchess smiled with an acknowledging nod, Prisca found herself at a loss for words. A witch! Elspeth seemed so sweet. Did she have frogs' legs and eyes of newt stashed in her chambers? The idea made her cringe.

As they reached the bottom of the staircase, Billings approached them with his usual somber expression. "Your Grace, Ladies, the gentlemen await you in the parlor."

"Thank you, Billings," Lily replied and then towed Prisca toward the appointed room. "Why are you dragging your feet?"

Prisca shrugged. "What if he's not here? What if he's taken off for London or parts unknown again?"

Lily shook her head. "You are being a ninny, Prisca. Of course he's here."

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Prisca sucked in a startled breath. Will was there, dressed in his finest black evening-wear. The stark colors brought out the light blue of his eyes, which raked across her form. He nodded curtly and started toward her, just as the duke and Ben took their wives' hands.

In a matter of seconds, Will towered over her, seeming larger and more formidable than normal. "My lady," he said crisply.

The tone was one she couldn't recall hearing in his voice before. It was cold and brusque. Prisca gulped. "I wasn't sure if you would come."

A shadow of a smile played about his lips. "And leave you to face the dogs all alone? For better or worse, Prissy, you are my wife."

His words were like a cold dagger to her heart. For better or worse. He already regretted their union. "Well, you have no one but yourself to blame for that," she replied tartly.

"Prisca," Elspeth said from behind her, "we're takin' two carriages ta ye're assembly room. Do ye and Will want ta travel with Ben and me?"

Prisca didn't want to travel at all. She'd like to march back down to the dower house, lock the door, and hide from the rest of the world, including her husband. But she didn't have a choice. "Thank you, Elspeth, that's very kind of you."

***

Will wasn't certain who he was angrier with, himself or Prisca. She was infuriating at every level, from her sharp tongue to her unforgiving nature. And still, he loved every inch of her. He didn't know why he'd thought she'd make this easy on him. She'd been saying for days that she would make him suffer. As always, she was true to her word.

Beside her in Ben's coach, he couldn't help but notice how the moonlight made her sheer overdress sparkle. He wanted nothing more than to throw his younger brother and Elspeth out into the cold December night and ravish Prisca in the middle of the carriage. Her ebony hair was knotted and draped over one alabaster shoulder, leaving the other one bare for his perusal.

On the other side of the coach, Elspeth cleared her throat, and Will managed to pull his gaze from what there was of Prisca's décolletage. He found his brother regarding him with an amused twinkle in his hazel eyes. Will glowered at Ben.

"So," Elspeth began, "I understand all of yer charmin' brothers will be in attendance this evening, Prisca."

Prisca shrugged and stared out the window. "Charming is subjective. And I haven't decided if I'm speaking to any of them, so it's of very little interest to me whether they attend or stay away."

That little statement put a pall on the evening, and no one else spoke a word until half an hour later when they rambled up the lane toward the assembly room. However, throughout the ride, Ben shot Will more than one questioning glance, which Will promptly ignored.

When the coach thankfully came to a stop, Will could see from his window that people were already milling about the entrance. He chanced another glance at his blushing bride, who wasn't blushing at all. Instead, Prisca's beguiling face was chalky white, as though she was scared to death. He couldn't keep himself from brushing his knuckles across her cheek. "Are you all right, love?"

"Splendid," she quipped.

The coachman opened the door, and Ben barreled out first, followed by Will. As soon as his brother had helped Elspeth from the carriage, Will stuck his head back inside. "We'll only stay as long as you want."

She nodded curtly and took his offered hand.

***

Prisca shivered a bit as she stepped out into the chilly night air. She knew Will's eyes were trained on her, but she chose not to look up at him. This night would be difficult enough without staring into those icy blue depths. As they walked up the stony path to the assembly room, Prisca smiled at other couples and families that crowded the path.

The mousy vicar, Mr. Bostic, and his harpy of a wife stepped aside, both of them with their eyes trained on Elspeth. "Who do you suppose that is?" the man whispered as they walked past.

"Most likely some lightskirt," his wife replied with a scandalized tone. "You know how those Westfield men are."

Prisca pulled her arm from Will's and looked back over her shoulder at the couple. She pasted on a sickly sweet smile for the woman and stepped toward her. "Mrs. Bostic, I didn't even notice you until you opened your mouth."

The older woman's face went blank. "Miss Hawthorne, how wonderful to see you."

Prisca shook her head. "Is it really?"

"I beg your pardon?" the vicar's wife replied.

"Stop, Prissy," Will's deep voice whispered in her ear. "She's not worth it."

She'd spent years ignoring Will's advice, and she wasn't about to follow it now. Prisca gestured toward Elspeth's disappearing form. "I believe I heard you make a disparaging remark about my sister-in-law, and I wanted to correct your misguided notion."

Mrs. Bostic began to stutter, "Y-your sisterin-law?" A pained smile crossed the woman's face. "I had no idea that one of your brothers had married, Miss Hawthorne. Please accept my best wishes."

Prisca stood a little taller and tilted her head to one side. "You misunderstand me, ma'am. My brothers are all still bachelors, but I have married Lord William. The woman you maligned is Lord Benjamin's wife of the last four months."

Will placed his hand on her shoulder, but Prisca refused to look away from the nasty, old gossip. Mrs. Bostic was vicious and spiteful, and Prisca wasn't about to let her cruel words go unanswered. She felt some satisfaction as the woman's mouth fell open in surprise. Prisca couldn't help from pressing on. "I do hope your high opinion of me has not faltered since I am now married to one of

those

Westfield men."

Mrs. Bostic resembled a fish as she opened and closed her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Come along, my dear," Will said loudly. "I do hate to keep His Grace waiting." Then he nodded to the vicar and his wife. "Mr. Bostic, Mrs. Bostic."

"My lord," the vicar managed to say, his face blazing red with embarrassment.

Satisfied that she'd put Mrs. Bostic in her place, Prisca slid her hand into the crook of Will's arm and let him lead her back toward the entrance of the assembly hall.

"You do make quite the impression, love," Will said quietly as they pushed their way through the crowd.

Prisca tipped her nose in the air. "Please. I couldn't let her say something unkind about Elspeth. It's not her fault you and your brothers have been unable to keep your trousers on over the years."

Will laughed as they stepped over the threshold into the holly-scented assembly room, which was filled with friends, neighbors, and every one of Prisca's brothers. She barely made eye contact with Emory before looking away to find Lily and Elspeth in the far corner, talking with Lizzie and Sarah Giddings. All things considered, they would be better company than associating with her brothers. In fact, she ought to set the pair on the Hawthorne brothers as the first stage of her plan for retribution.

"Pierce is gesturing for us," Will said.

Prisca released his arm. "Do enjoy his company. I don't intend to." Then she started off toward her sisters-in-law and the Giddings sisters.

Twenty-Four

Will watched Prisca's enchanting backside sashay toward the other side of the room and he groaned. It was some sort of cruel justice, his marriage to her. For years he'd lusted after her, he'd dreamed of bedding her, allowed her to see his true wolfish self time and again—but she was no closer to sharing his bed than she had been before they married.

He'd spent the better part of the afternoon trying to figure out how to make things right with her, trying to figure out what he could do to earn her favor. Only one thing came to mind, though he was loathe to do it. But if it would help Prissy forgive him, even just a little, it was worth his honor.

He scanned the attendees until his eyes landed on Sir Herbert in the corner. The baronet's eyebrows were drawn together tightly while he watched Prissy cross the room alone.

Will gulped, dreading the conversation he was about to have, but delaying the inevitable wasn't going to do any good.

Will started for his father-in-law, surprised he actually felt a small flush of fear as he neared the baronet. He extended his hand fully in greeting.

"I would ask how my daughter is doing in your care, but I can see she's enjoying herself immensely by not listening to a single thing you say."

Enjoying

is a bit of a strong word for it," Will grumbled.

Sir Herbert simply shook his head, a bemused look upon his face. "Oh, no, William. You don't know her well enough to tell when she's thoroughly enjoying herself. You want her to make nice with her family. And she's determined to do the opposite." The baronet lifted his cup of punch to his lips and watched Prisca over the rim. "That's my daughter for you. She's very much the picture of her mother."

"There's actually more to it than that," Will said, clearing his throat. "She feels a bit betrayed."

Sir Herbert grunted. "Betrayed?"

Will tugged at his cravat. The room was suddenly growing quite warm.

"There's obviously something you want to say, William." The baronet's eyes narrowed with confusion. "I do wish you'd get on with it."

"Of course, sir," Will replied. But how to say the words? "Before I explain, I need for you to play along. It's the only way to make this situation bearable. For Prisca." Will stepped closer and glanced furtively about the room. "When I tell you what really happened that night in Blackmoor's cottage, I'll need for you to hit me."

Sir Herbert placed his punch glass on a nearby table, crossed his arms over his chest, and said, "You want me to do what?"

"I want you to hit me." Will tapped his jaw. "Here." He pointed to his eye. "Or here." He shrugged his shoulders. "Bloody hell, I don't care where you hit me. Just do it."

"Are you foxed, William?" The man eyed him suspiciously.

Oh, how Will wished he

was foxed. It would mak

e this entire situation so much easier. But, unfortunately, he had all his wits about him. He shook his head to shake away his errant rambling. "Will you do it, or not?"

Sir Herbert just looked at him like he was an imbecile.

Will took a deep breath. "You know I love Prissy," he began slowly and quietly. The baronet stiffened. "Emory told me they planned to marry her off to Brimsworth, and I'm afraid I went a bit mad. Then the man offered for her, and I thought my chance with Prisca had passed me by."

Will glanced over at his wife. She was so beautiful, even with her back to them both. As though she sensed his attention, she turned and glanced at him over her shoulder. The smile that had been on her face vanished quickly. She looked at her father and scowled. And then she pushed her lips together in a thin line when her eyes settled once again on Will. She turned her body so that she faced them both.

Finally

. He needed her to see.

"I lied," he suddenly said.

"Pardon?" Sir Herbert frowned at him.

"I lied," Will said, sounding out the word

lie

as though it went on and on.

"About?"

Will tugged at that cravat again. "About what happened that night at the cottage. I lied, sir."

Sir Herbert bristled, squaring his shoulders.

"Nothing untoward happened between us. I found her in the woods where she was injured and cold. So, I took her to Blackmoor's crofter's cottage, mainly because I was so damn happy to find her virtually unharmed, and I didn't want to share her with anyone. It was convenient. Quite convenient for my plan."

The man sucked his lips in annoyance. "Your plan?"

"Making you think I'd ruined her."

"Westfield." The baronet's mouth fell open.

Will held up a hand. "Allow me to finish?"

Sir Herbert nodded once.

"I warmed her up," Will said quickly, holding his hand out when the baronet started to speak. "Not

that

way. In the save-her-life way, by putting her in front of a roaring fire. Then I gave her whisky. For the pain in her ankle, you know. It went straight to her head. So, I took the opportunity to tuck her into bed and climb in beside her. Prissy wasn't free with her favors, and it was wrong of me to tell you otherwise."

"I'll say," the man mumbled.

"It was a ruse to get Brimsworth out of my way and to coerce you into forcing her to marry me. Instead of him."

Will had never felt quite so exposed. Sir Herbert stood there looking at him like he should be transferred to Bedlam.

"And now she's quite angry with you for having lied and with me for having believed you," Sir Herbert said.

Will had fully expected him to be livid. But the man wasn't. He looked like he did every other day. "Furious," Will assured him.

"Is she making you miserable?" the baronet asked, his eyes twinkling a bit with mirth.

"Quite." Will nodded.

"Good," Sir Herbert said, nodding his head as though he was pleased. Then he clapped his hand on Will's shoulder. "I'm not an idiot. And I've been around the Westfield men my whole life." He lowered his voice so there would be no chance of anyone hearing him. "Beneath all that whoring, you're a decent lot. And I know you love her.

That

is why I

let you

marry my daughter. No one forced my hand. I could have accepted Brimsworth's offer, after all. Even after you brought her home, the man was certainly willing."

Will was so relieved to hear the baronet's words that he didn't even see Sir Herbert draw back his fist and slam it into his chin with the force of an anvil dropped from a great height. Will hit the floor with a thud.

***

"I do love her," Will muttered as Prisca knelt on the floor of the coach and stroked the side of his face.

"What did you say?" she asked absently. He'd been muttering since his brothers had picked him up and carried him from the assembly hall. They'd assured her he would be well in moments, though it would probably be best if she took him home, considering the gossip that might ensue.

"Priss," he murmured, his eyes still closed.

"Yes, Will?"

"I love her," he said again. This time she clearly understood him.

"Who do you love, Will?" she asked, swallowing hard to move the lump in her throat.

"Priss," was all he said. Will's blue eyes opened, now the color of sapphires in the dark confines of the coach. "What happened?" he asked.

Prisca stroked his jaw. The red bruising was quickly vanishing. "Papa hit you," she said, though she could see no evidence of it on his face now. "He hit you here," she said, pointing to his chin. "But now I can't even tell." She tipped his face to the moonlight. "How odd," she whispered.

"I heal quickly," he replied, his voice rising to its usual timber.

"How?" she asked. A moment before, he'd been unconscious. And now he was lifting his head from the floor and sitting up, as though nothing had happened. She'd seen the bruise. But now it was gone.

"How, what?" he asked.

Prisca sighed with impatience. "Never mind."

Will moved to sit in the seat of the coach and pulled her up to his lap. "Let me hold you," he said quietly when she tried to pull away. His voice was deep and now roughly textured, which made a tickle climb up her belly. She settled against him.

"Your father

hit

me?" he finally asked.

"Yes, though I don't know why."

"I told him the truth," Will said before his lips brushed the side of her neck. Without even thinking about it, she tilted her head to give him better access.

"The truth about?"

"The night in the cottage," he breathed against her skin.

She sat up quickly. "You did?" Prisca covered her neck with her hand to stop his lips from distracting her. He tugged her arm, trying to dislodge her fingers. She swatted at his hands like he was a pesky fly.

Will finally sighed and leaned back against the squabs, his eyes half closed as he looked at her. "Yes, I did. It was only right." He shrugged.

"And what did he say?" Prisca asked.

"Well, he was angry enough to hit me," Will said sarcastically.

"I'll have to go and thank him tomorrow," Prisca said absently. Her heart warmed.

"For hitting me?" Will cried.

"No. For standing up for me," she replied, leaning forward to kiss Will quickly on the lips. "Don't you see? He stood up for me."

"When I told him the truth," Will murmured.

"Why did you do it?" Prisca asked. Surely, he had a motive. He always did.

Will bent and tugged at the hem of her dress. "Because I wanted unlimited access to what's beneath your skirts," he laughed.

"Will!" she cried, pushing his hands down.

"And beneath your bodice," he said, his voice growing deeper as he tugged at her neckline, exposing the swell of her breast.

"Will," she protested again, though this time she merely covered his hand with her own. "So selfserving," she scolded.

"Speaking of self-serving…" he said quietly as he removed his hand from her breast and replaced it with her own. She began to balk at the intimate touch of her own fingers, until he covered her hand and lined his fingers and thumb up with hers. He tensed his hand, which made her knead her breast.

"Stop," she protested weakly. In truth, it was highly arousing to see his hand over hers, as she touched herself.

"I would love to see you cup your breasts in your hands as you ride me," he rasped. "You could even flick your thumb across your nipple," he said as he moved his hand and caused her to do so.

Prisca closed her eyes. "I'm not ready for this," she whispered, though she felt more than ready.

"Then I'll just have to pleasure them all by myself."

Twenty-Five

By the time they neared the dower house, Will had Prisca's bodice loose enough that his fingers could steal inside and tantalize her flesh. The shimmery overdress she wore restricted him a bit, but he refused to be deterred. After all, it was the first time all day she'd smiled at him, her eyes warm with passion.

Will spent the ride tormenting his lovely wife. His fingers stole beneath her skirt to stroke her quivering flesh until she was just on the edge of completion. Then he withdrew. He could hear the beat of her heart and the way it quickened just before she reached climax. When her gasps turned to little pants, he left her teetering on the precipice.

"Don't stop!" she cried out in frustration as he pulled his finger from her wetness. She opened her eyes to clutch at his hand, pulling it back toward her heat.

He went back to his ministrations with a chuckle. "Greedy little thing, aren't you?" he teased as he strummed across her center, teasing the little bundle of nerves with the pad of his thumb until she finally fell over the precipice, quaking and sighing within his hold.

Will touched his lips to the dewy skin of her neck softly and then said quietly, "Priss, the coach stopped ten minutes ago."

She sat up and looked around and then lifted the curtain, seeing they had indeed stopped. "You could have told me," she hissed. "What will the coachmen think?"

"They'll think I was making love to my wife." He nibbled at her ear. "Which I intend to do as soon as we enter the house."

Prisca lifted her body to move off him but teetered when her legs refused to carry her weight. Will opened the carriage door and stepped out, happy to find that, despite the tent of his trousers, he could still walk. Prisca stepped out, her legs shaking as she took a step. He quickly picked her up and carried her toward the house.

"Put me down!" she cried.

"Why?"

"Because the coachmen will think you intend to make love to me."

Will's heart sped up at her words. "I do," he affirmed.

"But, they'll—" Prisca started.

"Prisca, all the coachmen left, aside from Clarke." Prisca craned her neck to look over his shoulder. He was correct. No coachmen were milling about. Only one man stood at the horses' heads, his stance relaxed as he softly whistled a tune. "The others left when we stopped."

"Did you know that?" she asked, her bottom lip sticking out a bit, making her even more adorable.

"I knew. I heard them when they discussed it."

Prisca exhaled loudly. "Why didn't I hear them?"

"Because I had my fingers inside you and you were a bit preoccupied by it."

She colored prettily in the moonlight. God, he loved it when she did that. In one moment she went from writhing against him to blushing like a schoolgirl.

"But what about him?" Prisca asked. "He

knows

what we were doing!"

"Yes, he does, and his wife will be very happy when he crawls into bed with her tonight, as his ardor will be impressive, I'm sure." Will couldn't keep from chuckling at the look of mortification that crossed her face.

"I'll never be able to look him in the eye again," she moaned.

Will carried her all the way to the master chamber, and only then did he set her on her feet.

"Will, wait," she said, putting one hand on his chest.

She still wasn't ready for this? Ready for him? He was going to die a slow death if she dissuaded him again. "What is it, Priss?" Will brushed his knuckle along her jaw, hoping she would melt for him like she had in the coach.

"I don't think I'm ready to…"

***

Will's jaw fell open, and Prisca very nearly felt sorry for him. But she still hadn't forgiven him for the way he'd trapped her into this marriage. "You seemed ready enough on the way back," he complained.

"I lose all sense of right and wrong when you touch me." Prisca sighed.

"And you think me making love to you would be wrong?" The light of hope that was once present in his gaze flickered out, only to be replaced with resignation. He sighed.

Maybe she should drop her silly pursuit for justice. "Will." She reached for him.

"You'll be the death of me, Prissy," he said. Then he smacked her bottom with the flat of his hand.

"Ow!" she shrieked as she rubbed the offended area.

"But I'll take my punishment."

"You will?" He would roll over that easily?

will

sleep with you tonight, though."

She didn't know how to respond to that, but her heart leapt at the thought. Will laughed as he sat on the edge of the bed and tugged his boots from his feet and very meticulously placed them against the far wall.

Prisca did nothing but gape at him. Did he truly intend to stay with her?

He laid his jacket and waistcoat across the back of the chintz chair beside the bed. Then he slid his black, fitted trousers down his long legs.

Prisca gulped when he pulled the shirt over his head. The sight of him shirtless robbed her of breath. He was splendidly sculpted, all muscle and sinew. Not even the slightest mark marred his perfect form. She couldn't even see the injury from her errant musket shot.

A roguish grin played at his lips as though he enjoyed her perusal of his body. "Your turn, Priss."

Then before she could respond, he divested her of her own clothes in short order, leaving her in nothing more than her chemise. He did know women's clothing much too well. How could the man have possibly undressed her so quickly?

"My nightrail," she protested when he swung her into his arms, not even giving her time to complain about her near-nakedness, and carried her to bed.

"You won't need it," he said as he peeled back the counterpane and laid her onto the cool bedclothes. She rolled to her back, and his head came to rest on her belly. The rigid set of his shoulders didn't relax until she slid her fingers into his thick, dark hair and began to stroke him. They settled into comfortable silence, but she continued to stroke through his hair. And that was where he fell asleep, his head resting on her belly, her hands in his hair.

She watched his slow and even breaths, not even the slightest bit self-conscious despite their lack of nightwear. The soft sounds coming from his mouth made him seem almost boyish. From where he lay, she could see his left cheek and the side of his buttocks. She sat up on her elbows. He wasn't unmarked as she'd previously thought. A crescent-moon-shaped birthmark on the middle of his lower back caught her attention. It was good to know he wasn't completely perfect. She reached a finger down to touch it. As she stroked the mark, Will whimpered softly against her belly. Prisca put her fingers back into his hair and calmed him.

***

Will heard his brothers' approach long before they entered the dower house. Once they were in the parlor, he could hear Simon grumbling, though he couldn't make out any words aside from his own name.

Upon further reflection, asking Prisca's father to hit him in the middle of the assembly room might not have been the best idea. Hopefully, the event wouldn't mar Prissy's name. He was still amused over her set-down of Mrs. Bostic. His wife was a formidable woman, though he'd always known that. It was one of the things he loved about her.

He took one of her ebony curls and brushed it against his cheek. She smelled delightful, like holly berries, lilacs, and Prisca all rolled into one.

He heard something crash to the floor in the parlor and cursed under his breath. With those two buffoons below, they'd wake Prissy for sure. If he could get rid of them, he could come back to bed and properly ravish his wife, if she was willing.

Will slid from bed and threw on a robe he knotted around his waist.

As he reached for the door, Prisca's voice stopped him. "Will?"

He glanced over his shoulder at the most beautiful sight ever. Prisca's dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, barely concealing the outline of her breasts. He groaned. "Don't go anywhere, love. I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" she persisted, sliding her legs over the side of the bed.

"To get rid of some unwanted guests. Get back in bed."

Of course, she didn't listen to him. She never listened to him. Prisca padded across the floor to him and stood on her tiptoes to press her soft lips to his throat.

His mouth went dry. It took all the self-control Will had not to scoop her up in his arms and make love to her right then and there. But his brothers, his infuriating brothers, were right below them. "Priss," he growled. "You're making this very difficult for me."

"Oh? I don't mean to make it hard." If she only knew how hard.

"You always make it hard. Now get back into bed so I can properly ravish you as soon as I dispense with Simon and Ben."

"Ravish me?" Her voice was husky with sleep. She touched her lips to his chest. "I think I would like that."

It would take all of three seconds to send his brothers sprawling across the lawn. "On my honor."

She giggled as she scrambled back toward the bed. "And I had no idea you had any."

Will scrubbed a hand over his face to block out the tempting view of his wife's backside. "Don't go anywhere."

Then he escaped from the room and down the steps. He didn't even spare a glance for the surprised footman who jumped out of his way. Will threw open the doors to the parlor.

Simon reclined in an oversized chair and Ben sat on the settee, his elbows resting on his knees, holding his head in his hands. "Out. Both of you," Will ordered.

It wasn't until Simon rose from his spot that Will realized how awful his older brother looked. The duke's hair was unkempt, and it appeared as though he'd slept in his clothes the night before. "Will, we're sorry to come by so early—"

"Well, there's an easy solution to that. You and Ben can come back another time." He gestured toward the corridor.

"Will, Mother—" Ben began, lifting his head just a bit.

"I'll be along to visit her soon. In the meantime, do show yourselves out." Honestly, couldn't this wait? He finally had Prissy where he wanted her.

"William!" Simon barked, his grey eyes flashing dangerously. "Kindly close your bloody mouth."

Stunned, Will did so, clamping his lips tightly.

"Mother is worse," Ben said from the settee as he tightened his hand to a fist.

Will walked into the parlor and sat in a seat in the corner. "Worse?"

"Since last night." Ben winced. "The tonic Elspeth made isn't strong enough. She needs something from her stores in Edinburgh.

Epipactis youngiana

Edinburgh? "I beg your pardon."

"Ellie says it's the only ingredient that'll make the tonic more potent."

"Did you say Edinburgh?" It would take forever to get there and back.

"Unfortunately," Simon began slowly, as though he barely believed this situation himself. "The plant is extinct."

"Then how can it be in bloody Scotland?" Will barked, feeling completely helpless.

"Apparently, Ellie's mother had seeds from the particular plant. And with one touch, Sorcha can make them grow," Ben hastened to explain. "Ellie says the healing properties are nearly as strong as her touch."

"So, we just need to go to Scotland, get the littlest witch to touch some seeds and make them grow, and then bring the plant back to Elspeth?" Will raked a hand through his hair.

"I hate to ask you to go, Will," Simon began.

"I can't leave Ellie," Ben explained. "And Sorcha's never met Simon, but she knows you."

Will was on his feet in an instant. "We're sure these seeds exist?"

"As sure as we are Lycans exist," Ben muttered.

"Fine," Will started for the door. "I'll leave now. How do I know what to get?"

Ben unfolded a piece of foolscap. "Ellie wrote it down for you. Show it to Sorcha, and she'll know what to do."

"I'm sorry, Will," Simon said from across the room. "I wanted to send the major, but Mother won't let him leave her bedside. I had no idea they were so close."

"It's no bother," Will assured the duke, while he exchanged a look with Ben.

***

There were

witches? Prisca wondered from her spot on the staircase. Of course, Will had said there was a coven. Still, she hardly believed her ears. First witches, and now they could grow healing plants with the touch of their fingers? After all her years beside the Westfields, how did she not know they were all insane?

She heard Will start for the corridor and hastened back up the stairs. If Alice wasn't sick, she'd give Will her best impression of the Spanish Inquisition but, as it was, she'd rather he not catch her eavesdropping. She rushed back into their chambers and slid beneath the counterpane moments before he entered the room.

"You said you'd be right back," she reminded him, hoping her cheeks weren't red from bolting up the stairs, and that he wouldn't know she'd overheard his conversation with his brothers.

Will's gaze lingered on her only a moment before he went for wardrobe. "Sorry, Priss. I know you were listening at the stairs." He shot her a pointed glance. Heat crept up her face. "I have a lot to explain. And I will when I return. I have to run an errand for Simon. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Where are we going?"

He looked back over his shoulder at her. "I am going to Scotland.

You're

staying here. Though it might be a good idea for you to move into The Hall while I'm gone."

Why couldn't she go to Scotland with him? She wouldn't be in the way. They were just now starting to rub along well together. "What does it matter where I am?" she muttered.

Will turned to face her. "I'm not going for a leisurely jaunt, Prisca. You wouldn't want to go. Besides, you're needed here."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because Mother adores you. Embellish to your heart's content. Just stay with her for me, Prissy, until I return."

The emotion she saw in his eyes made a lump form in her throat. All Prisca could do was nod.

Will turned away from her and let his robe drop to the floor as he retrieved a fresh pair of trousers. Her eyes landed on the crescent moon mark and she wondered again what it was about the blemish that called out to her. She'd obviously spent too much time with the wacky Westfields. If she wasn't careful she'd be as mad as the lot of them.

***

After bathing and dressing, Prisca trekked up the path to Westfield Hall. Billings ushered her inside, and she quickly found her way to Alice Westfield's bedside. The dowager, now so frail and thin, didn't even look like herself.

She was sleeping, and Major Forster sat diligently at her bedside. If his love and devotion could have healed Alice, she would be up and about, spinning with joy. But love didn't have that sort of power.

Prisca stepped forward and caught the major's attention. "Can I sit with her a while?"

"Of course, m'dear." A moment later, the old officer left the two of them alone.

Prisca sat in the seat he'd vacated and leaned forward, placing her hands on the warm counterpane. She wasn't certain how long she sat sentry over the woman, but she did notice when the sun started to dip in the sky.

Alice's light eyes slowly opened, and a smile lit her lips when she saw Prisca. "My dear girl," she rasped. "I'm sure you have better things to do than watch me waste away."

Prisca choked on a sob. She shook her head, hoping to lighten the mood. "What could possibly be more interesting at Westfield Hall? Blackmoor is probably barking orders at poor Billings and scowling at anyone who passes him by. Benjamin can't help staring moon-eyed at Elspeth from sun-up to sundown, which is a bit revolting, I must tell you.

"And Lily is catching up with Oliver, listening to all the sordid details of one schoolboy prank after another." She playfully rolled her eyes. "As always, you are by far the best conversationalist to be found on the premises and the only sane Westfield of the lot."

Alice laughed, which caused a fit of coughs.

Prisca handed the dowager a handkerchief and silently berated herself for causing the woman any undue pain. "I'm so sorry."

Alice clutched her hands and smiled. "You have nothing to apologize for, Prisca. But you didn't mention William. What inane activity is my middle son participating in at the moment?"

Riding to Scotland to retrieve a magical plant to save

your life.

She didn't even consider telling her the truth. "He's out on an errand for Blackmoor."

"You are good for him." She released her grasp on Prisca's hand. "So good for him," she repeated as her eyes seemed to glaze over. "Don't let him hide from you. Make him show you who he really is."

Who he really is? She nearly snorted. "Oh, I know who he really is, Alice. Never fear about that."

The dowager closed her eyes, her smile dimmed a bit. "I'm glad he told you. But don't worry, dear. They're not nearly as frightening as they think they are. Majestic creatures in the moonlight. The way God made them. Shiny coat and…" her words fell off as she drifted back to sleep.

Prisca gaped at her mother-in-law. Shiny coat? Majestic creatures in the moonlight? Apparently, Alice was as mad as the rest of Westfields. That or her illness had made her delusional.

When the major resumed his spot by Alice's bedside, Prisca left them alone and descended the steps in search of the others. She stepped into the green parlor, and the portrait of Alice in her earlier years immediately caught her attention.

"She was beautiful, wasn't she?" Benjamin asked from behind her.

Prisca wiped away a tear from her cheek. "She's still beautiful." She looked over her shoulder at her brother-in-law. "Do you really believe the plant Will went to retrieve will save her?"

A tortured sigh escaped him. "I have to believe it."

The conversation between the three brothers echoed in her mind. "Can Elspeth

truly

heal people, Ben?" Prisca asked. It all seemed so fantastical.

"Yes, she truly can." He stepped farther into the room and leaned casually against one of the window frames.

"Then why not let her?" Prisca followed him and placed her hand on his back. "What are you afraid of ?"

"When she heals with her touch, she has to use some of her own power. She has to give a part of herself. That could hurt her. And our child." He inhaled deeply and turned to look at her. "You've no idea what it's like to have to choose between your wife and child on one hand and your mother on the other. The last time Elspeth healed someone, she gave so much of herself that I thought I'd lost her."

"Who was she healing?"

"Me," Ben admitted.

Heavens! She had no idea. "When were you

that

ill? I never heard anything about it."

"I didn't tell the others." He shifted uncomfortably. "I was actually sick before I left for Scotland. It was why I went looking for the fabled witch who can heal."

"And that was Elspeth?"

"Her mother, actually. But Ellie has her power, now that she's gone. It's passed from mother to daughter, inherited like blue eyes or that streak of white at Simon's temple."

"You have to know how all this sounds to me, Ben," Prisca sighed.

"Do you mean you can't believe in the mystical world, Prissy?" His hazel eyes twinkled a bit, and he tugged her toward the settee.

Hesitantly, she touched her hand to her locket for strength. "I don't know what to believe."

"Allow your mind to consider the impossible. You'll thank me for that."

"Consider the impossible." She frowned.

"For instance," Ben began and tucked a stray curl behind her ear, "have you ever heard of Lycans?"

Lycans. "You mentioned them this morning to Will. You said 'As sure as we are Lycans exist.'"

He grinned at her. "I thought you might have been listening."

"What is a Lycan?" she asked. "Do

you

not believe in them?"

Ben threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, I believe in them. If you'd like, I can get you a book or two on the subject."

Why would she care one way or the other? She'd never even heard of the creatures before today. "Don't be difficult, Benjamin. Just tell me what they are."

He leaned forward and whispered, "Werewolves. Though Simon doesn't like that word. So do try not to use it in front of him."

Why would the Duke of Blackmoor care if she said the word

werewolf

? What utter nonsense. Besides, she took great care to talk to His Grace as little as it was anyway.

"You're staying here while Will is gone?" Ben asked.

Prisca nodded.

He winked at her. "Before you retire this evening, I'll procure a volume for you to peruse."

"You want me to read about werewolves?"

"I think you may find it enlightening." Ben rose from his spot and tweaked her nose. "You can thank me later," he said before leaving her to gape at his disappearing form.

Twenty-Six

Prisca stirred when she heard Lily's soft voice call her name. "Prisca," she heard as a gentle hand shook her shoulder. Prisca blinked her eyes open. "I had a room prepared for you upstairs. Why don't you go and get some rest?"

"What time is it?" Prisca asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"It's late," Lily said, covering a yawn. "Go and get some sleep."

"How is Alice?"

"About the same," Lily sighed. "I do hope it doesn't take Will long."

"You truly believe the magic will work?" Prisca asked.

"I do."

Prisca didn't know what to say to that, so she simply nodded. It would take more thought on her part, apparently.

Lily smiled and yawned again. "I have to get back to the duchess for my shift."

"Oh, let me take another turn," Prisca said, rising from her chair.

"That's not necessary," Lily said. "You sat with her most of the day."

know

it's not necessary. But I want to. Besides, you look like you could use some rest, yourself."

"Are you certain?" Lily asked hesitantly.

"Go," Prisca said, shooing her from the room. "I'm going to her now. I'll call for you if anything happens."

Lily leaned and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Prisca made her way to the dowager's room and smiled at Major Forster, who slept in a chair with his feet propped on the edge of her bed. Prisca wiggled his foot and he looked up, blinking his eyes quickly.

"Everything's fine," Prisca assured him when he looked panicked. "Go get some rest. It's my turn."

"I don't like to leave her."

"I know. But you'll be better for her when you've rested."

The man finally lowered his feet and said, "Just for a few hours."

When he was gone, Prisca sat down beside the duchess. Alice Westfield had always seemed so strong. It was still so shocking to see her wasting away in the bed. It didn't quite seem possible.

Someone cleared his throat behind her, and Prisca glanced over her shoulder to find Ben leaning against the doorjamb, a large book in his hands. "Lily said I could find you here."

Prisca gestured to his tome. "A little light reading?"

Ben grinned. "Told you I'd bring you a book to peruse. It'll be a long night. If I were you, I'd start at the beginning."

"This is your werewolf book?" She bit back a grin. What utter nonsense.

"Lycan," he stressed, stepping forward and handing her the aged, black leather book.

Lycans: Legend and

Lore

was emblazoned in gold on the cover.

"Of course. How could I forget?" She rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Benjamin, I never knew you to be so odd."

He shrugged. "You've never been my sister before."

Prisca looked down at the book in her lap. Werewolves. It would probably keep her up while Alice slept. She sighed. "Thank you."

He winked at her and then left the room.

Prisca cracked open the book to find the rendering of a single wolf, his snout lifted toward the sky. On the inside cover was a written note:

A Lycan cannot

be embraced by another until he embraces the wildness

within himself.

She touched a hand to her locket and turned the next page. Instantly she was enthralled, and she turned page after page until she spotted a sketch a few chapters in. A naked torso of a man caught her eye, but it was the crescent-moon-shaped mark on his chest that really drew her attention. "Heavens," she muttered to herself. It looked identical to Will's birthmark.

"You do look engrossed." The major's voice startled Prisca, and she nearly leapt from her seat.

Composing herself, she smiled at the man. "Just reading."

He pointed to the beeswax candle on the table by her side. "You're about to lose your light."

True enough, very little was left of the candle, and the light was flickering to extinguish itself. He crossed the room, opened the drawer of the table, and retrieved a new one. He lit the new candle with the old and replaced it in the holder. "Sorry, I overslept," the major apologized.

"Did you?"

He nodded, looking chagrined. "Aye. It'll be dawn soon."

And she'd only read half of the book. She had no idea so much time had passed, because it was so engrossing.

The old officer's dark eyes softened as they landed on the dowager duchess. "I'll stay with her now."

Prisca rose from her seat by the bed and smiled at the man. The worry on his brow was echoed in her heart. "Are you certain?"

He resumed his vigil at her bedside. "There's no place else I'd rather be."

"You love her," Prisca whispered.

The major nodded, his eyes still focused on the sleeping duchess. "I never thought I could love someone after my wife, Elspeth's mother, and I think Alice felt the same way about Jonathan. We certainly never expected to feel this way about each other. We've known each other for years…"

Prisca squeezed his arm as she passed him. "I'm certain Will shall return in no time and all will be set to rights."

"Little Sorcha can work miracles," he agreed. "Just the same as my Elspeth."

The major, a military man his whole life, believed in these witches, too. That made Prisca feel a bit better about putting her hopes on them as well.

"Oh," he said as she stepped into the corridor and was about to close the door behind her.

"Yes?"

"You forgot your book." He pointed to her vacated seat.

She could never forget what she'd read, however. Prisca snatched the book up and started for the room Lily had made up for her.

***

Prisca woke to scratching at her door. She blinked her eyes open, surprised to find afternoon sunlight filled her room.

"Miss… er… Lady Prisca," she heard Molly's voice through the door.

Prisca leapt from the bed. "Oh, Molly, do come in!"

The door opened, and her maid bobbed a curtsey. "Hello, my lady."

She was so glad to see the girl that Prisca threw her arms around the maid's neck. "Oh, Molly. Have you come to stay? Tell me, how are things at Langley Downs?"

Apparently uncomfortable with Prisca's affection, the maid pulled herself from the embrace. "Sir Herbert thought you might have use for me."

A sane mind. Prisca had use for a sane mind. "I am so glad you're here."

Molly shuffled a bit. "I didn't come alone, my lady."

"Oh? Who else is here?"

"Your brothers accompanied me."

Prisca released a breath. "What do those cretins want?"

"They came to see how you are. And to see how Lord William fares after your father punched him the other night." Molly leaned in close. "Honestly, Miss… Lady Prisca, I can't imagine Sir Herbert punching anyone."

It had been a surprise to her, too, not that she wanted to rehash the particulars with her maid. "Are all of them here? My brothers, I mean?"

Molly nodded.

Prisca winced. Perfect. She had images of werewolves frolicking in her mind, and now she had to deal with those five dolts. "Help me pick something to wear, will you?" She gestured to the wardrobe at the far side of the room.

In no time, Prisca was dressed and entering the Westfield blue parlor. Pierce lounged against the far wall. Emory paced the back of the room. Blaine and Darius sat on the settee, their heads together, talking quietly. Garrick wore a pensive look and sat stiffly in a high-backed chair.

At her entrance, all of them stood at attention.

"Priss," Emory began, starting toward her, "what is this about Will being gone?"

She certainly couldn't tell them the truth. "The dowager has gotten worse," she explained. "Will has gone in search of a… doctor to help."

"What about Dr. Bramber?" Garrick asked, concern on his brow.

Prisca shook her head. "He left a tonic, but it hasn't helped. Will knows someone more… qualified."

Emory frowned. "I didn't realize it was so serious."

"Probably," she began, "because you were so busy trying to plan my future for me. You each should know that I won't let any of you go unpunished for that. But my focus now is on my mother-in-law."

Blaine sighed. "Against my own best interest then, I'll pray for the dowager's safe recovery."

"Will wasn't angry Father hit him, was he?" Darius asked.

"Honestly, Dari, that seems a lifetime ago," Prisca answered. "He has other things on his mind." And she had a million on hers. Alice's health. Powerful Scottish witches. Crescent-moon-shaped birthmarks. Lycans.

"Well," Emory began, "we had wanted to ask you both to Christmas dinner tomorrow."

How normal that sounded. How un-Westfield. Prisca shook her head. "I do appreciate the offer, but I promised Will I would stay near his mother."

Garrick nodded understandingly. "She always treated you like a daughter."

"Is there anything we can do?" Pierce asked.

Prisca shook her head. "I believe Will is doing all there is to be done. But thank you."

***

Will knew that if he didn't stop soon, he'd fall from his horse. But he was halfway to Scotland, having just left Yorkshire. If he could just stay on his horse for a bit longer, he'd find Sorcha and then hire a coach to take him back to Hampshire, or at least part of the way until he was rested.

The frosty wind blew, and despite his warm nature, he shivered. It was madness to travel to Scotland on horseback in the dead of winter. But it was faster than going by carriage, and if his mother needed him to travel to the moon, he'd find a way.

The grey sky seemed to meld with the leafless trees, and Will closed his eyes just for a moment to get his bearings. He jerked when he nearly fell from the saddle. He immediately straightened, but his eyes began to close again. Then he heard a female voice calling loudly.

"Lord William!" It came again.

He turned in his saddle to look. He must be so exhausted that his eyes were deceiving him. He squinted and looked again. If he wasn't so tired, he'd swear he saw Caitrin Macleod, another of Elspeth's coven sisters. She was poking her head out of a carriage, her flaxen curls blowing in the wind.

"Go catch his lordship. He's about ta fall from atop the horse," she directed her coachman.

The man ran forward and helped to ease Will down as he did just that. He still thought he was dreaming. "Leave it to you, Miss Macleod, to see me falling from the saddle in exhaustion," he grunted.

She stepped from the coach and approached him. "I'm a seer, Lord William. Why do ye think I'm here?"

"You have the plants Elspeth needs?" he asked, praying with all his might that she did.

"Aye, I have everything." She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and stared at him sternly.

"You're not going to give them to me, are you?" Will asked, knowing by her stance he was right. "I need them, Miss Macleod. My mother—"

"Am I ta believe ye now have the ability ta see the future, Lord William?"

"Ben always said you were trouble," he grumbled. "And now I know why he didn't like you."

A small smile curved her lips. "He'll get past that in a few years." She waved her hand negligently as her coachman secured Will's mount to the back of the carriage. "And, no, I'll no' be givin' ye Sorcha's

Epipactis youngiana

. I'll be goin' with ye, instead." Then she shrugged. "Or ye'll be goin' with me," she added, motioning toward her own carriage.

"Will my mother be all right?" Caitrin Macleod's visions had never been wrong. An assurance from her would lighten his heart tenfold.

"Ye ken I canna tell ye." She avoided his gaze.

"Certainly you wouldn't have come all this way for nothing," Will pressed.

"No' for nothing," she assured him before she and her maid ducked inside the coach.

He followed and flopped heavily onto the seat, and then laid his head back against the squabs and closed his eyes.

"The future's no' always certain," she said quietly. "Sometimes it needs a bit of help." But he barely heard her as the rocking of the coach and the warm brick at his feet lulled him instantly to sleep.

***

Will woke with a start and found Caitrin Macleod regarding him from across the coach with an amused look. "Did ye ken that ye talk in yer sleep, my lord?"

He raked a hand through his hair and grunted. "No one's ever mentioned it."

Her smile broadened. "Who, may I ask, is Prissy?"

Will frowned at her. Just because she'd come to his rescue didn't mean he had to take her teasing. After all, she was the one witch out of the bunch who didn't even

Ben. "My wife," he answered, hoping to wipe the grin from her face. What the devil had he said in his sleep?

Her icy eyes twinkled with mirth. "I am glad to hear it. Sorcha will be heartbroken, of course, but we don't need any more Lycans in our midst. Benjamin is more than enough."

Simon and Miss Macleod were of a mind. Though Will didn't have any use for this conversation. "What did you see in regard to my mother?" he asked.

The sparkle in Miss Macleod's eyes vanished instantly. "I saw that she needs the plants. I saw that if yer brother wasna so doggedly stubborn, she would already be well."

Will gulped. "You may not want to mention that to him. He's been tortured enough by the decision."

She shrugged and glanced at the sleeping maid at her side. "El's no' as frail as he thinks. She was healing people long before Benjamin entered our realm."

"You didn't see her when she healed him," Will said, the memory of Elspeth's lifeless body fresh in his mind. "I was there. It was quite terrifying. I don't think I could let my wife put herself in danger."

"Prissy?" Miss Macleod asked, her knowing grin returned.

"All right, blast it!" he growled. "What

did

I say?"

"Ye wanted her ta scratch ye between yer ears and rub yer belly," she giggled. "I wonder, are those the thoughts of most dogs?"

Will couldn't ever remember blushing before, but warmth did creep up his neck and cheeks. Dear God, had he actually said those things? Hopefully, Prisca never heard him utter such words. "You truly are a witch, Miss Macleod."

She sat higher in her seat. "Flatterer."

"If you give me the plants, I'll take it from here. I can travel faster on horseback."

Miss Macleod simply shook her head. "I already told ye I was accompanying ye, my lord. Besides ye slept two straight days. We're nearly there anyway."

He'd slept two straight days? "You didn't stop at an inn along the way?"

She looked at him as though he were mad. "Well, of course we did, ta trade out horses. Ye slept through it all. But I wasna about ta stay the night. Public places such as that run havoc on my senses. Besides, I do have a reputation I'd like ta keep intact, one that would be in shreds if it was known ye were my traveling companion. This way, no one even knew ye were with us. It was the best plan."

Relief washed over him. They were almost to The Hall. "Can you see her? Is my mother still all right?"

Miss Macleod's eyes clouded over. "Ye have other concerns, my lord."

"But my mother—"

"There's a golden wolf in your midst, a lone wolf. I canna see him clearly, which is strange. But I can feel that he means ye harm."

Brimsworth. Will scowled. "I know the wolf you mean."

A soft smile settled on her lips. "Do be careful then. He's a formidable foe."

"He's a pup." Will shrugged. But then his eyes rose to meet Miss Macleod's. "I've no need to worry, do I?"

"It isna possible ta determine who will claim yer Prissy," the seer said.

"She's

wife," Will growled.

"By Biblical standards, aye. But we both ken that means little when ye speak of the Lycan relationship with one's mate."

"What would you know of that?" Will mumbled to himself, wishing he'd claimed his wife in the Biblical sense.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Then she opened them and the ferocity of her gaze nearly scared him. "I doona ken the particulars of yer mating, but I ken that a beast will claim her. I canna see the face of the Lycan who will do so, however."

If Miss Macleod was trying to frighten him, it was working. He'd never planned to claim Prisca as his Lycan mate, not after her reaction to the "witch" news. But it appeared as though he might have that choice wrested from him. He had to claim her or risk having the wild golden wolf attempt it himself.

Twenty-Seven

Prisca rushed to the door when she heard the clatter of a coach approaching. She saw the odd crest as it slowed before The Hall. Disappointment flooded her heart.

"It's not him," she said quietly. For days, she'd watched for his approach, wondering when he would return. Alice had become more and more weak, and Prisca had become more and more anxious. True to his word, Ben had delivered a few more books on Lycanthropic lore to her. Each one she read seemed to confirm her suspicions that she'd married some mythical creature. It didn't even seem like madness any longer. With each day that passed, Prisca missed her husband. Desperately.

Elspeth glanced out the door. With a little squeal, she clapped her hands together with delight. "That's the Macleod crest!" she said, turning and hugging Ben tightly. "Do ye ken what that means?"

Prisca watched raptly as warring emotions crossed Ben's face. Finally, he smiled. "It means hope has arrived?" His face scrunched up with consternation. "I never thought I'd be happy to see Caitrin Macleod. But I imagine Will's with her. And that she brought the ingredients to make Mother well."

"Will is with whom?" Prisca asked, completely at a loss for words.

But everyone ignored her as they bustled out the door. Will stepped from the coach, smiling broadly, his clothes a rumpled mess. He looked as though he'd slept in them for a straight week. His hair stuck out wildly, as though it had not seen a brush in quite some time. She took a step toward him, happier than she had been for days. But then he turned toward the coach and reached a hand inside. He brought back a slender wrist and thin forearm, which was followed by the rest of a beautiful blonde.

Prisca's breath caught in her throat. The whole time she'd missed him, wished for his safe return, he'd been with that breathtaking woman? She crossed her arms beneath her chest to quell the indignation brewing there.

Elspeth squealed again and raced toward the coach, and then wrapped the blonde in her arms. Even Ben looked happy now to see the woman.

Prisca had seen enough. She turned on her heel and went back into The Hall. Blasted William! She'd been so happy to see him, so relieved. And there was much to discuss with him. More than anything, she wanted to touch him. She wanted him to touch her. She wanted him to be happy to see her. But he obviously was too well engaged, smiling at that angelic-looking blonde.

She sank heavily onto the settee and raised a fingernail to her mouth to nibble. Obviously, he hadn't missed her at all. A lone tear trickled down her cheek. She swiped it away with the back of her hand, just before Elspeth, Ben, Will, and That Woman came through the door.

Will and Ben both carried flowering plants into the room. Where on earth might one get flowering plants in the middle of winter?

Elspeth, with her arm linked through the woman's, called to the men. "Ye can put those in the kitchen."

"I didn't think ladies went into the kitchens," Will chided, a grin on his face.

"This one does." Ellie grinned back. "I'll need ta make the potion. And Caitrin is goin' ta help." Then her hand flew to her mouth. "Ye would think I left my manners back in Scotland!" she laughed. "Lady Prisca Westfield, this is my dear friend and," she lowered her voice and whispered, "coven sister," very dramatically. "Miss Caitrin Macleod, this is Will's wife."

The blonde looked down her nose at Prisca. "So, ye're the unlucky soul who is shackled ta William Westfield for the rest of yer natural-born life?" she asked.

Prisca opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. She assumed she resembled a fish out of water, gasping for air.

"That's quite all right," Miss Macleod said as she boldly took Prisca's hand from her lap and pulled her to her feet. "I would be without words if I was doomed for eternity, as well. Come and help us with the potion," she suggested. Then the blond witch tilted her head and finally smiled at Prisca. Lord, when the woman smiled, she was even more breathtaking.

Neither Elspeth nor Miss Macleod gave her time to decide. Will tried to reach for her as they dragged her past, but Caitrin slapped at his hand. "Ye'll have time for that later. We've work ta do."

Both witches laughed and pulled her toward their destination. Prisca had never even been inside the kitchens at home. The room was enormous with pots and pans dangling from the ceiling. The smell of fresh baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of berry tarts. She might make it a habit to visit the kitchen more often.

Soon Elspeth and Caitrin shooed all the servants away and boldly took over, laughing all the while.

"I think I frighten the servants," Elspeth admitted as they began to work. "They're no' sure what ta do with themselves when I come down ta make my porridge in the morning."

Prisca leaned a hip against the tabletop and watched the women as they stripped the plants, extracted seeds and leaves, and set them to steep. Elspeth made a circular motion with her finger, and a spoon began to slowly stir the concoction. All by itself. Once again, Prisca did the fish impression.

"Does she ken what ye are?" Prisca heard Caitrin ask Elspeth quietly.

"Aye, she does." Elspeth laughed. "She hasna ever seen the magic before, though."

"Th-that's magic?" Prisca stuttered.

"Aye, an enchanted spoon," Caitrin said. "She learned ta do it when she was four and hasna stopped since." She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Can you do it, too?" Prisca asked.

Caitrin shrugged. "I'm sure I could, but I doona prefer such tasks. My gifts are different from El's. Each member of the

Còig has a different power. Or powers, as the cas

e may be. Like Sorcha, who can make these lovely flowers bloom right from seeds to fully open in minutes."

"What's yours?" Prisca asked, happy to find that her tongue was finally loosening.

"I can see the future," the woman admitted. "That's how I found Lord William. I saw his journey ta Scotland and met him part of the way ta speed his quest."

"You were with my husband for some time, then?" Prisca asked, trying to appear as though it didn't matter.

"Aye, and it was pure torture, just like every other moment with the beast." She suddenly stopped talking when Elspeth shook her head slightly. "I am glad ta meet ye, Prisca. And am glad ye're strong and beautiful. Ye'll give Lord William a merry chase."

"He has already caught me," Prisca admitted.

"He hasna caught ye yet," Caitrin said, her eyes narrowing. "But he'd like ta," she added, letting her words trail off slowly.

***

Will stood in the corridor off the kitchen and listened intently to Prisca and Caitrin's conversation. Surely, after all the times he'd pleasured her, she didn't still think he'd been forced into a marriage he didn't want. He wanted her with every breath in his body.

When they'd turned down the lane, her lilac scent had reached him, and he'd had to swallow harshly to control his need to drool. He was sure Caitrin would have enjoyed that display. Then he'd walked through the door and had his arms full of plants, instead of full of Prisca, as he'd wanted. Then Caitrin had dragged her away. He stood outside the kitchen for just a moment, listening to them talk. Ben's exaggerated stomp down the corridor broke his concentration.

The women immediately stopped talking.

"You shouldn't eavesdrop," Ben said blandly.

"How else will I find out what's in my pretty little wife's head?" he replied.

"I don't think you're supposed to know what's in her head, William." Ben shook his finger at him. "You're supposed to live in blissful ignorance like the rest of us." He chuckled as he pushed through the kitchen door. "When will the cauldron bubble?" he asked, laughing as Elspeth poked him in the ribs with her elbow.

"It'll take hours before this is ready," Elspeth sighed.

"How's Mother?" Will asked as he stepped closer to Prisca. He slid an arm around her waist, happy to find that she didn't pull away. He'd wanted her in his arms since before he left on his journey.

"Sleeping for the time being. She's been fading a bit more each day." Ben frowned. "I'm just glad you're back, and I hope this works." He gestured to the concoction cooking on the woodstove.

"You say it will be hours?" Will asked as he slid his hand down Prisca's back to caress the swell of her bottom. Her eyes shot up to meet his, a warning in her gaze.

"Aye, hours," Elspeth replied, grinning. "Get out of here," she laughed, motioning with her hands.

Will didn't have to be asked twice. Within seconds, he'd bent at the waist and hoisted Prisca over his shoulder. She yelped but didn't fight him as she had in the past. She just hung over his shoulder and swatted his rear.

"A simple invitation would do, Will," she said as he carried her through the door.

"I like carrying you around, wife," he said as he stepped outside with her and walked quickly toward the dower house. He slid his hand beneath her dress and raised it to cup her bottom. She squirmed against him.

"Someone will see your hand beneath my skirts," she hissed at him.

"I don't care," Will said as he pinched her plump flesh.

"Ow!" she cried.

"I'll kiss it and make it better," he growled.

It had been days since he'd held her. He'd never wanted a woman so much, and he was not about to let anyone keep him from her any longer.

He burst through the door of the dower house and slammed it shut. The erection that tented his trousers made walking so difficult he feared he couldn't take another step. Instead, he lowered her slowly down the front of his body, until she hovered with her skirts around her waist. He raised her legs, encouraging her to wrap them around his hips.

He framed her face with his hands, stroking gently. Her violet eyes stared at him with wonder. "I missed you," he whispered. He was surprised to find that he had to swallow past the lump in his throat to continue. "I missed you more than I thought could ever be possible."

"I didn't miss you at all," she whispered, her voice cracking, betraying her lie. "In fact, I don't even remember your name." She grinned. The little minx.

"Let me remind you," he said as he bared her breast and pulled her nipple between his lips.

"Who are you again?" she asked. If she could still tease him, he wasn't doing his job very well.

"Your husband," he grunted, barely able to speak to her.

"I vaguely remember that I have one," she gasped out the last word as he switched to her other breast.

"I'll be sure to leave a better impression," he said as he opened his trousers and pressed at her center. She wrapped her arms even more tightly around his neck and tucked her face into the crook of his shoulder.

"Will you take me for the first time like this?" she asked quietly.

"What?" he asked, trying to clear the lust that fogged his brain.

"I do want you," she sighed.

But not like this. Like she was some common trollop. Not the first time. He held her there against the door for a moment, while he tried to catch his breath.

"I'm not sure if I'll claim you as my husband, William," she said, her nose scrunching up.

He heard the word

claim

, and his ears perked up. "What?" Surely she didn't know about that.

She shook her head playfully. "I'll not admit that you're my husband, Will."

"And why not?" He couldn't help but smile at the way her pert little nose scrunched up.

"Honestly?" she asked, batting her eyes at him coquettishly.

"Please."

"Because you smell like one of Emory's hounds," she said as she uncurled her legs from around his waist and slid down his body until she stood before him. "I'd wager you've not bathed in days."

He threw his head back and laughed. "I'll bathe and then love you so well you'll be afraid to deny me."

"You can try," she teased.

He did so love a challenge.

"Will." Prisca frowned suddenly. "Your mother hasn't said much the last few days, but she did ask about you."

***

Prisca watched Will from the doorway of Alice's chamber. He sat with his elbows resting on the side of his mother's bed, her limp hand in his.

"Elspeth and Miss Macleod are working in the kitchen now, Will," she whispered. "They'll be here soon, and they have high hopes this will work."

"You don't even believe in magic, Prisca."

Will didn't look in her direction.

My life

is far-reaching," he murmured softly, but she heard him.

"Speaking of which," Prisca said. Then she stopped to clear her throat. "I did some reading when you were gone."

"The society rags? Who is having an affair with whom? You know most of those stories are fabricated," he scoffed.

"Were they fabricated when the pages were full of

your

exploits?"

He finally raised his eyes to meet hers. "No. Not typically. I was just as bad as the rags made me out to be. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Not particularly," Prisca muttered. This was going badly. She wanted to discuss the Lycan books with him. Perhaps take his mind from his mother's condition. Yet she failed miserably at both.

Prisca sighed and sat down on the opposite side of the bed. She crossed her arms and waited as the nothingness stretched into an eternity.

"I wanted my mother to meet our children," Will said quietly after a few moments. "I always assumed she would be here. She was so strong."

Prisca rose to walk closer to him. He sat back in his chair and pulled her into his lap, drawing her close to him. He immediately sighed and relaxed, inhaling deeply with his nose close to her hair.

Prisca wanted to assure him that things would be all right, but she wasn't certain they would. Unless the witches could perform a miracle, which she still had doubts about, his mother would not be with them much longer. So, she just whispered, "I know," as she kissed his forehead. Her hands slid into his hair, stroking him gently.

"I've always loved it when you do that," he said, pressing into her hand. She continued to stroke him, her fingers wildly mussing his hair, but it seemed to calm him. "The first time you ever touched me like that, you were still a young girl. You touched me with the innocence of youth and brought me a peace like I'd never experienced, not close to the moonful."

He spoke softly and slowly, as though her ministrations put him into a trance. "It makes me wild and unmanageable. And, oh, how I hated it. But I came to you, and you did just this."

Prisca's back stiffened. She had no idea what he was talking about.

"Don't stop," he said, when her hands slowed.

"I don't remember touching you like this before we were married." Surely he wasn't remembering another woman.

"The first time, you were wearing a yellow dress. And you had yellow ribbons in your hair."

"Are you sure it was me?" She tried to keep the waspishness from her voice.

"I'm positive. No one else smells like lilacs." Will sighed with contentment. "It was after your birthday party. I couldn't come to the festivities."

Prisca searched the room for a liquor decanter. Perhaps he'd been imbibing before she joined him.

"But I sat outside and listened. Your brothers finally teased you one too many times. You stomped by them and out into the garden. I hated to see you cry."

Now, Prisca remembered. She remembered the dress. She remembered the party. She remembered the argument. She didn't remember seeing Will in the garden. But she did remember the first time she saw her wolf.

"I trembled when I saw you," he admitted, resting his head against the back of the chair. She continued to stroke him. "I knew I was taking a chance, and when I got near you, I was almost overwhelmed with the need to claim you. Then you touched me." He finally opened his eyes, his sapphire gaze so intent it nearly hurt to look at him. "And from that moment forth, the only time I felt whole was when I was with you."

A clatter arose from the hallway. Will's eyebrows crunched together as he lifted her from his lap and set her on her feet. "I'll be right back," he said.

Prisca's mind swam with what he'd admitted. She sank into the chair Will had vacated, more confused than ever.

"Out of all my sons, Will is the most troubled." Alice's raspy voice crackled.

"Can I get you anything?" Prisca asked as she sat forward.

"More time," Alice whispered.

"Unfortunately, I can't help you with that. I would give you my life, if I could. Just to see Will happy."

"That wouldn't make my boy happy. He needs you."

Prisca shook her head.

"I am his past, and you are his future." A cough wracked her frail body. Prisca jumped up. "I'm going to see if the potion is ready."

But before she could even step out the door, Elspeth and Caitrin Macleod burst inside the room. The blond witch closed the door firmly behind them. Then she turned the key in the lock.

Elspeth rolled her eyes. "Ye doona think

that

can keep the likes o' them out?" She laughed lightly.

"I always forget who we're dealin' with." Miss Macleod shrugged. "I doona think we'll need it, regardless. She'll be healed. Today."

"Truly?" Prisca gasped.

"Ye still doona believe." The blonde tsked at her, a light smile on her face. She held her hands out to Elspeth. "We'll try the potion first, just so we can say we did."

Prisca could only watch as Caitrin Macleod helped Alice to sit and then lifted the cup to her mouth.

"It should work instantly, if it's goin' ta work at all," Elspeth said as Alice took a small sip.

"That's positively vile." The dowager grimaced.

"Ye doona have ta drink anymore," the blond witch said as she put the glass on a nearby table.

"Did it work?" Prisca asked.

Elspeth shook her head and pressed her lips together firmly. Prisca's heart nearly broke. Will would be so upset. They all would. Tears blurred her vision.

"I have a feeling ye know what we're ta do now," Elspeth said dryly, eyeing her friend.

The blonde's eyes twinkled.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Prisca snapped. "She could have already been healed!"

Elspeth put an arm around Prisca. "Her powers doona work that way. She doesna ken some things until events happen in the present. Then it changes her perspective."

Caitrin Macleod smiled devilishly. "Ye are no' allowed ta heal her, correct?" she asked Elspeth.

"Ben said I canna, but he's not here," she started. "I'll do it."

"Ben would never forgive you," Alice rasped out.

The blonde waved a hand negligently. "There's nothin' ta forgive. She willna do the healin'."

"Then who will?" Prisca barked. "Please stop talking in riddles!"

The pretty witch shot Elspeth a look. "This one is a pain in the arse," she said motioning toward Prisca. "I'm so glad William has ta put up with her for eternity." She laughed loudly.

Alice smiled weakly.

Then the blonde pulled Elspeth closer to the bedside. "Have ye felt the babe move inside ye?" she asked.

"Just little flutters," Elspeth admitted.

"Why doona ye let Her Grace feel the movement?" she asked, winking at her coven sister.

Elspeth's eyes scrunched together, and then she began to smile. Prisca was on the verge of ripping someone's hair out, preferably Caitrin Macleod's. But Elspeth stepped closer to the bed and took Alice's hand in hers. She pressed it to the tiny mound where her baby rested.

Prisca watched as Alice began to smile. Her eyes began to shine. Her skin, which had looked so pale, returned to normal. Prisca's mouth fell open as she realized that she'd just witnessed Ben and Elspeth's

baby

heal the dowager duchess.

They'd tuck her away in Bedlam for sure.

Finally, Elspeth bent and pressed a kiss to their mother-in-law's forehead. Then Alice sat up, swung her feet over the side of the bed, and stood up, stretching dramatically.

The door suddenly burst open. Major Forster tumbled into the room first. He came up short when he saw Alice standing up, smiling at him. She was across the room in a flash. Alice stood up on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his. His arms snaked around her waist as he deepened the kiss.

Lily rushed into the room next. "I tried to keep them busy, but it was impossible…" Her voice trailed off as she took in the passionate embrace. "Oh, my," she said, color suffusing her cheeks.

Will, Simon, and Ben all stood dumbfounded behind Lily.

"She's better," Elspeth sang out.

"That's obvious," Simon grunted, still staring at the couple.

"The potion worked?" Ben asked.

"Well, no' exactly," Elspeth hedged.

"Elspeth Westfield, if you tell me that you healed her…" Ben growled, his face turning red.

Elspeth held up two hands as if in surrender. "I promise, it wasna me," she laughed.

"Prisca?" Will asked.

Prisca laughed loudly and pressed her hand to her chest. "Me? I can't heal anyone." She pointed to Ben. "You are in serious trouble, Benjamin. When that baby arrives, you'll be up to your

armpits

in trouble." Then she doubled over with laughter and relief all rolled into one.

Will put his arm around her and whispered in her ear. "What happened?"

She cupped her hand around the shell of his ear and said, "The baby did it."

"Seriously?" Will pushed her to arm's length and studied her face.

She nodded. "It was amazing."

"So are you," he whispered.

From the threshold, Simon coughed loudly. The dowager duchess and the major paid him no heed. He took a step toward them, but Lily intercepted him. "Let them be," she said, tugging him into the corridor.

Ben and Elspeth slowly followed.

Ben sighed. "Please tell me you didn't put yourself in danger on purpose."

Elsepth shook her head. "Of course no'."

"Why is it that you nearly died when you healed me? But not when the two of you healed my mother? Is it because your powers are combined? Stronger?" He placed a hand on her belly.

"Maybe. I think it's more about the connection, though. Ye and I share a bond," she said softly as she cupped his face in her hand. "I would give all of myself to heal ye. I'd give a lot for yer mother, too, but I dinna have ta. Evidently, my power combined with that of the bairn's made it all look simple." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. He growled and swung her into his arms and dashed toward their quarters.

"What was that about?" Prisca asked of Will.

Will coughed into his closed fist, obviously hiding a grin. She punched his shoulder.

"Tell me," she pleaded.

He stood up tall and tried to appear serious, but failed miserably. "They're going to their rooms. Where they will take a nice long nap. One Benjamin will enjoy immensely."

"That's what she whispered?"

"With a little implied meaning behind it, yes." He wagged his eyebrows dramatically at her. "Want to go back to the dower house and take a nap?"

She could think of nothing she would enjoy more. Besides, she wanted to get a closer look at that birthmark on the center of his lower back, just to be sure she hadn't lost her mind.

Twenty-Eight

Will loved the blush that settled on Prissy's cheeks. He'd never tire of that image, and just as soon as he got her back to the dower house, he'd make sure the blush covered every inch of her skin. Finally.

"William, what is that look in your eye?"

He winked at her. "I think we'd best hurry home."

Her blush deepened.

"Yes," was all she said. His heart leapt.

Within moments, Will directed Prisca outside of the manor house. They were just a few yards away when he caught a scent in the air. A combination of citric shaving lotion and wildness. Brimsworth.

A predatory instinct clutched Will's heart. "Stop," he whispered, drawing Prisca to a halt beside him.

His wife's violet eyes rounded in surprise, but Will didn't meet her gaze. He tightened his hold on her arm and scanned the area around them. He sniffed the air, searching for the lone wolf that was somewhere in their midst. Caitrin Macleod's warning was fresh in his mind. He'd be damned if that golden wolf would touch one hair on Prissy's head, let alone

claim

her.

"What is it?" Prisca asked quietly.

Movement in a nearby copse of trees captured Will's attention. "Go back to The Hall and stay beside Simon."

"You know I don't get along with His Grace," she complained.

Brimsworth's scent wafted stronger in their direction, making Will's nostrils twitch and his patience vanish. "Then stay with Ben, for God's sake. But don't leave

his

side."

"Will," she persisted, clutching his sleeve. "What is the matter?"

She wouldn't believe him if he told her. He shook his head, refocusing on the tree line almost a hundred yards away. The scent was most definitely coming from that direction. "Something I need to take care of." His eyes narrowed at her. "Priss, do as I said."

"Don't bark at me, William." Even though he was focused on the area in the distance, he could hear the frown in her voice.

"You can berate me later. Go find Ben, and do it now."

Prisca pulled out of his grasp and stalked back toward The Hall in a huff. Images influenced by Caitrin's vision haunted Will's mind. He sniffed again in the direction where Brimsworth's scent was unmistakable. Then he took off at a sprint. There was no reason for the earl to be on Westfield property. No reason, aside from his desire for Prisca. When Will got his paws on the golden wolf, he'd tear him to shreds.

He reached the tree line in no time, and he inhaled deeply. Brimsworth was somewhere close. The citric shaving lotion permeated the area. "I know you're here," he growled.

The only answer to that was a twig snapping beneath one of his own Hessians. Will stepped deeper into the woods, his eyes searching the shape of every shrub and leafless tree in the vicinity. "It's only a matter of time before I find you."

But time was not on his side. Will followed the earl deeper and deeper into the woods. He followed until he knew he was miles from The Hall. But the scent hung just outside of his reach. But only barely.

"I'm getting closer. I'll follow all night, if I have to."

Still there was no answer, yet the earl's scent was stronger than ever. Why couldn't he see the man? "Go back to Kent or London. She's

wife."

Then Will heard a sound behind him. He spun quickly and took a step toward the noise. But a metallic click sounded in his ears at the same time as a searing pain raced up his leg. He looked down to find the metal jaws of an animal trap as they pierced his boot and ankle. An instant later, a solid blow to the back of his head knocked him to the forest floor.

"I did warn you," he heard Brimsworth crow, just as his world went black.

***

Priss, do as I said. You can berate me later.

She fumed as she re-entered Westfield Hall. There was no reason to treat her as though she were a child. If she lived to be a hundred, she'd never understand Will's drastic shifts in mood. How could he be seductive one moment and a distant beast the next?

"Go find Ben, and do it now," she mimicked him under her breath. Then she made her way into the green parlor and flopped dramatically onto the settee, though no one was there to notice her performance.

She sighed and drummed her fingers on the ivory brocade. "Just what has gotten into him?"

"Prisca?" the Duke of Blackmoor intoned from the doorway, one dark brow arched high. "I thought you left with William."

She kept herself from groaning aloud. She hated dealing with His Grace. He always looked at her as though she was a disappointment somehow, and he wore arrogance the way most men wore shaving lotion. "I'm certain he'll be back soon," she clipped. "He asked me to wait for him here."

With any luck, the duke would leave her in peace. He frowned instead and made no movement to depart. "Odd. He seemed in a hurry."

Didn't he though? "Apparently he changed his mind. He does that a lot, I've noticed."

Blackmoor stepped into the room and poured himself a tumbler of whisky from a decanter on the sideboard. "How are you enjoying being a Westfield, my dear?"

Prisca scoffed. Loudly. "I believe I've married into madness, if you must know."

The shadow of a smile graced the duke's lips just before he took a sip of his drink. "Well, Benjamin does intend to spend most of his time in Edinburgh. So sanity will reign most of the year at Westfield Hall."

"Ben's not the problem," she grumbled under her breath.

But somehow the duke heard her. His ears actually twitched. "What

the problem?"

She shouldn't have been surprised that he'd heard her. Will had excellent hearing himself. Prisca sighed and looked straight into Blackmoor's dark grey gaze. "I witnessed an unborn child heal your mother." She shook her head. "That's not possible. It doesn't make sense."

He shrugged and turned back to the decanter. "Sometimes it's best not to contemplate such things and simply be grateful."

"It's still hard to believe that Elspeth is a witch, along with Miss Macleod. I mean, they're

witches

, Your Grace! That doesn't bother you?"

He looked back over his shoulder. "There are much worse things to worry about than witches, especially ones who can heal you on your deathbed."

Well, she supposed that was true. Still, it didn't seem like something the aloof Blackmoor would welcome with open arms. "Do you believe in the rest of it? Faeries and trolls and werewolves and—"

"Lycans," he interrupted. "Werewolf is a slang term."

He did believe it. She blinked at him.

Before Prisca could think how to respond to that, Ben bounded through the door with Elspeth right behind him. When his hazel eyes landed on her, the youngest Westfield brother winked at her. "Prissy, what do you think of the name 'Willow'?"

Elspeth rolled her eyes, and Prisca couldn't help but laugh. "Willow is not a

name

. It's a tree."

The fiery-haired witch dropped onto the settee beside her. "We are

no'

namin' our daughter Willow."

"I don't know why not," Ben said, then grumbled something under his breath that made the duke choke on his whisky.

"I could have gone my whole life without knowing that fact, Benjamin." Blackmoor rubbed his brow, and Prisca couldn't tell if he was amused or annoyed. The man was so difficult to read.

She turned her attention to Elspeth whose face was nearly as red as her hair. "We have a—um—bed made of willow in Edinburgh," she managed to explain.

"Where is Will?" Ben asked, glancing around the room.

Prisca shook her head. "He said I was to find you, Ben, and not leave your side."

At once the Westfield men seemed on the alert. "Why did he say that?" the duke nearly barked.

Prisca gulped as all eyes focused on her. "He wouldn't tell me. He was being very peculiar about the whole thing."

The brothers exchanged a meaningful look, and then the duke started toward the door. "I won't be long."

"Take Oliver with you," Ben advised.

Blackmoor agreed with a tight nod.

Prisca leapt to her feet. "Ben, do you know what this is about?"

His eyes scanned the room as though he was avoiding her. "Will wouldn't say that unless he was worried about something."

"What is there to worry about?" she pressed. "I do wish you'd explain it to me. We were simply on our way to the dower house and everything was fine, and then he wouldn't budge and ordered me back here."

She'd never seen Ben look so uncomfortable. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I'm sure it's nothing, Prissy. When he returns, you can find out all about it."

***

Will woke to the heavy clank of a coin as it spun across a tabletop. He blinked his eyes open, wincing when the motion caused a pounding in his head. Slowly, he let his eyes move around the dark confines of the tiny cottage where he lay on a soft bed.

Will immediately recognized the crofter's cottage where he'd brought Prisca. Brimsworth sat at the small dining table, his head resting in the palm of his hand, his crooked elbow holding it up. Will finally realized the source of the noise. The blond wolf absently spun a coin across the tabletop and then repeated the action when the coin finally wobbled to a stop on the surface. He looked like he hadn't a care in the world. In fact, he looked bored witless.

But then he slowly lifted his head and looked over at Will. "I know you're awake. I heard your heartbeat speed up."

Damn Lycan hearing. Will had nearly forgotten that Brimsworth had the same strengths he did. Maybe more. Who knew? No one had ever put the man to the test.

"My heart tends to do that when I've been bashed over the head," Will intoned slowly, reaching for the back of his head, suddenly more aware than ever of the pain that lay on the surface. But his reach fell short. He tugged his arm and heard the metal clank of the shackles that bound him to the iron bed.

"You're already healing. The headache will ease soon." One corner of Brimsworth's mouth twitched up as he saw Will tug on the shackles. "No need to fight them. They'll hold," he said slowly.

Will wanted to ask him if he cared to wager on that. He'd never met a trap a Lycan couldn't free himself from. Thinking of the trap made him look down at his leg. Brimsworth chuckled, a laugh without mirth. "All healed." He looked a bit sad about that.

"Pardon me for ruining your enjoyment," Will grumbled, tugging the chains again. Indeed, they were solidly attached to the bed frame.

"Don't waste your strength. They're the shackles I use when the moon is full."

"Chaining yourself like the animal you are?" Will asked.

"Careful with the name-calling," Brimsworth chided. "You and I are cut of the same cloth."

"No. There are no similarities," Will ground out. He sunk back against the bed. Best to save his strength for a time he could use it. "I've never had to tie myself up to keep from hurting people." Then realization struck him. "Is that why you do it?"

Brimsworth nodded tightly.

"Why?" It seemed a bit odd to discuss such events, seeing as how he was trussed up better than a Christmas turkey. But the earl's heartbeat slowed when he conversed, and Will figured it might give him an insight into his captor's mind and something he could use to his advantage.

"You know why," Brimsworth snorted.

"No," Will replied, truly dumbfounded. "I've no idea."

"The wildness that comes with the moon. I start to feel it several days before the moonful. And I have to take precautions."

"Precautions against what?"

"The beast within me." Brimsworth shrugged.

"Yes, I've heard that you wrecked some furnishings and tried to take a bite out of a few whores back home in Kent," Will taunted him, though it probably wasn't the smartest idea considering his circumstances.

The earl's eyebrows drew together. "That was a bit of folly on my part. Though there's nothing as tempting as a woman's neck when the moon is full," Brimsworth admitted. "I'd hoped to control it better."

"Yet you couldn't," Will finished for him.

The man nodded again.

"How old were you when they first shackled you?" Will asked. He knew he'd hit his mark when Brimsworth flinched.

"That's none of your concern," he growled.

"You were young, weren't you?" Will continued. "Barely a man, I'd wager."

Brimsworth stood and crossed the room to get a whisky decanter. He poured a glass and tossed it back quickly. Will sat up as much as the chains would allow.

"Why didn't your father take you with him when he went to the forest?" Will asked.

The earl's head shot up. "My

father

? He's not one of us."

"Oh," Will breathed slowly as realization dawned on him. That explained why there was no record of Eynsford at The Lycanian Society. "Then perhaps he's not your

real

father," he mumbled to himself.

"Of course, he is!" Brimsworth barked, his face flushed with rage.

Will barely shook his head. "If he doesn't grow fur and a long tail when the moon is full, odds are he's not your father. Being a Lycan doesn't skip a generation."

"Truly?"

Will nodded.

"Never skips a generation?"

"Never. It's too strong within us." Although Major Forster believed the earl was some sort of aberration, Will thought it best to leave that bit out. It certainly wouldn't aid him in his current state.

Then Brimsworth did something Will would never, ever have expected. He threw his head back and laughed. "The sorry old man is not my father." A smile lit his face. "You've no idea how happy you just made me."

Will shook the chains on his wrists. "Happy enough?" he asked.

"In a moment," Brimsworth said, waving his head negligently. He started to pace. "You and your brothers, you're all Lycans?"

Will nodded.

"And you're able to live among

people

? Without hurting anyone?"

"When the moon is full, we go to the woods," Will admitted. "We're drawn to the solitude. The peace. If we've claimed a mate, she may go with us."

"Prisca," Brimsworth started.

"Is mine!" Will growled, straining at his chains.

The earl waved him off again. "Only because you took an unfair advantage. She should have had a choice between the two of us. You made sure she never got that chance."

"She is my wife." Will sighed. "No matter how you feel about the circumstances, nothing will change that fact."

Brimsworth frowned, and his golden eyes darkened. "Will you take her into the forest with you during the next moonful?"

He hadn't planned on it. But ever since Caitrin Macleod saw a Lycan claiming Prissy, he couldn't take the chance the earl would beat him to it. "If she's ready."

"I can't imagine she would be happy to know she married a monster, to see him transform before her eyes."

"We're not monsters," Will growled. Still, Prisca might run screaming into the woods.

Brimsworth raked a hand through his hair. "You say that like you mean it," he muttered so softly Will barely heard it.

The earl didn't seem to know much about the rules that governed Lycans. No wonder the man was feral. His family had chained him up, and he thought of himself as a monster. Will almost felt sorry for him until the weight of his shackles reminded him he was still the earl's captive. But perhaps he could reason with the man.

"His Grace would be a good mentor," he suggested. "If you have need of one, that is. Or someone else at Canis House, if you'd prefer." He would have thrown himself into the path of the wild Lycan, but Simon had a much more even temper. And, being the alpha of the pack, he never had to demand respect. It just came to him.

The man didn't look up. He looked as though he was adding sums in his head. He concentrated that hard. Then he met Will's gaze. "Do

you

think I need a mentor?"

Damn it all to hell. He wished the man didn't look so pained. "I think you could have a better life if someone taught you to accept the beast within you. You need a pack leader who won't chain you to a wall every time the night grows bright."

"No more chains," Brimsworth whispered absently. The earl seemed lost in thought for so long that Will started to think he might have gotten lost in a trance. Then his adversary shook his head, as though shaking all errant thoughts away. "I must go, but I

will

come back to set you free."

Will pulled at the chains. "Where are you going?" he growled.

Brimsworth smiled as he met Will's eyes.

Something

sinister lingered behind his gaze that instantly made the hair on the back of Will's neck rise. "I'm going to find my mate. Where else?"

Prisca.

Will's stomach clinched at the thought. "Don't touch her."

But the earl paid him no attention as he breezed out the door and left Will all alone.

***

"Benjamin, are you going to tell me what is going on or shall I have to pound it out of you?" Prisca demanded after begging and pleading hadn't worked. She paced around the green parlor, glaring at her brother-in-law. She had adored Ben since she was a child. She had trusted him her entire life. But now when she needed him to, he wouldn't tell her a blasted thing.

The current object of her ire lounged in a chintz chair with his arms bent at the elbows, his fingers steepled in front of his chest as he frowned at her—the same thing he'd been doing since the duke and his ward had gone off after Will.

"I never believed Pierce and Darius when they complained about what a pest you were, Prissy," he sighed. "I shall have to offer them my condolences, belated as they are."

She narrowed her eyes on him. "Don't make the mistake of thinking you can distract me. Ever since I married Will, none of you have been yourselves and I am getting weary of it. I…"

"On the contrary, love, we've all been ourselves, our

real

selves. I am sorry if it's difficult for you. I was very fortunate with Ellie. Of course she was predisposed to believe what I told her, to accept things outside the ordinary."

She stopped mid-pace, gaping at him. Just what was that supposed to mean? "What exactly

did

you tell Elspeth? Because Will hasn't said a thing to me. He gets a wild look in his eyes and orders me to stay put, but he hasn't

told

me anything."

Ben rested his head against the back of the chair. "It's not my place to say anything, Prissy. I've already said more than I should have when Will left for Scotland. Now that he's back, he has to tell you the way of things, not me."

They'd all been their

real

selves. The words of the mythical books filtered into her mind.

It had been there all along. She just hadn't let herself believe it, but having watched an unborn child heal a deathly ill woman had opened Prisca's eyes to the more fantastical ideas.

All the Westfield men had exceptional hearing. She'd noticed years ago that Will and Ben were different, more agitated as the moon grew full in the sky. Lily had once asked her the same thing about Blackmoor, though she hadn't thought anything of it at the time.

Will's skin was warm to the touch; perhaps Ben's and Blackmoor's were, too. Will wore the mark of the beast, she was certain of it. His birthmark, a crescent moon, looked exactly like the drawing in the book.

Prisca couldn't even believe she was contemplating such thoughts. Bedlam

was

in her future after all.

Still, if she was right, the book said Lycans lived in packs—with their families. She swallowed and then mustered her courage to ask, "Ben, do

you

wear the mark of the beast?"

His hazel eyes twinkled briefly before he looked away from her. "I don't think that's an appropriate question for you to ask your brother-in-law."

It certainly wasn't a "no," was it? She nearly growled and stomped her foot at his evasiveness, but she forced herself not to behave like a spoiled brat. It was most difficult, but having a tantrum wouldn't get her anywhere.

"Well, since all the other Westfields aren't appropriate and I am now one of you, I don't see why I should have to stand on ceremony. Now do you wear the mark, or don't you?"

Ben rose from his seat and folded his arms across his broad chest. "You should ask your husband that question."

"You do," she said slowly, certain now that she was correct, and stepped toward him. "Let me see it."

In the blink of an eye, he was across the room, leaning against the window frame. Prisca gaped at him. No one could move that fast. No human, anyway.

A grin settled on his lips. "Trust me, Prissy, you wouldn't want to see where mine is, and I don't think Elspeth would be at all happy about you forcing the issue."

Prisca was certain the blush that instantly warmed her cheeks would never go away. What was she thinking? "Forget I asked," she mumbled.

"I'm certain that will be hard to do," he replied with a chuckle. "Though I shall try."

She winced and then noticed that Ben stood a little taller. His ears actually perked up.

"Do excuse me. My wife is in need of my assistance." He quickly exited the room.

Prisca sank onto the settee and buried her face in her hands. A Lycan. She didn't dare believe it.

Twenty-Nine

Will pulled and pulled to no avail at the chains that bound him. Brimsworth was right; they hadn't budged at all. Will had never been engulfed in despair before, but now he was flooded with it. If he couldn't get free, he couldn't protect Prisca. He couldn't keep her safe from the earl.

The Monster of Eynsford

. The Lycan who couldn't control himself.

"Agh!" he cried out in agony.

If Brimsworth meant to punish him, to torture him, he couldn't have done a better job. Will howled again out of frustration, not willing to give up, not willing to concede the loss.

Then off in the distance he heard a sound. A familiar growl he'd known all his life.

Simon.

Thank God. Relief washed over him. "Simon!" he called at the top of his lungs. "Simon!"

Within moments, he heard two sets of boots pounding toward his location, and his heart thudded to a stop.

Two sets

! Damn both of his brothers for leaving Prissy unprotected. Before he could even yell out, the door of the cottage was thrust open. Moonlight flooded the room until Simon eclipsed it.

"Good God, Will!" his older brother rasped as he rushed inside.

Will tugged on his chains. "He's gone after Prisca! How could you leave her alone…" his voice trailed off as he realized Oliver, the thirteen-year-old Earl of Maberley stood behind the duke, his mouth agape. "Where's Ben?"

Simon picked up one of the chains and shook his head. "He's with our wives. You don't think I'm a complete dolt, do you? How the devil did you get yourself into this situation?"

Will growled at his brother. "Just get the bloody things off me, will you?"

The duke nodded and trailed his hands down the chain, finding the lock that held the ends together. "Where's the key?"

The key? Will winced as if he'd been struck. Brimsworth must have it. "I don't know." His heart constricted with the admission.

"Just pull them apart," Oliver suggested from inside the doorway.

"It's titanium," Simon grumbled, his eyes boring into Will. "Too strong even for us." Then he glanced over his shoulder at the boy. "Look around for the key, Oliver."

Will closed his eyes, not wanting to see the concerned expression that was certain to be on Simon's face. He heard Oliver rummage around the small room. "He has it on him. You know it as well as I do."

"There's only one thing left that we can do," Simon said as he surveyed the iron bed frame.

?" Will grumbled.

Simon scratched his chin. "It would take weeks to heal from something like that."

Will's mouth fell open. His brother was actually considering it?

"Maybe the baby?" Oliver pitched in quietly.

"Do be quiet," Simon snapped. "We'll not ask the unborn to grow new hands for Will." Suddenly, he stood and jerked the foot of the bed, until it slid several feet from the wall. "And I had so many wonderful memories of this bed. Lily will have your head for forcing me to dismantle it."

Will found it hard to keep his mouth shut as Simon slid his hands beneath his body and then lifted him in one smooth motion and flipped him so that he stood behind the iron headboard.

"I hate it when you do that," Will mumbled.

"Of course you do," Simon said blandly as he tore the mattress from the bed and swiftly broke the slats that held the mattress up from the floor.

"It'll be a bit of a hindrance carrying the headboard back," Simon said. "Can you manage it?" He arched one dark eyebrow.

"No, perhaps you should carry me

and

the headboard," Will growled. Of course, he could handle it. Why was Simon suddenly treating him like an invalid?

"Let's go then. We have a wild Lycan to catch."

***

Prisca paced back and forth in the entryway, waiting for Will to return.

"You said you loved Will when you were talking with Mother. Did you mean it?" Ben asked.

"How did you know?" He raised an eyebrow at her. Of course, he'd heard her. She stared at her hands, avoiding Ben's gaze. "I suppose."

"Try not to sound so happy about it, will you?" Ben said as he lightly squeezed her shoulder. "When he comes back, talk to him. I wish I had talked more to Ellie. I wasted some time I could have spent loving her, hiding from myself."

A clatter arose on the front steps. It was followed by a clank, a curse, and some mad shuffling. Prisca held her breath until Will was inside, followed by Blackmoor and Oliver. Yet, above Will's head was the oddest contraption.

"If you hit me with that thing one more time…" the duke growled.

"I'm very sorry to burden you with my anchor," Will spat back. "The next time someone chains me to a bed, I'll be sure and have the madman leave a key, just for

your

convenience."

"What is he holding?" Prisca asked under her breath.

"It looks like a headboard," Ben answered, sounding just as surprised as Prisca felt.

Not just any headboard. She'd recognize it anywhere. It was from the same bed the two of them had shared in Blackmoor's crofter's cottage. The same cottage she doubted Lily knew a thing about. Someone had chained him to that bed?

Her mouth fell open in astonishment, and a squeak escaped. How dare he? She'd just spent the better part of an hour worrying about Will's whereabouts. She'd just finished telling Ben how much she loved the rogue. She'd fretted over him, for God's sake. And all that time he'd been chained to a

bed?

"Is she all right?" Will asked, his voice full of concern.

She couldn't even form a sentence she was so furious. He'd kissed her and caressed her, and he'd gone off on some quickly remembered assignation?

"She will be," Ben said softly.

"Prisca?" Will asked. "What is it?" He turned toward Ben 's voice, forcing Simon to duck to avoid being decapitated by the spinning headboard. "Has Brimsworth been here?" He spun again, this time bumping into Maberley, who wasn't quite as fast to evade the blow. The boy fell to his knees as he clutched his head.

"Sorry, Oliver," Will grunted.

"No harm done," the boy said graciously as he regained his footing.

"Perhaps you should stand still until that thing is removed, William," the duke growled.

"Priss?" Will asked again, a question certainly in his gaze, though she hadn't enough control of her thoughts to figure out what it was.

"Yes, Will?" she asked, wishing him to the devil.

"Oh, God, Priss," Will said as he closed his eyes tightly. "I'm so glad you're safe."

She tried to suppress a snort, failing miserably. She turned to address Benjamin. "Would you ask Billings to ready a carriage, please. I'd very much like to go home now."

Then she escaped back into the parlor and slammed the door shut, ignoring Will's call for her to stop.

***

"Ben, get out of my way," Will grumbled as he tried to get past his younger brother into the green parlor after Prisca. In the process he clocked Simon in the head again with the top of the iron headboard.

"For God's sake," the duke grumbled.

"Sorry," Will offered and then turned his attention to Ben. "What's wrong with her?"

"She hasn't had an easy time of it, Will. You may want to leave her be for the moment."

Like hell. Will reached for the handle again, but Simon's arm on his shoulder halted him. "Billings!" the duke barked.

When the butler appeared, his eyes grew round as they landed on Will. "My lord?" The old man's mouth dropped open.

"Summon Mr. James," Simon ordered.

"The blacksmith?" Billings asked, still in awe.

"Do you have a better suggestion of how to get this off him?"

Billings shook his head. "You're right, of course, Your Grace." Then he started down the hallway at a spirited clip.

Will paid them very little attention, his gaze focused on Ben. "What do you mean she hasn't had an easy time of it?"

"She's figured out what you are, what we all are."

Will's shoulders slumped from both the weight of the iron headboard and Ben's words. "She figured it out?" he snarled menacingly.

Prisca couldn't possibly have figured it out! The word

Lycan

didn't simply pop up in one's mind if someone else hadn't planted the seeds. Benjamin would be wise to hide until the end of time for his own safety. The dolt would need both Elspeth's healing power and that of their daughter to put himself back together.

His younger brother gulped. "She came right out and asked me where my mark was."

Will purposely bumped Ben with the headboard. "And did you show her?"

"Of course not!" Ben pushed at Will's chest. "That's your place, not mine. Though I did tell Ellie right from the very beginning, and I'm not quite sure what you're waiting for."

"She's not ready," Will said, but he recognized the growl in his own voice and softened his tone. "She's not ready for this."

Prisca stepped out of the parlor, a book clutched in her arms and pressed tightly against her chest. Will recognized it immediately.

Lycans and Lore.

What the devil was she doing with that?

Will's fingers twitched to touch her, but Prisca stayed just out of reach. She turned her violet eyes on him as both of his brothers and Oliver all seemed to disappear into one room or another. "Priss," he began.

But she slipped past him. "Save it, William. I've heard all of your lies I intend to."

"Lies?" he echoed and tried to reach for her, but the blasted headboard got in the way.

"Yes, lies." She glared at him. "How long have I known you, William?"

What kind of question was that? "Forever."

She nodded in agreement. "I've known you my whole life, and just today found out you're not really a man."

"I'm not quite sure how to respond to that. You can take my word for it that my masculinity has never been called into question before."

Her glare darkened. "Don't feign ignorance. Everyone in this house knew what you were but me. Even that snooty Scottish witch. She referred to you as a beast earlier. I had no idea that she meant it in earnest."

The air whooshed out of Will. He expected that she'd be afraid or skittish when she found out, but… angry? "Priss, I was going to tell you."

"Indeed?" she asked mordantly. "You've had nearly twenty years to do so, William. Pray, forgive me if I have a difficult time believing you now." She looked down at the book clutched in her hands, and a smile he didn't think she felt crossed her face. "They should make one of these for women."

"There are no Lycan women," Will said softly. She looked like she could break at any moment.

She scoffed. "I mean for the ignorant women who love them." She started down the corridor, walking away from him.

"Prisca!" he called after her.

She stopped but didn't turn back to face him. "I believe I'll go stay with my father for awhile."

"Sir Herbert?" His heart thudded in his throat. She couldn't mean to leave him.

"Of course," she snapped. "He's never kept secrets from me or made a habit of lying to me."

It wasn't the same thing at all. "I wish you wouldn't say it like that. This isn't something I've ever told anyone."

"I'm not just

anyone,

William. I am your wife." She continued her escape down the corridor.

"Prisca Westfield, come back here this instant!" he bellowed.

But she didn't stop, and the iron bed frame prevented Will from chasing after her.

Thirty

Prisca tossed one dress after another into her trunk. She should have a maid pack for her, but none of them would answer her summons from the bellpull. Most likely they were following William's directive. It was probably better this way. Packing her own clothes gave her something to focus on. Something other than her husband anyway.

A bed! He'd been shackled to a

bed

, for heaven's sake. He'd left her to run off, and someone had shackled him to a bed. Prisca wasn't in a hurry to see him anytime soon.

A knock sounded at her door, and Prisca glanced briefly at it before stuffing her favorite blue muslin into the trunk. "Go away, William."

The door cracked open, and Alice poked her head inside. "Prisca dear, do you have a minute for me?"

She nodded and sank down onto the bed. "Only if you promise not to plead his case."

Alice winked at Prisca and closed the door behind her. "Love them as I do, none of my sons handled this aspect of their marriages particularly well. Not that Jonathan handled it any better all those years ago."

"I'm not sure I understand."

Alice took a spot on the bed beside Prisca and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. "Elizabeth would have been so proud of you."

It had been years since anyone had mentioned her mother. A lump formed in Prisca's throat.

"After five sons, she desperately wanted a daughter, you know," Alice continued. "You look so much like her."

"I wish I'd known her."

Alice's eyes crinkled as she smiled. "She was so spirited, so full of life."

Her father always said the same. Elizabeth Hawthorne had been a pillar of society, the life of every event.

"She was fearless," the duchess continued.

Fearless? Prisca stared at her mother-in-law. "What do you mean by that?"

"Elizabeth would never have turned tail and run away. She was made of sterner stuff. If Herbert had done something foolish, she would have made him atone for the mistake."

Prisca heaved a sigh. "I seriously doubt that my father lied to her for two decades."

Alice frowned and patted her hand. "I know how you feel, my dear. I was quite furious with Jonathan when I first learned what he was. He didn't tell me until the first full moon of our marriage. That was quite a surprise, I can assure you."

Prisca leaned closer to her mother-in-law. "Was he afraid you'd turn tail and run away?" she echoed the duchess' earlier words.

"I'm sure there was a bit of that. I know Simon was afraid Lily wouldn't love him if she knew the truth. That she'd see what he really was and run away in fear. It can be a bit terrifying to reveal your soul to the one you love, especially when it's something like this."

Prisca scoffed. "Love?" She shook her head. "Alice, you're mistaken. William does

not

love me."

The dowager duchess' eyes twinkled. "Are you certain about that?"

He wanted her, but he didn't love her. He'd had years to tell her if that was the case.

"Before you leave, Prisca, why don't you discover the truth, whatever it is?"

Did she dare do that? Would it hurt worse if she learned for certain what Will's feelings were? She shrugged.

"What a lovely locket," Alice said, touching the golden chain around Prisca's neck. "It's very pretty. Do you have Will's miniature inside?"

Prisca fingered the locket absently and then flipped it open to show her the likeness of the wolf inside. "I don't have Will's picture in it yet. Although I assume I should. What with him being my husband and all."

"I believe you already wear him close to your heart." Alice smiled softly, kissed Prisca on the cheek, and left the room.

***

Will stalked the halls like the furious wolf he was when he'd been unable to find Prisca in the guest room. All of her clothes had been flung into a trunk, and none of her personal items lay about.

"Prisca!" he called, walking the corridors downstairs and flinging doors open at random. He would know her heartbeat anywhere, and he'd not heard it for hours. Of course, he'd been out at the stables where the blacksmith could work on the shackles.

He absently rubbed his wrists, thankful to finally be free of the chains, not to mention the iron headboard that he'd carried around. With time, it had become as heavy as an anvil and much more cumbersome.

Simon passed him in the corridor. "Do you know what time it is?" he barked.

Will felt little remorse. He'd raise them all from their beds if he didn't find Prisca soon. "Time for all good little wolves to be tucked in their dens?"

Simon scowled at his comment.

"Sorry," Will mumbled.

A nod was Simon's response, and then his eyes

he asked absently, motioning for Will to follow him

into his study.

"Yes. It took the blacksmith and two stable hands to do the job. And it finally came down to Mr. James' out-of-town brother-in-law who apparently picks pockets as well as locks. Don't ask."

"Truly?" Simon arched one black eyebrow.

Will held up his wrists for inspection. "I'm finally free, aren't I?" He wasted no time getting to the point. "Have you seen Prisca?"

Simon heaved a sigh. "Forget your wife for just one minute, will you? I have news."

"What news?"

"While Mr. James' questionable relations were freeing you, Major Forster and I hunted down your abductor."

All the air in Will's lungs escaped. "You caught Brimsworth?"

Simon nodded, an incredulous expression marring his brow. "He said you suggested

as a mentor."

"I'd have said anything for him to free me."

"Well, the major is already on his way to London with the earl.

graciously offered to mentor the man under the circumstances."

London. That was good news. Will smiled, relief washed over him. "You didn't answer my question. Have you seen Prisca?"

"Not for a while." Simon sneered. "She was with Lily, Elspeth, and Miss Macleod sipping hot chocolate in my sitting room after I got back from tracking down Brimsworth."

So, that's why Simon looked to be in a foul temper. Someone else had his sweet Lily's attention.

"I'll go and be sure Prisca is all right." Will turned to walk from the room.

"Just a moment, William." Simon motioned to a chair across from his desk. "There's more. Have a seat."

Will fought back a groan. Simon had called him William

and

told him to sit. Just when he'd thought his day couldn't get any worse. "It's been a long day. Will you shake me by the scruff of the neck if I refuse?"

"Shall I have to?" Simon asked, his silver eyes darkening a bit. Will knew that look. And he immediately tucked his tail into a chair.

"Unlike

you

…" He shot Will a pointed glance. "I normally try to stay out of your affairs. But I have a feeling you're going to bungle this beyond redemption if I don't intervene."

"This?" Will asked.

"Your marriage," Simon confirmed. His voice softened a bit. "You've been a royal idiot so far. So, I thought I'd offer my counsel, if you've a need of it."

don't

have need of it," Will growled. "The only thing I need is my wife. And I intend to go and retrieve her."

"I will be quite happy when you do. And I hope you retrieve the other ladies as well."

Will began to stand.

However

…" Simon held him with a pointed glance.

Will sank back into the chair. "However?" he sighed.

"We've some things to discuss. With regard to the moonful."

"Such as?"

"What about the moonful?" Ben asked as he sauntered into the study.

"Not you, too," Will moaned.

"Yes, me," Ben shot back, flopping into a seat beside Will. "If not for you, I'd be tucked into bed with Ellie. Do try to keep your wife happy so she won't have to convene with ours so late in the evening, will you?"

"About the moonful…" Simon attempted to get them back on track. "We've never had so many Lycans in one place before, along with their wives. And I'm afraid it will cause problems."

"In what way?" Will scratched the bristles on his chin. "I can assure you I've no plans to spend the moonful with either of your wives."

"I'd hate for all of us to show up at the crofter's cottage," Simon clarified. "Particularly as there is no longer a bed there."

"And since you've yet to claim

your

Lycan mate," Ben added.

"I wish I wasn't in a position where I have to claim her or risk forfeiting her to Brimsworth," Will said clearly. Both his brothers raised their eyebrows. "You all know how she responded to the fact that I'm Lycan. She actually doubts my masculinity now that she knows I'm not a man."

"Oh," Ben groaned as he raised an imaginary knife to his chest and feigned plunging it deep into his heart. "That hurts."

"Benjamin," Simon scolded, though a smile hovered about his lips for a moment.

"This isn't humorous," Will growled. "I actually

helped

both of you with your wives, way back before you came to your senses." He shot looks from one man to the other. How dare they poke fun at him? Perhaps they'd forgotten.

He pinned Simon with a gaze. "You had decided you'd never claim Lily as your Lycan mate." Then he followed with Ben. "And you refused to take Ellie, because you were afraid you'd lose control with her."

"And you didn't learn from our follies?" Simon asked.

"No," Will barked. "My situation is completely different.

wife does not love me as yours did. She was forced to marry me. And she's hated it almost every day since then."

"You don't truly believe that, do you?" Ben asked, incredulity clouding his expression. "Honestly, Will, she's been in love with you for years."

"If she was, she is no longer. Now that she knows what I am, she's questioning everything about me. And she lost any love she may have had for me when she realized what sort of beast I am." Will flicked at an imaginary piece of lint on his trousers, suddenly discomfited by their piteous stares.

"You've no idea why she was so hysterical this evening?" Ben asked as he sank back into his chair and regarded Will with concern. "She was practically at a loss for words. And Priss is

never

at a loss for words. Not where you're concerned."

"Because my brothers told her what a beast I am, before I had the chance to do so."

"True. She is a bit out of sorts about that," Ben agreed with a nod. "But I don't believe that's why she was

put off."

"You came home shackled to a damned bed, for God's sake, you dolt!" the duke grumbled.

Will scratched his head. "There was no other way to get home. It was your idea, Simon."

"That's neither here nor there. You've been quite the lothario, Will." Simon didn't even smile with the last.

"Of the worst order," Ben added.

"And now I'm married," Will finished for them. Really, what did any of that have to do with anything?

"She thought you'd just come home from a tryst, I believe," Ben informed him. "If her sudden intake of air was any indication."

Will snapped his head around as his breath escaped him in a rush. "She thought

what

"You'd obviously been

a bed, since you were still shackled to part of it. What else was she supposed to think?"

Will hadn't even considered that she was angry at him because of a misguided lack of faith in him. "I took a vow of chastity, for God's sake!" he finally informed them.

"A what?" Ben asked, his mouth agape.

"Never mind," Will murmured.

"You've a lot to atone for, William," Simon provided. "Only five days until the moonful. So you'd better get started."

"How do I do that?"

Ben stood up and patted Will on the shoulder. "Women have made it much too easy for you for much too long." He laughed all the way out of the room. Will turned to Simon, who rose from his seat.

"Don't look at me." The duke evaded him with a half smile.

"What are you saying? Am I supposed to court my own wife?" Will called to their retreating backs.

"It might be a good start," Simon called back.

Will slumped against the chair and raked his hand through his hair. How could she not trust him? He'd promised her on their wedding night he'd never dally with another.

She should have been relieved to see that he was safe.

Thirty-One

Prisca had so much on her mind that she couldn't even force the words from her mouth in any coherent manner. There were so many things she couldn't say, not with Caitrin Macleod in the room, anyway. It would be hard enough talking to Lily alone, and

she was Prisca's deares

t friend. So, instead of pouring her heart out, she relaxed in a comfortable chintz chair and just listened as Elspeth, curled up in one corner of the settee with her feet tucked under her gown, told one story after another.

"Ye should see her," the fiery-haired witch gestured to the pretty blonde next to her. "Men from all over the three closest counties have tried ta win her hand over the last two years."

Miss Macleod rolled her frosty eyes. "Ye exaggerate as always, Elspeth."

"Aye," she replied mordantly, "that is such a habit of mine." Then she giggled. "Cait pretends that she doesna notice the lads, that she's oblivious ta them, in hopes they'll go away."

Lily sat forward in her seat, her hazel eyes sparkling. "Have you no desire to marry, Miss Macleod?"

The blond witch heaved a sigh. "Sometimes I think it would be easier if I couldna see the future. If life could be a mystery. It can be a bit frustrating to meet a handsome lad and ken that ye doona see yerself with him. It's pointless ta even waste yer time on him."

Prisca frowned. How would she have lived her life differently if she'd had the gift of clairvoyance? If she'd seen how things would end up with Will, would she still want to go down that path?

"Speaking of handsome lads with whom ye doona have a future," Elspeth began. "Ben and I spent a few days in London before arriving in Hampshire, and we enjoyed a very pleasant dinner with Alec MacQuarrie."

"Who is Alec MacQuarrie?" Lily asked, apparently enjoying the inane chatter.

"A man of very little consequence," Miss Macleod answered. "I do wish he wasna such a handsome devil, though. It's been an age since he…"

Prisca knew the instant Will entered the small sitting room. The air crackled with his energy, and she glanced over her shoulder to find him regarding her with a sullen look. "Prisca, may I have a word with you?"

She gulped, not at all looking forward to this interview, but she nodded her head just the same. "Of course, my lord."

His gaze then reached the other ladies, and he smiled the charming smile of a rogue who never failed to make women swoon in his presence. "Lily, Simon grows restless. If you make him stay awake any longer waiting for you, we'll all be miserable tomorrow. Do take pity on the rest of us."

The duchess smiled and batted her eyes bashfully. "Oh dear, I suppose it is rather late."

"I would imagine late hours are not the best idea for expectant mothers either," he continued, winking at Elspeth.

"I suppose Benjamin is restless, too?" she asked, rising from her seat.

"Honestly, how can you tell the difference?" Will grinned.

"I doona ken why ye and His Grace enjoy disparaging my husband every chance ye get," Elspeth returned.

Will chuckled. "Old habits and all that, Ellie. Besides, he was quite the pest when we were growing up."

Elspeth narrowed her emerald green eyes on him. "Well, ye are all adults now. Ye may want ta remember that."

He wiped the smile from his face and nodded, having been properly scolded. "I will try… not to tell Ben you're fighting his battles for him."

"Ye are incorrigible," she said, brushing past him into the corridor.

Lily followed Elspeth, nodding her good night. Will looked pointedly at Caitrin Macleod, and Prisca turned her attention to the blond witch as well. Certainly she knew Will wished for her to leave. "Mi—"

Miss Macleod giggled. "Are ye attempting ta send

off ta bed as well, Lord William?"

Prisca was certain steam must be blasting from her own ears. Was that witch actually

flirting with Will in front o

f her? She'd like to string the little fortune-teller up by her blond hair until she promised to return to Edinburgh and never step foot on English soil ever again.

Prisca leapt from her chair, glaring at her husband. "Well, don't let me stop you."

His light-blue eyes widened in surprise. "I beg your pardon."

He could beg all he wanted to. The overgrown dog hadn't put Miss Macleod in her place though, had he? Prisca squared her shoulders, reveling in all of her pent-up anger. "Run along. You best make sure Miss Macleod finds her way to her chambers."

When she saw a wicked little gleam in Caitrin Macleod's eyes, Prisca had to resist the urge to scream. How dare she smirk!

"I do believe that's my cue ta leave," the snooty witch said, sliding from her spot on the settee. "Have a good evening."

As soon as Miss Macleod exited from the room, Will crossed it and turned Prisca to face him with a hand upon her arm. "Just what was that all about?"

"Don't pretend as though you don't know."

His dark brow pinched together as he frowned. "After the day I've had, pray tell me you're not jealous."

She wrenched her arm from his grasp, wishing that his touch didn't make her belly all fluttery. "I have nothing to say to you, William. And I am very tired." To make the point, she covered a yawn with her hand. "Might we continue this in the morning?"

His frown deepened. "Will you still be here in the morning?"

She tilted her head to one side. "I've decided not to return to Langley Downs after all."

"Indeed?" His soft voice rumbled over her, and Prisca had to keep from shivering. Blast him for still making her heart beat faster. Life would be so much easier if she didn't love the beast.

"I believe I can make you suffer much more in residence than I can if I'm away." And with that, she breezed past him into the corridor toward her guest quarters.

***

Will spent a torturous night in the dower house alone. He should have made his wife trek down the path to their little oasis, but he didn't want to press her ire. She'd agreed not to take off to her father's, and he didn't want to change her mind.

First thing in the morning, he made his way back to the manor house and sat in the breakfast room until his legs were numb. But he refused to leave. She'd have to show herself sometime. She'd have to eat.

He ignored the pitying glances from his brother and even from Oliver, for God's sake. He ignored the hushed whisperings of his sisters-in-law. And he ignored Caitrin Macleod's irritating little smirk, as though she knew how all of this would turn out. If he had a bit more confidence, he'd ask her to confirm it one way or the other.

Finally, he was alone in the breakfast room and Prisca still hadn't made an appearance. The footmen seemed anxious to clean off the sideboard but were waiting for Will to take his leave first. Thoroughly frustrated, he tossed his napkin to the middle of the table and stalked up the stairs to the room his wife occupied.

He knocked once on the door but didn't wait for her to answer before barging inside.

"William!" she gasped as she tugged the edges of her wrapper together.

It was too late. Wearing only a thin chemise and with the morning light at her back, she was the most beautiful sight in the world, Will thought as he caught a glimpse. His mouth fell open, and he had to work to keep himself from panting.

"For heaven's sake, shut the door!" she hissed.

He kicked it closed and then started toward her. No matter what sins she thought he'd committed or what transgressions she attributed to him, Will had to hold her again. To taste her. To make her forgive him.

Prisca's ebony curls cascaded over her shoulders, and Will ached to run his fingers through them, to lift her hair to his nose and inhale her lilac scent. Her eyes rounded in surprise when he stopped in front of her, and he tipped her chin up with his knuckle. Dear God, he loved her, every contrary bone in her body. "Are you still angry with me?"

She swallowed. He almost lost all conscious thought, watching the movement of her neck. He pulled his gaze back to meet hers and slid one arm around her waist.

Angry

isn't an appropriate word," she whispered.

A grin tugged at his lips. "Do you want to tear me limb from limb? Make me pay for my sins of the past? Tie me to the bedpost and torture me with your sweet scent? That last one sounds like it might be enjoyable. I vote for that one."

She punched his shoulder with the heel of her hand. "Stop teasing. You shouldn't even be here."

"Then where should I be? Being with you is the only place I've ever wanted to be, Priss."

"Don't say such things," she said and tried to step out of his embrace.

Will held her firmly against him, not giving her an inch to escape. "Why not?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, making his heart clench. "Because I'll foolishly believe you."

Perhaps it wasn't too late then. Perhaps she did love him. He thought he saw a glimmer of it in her eyes, and he couldn't help but smile at her. "Believe it, Prisca. You're the only woman I want. The only woman I've ever wanted."

She scoffed and pushed against his chest. "Indeed? Then I suppose all those stories I heard from Ben and my brothers and the society rags were all grandiose tales of fiction."

Ben? Will leaned away from her. She did seem sincere. "Apparently my little brother owes me an explanation." After he got his hands on Ben, his younger sibling would be lucky if Elspeth even recognized him.

"Oh, Ben's versions were always edited heavily. Besides, he'd have nothing to report at all if you were a paragon of virtue, which we both know you were not." Her voice cracked a bit, and Will winced.

He had no idea she'd kept up with his exploits over the years. "I tried to forget you, Prissy," he admitted. "I tried over and over. It was easier to live my life like what was between us was of no importance than to dwell on how much you hated me."

"I never hated you…"

He arched one brow at her. "I seem to recall you vowing that you did on more than one occasion."

A mischievous little smile lit her face. "Well, maybe I did." Then she shook her head. "That's not true, you know. I hated what we'd become to each other. I hated that you'd moved on and left me behind. I hate that you rejected me." A sad laugh escaped her, and she stared at his cravat to avoid his eyes. "You had a different woman in your bed every night. And…" her voice trailed off.

"I wanted you, Prisca," he said softly. "I burned for you. I always have."

Prisca shook her head. "Please let me go, Will."

He brushed his knuckles against her cheek. "Tell me you don't want me."

Slowly her gaze rose to meet his, and he saw such vulnerability in the violet depths that his heart clenched within his chest. "I didn't want you to

have

marry me, Will. I never wanted that. I…" She took a deep breath. "I wanted you to

want

to marry me."

"How could you doubt that I want you, Prissy?" He watched her face as he asked the question.

"I've no doubt that you

want

me, Will," she sighed. "But I also know that you want anyone who wears a skirt and has a beating heart."

Will nearly flinched at her words. But he deserved every one of them, truth be told.

She pushed against his chest, but he just tightened his arm around her. "No," he said softly. "Let's finish this before you pull away from me completely."

"We can talk just as well if we're several feet from one another, Will," she rationalized.

"I'll not let you go, Priss."

Thirty-Two

I'll not let you go, Priss.

Wasn't that what she'd hoped for?

Dreamed of? Wanted above all things?

She forced herself to relax against him. "I'm sorry you were forced to marry me," she said quietly.

"I wasn't forced to do anything, Prisca," he growled. He never called her Prisca unless he was angry.

"You had very little choice in the matter."

"Prisca, I had every choice in the world. If anyone

didn't

have a choice, it was

you

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

Will's chest expanded as he took a deep breath. "I'm quite incapable of doing this well," he mumbled.

"Doing what?" Prisca felt a little dizzy, like they were walking in circles and not getting anywhere.

"Telling you how I feel."

"How

you feel?" she whispered.

"Oh, where to start," he groaned, scrubbing his face with his hand.

"The beginning?" she suggested.

Will stepped back from her and motioned to the bed. "Sit. Get comfortable. This may take a while."

He looked so pained that Prisca nearly felt sorry for him. Nearly, but not quite.

"Let me dress," she said as she suddenly realized she still stood in her chemise and wrapper and nothing else.

"Don't," he commanded her.

"But you're fully dressed," she complained.

Will quickly tugged his shirt from his trousers and over his head. "Is that enough?" His grin was teasing.

Her eyes roamed over his chest and shoulders and down to his flat stomach. He reached for the buttons of his trousers, which were already tented by his length.

"No!" she cried. "That's quite enough." He'd seen her in nothing, so she assumed sitting across from him in her chemise would be all right.

She sat down on the bed and scooted to the center. He followed and leaned against the headboard after he tugged his boots off and pulled his legs up onto the bed.

"Come closer." He motioned for her to slide toward him.

"Why?" Her mind became a muddle when he was near.

"Never mind," he said, his eyebrows drawing together. "I'll come to you." He spun quickly in the bed and laid his head in her lap. "Is this all right?"

It was more than all right. But she just nodded and settled her hand upon his head. He nuzzled into it until she parted his hair with her fingertips and began to stroke him. A long sigh of contentment was her reward.

"You know what I am, Priss," he said quietly.

"I don't know anything. I read some books in your absence and that's all. I am grossly uneducated on the topic. All I know at this point is that you infuriate me." She lifted her hands from his head until he reached up, took her wrists in his, and pressed them back to his head.

"I love you and cannot live without you," Will said quickly, the words spilling from his mouth like water from a waterfall. She began to scoff and he said softly, "It's the truth."

"Oh, Will." She stopped stroking. "Please don't say the words just because you think it will make me happy."

"Brimsworth did push my hand. But it was a push I needed."

"What's this about Brimsworth?" she encouraged him.

"He's one of us. Well, not just like us. Brimsworth is wild. And dangerous. I refused to let you put yourself in a position where he could hurt you. And I

thought

you might still love me."

"You had doubts?"

"I had a lot of doubts," he grunted. "But then your body warmed when I touched you. And I knew I still had a chance."

"I seem to warm a lot when you're around," Prisca mumbled as heat crept up her face. She was rather warm at that moment. He turned his head and kissed her belly. "Stop that," she scolded. "We're supposed to be talking."

"I can't even talk when I'm around you. All I can think of is being inside you."

Prisca closed her eyes as his comment swept over her. She shook it off and went back to stroking his hair.

"Where were we?" he asked playfully. She tugged at his hair until he chuckled.

"You were jealous of Lord Brimsworth," she reminded him.

"Right. I was jealous, I suppose. So, I found you in the woods on that cold night, and I took you to Simon's cottage. I said I couldn't carry you home, but, in all honesty, I could have carried you to the moon and back, being what I am. But if I had, you wouldn't have been forced to marry me."

"Oh," she breathed.

"But you got foxed and fell asleep on my chest before I could make love to you. Call it divine intervention. But I had to make you think we'd been together when we weren't. So I had to let it look like I'd had you. It worked. I got to claim you as my bride. I trapped you."

"And that's why you let my brothers think we'd had relations."

A rueful smile settled on his lips. "I couldn't let there be any possible way Sir Herbert would refuse me."

***

Will lay with his head in her lap and listened to her breathe. She didn't utter a word, but her fingers continued to massage his head.

"I love you too much to let you marry another. Nor will I allow anyone to hurt you." He watched her face as her violet eyes flew to his.

"You truly love me?" she asked hesitantly.

"Always have."

"Then why did you wait so long?" Her eyebrows scrunched together.

"Because I'm a beast," he said. This time, he didn't want to look into her face. If he saw revulsion mirrored back at him, he would certainly die of misery.

"About that," she started, holding one finger in the air to stall his speech.

"Ask me anything," he offered. "I promise I will tell you the truth.

"You're what's called a Lycan?"

He nodded.

"In other words, a werewolf?"

"That's a slang term," Will said.

"Ben said something similar. I assumed it's derogatory."

"You would be correct."

"What does it mean to be Lycan?" she asked softly.

"It's hard to explain. For us, it seems so normal. We shift into wolf form when the moon is full. With it come some enhanced senses, like hearing. I can hear even the smallest things, like your heartbeat." He trailed a finger slowly down her chest and smiled when her nipples became small pebbles that pressed against her chemise. "I can smell small scents, like your desire. And that lilac perfume you wear drives me crazy. It has always been the first thing I sniff for when I walk into a room."

"Truly?"

"It drives me mad," he chuckled.

"Will," she scolded, pushing his hand away as he reached for her breast. "Who chained you to that bed?"

He probably should have explained that before now. "Brimsworth," he told her.

Prisca gasped. "What?"

He hated to see her shocked expression, and jealousy washed over him. "He knocked me out, and I woke up shackled to that iron bed."

"Why would he do such a thing?"

"I believe he's a little angry that I won you."

She shook her head. "But why?"

Did she really have to ask that? "Priss, don't you know how beautiful you are? How any man would be beside himself if he lost you?" He brushed his fingers over her rose-petal lips, wishing they were on him.

Prisca blushed. "You're not a man. You're a Lycan."

"Do I repulse you?" he asked, sitting up so he could face her.

She leaned over and kissed him softly, a smile upon her lips. But he could see the questions in her mind, or at least guess at them.

"We only shift into Lycan form when the moon is full. A few days before the moon, we get a little lusty."

She snorted. "You? A

little

lusty?" She laughed out loud.

"I'm lusting for you now," he whispered and then smiled when he smelled the scent of her desire. "You're not disgusted by me." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"How could I be? I love you."

Will closed his eyes as his heart thundered in his chest. "I knew it," he said triumphantly.

"Can we make this work?" she asked hesitantly. "I'll never forgive you if you take another woman."

I want no other women

," he growled. "You must believe that."

"It will take some time for me to get used to this. May I have some time to think?"

"How long?" Surely she didn't think he could wait much longer to take her as his wife.

"I don't know. This is just new to me. And I'd like to have some time to get used to it."

"You may have all the time you need. But do know that I'll do my best to sway you."

"And just how will you do that?" Her violet eyes twinkled.

"I plan to show you how much I love you," he said quietly as he pushed her back on the bed.

"Will," she complained. "Stop it."

"Some men are talented poets, Priss. They might write a sonnet to your beauty. But all I can offer you is me." He ran his thumbs over her nipples. She gasped and closed her eyes as her jaw dropped.

"I'd love to hear you try to write a poem." She giggled.

"Laughter is not an aphrodisiac," he warned.

She giggled more.

"God, I love you." He couldn't prevent himself from saying it. His heart was nearly flooded with it. Simon's advice had been to court her. And she deserved it.

"You just want to sleep with me," she said, or at least that's what he thought she said over her laughter.

"Well, that, too," he agreed before he captured her lips with his.

Thirty-Three

Prisca stepped into the kitchen at Westfield Hall and stopped to inhale deeply. The smell was heavenly, just as it had been the last time she visited. As it was, though, she wasn't in search of food; she was in search of Lily and Elspeth, and Billings had said she could find them in the kitchen.

The butler had frowned a bit when he said it, apparently thinking the room beneath the duchess' station. Prisca couldn't help but grin. The man had served two generations of Lycans without complaint. A duchess spending time in the kitchens was nothing compared to that.

She discovered quickly that Billings was correct. As she looked around the room, she found Lily, Elspeth, and that other witch seated at a kitchen table. Lily sipped from her teacup while Elspeth and Caitrin Macleod finished their morning porridge.

"Good morning, Prisca," Lily chimed. "Come and join us," she said as she motioned to the vacant chair.

"Do ye want some porridge?" Elspeth chirped.

Prisca glanced into Elspeth's bowl, and her stomach protested a bit. "No, thank you," she sighed as she sat down heavily.

"It's really no trouble," Elspeth said as she spun her finger quickly in the air. The spoon in the porridge pot began to stir. Prisca wondered if she would ever get used to that.

"I believe I'll wait for Will to wake up and take my breakfast with him."

"Left him snug in the bed, did ye?" Miss Macleod asked as she finished the last bite of her breakfast.

Prisca instantly bristled. Before she even realized what she was doing, she replied, "My bed is none of your concern." She caught the waspishness of her own voice and nearly apologized. But before she could get it out, Caitrin was patting her arm.

"It's all right," she said, genuine concern on her face. "It will all turn out the proper way."

"I don't know what you mean." Cryptic messages were very confusing. Not to mention bad-mannered.

"Yer worries. They will resolve," the blond witch continued.

"Which ones?" Prisca nearly wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the conversation.

"The ones that are important," Miss Macleod said as she shrugged. "I'm afraid I must go."

Elspeth shot the woman a look.

"I'm goin'," Caitrin muttered, before she breezed out the door.

"I'm sorry about that," Elspeth said quietly.

"About what?"

"She canna divulge secrets. And she kens she canna do it. Sometimes she leaves a hint too many." Elspeth shook her head.

"What good is the ability if she can't use it?" Prisca was thoroughly confused.

"She can use it. But she canna use it ta change the events in the future. If she comes close ta doin' that, she has ta leave the situation completely." Elspeth shrugged. "It's a rule. One she didn't follow particularly well with Benjamin and me. She's trying ta be better."

Prisca nodded as though she understood. But she didn't. She almost felt a bit sorry for the witch who had a power she couldn't use. "How many witches do you know? And do they each have special powers?"

"Aye, there are five of us in all. There's Caitrin and me. Ye ken what we can do. Then there's Sorcha who can make the plants do her bidding. And Blaire and Rhiannon. Blaire fights."

"Like a pugilist?"

Elspeth laughed. "She

can

fight like a pugilist. But she can also throw fire and has other talents. And Rhiannon controls the weather. Wind. Rain. The sun in the sky."

Prisca tried to absorb it all. Then she finally said quietly, "I think I'm happy to know you, Elspeth."

The woman grinned widely.

Lily asked, "What brings you to the kitchens, Prisca? Something weighing on your mind?"

"A bit," Prisca confessed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. Then she opened her eyes and drew in a deep breath, before looking over her shoulder to be sure no one was listening. "It's about Will."

Both women watched her intently, but neither spoke.

"He's acting… odd."

"In what way?"

"I think he's courting me."

"Courting his wife? What a novel idea," Lily laughed. "What is he doing, exactly?"

"He's leaving little notes lying around, just so I'll find them. And bringing me flowers. He seems to be trying to please me. With very little thought of himself."

"And this is a bad thing?" Elspeth snickered.

"No. Not bad," Prisca admitted. "It's just odd, and it's not like Will at all." Then she blurted out her biggest fear. "I don't think he wants me."

Lily put her teacup back on its saucer and regarded her solemnly. "Everything you've mentioned makes it sound to me like just the opposite."

"I know!" Prisca cried, then buried her face in her hands. She looked up at them from between her spread fingers. Perhaps if they didn't see her face, she could ask them what she needed to know. "He came to me several times yesterday. T-to give me his attention." She felt the heat creep up her neck and hated the little stutter.

"Ye mean in the bedroom?" Elspeth asked with very little concern for propriety. Lily blushed almost as much as Prisca.

Prisca nodded quickly. "Bedroom. Garden. On the settee." She drew herself back to the present when she recognized the wistful tone of her own voice.

"I hope you mean at the dower house," Lily said, a smile suddenly tipping the corners of her mouth.

"Of course!" Prisca cried. Then she couldn't keep from snickering. "But here's the problem. It's all for

"I doona ken what ye mean," Elspeth said, her eyebrows scrunching together.

"Oh, never mind," Prisca said, sure her face was aflame.

Lily covered Prisca's hand with her own. "Don't worry. As long as he

coming to you, you have nothing to be concerned about."

"I would think so, too," Prisca admitted. "But when he comes to be with me, I get all the pleasure and he gets none." There. She'd said it. She blurted the last. "Ever!

haven't

even

consummated

the

marriage yet!"

"Oh." Prisca and Elspeth both understood at the same time. Lily spoke. "You mean you've never?" The women shot astonished looks at one another. "That's a surprise."

"Imagine if you were me," Prisca grumbled. "On the one hand, I'm extremely pleased to be so well taken care of. But I would like to reciprocate, just a bit. Otherwise, I just don't feel right about it."

"Seduce him." Elspeth shrugged, as though it was a simple matter.

"What?" Prisca gasped. "I don't know how to seduce him," she groaned.

"All I have to do is look at Simon…" Lily began, then blushed prettily.

"I seduced Ben. I had ta take all my clothes off under the light of the full moon ta get his attention, but I did. It's how I convinced him ta claim me. We hold more power than we realize at times."

"Claim? What does that mean?"

"Will is goin' ta teach ye. Doona worry."

"And as the moon approaches, it will become more and more difficult for him to resist," Lily piped in.

"Truly?"

"Aye, truly," Elspeth concurred.

"Oh, why me?" Prisca groaned. "My

husband

is courting me, and now I have to

seduce

him to get him to make love to me."

Lily and Elspeth both giggled at the same time.

"I could think of worse situations to be in," Lily said, a smile upon her face.

Thirty-Four

Will didn't particularly care for the smug expression on Simon's face as he regarded him from behind his new mahogany desk. The duke leaned back in his chair and folded his hands as his grey eyes swept across Will, who was leaning against the study doorjamb.

"Just what is the meaning of that look?" he asked his brother.

Simon smirked, which was rare. "I hear you've been a busy man, William."

A busy man? "I do hate it when you're cryptic, Simon."

"Tell me, are you experiencing problems

rising to

the occasion

, where your bride is concerned?"

Will blinked at his older brother. Certainly he didn't mean that the way it sounded. "Rising to the occasion?" he echoed.

"You've always been a lust-driven man, Will. So it's the only answer that popped to my mind. You've made an excellent show of caring for your wife's needs without indulging a bit for yourself, it sounds like."

How could Simon possibly know that?

Apparently the mortified look on his face amused Simon even more, because the duke started to chuckle. "Women do talk. I can't help the fact that I have excellent hearing."

Will growled.

"Save all that for tomorrow night, little brother," Simon advised. "But honestly, are you all right? Everything in working order? Or did Brimsworth do permanent damage somehow?"

Not wanting anyone else to overhear the conversation, other than Ben and Oliver who were probably enjoying themselves immensely at his expense, Will stalked into the room and slammed the door shut. Simon's eyes didn't even grow round with surprise. He simply shook his head. "Do be careful with that door, old man. It's not accustomed to such abuse."

Will snorted. He'd heard Simon slam it on more than one occasion. "So that we're clear, everything

works jus

t fine." He'd been submerging himself in icy bathwater for days now to keep his lusty side at bay. The moon, almost completely full, was making that rather difficult.

"Well, I am glad to hear it. I truly was concerned about you."

"No need," Will grumbled, sliding into one of the overstuffed chairs in front of Simon's desk.

"Do you mind me asking why you haven't bedded your wife yet, William?"

Of course, he minded. What went on in his bedroom was none of Simon's damn business. Not that he could say that to his brother. Since the duke was pack leader, it was always best to show him respect, no matter how grudgingly. "You're the one who said I should court her."

Simon's dark eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That's what you're doing?"

Will shrugged. He'd never actually courted a woman before, not in the traditional sense. He was probably going about it badly, but he wanted Prisca to know how much he loved her, cherished her. Showing her was better than telling her. "That, and I'd really rather not scare her off at the moment," he admitted.

"You know what we're like days before the moonful. She'll be better able to handle me after I've claimed her. Until then, I don't want to take any chances."

"So you've decided to claim her after all?" Simon sounded pleased.

Will nodded. Prisca loved him, and she accepted the truth about who he was, amazing as that sounded. In his heart, he'd vowed never to let anything stand in his way if she returned his affections.

"Good. You had me worried," his brother confessed. "Now that Brimsworth is gone, you've nothing to worry about."

Will leaned forward in his seat. "Thank you for that, Simon. For sending him away."

"Thank Major Forster when he returns. When Brimsworth came to ask about a mentor, he stepped up and offered to deliver him to Canis House."

"You handled that situation beautifully, as you do everything else."

"Stop trying to change the subject." His brother smiled. "Have you told her? Does she know what to expect?"

Will winced. "Not the particulars, no." He wasn't certain how Prisca would take to the idea of him leaving a permanent mark on her neck. It was a pretty neck.

"Well, you're running out of time to remedy that, William. Do so before tomorrow night."

"Is that an order?"

"Does it need to be?"

Will shook his head. He knew Simon was right. He just didn't relish the conversation he had to have with his wife.

***

Prisca found her husband reading

The Times

in the dower house sitting room. At least she thought he was reading. Upon further inspection, she noticed his eyes didn't move at all; he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

She could stand there and watch him all day. The way his brow creased and his lips twisted up in contemplation. He was mesmerizing.

A moment later, he dropped the paper to his lap and looked at her. The intensity of his gaze startled her, and she gasped. "Will."

"Priss, come here." He flipped the paper onto the rug and gestured to his chair.

She crossed the floor to stand before him, and in one fluid movement, he tugged her onto his lap.

"Will," she giggled as he kissed her neck and his hand slid up her side.

He groaned, and Prisca couldn't help but grin in response.

Seduce him. That's what Elspeth had suggested

. It couldn't be that difficult. She ran her hands up the fine lawn of his shirt until she reached his collar. Then she stroked her fingers into his hair and reveled in her own power as he shivered beneath her.

"You'll be the death of me," he whispered.

Prisca shifted on his lap until they were nose to nose and she could look deep into Will's blue eyes. "I love you."

The corners of his mouth turned up to a grin. "I love you, too."

It was still marvelous to hear the words trail from his lips. She'd never even dared to hope that she might hear them from him, and she didn't think she'd ever get enough of them. "Make love to me."

Every muscle in his body froze, and Prisca couldn't imagine what she'd said that was wrong.

"I do wish you wouldn't share what goes on between us with Lily and Elspeth."

Prisca felt her cheeks begin to burn. Surely her sisters-in-law hadn't divulged her secrets.

"Simon and Ben have hearing that is equal to mine, love," he said as though reading her mind.

Thoroughly mortified that his brothers had overheard her conversation, Prisca buried her head against his shoulder and cringed. She should have realized. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I was just looking for advice."

Will nudged her until she looked at him. "What sort of advice?"

"Well, I don't know what I've done wrong." Her voice was barely a whisper, and she prayed that he'd leave it at that. She didn't want to voice her thoughts on the subject while staring into his eyes.

"What you've done wrong?" His brow furrowed.

"Never mind," she said, trying to wriggle off his lap.

But Will tightened his hold on her, making escape impossible. "What do you think you've done wrong?" he asked again, his voice filled with confusion.

Prisca sighed and rested her head against his chest. It was easier than looking at him. She swallowed hard as she mustered her courage. "I don't know how to satisfy you, and now you don't even attempt to find your pleasure with me… and I'd hoped Lily and Elspeth—"

The low rumble of a chuckle in his chest stopped her words, and she looked up into his handsome face. Amusement laced his features, making his light-blue eyes twinkle.

The lout was laughing at her!

Prisca smacked his chest with her open palm. "It's hardly a laughing matter."

Will's hold softened, and his fingers began to stroke her, tracing circles across her back. "Priss, I've left you notes telling you how much I love you. I have given you pleasure at every opportunity—"

"But you don't take any in return, Will. I know I'm not terribly experienced in these matters, but—"

He cupped her bottom, sending a jolt of need straight through her. "How many times do I have to tell you that you are the only woman I want? You satisfy me like no other."

She blinked at him. "Then why…?"

His lips brushed her brow, and his hot breath warmed her skin. "Sweetheart, I'm trying to go about this the right way. You know the full moon is tomorrow."

She nodded.

"And I told you I get lustier as it approaches."

"I haven't seen any evidence of that," she grumbled.

He laughed again. "My skin is nearly shriveled from all the icy baths I've suffered through these last few days. Just looking into your pretty eyes makes me want to ravish you."

"You're not making any sense, Will."

The mirth on his face faded away, replaced by a slight frown and tight lips. "I don't want to hurt you, Prissy. I don't want to lose control."

That was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard. "You would never hurt me."

"Not intentionally, but it could happen. After I claim you, it won't be a concern anymore."

"What does that mean?"

He gently rubbed a hand over her arm until she rested her head against his chest. "On the night of a full moon, a Lycan claims his mate. It binds us to each other in a way a marriage ceremony never could. You'll be a part of me, and I will be a part of you."

The idea sent chills racing down her spine. What would it feel like to be even more connected to Will? She smiled against his shirt, imagining it. "That sounds lovely."

"The beast within us takes over on such nights, Prissy. I don't want to scare you. I may not seem like myself."

"You haven't been much of a beast this week. To be honest, I found you to be much more beastly before we married," Prisca admitted.

"I'll show you beastly," he growled playfully as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Tomorrow night."

Thirty-Five

Will slowly awoke as the sun streamed through the window. He'd neglected to draw the drapes the night before, preferring to watch the moonlight filter across his sleeping bride. Truly the most wondrous of all sights.

Prisca softly groaned and snuggled against his chest, shielding her eyes from the invading light. He wrapped his arm more securely around her and breathed in her lilac scent, which he'd finally realized was the balm for his tortured soul. Her mere presence never failed to calm the beast within him.

Even still, anticipation for the coming evening began to build inside Will. He'd never claimed a mate before, and the idea of being connected to Prisca for the rest of his days thrilled him beyond compare. It was something that, until recently, he'd never even dared to hope for.

Prisca's hand trailed up his chest, lighting him on fire, and he bit back a groan. Tonight. He'd claim her tonight. Keeping himself from her the last few days had been a special sort of torture, one he'd never have to endure again.

"Will," her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, love?"

"Morning." She yawned and pushed up on his chest, looking into his eyes.

"Good morning."

She leaned forward and brushed her soft lips against his jaw. "Haven't been awake too long, have you?"

He shook his head as his hand roamed up her side. "Just thinking how I love waking up with you in my arms."

Her violet eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "Me, too," she admitted. Then she bit her bottom lip as though she was going to say something else but thought the better of it. Who knew what went on in that mind of hers?

"What is it, Priss?"

She shook her head. "I was just wondering about tomorrow morning. Do you think this will feel different somehow?"

Will grinned at her. "I was thinking something similar before you woke."

"Really?"

He tucked her against him and kissed her brow. "I talked to Ben about it, shortly after he claimed Elspeth."

"And?" she asked anxiously.

Will chuckled. "He said that everything was the same, only better."

"What is that supposed to mean? It's not helpful at all."

"It's Benjamin… what do you expect?" Will closed his eyes and breathed her in. "Today is going to be the longest day I've ever suffered through."

***

It was the longest day Prisca had ever suffered through. She'd spent the day with her sisters-in-law, trying to wheedle any information about being claimed from them. To keep the men in the house from overhearing, she'd invited them down to the dower house. Not that such precautions mattered. Neither Lily nor Elspeth were forthcoming with information. They'd both smiled wistfully and said she'd understand soon enough.

But she wanted to understand now.

She couldn't bring herself to ask Alice either. There were some things one shouldn't discuss with her mother-in-law, no matter how inquisitive one was.

After needlepoint, pounding out one Vivaldi song after another on the pianoforte, and sending a note to her father, Prisca was quite ready for the day to be over.

She suffered through a very uninteresting dinner at Westfield Hall, during which no one spoke. The duke's eyes were glued to Lily, while Ben's gaze never left Elspeth. It was clear everyone else was just as anxious for the full moon as she was, which, in a way, was a comfort. If Elspeth and Lily were eagerly awaiting this night and had been through other full moons with their husbands, there was certainly no reason for Prisca to be worried, was there?

Just as the lemon tortes were placed before them, a raucous noise came from the hallway. It sounded as though a pack of wild animals had somehow gotten loose inside Westfield Hall. Crashes and stomping rang out.

Before Prisca could even gasp, Will, his brothers, and even the young Earl of Maberley all leapt from their chairs.

"What the devil is he doing here?" Blackmoor grumbled.

"Language, Simon," the dowager duchess reprimanded him.

The duke paid his mother very little attention as he stalked off toward the corridor, Will and Ben flanking him and Oliver following behind. Prisca glanced around the table from Alice to Lily to Elspeth and back again. "What do you think that is?"

The dowager duchess pushed her torte away. "It seems as though Desmond has returned."

Elspeth nodded. "It does sound like Papa."

They all appeared so calm, as though it was commonplace for a grown man—a major in Wellington's army, no less—to destroy everything in his reach. Prisca scoffed. "Aren't you even the least bit curious?"

Alice shook her head. "I'm certain we'll know in due time. Besides, when a man is that angry, it's best to stay out of his path until he's had a chance to calm down a bit."

Her appetite gone and her stomach tied up in knots, Prisca pushed her untouched torte to the side.

Elspeth caught her eye from across the table, just as her fiery-haired sister-in-law's stomach rumbled. "Are ye no' hungry, Prisca?"

She gestured to one of the footman to remove her torte. "Please give this to Lady Elspeth."

The Scottish witch's green eyes widened in surprise. "I couldna possibly—"

"Nonsense," Prisca muttered, glancing over her shoulder toward the doorway the four men had departed through. "I believe your daughter has a craving for lemon tortes. She might as well enjoy mine."

"There's no need to worry, Prisca." Lily sent her a reassuring smile. "It's just a full moon. They always behave a bit differently when the moonful is upon us."

Prisca refocused on her dinner companions and noticed Elspeth and Alice nodding in agreement. "This is normal?" she asked. "Stalking out of the dining room as a rabid group, without a word to the rest of us?"

Lily shrugged. "It's only one night a month, and the benefits far outweigh the detriments, dear. Trust me."

Benefits? It was on the tip of her tongue to find out what Lily meant when the young Earl of Maberley rejoined them. Oliver York slumped down into his seat next to his Aunt Lily, his bottom lip jutted out in a pout.

"Why are you sulking, dear?" the duchess asked her nephew.

He scowled, focusing on the door. "They wouldn't let me stay. Which doesn't make a bit of sense, as I can hear it all anyway."

Prisca focused on the boy, her curiosity piqued. "You can hear what they're saying?" she whispered.

Oliver nodded. "They're in an uproar because Major Forster lost Brimsworth."

Lost Brimsworth

? Prisca hadn't known the major had the earl to begin with. What else didn't she know? She glanced around at the identical looks of worry on Alice, Lily, and Elspeth's faces. "Why did he have Lord Brimsworth?"

The Westfield women all exchanged glances with each other, which annoyed Prisca to no end. Did everyone know about this except her?

Oliver winced. "Now I'm in for it."

"Oliver," Lily warned.

He looked down at his abandoned dessert. "Too late. He already knows I told you. Right now, he's threatening to take me back to Harrow tomorrow instead of next week." He paused a moment. "But now he's back to barking at the major again."

"Enough," his aunt advised softly. "I'd like to keep you the rest of the week. Don't provoke Simon unnecessarily."

Well, if she wasn't going to get any more information from Oliver, Prisca wasn't going to remain in the dining hall. Her chair legs scraped along the floor as she rose from her place.

"Prisca," Lily began.

She waved the duchess off. "I have never been afraid of provoking His Grace, unnecessarily or otherwise." Besides, everyone else seemed to know what was going on. She was a Westfield now, too; they shouldn't keep things from her.

Prisca left the rest of her husband's family in her wake as she started down the corridor toward the duke's study. Loud bursts of anger could be heard right up to the moment she reached the study door. Then the noise suddenly stopped.

Blast them! They could hear her approach. It was quite unfair that they could hear everything in the house and were able to eavesdrop on her conversations yet they worked so diligently to keep her from

learning anything useful at all.

The door to the study flew open, and the duke and Ben barreled into the corridor. They both glanced briefly at Prisca before stalking past her in the direction she'd come from. She tiptoed the rest of the way and peeked her head inside the study.

Sitting in one of the duke's chairs, Major Forster raked a hand through his hair in frustration, while Will, standing sentry at the imposing desk, pinned her with his gaze. "I do wish you wouldn't

try

to irritate Simon. It just makes things more difficult for the rest of us."

She gulped, suddenly not certain if she would ever get accustomed to Will and the others overhearing every breath she took, every word she uttered. Wasn't one entitled to a little privacy? Prisca tipped her nose haughtily in the air. "And I wish he wasn't such a bully. Now are you going to tell me why Major Forster

had

Lord Brimsworth?"

The major's head shot up, and he waited for Will's reply, right along with Prisca.

"I told you he was dangerous, Priss. Promise me you won't go near him."

She had no desire to see Brimsworth. It would have been an easy promise to make, but she didn't appreciate him dictating the fact to her. "You didn't answer my question, William."

He sighed and crossed the room to her side. "It's going to be a long night, love. I don't know when I'll be back. Can we continue this conversation in the morning?"

He was leaving? But it was the full moon. He was supposed to transform in front of her eyes. He was supposed to claim her this evening, become a part of her. Prisca's mouth fell open. "But the moon—"

"Another full moon will come around next month." He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. "God willing, we'll have many more after that."

"But, Will—" she began as he stepped around her into the doorway.

"Major Forster has promised to keep an eye on you for me."

None of this made any sense at all, and Prisca's heart began to race with fear. "William! Tell me where you're going."

"To keep you safe," he replied quietly. Then he touched his lips to her brow.

Thirty-Six

Prisca stepped through the garden gate behind The Hall and looked up at the full moon. Evidently, all that Will had told her of the moonful had turned out to be a lie. She should have known.

At that very moment, instead of claiming her as his Lycan mate, he was off with his brothers, scouring the woods for the Earl of Brimsworth. Truly, what damage could a lone Lycan do? He seemed fairly innocuous, all things considered.

Now Lily and Elspeth were irritated with her, presumably because she'd cut into their time during the moonful by occupying their husbands, or perhaps because she'd successfully sent His Grace into a snit and everyone had to deal with him.

And still, she'd yet to find out what it meant to claim one's mate. But the very thought of Will laying claim to any part of her made a quick shiver dance through her belly. If just thinking about it made her toes tingle, she could just imagine why the other ladies of the house were so put out by her.

It wasn't her fault Brimsworth had slipped away from the major. Elspeth's father stood inside the house and watched her through the window, even now. Will had handed her leading strings right over to the old officer. And he'd begrudgingly accepted them.

He'd growled and snapped and snarled at everyone who came near him, ever since he'd returned from his trip with the unfortunate news about Brimsworth's disappearance. As the moon rose in the sky, it got even worse. Lily and Elspeth had retired to their rooms, and he'd growled almost continually. The only one who seemed to calm him was Alice. When Alice came into the room, the major hovered over her like a hummingbird over a blooming flower.

Alice did nothing more than touch the side of the man's face, and Prisca could almost see the tension leave his body. But the hungry look never left his eyes. He looked at Alice like she was the counter-measure to every ounce of pent-up energy within him. And she responded with coy looks over her shoulder that made the man growl. Evidently, passion didn't fade with age.

Finally, the major had pulled Alice down into his lap, and Prisca had fled the sitting room. She'd wandered the halls until the light of the full moon caught her attention and she'd sought sanctuary in the garden.

For years, Will had come to her on the night of the full moon. She longed to sink her fingers into his shaggy brown hair and look into his eyes, which would certainly appear as dark as sapphires under the light of the night.

Prisca glanced up at the full moon and absently fingered the locket she wore around her neck. Of course, now she knew Will and her wolf were one in the same. She loved them equally. But she wasn't sure if Will was aware she'd put the pieces of the puzzle together. Would he stop coming to her in wolf form now? Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest at the thought of never seeing her wolf again. Would Will try to put her off with every full moon?

Prisca stood and shook out her skirts, already damp from the dew of the night. She glanced once toward the window where the major had stood. But he was gone. A small smile tipped her lips as she imagined him stalking Alice.

It was her turn to stalk Will. Prisca stepped into the woods. It was time to seduce her husband.

***

Will lurked in the woods that surrounded Westfield Hall. Unlike his brothers, he'd chosen to stay close to The Hall in case Brimsworth somehow evaded them all.

He heard a howl in the distance, which he instantly recognized as Simon. Then, from a greater distance, Ben answered. They'd all picked up vague scents of the beast, each trailing off in a different direction. It was as though the wild Lycan had sent them out on a merry chase. Only none of them were feeling very jovial. Simon had nearly taken the major's head off when he'd returned with the news that Brimsworth was nowhere to be found. Until the old man raised his hackles and stared Simon down. Evidently, even the pack leader paid respect to his elder.

Will put his nose to the ground, looking for a trail that might indicate the golden wolf stalked the occupants of Westfield Hall. Or, more specifically, one occupant of Westfield Hall. His brothers could take care of themselves. And their wives had already been claimed. Brimsworth would have no desire to take them. Not finding any sign of the earl, Will turned to sweep the grounds again. He ran, enjoying the freedom that came with being in his Lycan form.

He stopped in his tracks, his claws digging into the soft earth as he stood up straight and tall. Brimsworth's scent. There it was, dark and dangerous. He'd been here recently, within the last few moments, actually.

Will searched the ground for tracks, but little could be seen in the mossy earth of the forest floor. He turned, putting his nose back to the ground to follow the scent.

***

"Don't hurt me," Prisca whispered to the golden wolf that blocked her path, her words choked by the fear in her chest. Before she could take two steps, the hulking beast knocked her to the ground where he loomed over her.

Prisca covered her face with her arm, certain the beast who'd knocked her down would take a piece of it at any second. Limned by the light of the full moon, the Earl of Brimsworth was a snarling shadow above her. His lips were raised to show his sharp teeth, and a drop of thick saliva dripped from his mouth onto the bodice of her gown.

Prisca extended her arms behind her and used her arms and legs to walk backward on her hands, slowly trying to slide from below the feral beast.

The growl intensified. She stopped moving. Her gaze searched the forest floor, looking for a weapon. A large rock would do. A stick might help. But she had nothing close enough to touch. The only thing within her reach was this golden-haired wild dog who looked ready to devour her. Very little of Brimsworth, or what she knew to be Brimsworth, was present in the wolf. He was completely unlike Will, who carried his human traits into his Lycan body.

The beast placed his paws upon her body and growled sharply in her ear as he snapped his teeth so forcefully she could feel the breeze the action stirred. He pushed her back, but she refused to lie beneath the creature. He could kill her, but she would die fighting. She lifted a hand to grab a hunk of the animal's hair.

But from her right, she heard a menacing growl and her glance swung at the same time as the beast caught the sound as well. Joy flooded her heart while fear encompassed her.

William!

Her gaze swung from beast to beast. They were a study of contradictions. The one atop her was light and feral. The other dark and concentrated.

She wanted to tell her own wolf to be careful. But he was already advancing upon them. His steps were steady and sure, his actions clear and calculated. She thought she saw worry cloud the gaze of the creature atop her.

"You should let me up, so he won't try to kill you," she told the golden wolf.

Will's growl became louder and even more menacing as he came within feet of them. He bared his teeth. He was honestly the most frightening creature she'd ever seen. Yet she felt no fear of him.

The beast atop her lowered his mouth to where it hovered just over the place where her neck met her shoulder. His teeth scraped her skin. His drool soaked her neck and shoulder. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly. But in that moment, her wolf jumped, catching the terrifying creature unaware.

His black body slammed into the evil one's, knocking him from atop her. Prisca immediately scrambled to her feet and stepped back. This would be the perfect time to flee. But she couldn't leave. She searched the area for a weapon, but all she found were twigs and small rocks.

With very little apparent thought to his own safety, her one true love and her biggest fear at that moment circled one another, as though taking one another's measure, deciding who would win before the fight even began.

The golden wolf sprang first. Prisca gasped and covered her mouth as the black one dodged the lunge and clamped his teeth into the animal's neck. It was a movement intended to kill, Prisca was sure. She wanted to run forward and save her wolf from the burden of dealing with her threat. He shouldn't bear the brunt of her folly.

The feral one jerked and spun, kicking and biting wildly. Her wolf didn't even cry out as the other nipped his skin in places with his sharp teeth. He simply clung to the animal's neck and held tightly, as though waiting to see how long it would take before the beast submitted. When he didn't, Will opened his jaws and clamped down again, digging in even deeper. Blood ran from the wounds at the golden wolf's neck.

"Don't kill him," she whispered. Prisca's stomach churned at the site. If this continued, there would be nothing left of Brimsworth, and under the light of day Will would hate himself for ripping the earl from this life. But then, as though called from the darkness of the forest, three other wolves approached slowly and silently, each from a different direction. She recognized Blackmoor, Benjamin, and the major right away. One was larger, his fur black with a streak of white over his ear. The other was brown with shaggy hair and hazel eyes. The third was grey and white and had a wizened look about his face.

"Don't let Will kill him, please," Prisca begged. "He'll never forgive himself if he does."

The largest wolf, with the white stripe over his ear, walked over to the fighting pair and stood above them, his growl menacing and ferocious. Her wolf glanced up at him, as though beseeching him to let them be. To let him kill the feral wolf and deal with the consequences later. But the pack leader just growled again and Will released his hold. Brimsworth slumped to the ground, blood pooling around his body.

Her wolf approached her, and she took a step back. It was a reflex, nothing more. He looked wounded when she moved away from him. A whimper escaped his throat.

The pack leader nudged at the golden wolf until he shakily found his feet. Then the leader growled lightly until the rest of his pack followed him, slinking into the forest as if they'd never been there.

Thirty-Seven

Will wanted to go to her. But he was afraid to approach. He knew he'd been beastly with the golden wolf, Brimsworth. He'd nearly killed the man. And she'd seen it all. She'd seen him at his worst.

In truth, had Simon and Ben not arrived when they did, Brimsworth would be lying in a pool of his own blood, his very life source draining from his open wounds. It was one of the only ways to kill a Lycan, since they could heal themselves. To kill one of his kind, a Lycan had to inflict a sustained wound that would penetrate the flesh, causing the blood to drain from the body. When the body could no longer heal, the Lycan died.

Will had never seen it happen. But he'd heard the hushed stories at Canis House, the ones whispered about one wolf or another.

Yet tonight, he'd been there. He'd been the one on the hunt. He'd been the one who wanted to kill. He didn't know who he should be more disgusted with him—himself or Prisca. He should have had more control, but when he'd seen the beast scrape her delicate skin with his horrid fangs, he'd felt the rage boil within him and finally overflow.

And she'd watched it all. Every bloody moment. Damn it all to hell. Why had she come into the woods? He'd very clearly told her to stay put.

The confusion on her face was almost his undoing. If he could have transformed back at that very moment, he would have. He'd never had enough control to shift in and out of Lycan form at will. It could be done, but only through sheer strength of character. That strength was something he'd never possessed.

She didn't approach him. She didn't touch him. She didn't put her fingers into his hair and stroke him. She didn't want him.

He watched her, her eyes wide with what he assumed was trepidation. Maybe disgust. Then he heaved a sigh and turned to follow his pack into the woods. He'd watch to be sure she arrived home safely. But he wouldn't force her to tolerate his beastly presence any longer than necessary.

His ears perked up when he heard her voice. "William Westfield," she shouted. "Don't you

dare

walk away from me!"

His heart nearly pounded from his chest. He turned slowly, not even looking at her at first, afraid to see the expression on her face when he finally caught her gaze. What would he see? Censure? Disgust?

Very slowly, he looked at her face. She smiled softly at him, and his heart soared.

"Come here, Will," she said softly, sinking to the ground a few feet from him. He wanted to go to her more than he wanted the air he breathed. Dare he take the chance?

He took one step, his legs quivering with fear. She didn't move. She didn't run. So, he took another. His legs carried him forward until he was within her reach.

Please, touch me, Prissy!

He wanted to scream it. But, in this form, all he could do was make a highpitched whine.

Prisca motioned with her hands. "Come here, Will," she said, laughter in her voice. "I promise I won't bite."

But I will

, he thought, regretfully. He stepped closer, until her hand reached out and gently caressed the top of his head. Immediately, just like every visit with her, the tension and wildness flowed from his body and left him at peace. He leaned into her hand. She laughed and increased her strokes.

"How many nights have we spent just like this?" she asked wistfully.

Not nearly enough.

She leaned down and gently kissed his snout. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

I wanted to ask you the same question.

"We need to talk, Will," Prisca sighed. "Change back to human form."

Would that I could. It's not that easy.

Will wanted nothing more than to lift her hair and search her creamy neck for marks made by Brimsworth. If he hurt one hair on her pretty little head, Will would kill him on the morrow, regardless of the consequences.

"Change, Will," she prompted again. "I know you can. I read about it."

She just didn't understand. Prisca reached up to wipe her neck. He almost got a glance at it, but she moved too quickly. She grimaced. "That wolf drooled on me. I need to wash." She shivered with disgust.

Will stood up to lead her back to The Hall. But she took off in the other direction.

Where are you

going, Priss?

"If I remember correctly, there's a stream that runs through here," she mumbled. "And it collects in a small pool." Then she squealed when she found it, a smile lighting her face.

Prisca very slowly began to unlace the bodice of her gown, glancing at him from under her hooded lashes. Desire engulfed him. He danced in place. She turned her back to him as she tugged her fichu from her cleavage. Then she shrugged out of the gown, stepping from the pile of fabric. "Don't want to get that wet," she mumbled, as she bent to dip her piece of cloth into the water.

She stood under the light of the moon wearing nothing but her chemise. She was positively unashamed of her body, maybe because it was perfect. But a small thought entered his mind, that perhaps she wasn't self-conscious now because she didn't see him as her equal.

Moonlight glinted off her hair. Rose-colored nipples called to him from the shadows of her chemise. Her scent swept over him. He inhaled deeply, and that was when he felt the change within himself. He loved her. She was his mate. They belonged to one another. He wasn't going to let a long tail and snout stand between them.

The pain of changing back was nothing compared to the joy of knowing he could. His body elongated, making him stand tall and erect. His ears moved from the top of his head.

She still had her back to him when he transformed. But he heard her heartbeat speed up, nonetheless. When he was fully in his human form, he growled loudly and ran forward, catching her about the waist as he pressed the front of his body against the back of hers. He would draw her into himself, if he was able.

Prisca spun in his arms and giggled. "I was wondering how much more I'd have to take off before you came to me."

***

Prisca squealed lightly as he scooped her up in his arms and placed her atop a nearby boulder. He cupped her face in his desperate hands, which shook against her cheeks. "Tell me you love me," he growled.

"Oh, Will," she began. She had so much to tell him. Where to start?

Will stepped back from her as his hands dropped from her face. She reached for him, to draw him back. He was completely naked, so there was no clothing to grab hold of. Instead, she fought to catch his fingers. When she did, she pulled him forward to stand between her parted knees and placed his hand over her heart. "You know I love you," she whispered.

"As I am?"

"Exactly as you are." She nodded. "I always have."

Will took the wet cloth from her hand and lifted her hair. He gently bathed her neck, wiping away all the remnants of Brimsworth. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" he asked softly, his voice leaden with concern.

"No. But I was so worried for you."

"How did you know it was me?" he asked as he tugged at the hem of her chemise and drew it over her head, leaving her wearing nothing but her garters and stockings.

"I'm not inept, William. As soon as I learned what you were, I knew you were my wolf." She smiled at him. "I think a part of me always knew it was you. But it seemed so ludicrous an idea that I wouldn't let myself believe a wolf could remind me so much of a man I loved."

Will bent his head and began to place small kisses along the side of her neck. She shivered. "Will you claim me now?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "No." His lips moved down to draw the hardened peak of one breast into his mouth. She arched her back to get closer to him.

"Yes, you will," she cried, when he began to torment the other breast with his fingertips. "You have to. I'm your mate."

"No." He chuckled again.

"William Westfield, if you tell me I have to wait another month to be claimed, I

will

make you sleep in the guest room."

He pretended to give that some thought. But only for a moment. Then his fingers walked down her belly and tangled in her curls.

"I'll claim you when your pleasure is at its greatest," he whispered. "Now, do be quiet so I can get you there," he growled.

Prisca pushed him from her and stood up quickly. "Oh, no, you don't. You will not pleasure me again and not take any for yourself. I'll not allow it!"

He let her give him a small shove until he landed on his bottom on the rock she'd been sitting on. She glanced down at his manhood, which stood tall and proud between them.

"In fact, I'd imagine I can give you a bit of the same pleasure you give me."

Prisca bent and placed her hand on him, looking as though she marveled at the feel of his skin. "I believe I just figured out what you keep in your pocket." She glanced up at him once before she kissed the tip of his shaft lightly, her lips fleeting and quick. He growled and reached for her, forcing her to fight his hands as he tried to push her away.

"I can't take much of this, Prissy," he growled, lifting a knuckle to his mouth to bite down.

"You'll take what I give you," she said flippantly.

"Dear God, I love you," he gasped out as she took the tip of him into her mouth.

"Tell me if I do something wrong," she said as she lifted her mouth from around his length for a brief moment. Then she resumed her task. His eyes closed as he arched to meet her.

"That's enough, Priss," he barked. When she didn't listen, he threaded his fingers into her hair and yanked. He applied just enough pressure to make it painful. She reluctantly let go.

Before she could let out one cheeky comment, he picked her up and laid her gently on her discarded dress. She shivered. "It's cold."

"I'll warm you up," he grunted.

Then he spread his body over hers, and though she lay naked on the freezing forest floor, she felt as warm as if she were in a sunny parlor. She giggled.

"What's funny?" he asked.

"Nothing," she snorted. It was all so absolutely absurd.

"You choose

now to laugh at me?" He pursed his lip

s together and just looked down at her for a moment.

"I have never seen the great William Westfield at a loss for words. Is the greatest lover in three counties speechless at the sight of his wife?" she teased.

"Six," he said as he scratched the beard stubble on his face.

"Six what?" she asked.

"Six counties," he corrected her. "I was named the greatest lover in

six

counties. Do get it right, love."

"A bit boastful, aren't we?" she asked as he opened her legs slowly and settled between them. Of course, she believed him, since he'd brought her such ecstasy for the past few days. But it was much more fun to tease him. "Six counties seems a bit far-reaching."

"Give me time," he growled. "I'll prove it to you."

"I'll have nothing to compare it with, will I? Am I just to take your word that you're such a great lover?"

"And you never

will

have anything to compare it with, Prissy." He bent his head and gently tugged at her nipple, already hard and standing at attention. "From this day forward, you are mine. All mine," he said as he met her gaze.

"I will expect no less than the same," she informed him, hating that her voice hesitated a bit.

"Always," he grunted.

Will lifted her hands over her head, where he could hold them with one hand. She tugged against his hold. "I only have one chance to do this right." His eyes met hers. "So, don't distract me." Not a trace of humor rested in the depths. She nodded briefly. He released his hold on her hands. "You can use them to touch me," he suggested.

"Where?"

"Anywhere you like," he chuckled.

"Where would

you

like?"

"Do you always ask so many questions?"

She had to think about that. "Maybe when I'm nervous," she said as he cupped her breasts and lifted one to his waiting mouth. He took her nipple between his lips and rolled it, then gently pulled it with his teeth. The sight of him manipulating her most sensitive flesh with his mouth caused a flush of warmth in her middle.

Bravely, she let her fingers trail up his length. He growled and pulled her hand from him.

"You said I could touch you," she protested.

"Later," he grunted as he settled his hips more firmly between her thighs and probed at her center. He moved against her, gently prodding her flesh.

"Will?" she asked, drawing his attention to her face. He drew in a deep breath.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"For what?"

"For letting me make love to you, for letting me claim you."

She felt that little flip in her belly again. "Is it normal for me to…?" she let her voice trail off.

"To what?" he asked, before he drew her nipple into his mouth. She arched her back as he continued to tongue the hard bud, while rolling the other between his thumb and forefinger.

"To feel so desperate for you to take me?"

"It's better than normal," he groaned. "It's stupendous."

"Please, Will," she begged, closing her eyes, nearly afraid of the sensations she was experiencing.

"What will it feel like?" she asked. But then he actually entered her body. He thrust inside her, moving slowly, taking more of her with each small stroke. She turned her head and kissed the side of his arm, which quivered with the weight of him as he held himself above her.

"Patience, love," he said quietly. "I'll answer all your questions."

He stilled within her, just as she felt a small sting of pain. "Why does that hurt?"

"Because this is the first time I've been inside you," he whispered, his voice now trembling as much as his arms.

"How long will it last?" she questioned as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. But then his fingers slipped between them, into her curls, and he began to rub her most sensitive places.

"Don't answer that!" she cried as he moved so far inside her that he could push no more. "It's already better."

"Would you stop talking?" he laughed.

She cried out as he withdrew and entered her again and then found a rhythm, moving inside her, making them one. All she could think was that this was Will. This was Will, and she was naked. And he was naked and he was hot and hard inside of her, stroking all the right places. Stroking her so well she could scream from the pleasure of it. Yet some elusive sensation hung just outside of her grasp. She reached and reached and couldn't catch it.

Will pushed her legs farther apart and raised her knees. He cupped her bottom, tilting her toward him. When he did, she could take even more of him. She arched to meet him.

Closer. Please get closer to me, Will.

She lifted her feet and put them on the backs of his calves, pressing herself closer and closer.

Finally, Will took pity on her as her head thrashed on the ground. He said, "Stop thinking. Just feel. I am inside you.

Come

for me, Priss."

Then she did. She cried out as pleasure exploded within her body. Every part of her quaked and trembled with the ecstasy of it. Then he tensed above her and simply looked down into her eyes. Prisca pushed her hair back from her throat and tugged his head down with a pull of the back of his neck. Will began to stroke within her again, the pleasure only intensified by the wild glint in his eyes.

"Take me," she cried, when the pleasure became so great she couldn't take any more.

Will's lips touched the sensitive skin at the base of her neck so softly she barely felt it. She thought once of protesting, but then he surged even harder inside her as he licked across the area. But out of all the times he'd pleasured her, she'd never reached the heights she did when he finally took her over the top, exploded within her, and grunted out the word, "Mine," just before his teeth pierced her tender flesh.

He rested atop her, his breaths heavy as he brushed her damp hair from her face and kissed her quickly. A smile unlike any she'd ever seen graced his lips. "Are you all right?"

She nodded quickly, too overcome with emotion even to voice her thoughts.

As though he could read her mind, he put a finger over her lips and said, "Don't even ask that question. I'll answer truthfully. It has never been that way for me before." Then he rolled to the side and drew her over to lie on his chest.

Prisca closed her eyes, content to let the world continue spinning around her, if only for a while. She'd never imagined such bliss was possible, and she knew it was decadent to allow herself to bask in it. Still, she couldn't help herself. For so long, she'd wanted him, loved him, and wished for the impossible.

Will's hand stroked her side, and she sighed. She'd lived within the midst of wolves forever and hadn't even known it. Now that she did, she'd not change a thing.

Thirty-Eight

"You bit me," Prisca said as she playfully smacked Will's chest. Morning light streamed through their window.

"Hmm," he agreed before capturing her hand in his and nipping at her palm.

Prisca giggled and jabbed him in the ribs. "You should have done it sooner. Years ago, in fact."

Will sat up in their bed to examine the mark he'd left on her neck the night before. Crescent shaped, like his mouth, it was a little red. He gently touched it with his finger. "Does it hurt?"

She cupped his jaw with her hands and shook her head, her violet eyes twinkling. "It hurt more when I thought you just didn't want me."

"No more secrets," he promised.

"No more secrets," she echoed before collapsing against his chest. Her ear pressed against his heart.

Will wrapped his arms around her, reveling in the rightness of the world. Prisca had always managed to calm the wild beast within him, but now that same peace seemed to encompass everything around them. The sun seemed brighter. The bed seemed softer. His love for Prisca was stronger, which he hadn't even known was possible.

Everything was the same, only better

. For once Ben was right about something.

"What do you suppose Blackmoor did with Lord Brimsworth?" she asked, breaking him from his reverie.

Will hadn't given the golden wolf another thought, not after Prisca had fully accepted him. He shook his head, now wondering the same thing. "I'm not sure. But, I'm certain Simon showed him more mercy than I would have. You don't ever have to worry about him again, Priss. You know that, don't you?"

She nodded against his chest. "I feel different, Will. I feel you inside me. That sounds strange, I know."

"I've marked you. You're mine, and he won't have the urge to seek you out again."

"Like a dog's territory?" she laughed. "How flattering."

With a playful slap to her bottom, Will kissed her brow. "Speaking of territory, how do you feel about Scotland? I have that manor in Dumfriesshire that Father left to me. We'd be closer to Ben and Elspeth."

She turned up her pert little nose at that. "I like Elspeth, but I could do without Caitrin Macleod."

Will couldn't help but chuckle.

"And she said the others in her coven throw fireballs and control the weather. I think that's a bit too dramatic for me."

"But the brothers Hawthorne are just the right amount of drama?"

She shrugged. "Oh, I know how to manage them, and I haven't even started on my five separate plans of vengeance."

"Heaven help them." He laughed.

She grinned. "Will?"

"Hmm."

"I'm starving."

***

Breakfast was always a casual affair after a moonful. The rest of the Lycans returned from the woods with their wives as the sun rose over the horizon. The women cast shy glances at one another. When she saw them in the breakfast room, Prisca felt the need, at first, to cover the wound on her shoulder. But, the more she thought about it, the less she wanted to hide it. She was quite proud to be Will's Lycan mate.

Will filled her plate for her at the sideboard in the breakfast room, and she settled down beside him, surprised to find she was ravenously hungry.

Will pushed her hair to the side so he could see the mark on her neck. He leaned over and kissed her cheek and then whispered, "The moonful makes me hungry, too."

"Well," Simon began after a sip of coffee, "you should know that Major Forster has sent the Earl of Brimsworth to Glasgow."

The old officer nodded. "I have a cousin there who I think can mentor the man better than I could."

Will growled under his breath.

"I know what you're thinking," Simon said. "But he has been dealt with. The major saw to that. And Brimsworth gave his word as a gentleman that he wouldn't return here."

"As a gentleman?" Prisca echoed. He seemed the furthest thing from that, the feral, golden wolf still fresh in her mind.

Will sighed beside her. "He gave his word?" At Simon's nod, he looked at Prisca. "His honor means everything to him. If he gave his word, we have nothing to worry about."

Well, if Will believed it, she trusted him. She smiled at her husband and then took a sip of tea.

When the butler entered the breakfast room, Elspeth asked him, "Have you seen Miss Macleod, Billings? Or is she sleepin' late this morning?"

The older man looked slightly uncomfortable. "She left for home a couple of hours ago, actually." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a note. "She did leave word for you, my lady."

Elspeth took the bit of foolscap and tore into it quickly. Her eyebrows arched and she shrugged as she said, "She says she forgot her father's birthday is approachin'. And she needed ta return home posthaste. She extends her thanks for allowin' her ta stay as long as ye did." She addressed the last to Simon and Lily. A frown marred Elspeth's pretty features.

Ben's hand reached to cover hers. "Do you think that's all it is?"

"I donna ken what she's thinking. Mr. Macleod's birthday is in April. I suppose April's approachin', but it's no' right around the corner."

"We'll send a note to make certain she's all right," Ben suggested.

Then they all shoved Miss Macleod's absence from their minds and concentrated on the meal. Finally, Simon pulled Lily to her feet and said, "We're going to catch a few hours of sleep. I suggest you all do the same." As he walked by Prisca, he touched his hand to the top of her head and said, "Welcome to the family, my dear."

Epilogue

Westfield Hall, Hampshire December 1817

Will tugged Prisca toward what he promised was a secluded parlor. She was surprised he'd managed to locate a place that was not occupied by one family member or another. Westfield Hall was nearly bursting at the seams.

At the moment, her father and all of her brothers were overcrowding the manor. Benjamin and Elspeth, along with their darling daughter Rose, had arrived a few hours previously. Major Forster and Alice were cooing over their grandchild at this very moment. Oliver York was also in residence, along with a few of his friends he'd brought home with him from Harrow. While Simon and Lily were playing host to everyone, Will had quietly pulled Prisca away from the din.

"What is it?" she whispered, as he shut the door behind him.

With a mischievous smile, Will rummaged around in his pocket and then extracted a tiny bit of mistletoe. He'd secreted her away for a kiss? She couldn't help but laugh. "William Westfield, you don't need mistletoe to kiss me…"

He held it over her protruding belly and pressed his lips to where their child grew inside her. In response, their baby kicked its foot wildly. Will traced his hands across her stomach and whispered, "Come on, little fellow, don't make us wait too much longer to introduce yourself."

Prisca rolled her eyes and batted his hands away. "Somewhere along the way, I do believe you've lost your mind."

Will winked at her. "It's just a bit of encouragement. Can you imagine the look on Simon's face when you deliver before Lily?"

Prisca laughed. "I had no idea it was a competition."

"Of course, it's a competition. Did you see all the attention little Rose has received?" Will pocketed his mistletoe. "It's about time this little one made his appearance."

"On that, you and Papa agree. He is quite ready to be a grandfather."

Will chuckled. "He pulled me aside tonight and told me he was glad to know I wasn't the rogue he'd always thought me." He slid his arms around her back and pulled her into his embrace.

Prisca sighed. She'd never tire of his love and attention. "Oh, but you were that rogue for

many

years."

"Hmm," he agreed, brushing his lips across her brow. "How lucky I am that you forgave all of my past misdeeds and married me anyway."

"Not that you gave me any choice."

Will looked down at her, his light-blue eyes intense with his gaze. "Any regrets?"

She shook her head. "Never." Their child kicked her again, and she laughed. "And the baby is in complete agreement."

About the Author

Lydia Dare is an active member of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, where she sits on the board of directors. She lives in a house filled with boys and an animal or two (or ten) near Raleigh, North Carolina.