by Lydia Dare
“What am I going to do with the two of you?” he growled as he dropped behind his desk with a weary sigh. Then he jumped to his feet again, as he obviously wasn’t quite through with his set-down.
Gray braced himself.
“First, you ruin that girl’s chances of a good marriage. I wasn’t certain she had it in her to show her face in public again, after what you did at the Longboroughs’ last night. But she is made of stronger stuff, evidently.” He shook his head. “Poor girl. She never saw the two of you coming. What was your mother thinking, involving either of you in that girl’s entry into society?”
That girl had a name. Gray wished his brother would use it. “Miss Mayeux,” he muttered.
Dash turned on Gray, piercing him with his furious golden eyes. “Did you say something?” he snarled.
Too late to back away now. Besides, Gray hated hearing Livi referred to in such a way. “I said her name is Miss Mayeux,” he repeated with a little more force.
“You were calling her Livi in the garden.” Archer snorted. “When you weren’t too busy groping her to gather words.”
Dash’s blond brows rose in something akin to angry wonder. “I beg your pardon?”
“Muzzle it, Archer,” Gray growled.
Dash rubbed at his forehead. If his headache matched Gray’s, he was in serious pain. “Please tell me you didn’t defile that girl,” Dash said, his voice low and gravely. And dangerous.
“I didn’t defile that girl,” Gray quickly assured him. “I didn’t defile Miss Mayeux.”
“Then what, exactly, did you do in the garden this evening?”
“I got into fisticuffs with Archer.” Gray stated the obvious, but he wanted to avoid any further discussion about Livi at all costs.
“Prior to that,” Dash barked, gesturing with his hands for Gray to answer quickly. “What did you do with Miss Mayeux?”
Gray shrugged. “There’s nothing to tell. I took her for a walk because she was overheated.”
“She certainly was.” Archer smirked.
Gray shot him a quelling look. But Archer just winked at him. Damn his eyes.
“And what exactly happened on this walk of yours?” Dash urged.
“Nothing. Archer and Lady Sophia stumbled upon us. I barely spent a moment alone with the girl. All I did was kiss her.” He held up a hand. “I swear it, Dash.”
Dash sank back down into his chair then, almost deflating a bit as he did so. “First it’s nothing and now it’s a kiss. I’m afraid of what else I’ll learn the longer we discuss the situation.”
So Livi was now a situation? She had been better off being “that girl.” Gray shrugged. “It was nothing. How many girls did you kiss before you married Cait?”
“We are not discussing my past, Grayson.”
“Precisely.” Gray snorted. “But you do have a past, which includes more than kissing a girl in a garden, I’m sure.”
Dash sucked in a breath of air and his face turned a bit on the reddish side. “No matter what I was involved in or with whom, I managed to keep my name and my father’s name from being tarnished in public. There’s a lesson in there for you.”
Well, there was the matter of Dash’s altercation with the Westfield pack, but with the color of his half brother’s face, Gray thought the better of mentioning it. “I hardly think that kissing Livi is worthy of all this—”
“Now she’s Livi?” Dash interrupted, and then he cast his eyes on Archer.
“I did tell you,” Archer replied. “You weren’t listening.”
“And exactly how long has this been going on?” Dash asked, clearly listening now.
Archer shrugged. “I’m not his keeper. But I know he can describe the mark of the beast on the chit’s thigh.”
“Her thigh?” Dash roared.
Gray picked up a ledger from the desk and threw it at Archer’s head, but his brother ducked just in time for it to sail past his ear. “What is wrong with you?” Damned Archer knew full well that Gray hadn’t seen Livi’s thigh.
Dash growled. He placed both hands on his desk and leaned forward, snarling like an enraged wolf. “You will go to Holmesfield at first light and beg for his granddaughter’s hand.”
The statement hung heavy in the air, like a storm cloud ready to burst.
“Marry Livi?” Gray asked, absolutely dumbfounded. Dash wouldn’t expect such a thing if Archer hadn’t opened his bloody mouth. It was one thing to think of marrying Livi when she was close enough for him to kiss, but something else entirely when the reality of his bachelorhood was actually threatened. “I haven’t seen her thigh, Dash. She only told me about her mark’s location. There’s no reason for marriage.”
His half brother snorted. “I hope you don’t expect me to believe that nonsense. Tomorrow morning,” he jabbed a finger in Gray’s direction, “you’ll go to Holmesfield, fall on your sword in front of the man, and beg for Miss Mayeux’s hand. Is that clear?”
Gray’s mouth fell open. “She doesn’t want to marry me. Hardly a sporting thing for you to do to her.”
Dash glared at Gray, irritation rolling off him in waves. “Who says she doesn’t want to marry you? Have you asked her?”
Gray sat forward in his seat, hoping to make his brother see reason. “She doesn’t want to marry anyone here. She wants to return to New Orleans.”
“Does she now?” Dash’s brow rose in question.
“Ever since I first met her,” Gray assured his oldest brother.
“Then I suppose she shouldn’t be showing you her thigh or kissing you in the garden, now should she?” Dash folded his arms across his chest. “You’ll offer for her tomorrow.”
“With all due respect,” Archer interjected from his seat beside Gray, “Holmesfield will never accept any offer Gray would make. He’d never accept an offer from any Hadley man, for that matter.”
Archer had a point, a good one. However the truth of his brother’s words stung Gray a bit when he should have felt relieved.
“Cait and I discussed this at length on the way home from the Assembly Room. She’s under the impression that Holmesfield can be reasoned with, and under the circumstances, I’m inclined to agree with her.”
Cait? Had she talked Dash into this madness? “I hardly think Cait is in a position to know anything about this,” Gray protested.
“And I disagree,” Dash dismissed him. “She is also under the impression that the two of you could make a match of it, and after this discussion of kisses and thighs, I find I’m in complete agreement with her.”
Damn it all. Where was Wes when Gray needed him? He could use his twin right now. But Wes was snuggled up all nice and warm with Lady Madeline in Kent at the moment. Blast him. “I’ve never seen her thigh,” Gray stressed once more, though he would like to see it and touch it and… Those thoughts were better had when his brothers weren’t present. Not that his protestations mattered in the least, as Dash didn’t appear to pay Gray’s words any attention at all.
Archer lit a cheroot. “Then how else would you know about it?”
“You know she told me.” Gray glared at his brother. Why was Archer making this into something it wasn’t?
“Oh?” Dash drawled. “She told you, did she? What self-respecting lady would tell you something about her thigh?”
“Nobody said she’s a proper lady,” Archer tossed in, crossing his ankle over his knee and looking supremely satisfied. “And she actually likes Grayson, so her judgment is in question.”
Dash turned his glare on Archer. “Kindly close your mouth.” Then glanced back at Gray. “You have insinuated yourself into this girl’s life. Cait sees you married to her. And I don’t want to hear anymore about this. Just make it happen.” And with that final comment, he got up and left the room.
Archer whistled softly. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order.”
Gray itched to toss his brother to the ground and kick his ribs until he begged for mercy. “No thanks to you,” he growled. “Why d
id you have to tell him about her mark? You know damn well I haven’t seen it.”
“So you say.” Archer shrugged. “Anyway, I was just saving all the other marriageable gentlemen in England.”
“That’s hardly a complimentary thing to say about her. Livi is lovely and any man would be lucky to—”
“That’s not what I meant at all, you dolt.” His brother laughed without mirth. “I meant saving them from your wrath. You didn’t see your expression tonight when she danced with Lavendon or the others.”
He’d had an expression? Gray hadn’t realized. He narrowed his eyes at his brother, wondering if Archer’s judgment was sound or if he was being completely honest.
“You looked positively murderous,” Archer continued. “I’d hate to see you sent to the gallows or shipped off to Australia for killing a peer.” Then he shivered slightly for effect.
As though Gray couldn’t control his own temper. “What a ridiculous thing to say.”
“Is it?” Archer took a puff off his cheroot, and then he shrugged as if the conversation was of no consequence. “Anyway, you should be thanking me. At least now you can tumble the chit and get it over with. I know it will make it easier for me to be around you. All your pent-up lust and frustration is enough to drive a sane Lycan mad.”
Tumble the chit? Gray’s temper flared. “Don’t talk about her that way,” he growled.
But Archer only laughed in response. “And thank you, little brother, for proving my point. All the marriageable gentlemen in England will be much safer after you’ve married your little French poodle.”
Married to Livi. The suggestion both terrified him and made his stomach do little flips. He could hold her and kiss her whenever he wanted. He could, as his brother indelicately put it, tumble her every morning, noon, or night, if he wanted. But… “You know as well as I that Holmesfield will never agree to any such match.”
Archer took another puff off his cheroot. “And yet Dash said to make it happen. So who are you more afraid of, Grayson? Holmesfield? Or Dash?”
Without a doubt he was more concerned about Dash. Still that didn’t mean Gray had any idea of how to proceed with that curmudgeon Holmesfield.
Seventeen
A scratch came at Livi’s door, but she refused to acknowledge it. After the events of the previous evening, she didn’t care if she saw anyone today or ever. Memories of Gray kissing her, holding her, and whispering words like marriage ran through her mind. Then the ridiculous fight Gray and Lord Radbourne had engaged in, rolling around the garden floor like two unruly beasts. She groaned, then rolled over in her bed, pulled the counterpane up over her shoulders, and closed her eyes to block out the sun that now spilled in through the drapes. Certainly she could plead a headache and stay abed all day, couldn’t she?
The scratch came again, and this time it sounded a bit more impatient, if that was possible, like an angry mouse in a temper. Well, whoever it was could scratch all day until their nails were stubs for all Livi cared. She’d suffered day after day in English society. She’d tolerated balls and musicales and stuffy drawing rooms. She should be granted time to herself, if only for a little while.
“Miss Liviana!” Marie’s voice came out in a hiss.
Livi groaned, hoping her maid would think she was still asleep and leave her in peace.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Sophie’s voice filtered through the door. “She can’t be sleeping with all the noise you’re making.” Then the door burst open, bringing both Sophie and Marie stumbling into Livi’s sanctuary. “Livi!” her friend complained. “Out of bed. Quickly.”
Quickly? Livi cracked an eye open. “Why?”
“I knew you were awake.” Sophie crossed the floor and sat on the edge of Livi’s bed. “Lord Honeywell is in your grandfather’s parlor.”
Livi pushed up on her elbows. “Why?”
Sophie snorted. “Is that the only thing you can say this morning?”
It was as good as anything else. Livi shrugged. “Why is he here?” she added a few extra words to appease her friend.
“To call on you, of course. Let Marie get you dressed and then hurry to the parlor.”
But Livi didn’t want to see Lord Honeywell. She didn’t even want to see Sophie this morning. “I’m not feeling like receiving visitors today. Will you send him away, please?”
Sophie frowned at her and touched a hand to Livi’s brow. “Are you ill?”
If she was ill, would everyone leave her alone? Livi nodded, not wanting to verbalize a fib.
“Hmm.” Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “That is a shame. You have quite a display of flowers lining tables in the parlor and music room.”
“Flowers?”
“Despite Lord Radbourne and Mr. Hadley’s best efforts, you seem to have caught some eyes last night.”
That didn’t make any sense.
“I doubt Lord Honeywell will be your only caller this morning—he’s just the first to arrive. I do wish you were feeling better so you could greet them all. It wouldn’t do for them to think you were putting them off.”
“Have you seen Gray… er… Mr. Hadley this morning?” Livi blurted out before she thought the better of it. Bon Dieu, what was wrong with her? She certainly didn’t want to see Gray this morning. Not after the spectacle he caused the night before.
“Is that what your sudden illness is about?” Sophie squeezed her hand. “Not to fret, Livi, Mr. Hadley did not return here last night. So you won’t have to worry about seeing him or his disreputable brother this morning.”
Well, that was even worse, wasn’t it? “He didn’t return?” Livi squeaked. “Is he all right? Do you know where he is?”
“Neither of them deigned to tell me their plans for the evening, but I’m sure they’re both fine. They always are, no matter what sort of trouble they find themselves in. Hadley men seem impervious to any permanent damage.”
Livi suddenly itched to leap from the bed. She didn’t want to see Gray, she told herself, but she hated the idea of not knowing where he was or what had happened to him. When had the insufferable English Lycan gotten under her skin? When had she started to care about his well-being? And why could she still feel his kiss against her lips. “We’ve got to find him… I mean them.”
Sophie laughed. “We will do no such thing. If they prefer to behave like dogs, then they can sleep outside for all I care. Besides, Livi, associating with them will only hurt your prospects. Now I know Lord Honeywell is not the most exciting of men, but he is here and you could use the practice of conversing with a proper gentleman.”
At that moment a strangled scream from below stairs startled both Livi and Sophie. “Bon Dieu, what was that?”
Sophie leapt to her feet. “I think that was Lord Honeywell.” She rushed to the door. “Excuse me, will you?” But she didn’t wait for a reply before bolting from Livi’s room with Marie quick on her heels.
Livi threw off her counterpane and followed the pair across the corridor and down the steps to the first floor, just in time to see Lord Honeywell dangling from Grayson Hadley’s grasp. Livi, Sophie, and Marie all gasped in unison.
“And stay away from her,” Gray growled before unceremoniously tossing Lord Honeywell out the front door into the street. Then he slammed the front door, which shook the foundation just the tiniest bit.
“Mr. Hadley!” Sophie scolded, rushing down the remaining steps. “Have you taken leave of your senses?”
But Gray didn’t answer her. His dark eyes landed on Livi, still on the steps, and a roguish smile lit his lips. “What an interesting choice in attire this morning, my dear.”
Livi glanced down at her nightrail to find it might as well have been completely sheer for all the protection it warranted her. Bon Dieu, she was an idiot. She had been in such haste to find out what the commotion was about that she hadn’t even grabbed her wrapper on the way out of her room. She took one last horrified look at Gray and then bolted back up the stairs and flew into her chambers.
***
Gray couldn’t help but grin as he watched Livi dash up the stairs. If he’d ever seen a lady as beautiful, he couldn’t remember her. Seeing heat creep up her face made him want to do all sorts of delicious things to see if other parts of her colored just as prettily. The very thought relieved a bit of the anxiety he’d been bottling up since Dash’s demands the night before. They could make a match of it. A most delectable match if her thumping heartbeat and rosy skin were any indication.
“Mr. Hadley!” Lady Sophia hissed once more, breaking him from his reverie. “What has gotten into you?”
He nodded his head once at his tutor in greeting. Hmm, as soon as he married Livi, he would be free of Lady Sophia’s lessons just like Wes was. His smiled widened. “Do excuse me, my lady. I have come to have a word with Lord Holmesfield.”
Lady Sophia smacked his arm when he started past her toward the staircase where Livi had just been standing. “You threw poor Lord Honeywell onto the ground. You threw him to the ground!” Her horrified expression would normally have given Gray pause, but not today. “I have asked you and asked you to keep your distance from Miss Mayeux, and this is what you do?” She gestured wildly toward the closed front door. “You tossed Lord Honeywell outside as though he were a pile of rubbish.”
“I won’t have other men calling on Livi. See that they don’t.” He brushed past her.
“And just who are you to say who can call on her and who can’t?” Lady Sophia demanded.
Gray winked at her. “Her husband, just as soon as I can arrange it.” Then he strode up the steps, grinning when he heard her indignant gasp.
He stopped outside the earl’s quarters and took a deep breath. Men like Holmesfield respected power, and though Gray might not have political or financial power, he did have physical strength and a commanding presence. Hopefully, those two traits combined would be enough to gain the earl’s favor. He lifted his hand to knock but stopped when he heard someone behind him.
“I was worried about you.” Livi’s summery scent washed over him.
