by Lydia Dare
All the air in Will’s lungs escaped. “You caught Brimsworth?”
Simon nodded, an incredulous expression marring his brow. “He said you suggested me 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. He 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.”
“I 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. My 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 so 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 in 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 dearest 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 me 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 of 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 to marry me, Will. I never wanted that. I…” She took a deep breath. “I wanted you to want to marry me.”
