The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  “I’m not sure.”

  Wulf prowled around the small grassy area. He stopped and sat beside her, taking her gloved hands in his.

  “We all have secrets. I won’t ask yours. If you decide you can help me, I will be most appreciative.”

  This close, her scent almost overwhelmed him. Not just the delicate perfume she wore, but her special essence. His hunger to claim her clawed at him.

  “No one must know if I help you.” She glanced around to search the area.

  “I understand. Tell me what trouble's you.” He lowered his voice. “Is it Lord Akers and his interest in making an offer for you?”

  She pulled her hands away from his. “How do you know about Lord Akers?”

  “I saw him observing you at the ball. He told me he plans to marry you.”

  Pain flashed across her face. “My uncle wishes that.” The words came out slow and leaden.

  “And do you want this marriage?” From her tone, he guessed not.

  Her crystal clear gaze roamed across his face. He forced himself to cool his desire and look back at her with what he hoped was encouragement.

  Apparently satisfied with what she saw, she spoke. “I do not want to marry him. I would do so only under duress.” She shuddered. “He disgusts me.” Thea put her hands over her mouth, as though frightened of the words she’d spoken.

  “No one can hear us.”

  Unconvinced, she stood. “I must go. If my uncle heard of our being alone in the garden he would consider our behavior most improper.” She handed him his coat, walked quickly to the French windows and disappeared inside.

  He struggled into his jacket and strolled in behind her. His mother frowned.

  “Miss Beckett said she must return home, so I’ve called for her maid and the carriage.”

  “Thank you, Mother.” He went to Thea’s side. “We have plenty of time to reach your home before half past six.”

  Thea ignored his reassurance. She thanked his mother and sister before she and her maid went to the carriage. Wulf followed close behind.

  Unlike the ride from the museum, the silence between them now was awkward. He cursed himself for not handling the situation better. The ride was all too short.

  “May I call on you again? I’d like to take you to Kew Gardens, much superior to my small array of flowers. My family has permission to visit there anytime. My mother,” he smiled cryptically, “is very well connected.” He studied her face. For a moment, he thought she would refuse, but she surprised him.

  “If you wish,” she replied.

  Satisfied, he assisted her and her maid from the carriage. The maid went inside.

  “Would you care to come in?” Thea asked. Her tone not inviting.

  He took a deep breath. “No, thank you. Would tomorrow afternoon be a good time for our visit to Kew Gardens?”

  She hesitated on the door step, chewing on the edge of her lower lip. “My uncle will not be pleased if I make arrangements to see you again.”

  He waited, expecting her to change her mind and say no to the invitation.

  “I realize this sounds dreadfully improper, but may I meet you at the entrance to the gardens tomorrow at two o’clock?”

  Now was his turn to think. Why did she prefer he not come for her? There was no reasonable explanation why her uncle might prefer Lord Akers to him. Wulf outranked Akers.

  “My sister and I will meet you. She'd enjoy the outing too.” He noted Thea's faint smile and obvious relief.

  “Yes, I’d like that,” Thea said. “Lady Jane is very sweet.”

  He bowed. “Tomorrow at two.”

  * * * *

  Thea waited at the door and watched as his carriage disappeared from sight. She had hoped to go upstairs before encountering her aunt or uncle, but Aunt Cornelia stopped her and told her to join them in the drawing room. Elvie, Amy, and her aunt were having tea. Elvie smiled her sweet smile and patted the seat beside her.

  “I’ll sit, but I’m full of tea and sweets. Lord Radford introduced me to his mother. His sister also joined us for tea.”

  “Was his house beautiful?” Amy asked.

  “I saw very little. We went directly into a small, bright sitting room off an enclosed garden. Quite pleasant.

  “And what did you think of Lord Radford?” her aunt asked.

  “He is all that is gentlemanly, always most gracious. The museum had many interesting exhibits." Thea glanced around. "Where is Uncle Rigby?”

  “He had to go out,” her aunt replied. “He plans to have supper at one of his clubs. We will have a quiet night at home.”

  Thea stood. “That sounds wonderful. If you will excuse me, I will go upstairs and change.”

  “Take your time. We're having a light dinner in about an hour,” Aunt Cornelia said, her voice silky smooth.

  Thea wrinkled her forehead. Aunt Cornelia acting pleasant was unusual behavior for her. Realizing moments had passed and all three were staring at her, Thea smiled. “How thoughtful, Aunt Cornelia. Thank you.”

  A chill went down Thea’s spine as she closed the door. Her senses were heightened. Something dreadful was afoot.

  She climbed the stairs to her room. On entering, she took off her hat and sat at her dressing table to remove her hairpins. She ran her hands through her hair, then picked up her brush.

  “May I join you?” Elvie asked as she peeked around the door.

  “Of course, come in. Sit. I hoped to have a private moment to discuss something with you. Lord Radford invited me to join him and his sister at Kew Gardens tomorrow.”

  “Uncle Rigby will be angry,” Elvie said.

  “He will be at one of his clubs and I overheard Aunt Cornelia tell Amy they were to visit her sister tomorrow afternoon. I’m sure she won’t want us along.” Thea put down her hair brush and moved to the bed to sit beside Elvie. “I told Lord Radford I’d meet him at two o’clock. They should be gone by then.”

  “I will help, if needed,” Elvie said.

  “You can come with me and our maid. If Uncle Rigby finds out he can’t say we weren’t chaperoned.”

  Elvie’s face brightened. “I can really go with you?”

  “Yes. Be ready to leave as soon as everyone else is gone. Now return downstairs. I wouldn’t want Aunt Cornelia to suspect we are planning anything.”

  Elvie hugged Thea and started to slip out of the room. She stopped and shut the door leaning against it. “We must be careful,” she whispered. “There is a dark cloud around us and I sense heaviness here.” Elvie put her hand to her heart and looked puzzled. "I'm not sure where these warnings or feeling are coming from. Do you think they are my own special gifts beginning to develop?"

  Thea squeezed her sister’s hands. “Yes I do. We'll talk more about them later. For now, just believe in them and tell me when they occur. Now go and keep very alert to what is being said around you.” After Elvie left, Thea slumped back on her bed. “Mama and Papa, I miss you so much,” she whispered to the silent room. "What am I to do? How can I protect Elvie and myself from whatever Uncle Rigby and Lord Akers are planning? I don't trust either of them."

  A heavy burden seemed to press her shoulders down and nausea and a cold sweat washed over her. She swallowed, trying to rid herself of the fear crouching in her throat, ready to overwhelm her. For a second, she felt a soft hand touch her hair. "Mama?" Warmth swirled around her and strength flowed through her.

  Think. She heard the word as clear as though her mother stood over her. Surprised, she sat up and glanced around the room. Shadows filled the corners. Had she imagined what just occurred? She really needed to visit Grandmamma and learn more about their family and their gifts.

  Meanwhile she'd do as she'd heard and think. What were her choices? She had no one to go to for advice. Except, perhaps Lord Radford. But, she hardly knew him. Today, when he sat beside her and took her hands, she’d seen the brief red glow in his eyes again and then it was gone so quickly that at first she told herself she’d imagined it. Sh
e hadn’t. Did she dare trust him? If not him, who? She had no one else.

  Chapter Four

  Thea thought Aunt Cornelia and Amy would never leave. They were late and now she was too. Finally, they donned their hats and gloves.

  “I will be glad to have some time to spend with Thea,” Elvie said. “With so many activities that I can’t attend, I have barely had a chance to speak with her.”

  “We will be home by five. Your uncle will meet us at the Preston’s for dinner tonight,” Aunt Cornelia said. She stared hard at Thea before turning and pushing Amy toward the door. Amy waved goodbye and followed her mother.

  “Thank goodness,” Thea said. “I wasn’t sure we would be able to get away if they postponed their visit.” She glanced out at the grey clouds, and then on hearing the clock strike two, she urged Elvie toward the stairs. “Go get your pelisse and mine and tell Mary to come with us.” She waved her hands. “Hurry. We will tell the butler we are going for a walk. Hopefully we can find a hackney coach nearby to hire.” Thea saw Elvie begin to protest. “Aunt Cornelia and Amy have used the only carriage. We have no other choice. Mama gave me a little money before she died. I hid it away just in case we needed it, like now.”

  Thea hoped Lord Radford and his sister would wait. She paced the entrance hall. Elvie returned with their pelisses and Mary in tow. They rushed down the street and luckily found a coach at a nearby corner.

  Cool air from the coach window blew across her heated cheeks. Thea curled her gloved hands into the folds of her green pelisse. Spring continued cold and damp. Not the best day to visit the gardens, but she needed to see Lord Radford again to help her decide whether she dared trust him. He might be the only person to call on for help.

  Last night as she went up to bed Thea had seen Uncle Rigby come home and Lord Akers was with him. Aunt Cornelia had come into the hall and joined them. They didn't notice Thea hiding behind a post on the upstairs landing. She could hear only snatches of their conversation, but she heard her name. Since then, Thea sensed something about to happen. As they turned the corner, a wave of relief swept over Thea. A familiar carriage sat near the entrance to Kew Gardens.

  Lord Radford stepped out and assisted his sister to alight, before coming across to help Thea, Elvie and their maid. He paid the man and then frowned at Thea. He glanced from her to the grey clouds.

  “When we are finished viewing the gardens, I will take you home. The weather is sure to change and you might get wet trying to find another hackney.”

  His displeasure with her choice of transportation was obvious. Censure rang in his voice. But desperation drove one to do desperate things.

  “Not the best day for strolling in the gardens. We had begun to think you changed your mind,” Wulf added.

  “We had to wait for my aunt and our cousin to go out.” Thea sensed heat flushing her neck and cheeks.

  He stared at her. “You didn't tell them of our plans?”

  “I thought it best to keep them unaware of our outing.” Thea glanced at her sister. Elvie and Lady Jane listened to every word.

  He put out his arm. “Shall we?”

  They strolled along with Elvie and Lady Jane trailing behind them and Mary a little further back. Yellow jonquils, blue bells and in some areas, colorful crocus lined the long walkways. Tree leaves hung heavy with moisture from last night’s rain.

  Silence and tension stretched between them, but Thea heard Elvie and Lady Jane talking and occasionally laughing. Starlings swooped through the air and butterflies flitted amongst the flowers. Watery sunshine peeked from behind the dark clouds. Thea was glad she and Elvie had put on their platforms. The lanes were muddy.

  “I sense you have some deep concerns that are causing you much worry, Miss Beckett. Perhaps you might care to talk with me about them.” Lord Radford raised his eyebrows. “And why you did not tell your aunt and uncle about this trip?”

  Thea had been contemplating how to start just such a discussion. Not knowing him well made it more difficult. The look in his eyes seemed to convey trust.

  “I feared my aunt and uncle would prevent my coming here today, so I neglected to tell them of my plans. I knew Aunt Cornelia had a previous engagement. She was to leave at one o’clock, but she left late. Consequently, so did we.

  “I am very confused,” she said. “My uncle has decided Lord Akers is the man for me to marry.”

  She hesitated and stared off across the parkland. She liked the comfort of his strong arm under her hand.

  “Before her death, my mother told me there was money set aside for my dowry and my sister’s. She emphasized we must not be concerned. True, Uncle Rigby and his family would inherit the estate, but we would be taken care of.” She took a deep breath.

  “Your uncle told you differently?” Lord Radford asked.

  At his words, Thea looked at him. “He said there is only enough money to keep the estate going and take care of Amy.” Thea shrugged. “I do not believe my mother would have lied to me.” She searched his face for a reaction. His expression gave away none of his thoughts.

  “Will you think me impertinent if I suggest hiring someone to check into your father’s will and your uncle’s finances?” Wulf asked her.

  “I can't ask you to do so as I have no money to pay for such services.”

  “You didn’t ask. I will take care of the cost.”

  Thea bit the edge of her lip. She had already stepped across the bounds of propriety by telling Lord Radford her problems. If he could help her, why not accept? Better to be indebted to the marquis than to Lord Akers. Her intuition told her to trust him. Elvie already did. And actually, she had no other option.

  “How can I repay you?” Thea asked.

  His eyes darkened. “I’m sure I can think of something. Perhaps the first dance at the Warren’s ball tomorrow night.”

  * * * *

  A rare bright smile flashed across her face. He sensed her relief. Familiar tentacles of desire curled through his body. What was there about this woman that continued to draw him closer each time he saw her?

  He’d sensed her inner struggle when they first started walking and knew there was something she wanted to tell him. She’d never take such a risk to go out without permission and to hire a hackney unless desperation drove her to seek help. He seemed more in tune with her than he had ever been with his decreased wife. In a short period of time, he’d grown very concerned about her. He accepted the responsibility for her welfare, although he had no legal rights too yet.

  A light mist began to roll in around them. Tiny raindrops shined like small crystals in the shimmering black curls that peeked out the front of Thea’s bonnet. He motioned for them to turn back toward his coach.

  Wulf helped Thea, Elvie, Jane, and Mary into the carriage. He noted Thea continued to worry. Her small gesture of biting the edge of her bottom lip was both endearing and sensuous. A strong urge to cradle her face in his hands and move his mouth gently, caressing and tasting her soft pink lips swept over him. Instead, he leaned back harder against his seat.

  Thea, Elvie and Mary sat on one side of the carriage with Jane seated beside him. Elvie and Jane talked about gowns, but Thea remained silent. Wulf enjoyed the opportunity to simply look at her. He noted her blush. Still he did not look away. His eyes roamed over the delicate features of her face, to the green pelisse that hid her slim figure, and to her small hands clasped in her lap.

  Remote, quiet, and dignified, she cast an invisible net around him and drew him in. If he allowed himself to take her as his bride, what would be her reaction if, or when, she found out the type of man she had married? Did he dare marry a woman who aroused his emotions so easily? His idea of a convenient marriage would become very inconvenient trying to control his urges not to claim her.

  She had secrets too and not knowing them might be dangerous for him and his family. Nevertheless, he did not seem able to turn away. The man loved a challenge, but the wolf loved danger even more.

  * * * *


  Wulf directed his driver to take him to his solicitor. Climbing in, he settled back against the velvet upholstery. Outside the window, dust and fog grayed the already overcast day. Even during the worst weather in the countryside, it never seemed as unpleasant.

  He thought about Beckett and suspected the man’s reason to marry off his niece to Akers was more complicated than simply wanting her out of his house. Remembering the conversation with Thea made warnings pulse along Wulf’s nerve endings.

  The carriage came to a stop in front of a non-descript building. Ulric entered Mr. Deems' wood paneled office and greeted Deems’ assistant. The room smelled like old books, stale and musty. Still it was better than outside.

  “May I take your belongings, Lord Radford?” Deems’ assistant stood straight, shoulders held back and chin in the air, too dignified for his surroundings. He took Wulf’s coat and hat to hang on a nearby hook. “I will inform Mr. Deems of your arrival.”

  Wulf nodded and walked closer to study a painting of gentlemen hunting a fox. No one hunted on Radford land, at least not for the past hundred years. The wolf was sympathetic to the fox.

  “Lord Radford.” Mr. Deems rushed forward and greeted Wulf with a handshake. "Please join me in my office.”

  “Thank you,” Wulf said.

  “Tea?”

  “No, I won’t take up much of your time. I know you're busy.” Taking the chair opposite the desk, he sat.

  “Not at all. I always have time to see you.” Mr. Deems sat down and leaned forward.

  He was a reed of a man with thinning grey hair and spectacles perched on the end of his hawkish nose. Dressed in a dark brown suit, he blended in with the tan walls and matching window drapes. Mr. Deems had been his father’s solicitor and Wulf had seen no reason to make a change.

  “How may I help you, Lord Radford?”

  “Do you know anyone who might do an investigation for me? I intend to pay the person a good sum, but the work must be done discreetly in a quick and efficient manner.”