McNeely, Rachel - The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  A raging fire consumed her. When his mouth brushed across her sensitive skin, she didn’t realize the moan she heard came from her mouth. He reached up, and his fingers brushed feather light across her nipples while his tongue licked at her wetness, faster and faster until she forgot where she was, only that her body became hungrier for something. The need and want were almost painful, before she let go and the world exploded. Sliding in one smooth movement, he came forward and began to enter her.

  He was hot and hard. Instinctively, she started to pull away, but he held her in his grasp and plunged deeper inside. A quick short pain and he filled her completely.

  Slowly, he moved forward and then back. “Let go, Thea.” He whispered the soft, compelling words into her ear. “Follow me.”

  And she did, holding on and following his movements until she felt the same feelings building up again inside. She let herself go, her body pulsing with a beat of its own.

  He stiffened, threw back his head and plunged one last time into her. Moving to her side, he still held her close. His hand brushed her damp hair off her face and his lips brushed hers. She sighed and sank into his warm, firm hold, before closing her eyes.

  When she woke, he was gone. At first, she wondered if it was a dream, until she saw she was naked and her body still hungered for his touch. Heat flooded her cheeks. She put her hands to her face.

  What happened? How did she allow him to come into her room and take charge? They hadn't talked about what she saw. She should have stopped him. She didn’t. Her body melted at his touch.

  Because you love him. No. She didn’t know what her feelings were since she discovered his secret. You still love him in spite of everything. The words rolled through her head.

  She picked up her discarded gown and slid it over her head. Walking across the room, she sank into the nearest chair. There was so much she didn't understand about what she saw last night and yet...

  She did love him.

  * * * *

  Damn. Wulf threw himself into the chair by his bed. What the hell was he thinking? He hadn’t been, not after he saw her staring at him in wolf form. He growled to keep her at arm’s length, but they both took a step forward and she touched him. Hot molten heat filled every pore of his body He ached for her, but another part of him wanted to turn, bolting back to the woods to hide his secret. It was too late. He'd known when he saw her at the window and their eyes connected. She knew what he was.

  When she found the place where he reentered the house, he’d known it was only a matter of time. He would have to face her and take the hate and anger he was certain he'd see in her face and hear in her voice.

  He’d returned to his room, meaning to wait until morning before confronting her. Then, a wave of desire so strong he couldn‘t fight it, or maybe he simply didn’t want to, sent him to her.

  The glow from the fire gave him a good view of her body through her thin night clothes. She didn’t move, although he knew she heard the sound of the door.

  Desire beckoned him to her. When he reached out and took hold of her, he expected she would yank herself free. Instead, her softness settled against his frame. Her cold body warmed as her heart beat faster and faster. He caressed her wonderfully full breasts and breathed in the sweet smell of her.

  All his longing, desire and love that he’d held back, forever it seemed, guided his movements, and he lost himself in her body. Her sweet fragrance filled his head, and her skin tasted of honey. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he could have stopped even if she’d resisted. Much of the wolf’s fire combined with his own hunger.

  Once he saw she slept, he moved carefully out of bed, picked up his breeches and went back to his room where sleep evaded him. His mind couldn't stop picturing her curvaceous body lying open and vulnerable in front of him. Her skin had been soft as velvet, and he still tasted her special sweetness. The memory made him harden.

  He was relieved to see the sun come up. He had to see her and have the talk he avoided last night. She had to accept him. He'd never let her go, and no one had better try to take her from him.

  The only answer was to find a way to end the curse or he had to destroy the wolf, and consequently, himself. He was determined the curse would end with him, then he thought of last night and fear spiked through his heart. What if she was pregnant?

  * * * *

  Early morning sounds of chickens and cows, men calling to each other and a dog barking floated up to Thea's bedroom while she dressed for the day. Dottie helped her into a pink wool gown with lace trim around the high neck and long sleeves. Thea sat at her dressing table while Dottie ran a comb through her hair, twisting it into a bun and covering it with a lace cap as Thea had directed. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the difficult day ahead. After her maid left, Thea put the amulet in her reticule and went to breakfast.

  Wulf sat alone at the table eating his meal and reading the paper, which he put down on her entrance. She went straight to the buffet and chose buttered eggs, ham and bread then sat across from him. Wulf nodded and returned to his reading.

  The silence and unease was palatable. Thea’s appetite flew away. "Wulf, we need to talk. Here or in your office." Thea hoped she sounded determined.

  Wulf took a sip of coffee before answering. “I need to meet with my manager this morning. I've asked the cook to prepare a picnic lunch. Please be ready at noon. It is best we talk in complete privacy.” He pushed back his chair and without another word strode out the door. His boots echoed down the corridor.

  “I will be ready." She called out as he went out of sight. She planned to plant the herbs given to her by her grandmamma. The gardener would help, but doing some of the work herself would clear her mind and give her time to think. She'd have time to change before meeting with Wulf.

  Nothing had prepared her for this morning. How to act, what to say. She feared he might see her love for him. He obviously wasn't as affected by last night as she. He'd left without a backward glance.

  Thea touched the amulet inside her small bag. Heat seared her palm, and she jerked her hand away. Her head spun with questions, and her body ached both physically and emotionally from the occurrences last night. At least he had promised to talk with her later. Leaving most of her breakfast untouched, she headed outside. Work, fresh air and sunlight was what she needed most.

  The sun shone down on her warming her body. She'd knelt on the ground to do her planting and the black dirt clung to her hands as she packed it around the tiny herbs. Beside her, the old gardener talked about the usefulness of the plants. Some were new to him. She let his voice hum in the background while she considered her options.

  This was the time to tell Wulf all her secrets. Everything must come out into the open for them to succeed. If he hated her and sent her and Elvie away, she would deal with it. Her heart gave a heavy thump. He'd not be easy to forget nor would last night.

  She raised her face to the sunlight, craving its warmth and the strength the sun generated inside her. Do not doubt yourself. Go with your instincts. Grandmamma had repeated those words many times during their brief stay.

  In the distance, she spotted two men walking toward the house. She knew Wulf's gait, a certain loose, graceful movement, smooth and sure. He saw her and came to her side.

  “What are you planting?”

  “Healing herbs. Grandmamma gave me a good selection.”

  “You should wear a hat.” He removed his and placed it on her head. “Your pale skin will burn.”

  “The sun has healing properties if taken in small doses.”

  He glanced at the sun directly overhead. "Go change and I will get the curricle and our basket of food.”

  "All right." She rose, brushed the dirt off her hands and handed him his hat. "I'll be quick."

  * * * *

  Wulf waited, impatient now to get this thing done, to say what needed to be said and accept her reaction. Worry held his body stiff, muscles taut, as he watched the stairs to his front door. He
wiped his brow, where a sheen of sweat had collected. Where was Thea? He wanted to get this over. His first wife had not been as curious as Thea. She had not found out his secret.

  He'd realized Thea was more inquisitive than Clarisse, and that it would be much more difficult to hide anything from her. The increasing need to change more frequently hadn’t helped. He was losing the battle to his other side, as he became more comfortable in wolf form, thinking like the wolf and roaming the woods at night. The ruthlessness would follow. He’d seen it happen with his grandfather and father.

  Thea might be pregnant after last night. If he had a son, the curse would continue, on and on, caused by his lapse, his weakness. Wulf paced in front of the house.

  She came out just when he glared at the door. She stopped for a second on seeing his frown. He waved her forward, picking up her special scent before she reached him. He lifted her onto the seat of the curricle and swung himself up beside her. His stable boy handed him the reins. He'd take her to his favorite spot, and there they would talk in private, at last.

  She didn’t look at him as they rode along. He turned off the well-worn dirt road and went down a narrower path lined with aspen trees. The ground was strewn with white down from the fallen flowers. When they came out into the clearing, she gasped with pleasure.

  “What a beautiful spot.”

  “My place to come and think and enjoy the view.” Wulf leapt to the ground and went around to her side. Placing his hands at her waist, he swung her down.

  Wide open meadows led down to a small lake. Wulf carried the picnic basket toward a grove of willow trees bending over the far side of the water. Thea followed. Sweet fragrances from near-by blooming flowers filled the air.

  Wulf placed the basket on the ground and removed a blanket to spread on the grass. He began to empty the other contents—chicken wrapped in white napkins, the freshest apples and oranges, several types of cheese, and dainty cakes. A bottle of wine and two glasses came out last. Wulf motioned to Thea to sit. He filled a plate with a bit of everything and handed it to her, then did his own.

  They nibbled on chicken and took bites of the sweet fruit, juice running down their chins. Thea grabbed a napkin and rubbed it across Wulf’s jaw. He caught her hand in his, and the air seemed to sizzle around them. Wulf put space between them and reached to open the wine bottle. He poured sparkling white wine into two crystal glasses and handed one to Thea, then raised his glass in a salute and drank.

  * * * *

  Thea sipped on her wine and glanced around. Fresh air, wildflowers waving in the breeze and cool shade from the willow trees that hung over them created a sense of privacy. When she looked back at Wulf, he sat studying her. A smoldering fire lit his eyes and heat curled in Thea's stomach. Her appetite was gone except for her hunger for him. She moistened her lips and saw his eyes glow, causing her to shudder with need. He touched her cheek, and his fingers slid down her neck. The air thickened, and Thea took a deep breath, her breasts rising against the décolletage of her gown.

  Wulf dropped his hand and took a piece of cheese. With that in one hand and his glass in the other, he leaned back away from her.

  “I can not in good conscience put off telling you the truth. The truth I’m sure you already realize. It’s a long story, but I will start at the beginning.”

  “It began with a curse.” Thea did not realize she’d said the words out loud until she saw the change in his face. His eyes pinched tight and his face paled.

  “How did you know? No one knows but me and my direct descendents.”

  “The woman and her direct descendents know.”

  A whippoorwill sang in the trees and ducks on the lake quacked. There was not a sound or movement between them.

  “Your family placed the curse on mine?” His shock shown in the paleness of his face.

  “I only found out this past week from Grandmamma. I was not told what the curse entailed.”

  He studied her intently. Uncomfortable with his scrutiny, she stood and walked to the edge of the water.

  “The year of my sixteenth birthday, I shifted into a werewolf for the first time."

  Wulf's quiet voice held all her attention. She faced him.

  "My father didn’t warn me until the day before the full moon.” He swallowed, took a breath and glanced away from her. “I have hated my life ever since and have hunted for a way to break the curse. I’ve sworn never to bring a son into this world unless the curse is stopped.”

  “I am so sorry this happened to you and your family.” Her words came out in a whisper.

  “Sorry?” he shouted. Birds flew off tree branches. He flinched, confusion and anger in his eyes. Her heart softened toward him. He walked further away from her.

  “You knew it was me last night?”

  “Yes, I began to suspect after I saw the wolf several times and found the spot in the wall, but Mrs. Sanders and I looked and there is no opening to the inside.”

  “It’s a tunnel that goes to a secret underground room.” Wulf leaned his head against the trunk of a tree. “Bailey knows and I suspect Mrs. Sanders has an idea, but she has never asked Bailey or me.”

  “She is very loyal to you and your family,” Thea acknowledged. “Do you hate me? Do you want Elvie and me to leave?” Nerves pulsed and her heart beat rapidly while she waited for his answer. Pain and fear filled her chest.

  “Of course not. Don’t even consider leaving, unless you fear living with me.”

  “The wolf had a chance to hurt me last night. He didn’t.” She met his golden gaze.

  “What else did you discover at your grandmother’s?” he asked, obviously still not comfortable talking about the secret he had held close and private all these years.

  Thea took out the amulet. She showed him how it opened and handed him the note hidden within.

  His hand trembled, and he blinked several times, trying to read the words, just as she had the first time. When he finished reading, he glanced across at Thea.

  “What does it mean?”

  “Grandmamma could not or would not explain. She said it was for you and me to discover and break the curse. She is not allowed to help.”

  "More riddles.” He rubbed his hands roughly across his face.

  Thea moved to his side and touched his hand. “I can help and Elvie. We also have secrets. You know I am a healer. Elvie can sense things about people and events. Between the three of us, we will break the curse.”

  * * * *

  Her eyes beseeched him to accept her offer. He drew in his breath and the fragrance of her skin filled his lungs. Might it be dangerous to have her help him in his quest? If anything happened to her, how could he bear it? It would be better to have the curse than to lose her. He needed time to think clearly.

  “We shall see,” he said. “You must stay far from me at night when the wolf takes charge,” he warned. “Lock both your doors. I will give you the keys to lock them on your side. You may have faith in me, but I have always feared what the wolf might do." He put distance between them. "I need time alone to think.”

  “Take the curricle and send it back for me.” Thea saw his hesitation. “I’ll be fine for the short time it takes. I also need time alone.”

  * * * *

  Thea sat on the blanket and let the tears she’d been holding in run free down her face. A loud sob came up from her chest. He didn’t hate her, but could he love her? Her family caused his family’s nightmare. She couldn’t blame him if he distanced himself from her. Her head on her knees, she sat alone, frightened of the future and yet hopeful, remembering last night.

  After what seemed hours, she pulled herself together and stood. Her legs quivered and she reached out to a tree limb. The hush of late afternoon brought a sense of peace. No bird calls or rustle of wind stirred the trees. The lake was smooth as glass.

  She saw the curricle across the meadow. The driver sat half asleep waiting for her.

  Thea sensed a man come from behind her. She whirled aro
und. It was Hawley. She raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Lord Radford ordered me to guard you,” he said.

  She should have known Wulf would never leave unless he knew his man was nearby. She flushed knowing Hawley probably heard her crying. It didn’t matter. What was done was done. She needed to go forward, figure out what they had to do to break the curse, and in the meantime, find a way to make Wulf love her. She was strong. She'd do whatever she needed to help Wulf. Her family had caused his families nightmare. It was her responsibility to find the answers and end it.

  * * * *

  When they got to the manor, Hawley helped her down and drove off toward the stables. Brushing her skirt to smooth out the wrinkles, Thea walked up the steps to the front entrance. She looked forward to her next meeting with Wulf.

  Elvie rushed out of the sitting room and gave her a hug. “I was beginning to worry. I saw Lord Radford return several hours ago. Are you all right?”

  Thea held her shoulders back and forced a smile. “Yes, I stayed to enjoy the solitude. Did you have lunch?”

  Her sister nodded. She studied Thea with questions in her eyes, but didn’t ask anything else.

  Thea knew she had not fooled her perceptive sister. Later, when the time was right, she would tell Elvie the whole story. That is, if Wulf decided to accept their help.

  Excusing herself, Thea went to her room. The air seemed chilled. Taking the tongs from beside the fireplace she stirred the embers. Suddenly, sparks flashed high. Thea jumped back as cinders flew up the chimney.

  A faint sound of laughter made her turn to the window where the outline of a woman with flying hair fluttered around the curtains. Familiar green eyes, only these sparked with anger, shone from the transparent body. A thin whispery voice left chill bumps on Thea’s arms.

  “I will not allow you to succeed. Give up. My magic is stronger than yours.”