“It’s a long tale,” Sebastian said as he more or less fell into the chair. Exhaustion seeped into his bones; the fire’s heat was a welcome relief.
“Then give me the abbreviated version.” The duke rested his gloved hands atop the desk and stared, his expression not revealing his thoughts.
“On my mother’s death bed, she revealed her secret. She’d worked in a shop in West Sussex, the village of Chichester where she lived—where my estate lies—and she caught the eye of our father.” He shrugged. It sounded tawdry to say aloud to such a man as the duke, but these stories occurred more often than not throughout the ton. “She was newly married to the baron at the time; he was much older than she, and no doubt she thought he’d bow out of the world soon.” Sebastian couldn’t help his chuckle. “Obviously, he did not, and when she found herself with child, she was desperate.”
Manchester nodded. “I’ll spare you the remainder of the tale, for I can piece it together.” He heaved a sigh. “One of Father’s more unfortunate tendencies was a roving eye. He was often in the country and well away from London. That was one saving grace, if there can be any in such circumstances.”
“I see.” Sebastian worked his jaw. “There is one other thing that I’ve wondered about.”
“Yes?” The duke’s gaze grew more intense, almost primal.
The wolf inside him growled and then backed down. “Uh, the other reason that I’ve come to you—and had planned this before I came upon Estelle—is the fact that I…I…” He chewed the inside of his cheek. How did one bring up such a bizarre thing to a stranger? “Ever since I was a youth, I’ve had the unfortunate luck which compels me to shift into a wolf each night.” He swallowed hard and dropped his gaze. “I have no choice except to become a beast, and the animal desires blood and destruction that I’m powerless to resist.”
Would the duke toss him out on his arse? Call for the authorities?
“Ah, another of Father’s less wanted gifts.” When Sebastian raised his gaze, he caught the compassion in the duke’s expression, the empathy.
“What does that mean?” he asked in a sharper manner than he’d intended. “I came to you for help, not mockery.”
“Hold, Sebastian. I am not your enemy.” Manchester chuckled. “Your instincts were right to come here, for I, too, am a wolf shifter, as was our Father before us, and his before that, for several generations.”
“I beg your pardon?” Shocked to his core, Sebastian gawked at the duke.
“A hundred years ago, a gypsy witch cursed our family line, as well as a handful of other titles within the ton. The males have no choice except to give into whatever beast lives inside of us for the whole of our lives unless we find true love and kiss beneath a certain full moon within certain calendar years.” He grinned, looking almost merry in his mirth. “That, of course, is the abbreviated version. There is much more, and I shall tell you all of it, show you paperwork, should you desire.”
“I… I would like that.” Sebastian stared at his half-brother as questions swirled through his mind. “You struggle with a beast, too?” It was inconceivable, yet it was comforting at the same time. He wasn’t alone in this.
“Yes.”
Both he and his wolf strained to hear more, no doubt for different reasons. “But you are married, which I assume to mean you’ve found true love.” He widened his eyes. “I’ve seen the looks that pass between you and the duchess…”
Manchester’s grin widened. “I am hopelessly besotted with my wife, this is true. We also have been blessed with a six-month-old baby girl.” He sighed as Sebastian gasped with shock. “I am glad for that. At least the child isn’t cursed as a boy might be. However, if the duchess and I should have boys, I will teach them of their heritage and guide them into the ways of controlling the curse.”
How is any of this possible, and if it is as the duke said, does that mean there is hope for me? Sebastian cleared his throat. “Why did the curse not lift when you wed?”
“We were not in love then. At least I wasn’t.” The duke shook his head. “Another long story, and I will tell you when time allows. Suffice it to say, Alice and I decided to live with the wolf, accept him, understand him. The beast is his own being. I could not, in good conscience, kill him.”
“I cannot be as noble,” Sebastian whispered and slumped back against the soft leather of his chair. “My wolf is… horrible. I fear what will happen to me if he does gain the upper hand when I’m not strong enough to resist.”
He’d never admitted the fear to anyone. How could he when no one could know of his secret?
The duke nodded. “A man must decide for himself, but the one thing you must understand and take refuge in now is that you are not alone.” He levered an assessing look on Sebastian. “What of the young lady? Do you plan to dump her on my doorstep and continue your life?”
“I don’t know, honestly.” Heat crept up the back of his neck. “I think—sense it really—that she needs me, and God knows I need someone too, perhaps only for companionship or as a friend.”
“It’s noble of you to wish to be by her side in her time of need. You know nothing about her?”
I have never been accused of being noble. “No. She told me she fell but from where she’d come from or who she is, I am in the dark.” He shrugged. “What now?” Even as his wolf strained to break away from the house, his human part wished to remain in the relative safety. He lifted his chin a notch. “I won’t leave Estelle until she’s sorted.”
Another grin curved the duke’s lips. “I didn’t think you would. Stay through Christmastide. Then we shall form a plan if things don’t come together before then.”
Sebastian frowned. “Meaning?” Why must he talk in riddles when lives were at stake?
“Meaning, I bid you welcome, brother.” Manchester rose and leaning across his desk, offered a hand. “I always wished for a brother. Now here you are. Perhaps this season does work miracles. I hope you’ll find exactly what you need too.”
Stunned and confused, Sebastian stood. He shook his brother’s hand and marveled over the reception. The rumors about the duke were wrong. And he was glad for it. “Thank you. I’m humbled.”
“That is a good place to start turning a life around.” The duke came around the desk and thumped Sebastian on the shoulder. “Let me introduce you to some of my friends, get you fed and settled. In the morning, things will look brighter.”
“You know this how?” He couldn’t quite manage to ditch the wariness.
“Experience.” That was all he’d say.
CHAPTER FOUR
December 21, 1816
Estelle woke in strange surroundings. Beyond that, she was… comfortable and warm.
How exceedingly odd, but in a good way. In the heavens, when the sun began to rise, all the denizens of the heavenly bodies retired to their rooms in great, multi-storied buildings. There, they drew shades which hid their light until moonrise the next evening. Then all the stars would dance through the midnight backdrop of the heavens and sparkle the night away in a festive ball.
This was… a wonderful change.
She looked upward at the delicate, ruffled canopy of the bed. The dainty apricot silk was lined with the most delicate lace, and it matched the counterpane beneath her hands. Last night when the two nice ladies had tucked her into this bed, she’d woken briefly but had been so groggy and tired from her journey that she hadn’t had time to appreciate the furnishings. The women had said their titles, which Estelle had promptly forgotten, along with their names, but she remembered their smiles, and they’d been ones of welcome.
The ladies had fussed over her while Estelle had been in and out of awareness, clad her in a night dress trimmed in yards of pretty lace and then encouraged her into the sumptuous bed amidst plump pillows and cool sheets that smelled faintly of lavender with the promise of talking on the morrow.
What did any of it mean? Was this her final destination while she tarried on Earth?
She turned over onto her side and buried her face into the plush pillows with a sigh. For the moment, she intended to enjoy being a human and whatever that might bring to her.
You only have six days, Little One. The booming voice of the Supreme Celestial Ruler invaded her mind and filled every space in her head. Your time on Earth is limited. Soon you will return to your life here, and all that entails. You cannot run from what you are forever.
Carefully but firmly, Estelle closed her mind to the voice of the Supreme Celestial Ruler. She didn’t need his voice in her head, especially not when everything was so new and interesting.
As she slid from the bed, she frowned as a new thought occurred to her. What if who I am isn’t what I wish to be any longer?
Was there any point in hoping for something that could never be? Estelle shook her head to dislodge the thoughts. She’d been a human for all of one night and now the notion of finding purpose as one wouldn’t leave her. But the second her feet touched the rug covering the hardwood floor, she giggled at the ticklish sensations to her bare soles. What a novel feeling! A laugh escaped her, and she adored the sound of it so much that she did it again and again. Feeling lighthearted and giddy, she skipped about the room, her feet thudding on the hardwood. Then, with a squeal of pure delight, she dove onto the bed, and when she struggled upright, she bounced on the soft mattress, further mussing the sheets and counterpane.
What glorious abandon a human controlled. Such freedom.
When the door opened admitting a maid, Estelle quickly scrambled against the wealth of pillows, but her heart pounded and warmth infused her cheeks. Bouncing was such fun that she hoped she could do it again when she was once more alone.
“Good morning,” she said into the silence.
“Good morning, miss,” the maid said as she set a breakfast tray on the foot of the bed. “I hope this is to your liking. We didn’t know what you enjoyed.” She dipped her head while Estelle murmured her thanks, and then two more people entered the bedchamber.
“Oh, you are the ladies from last night,” Estelle breathed. What were their titles? Surely she needed to address them formally. Such silly human rules. “Good morning, Your Grace, Countess. Thank you for your kindness of last night.”
The duchess smiled. In her dark green gown, she looked as if she’d just stepped from the wintery world outside. “It was nothing.” She moved to a pale green damask chair near the bedside and gently sat on the edge. “I am Alice, remember, especially to my friends.”
“You and I don’t know each other.” Estelle frowned, but when she caught the scent of appetizing food from the breakfast tray, she pulled it close to her. Of course human beings required sustenance. Stars rarely did, for they received everything they needed from the night sky around them.
A tinkling laugh escaped the duchess. “Not yet, but we will.” She waved to the other lady. “This is the Countess of Devon.”
The brunette nodded. She smoothed a hand along her gown of deep purple wool. “Elizabeth, please. I’m afraid the title still feels odd.”
Estelle widened her eyes as she popped a piece of scone into her mouth and chewed. “You have recently come into it?”
“It will be a year just after Christmas.” A faint blush stained her cheeks. “At times, I still cannot believe Rafe and I are married. It’s much like a dream.”
Alice nodded. “When it’s right, it does feel like that.” Her smile was sweet and almost innocent. “Donovan and I will celebrate our second anniversary in the spring, and even having a child feels like a fairytale. I never knew I could be so happy.”
The countess perched on the side of the bed. “It really does seem like fate took a hand in our lives, especially since our men still retain their afflictions.”
“Perhaps it is as it should be,” the duchess said. Then she uttered a self-conscious laugh and glanced at Estelle. “We are being rude to our guest.” She encouraged her to eat, while Elizabeth poured out a cup of tea. Steam curled from the amber beverage. “Eat, Estelle. I’m certain you are hungry after your ordeal.”
“It’s so odd to feel this sensation in my stomach.” Her belly growled, and the occupants of the room laughed. She finished the scone and then took an experimental sip of tea. The heat from the liquid took her by surprise and she gasped, which made her suck even more of the beverage into her mouth. Quickly setting the cup in its saucer, she coughed as her eyes watered. “This will take some acclimation, I fear.”
Elizabeth exchanged a look with Alice. “You are not accustomed to tea?”
“It isn’t something I did at home.” A feeling of unease cycled through her. Suddenly, the food didn’t appeal to her. She bounced her gaze between the two women. “Why am I here?”
“You tell us.” Elizabeth nodded to the maid, who still hovered near the doorway. “Go ahead and bring up the gowns.” When the servant escaped into the corridor, the countess continued. “You were brought here by a man claiming relation to my brother.” Then she gasped and her brown eyes rounded. “And essentially to me.”
“Oh.” Estelle’s cheeks heated and she didn’t understand why. “That man from last night.” What was his name again? Everything had been so hectic, but she distinctly remembered the feeling of his arms around her and how strong his chest was when she’d laid her head upon his shoulder. Then, the knowledge clicked. “Where is Sebastian now? He said he was the duke’s half-brother.”
Did that make him an important person in London?
Alice glanced in Estelle’s direction but didn’t truly focus on her. “From what my husband told me, the lineage is true. Sebastian is in a room down the hall, and don’t worry, he is well.” She laid a hand on Estelle’s arm. “Donovan had a chat with him; they have much in common. More than any of us could have imagined.”
“What does that mean?” Estelle frowned. Why did humans insist on keeping secrets? Stars didn’t indulge in such things. They lived in the moment, for none of them knew when their light would cease shining, and for a star, that was a horrible position. They were unwanted after that, and sent away from the collective, cast out into the cosmos to endlessly drift.
The duchess waved a hand. “He will need to tell you himself. It is quite a private matter.”
A huff of frustration escaped her. “Do all humans harbor secrets? Are they not all truthful?”
Both of the women gawked at her, then the countess patted her leg.
“Who are your people, Miss Forbes? Where are they? Should we contact them on your behalf, tell them you’re all right?”
“Oh.” Estelle ducked her head. “They are… not here.”
“Where, then? I can send a courier,” Alice continued.
She reached for her teacup again and took refuge in the beverage, which had cooled considerably. “Can I trust you?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Out of all the women in London, you won’t find two other women who understand you better.”
“I do have that sense regarding you both.” Estelle drained her cup and returned it to the tray. “You will think me odd, though.”
“My dear, different isn’t bad.” Alice laughed and the sound swept away some of Estelle’s concern. “We have more than enough cause to know around here.”
“Yes,” the countess added with a quick nod. “Our husbands are more than they seem. Please, don’t feel the least bit awkward if your origins are not from… here. You won’t receive judgment from us.”
For long moments Estelle bounced her gaze between the women. Then, after finding nothing but sincerity and anticipation in their expression, she sighed. If they could assist her in learning more about the human condition, she would let them in on her confidence. “I am part of the vast Celestial Realm—a star, actually.” Melancholy assailed her. It wasn’t exactly homesickness, per say, but she did miss aspects of her previous life.
“You are a star?” Incredulity rang in Alice’s voice. “Like what we see in the night sky?”
“Yes. Shining is one of our dut
ies.” Encouraged by their interest, she continued. “I was part of the royal court and my mentor is of high rank. He is much like a father, I suppose you could call him. One of the jobs of the court is to keep the heavens organized in an intricate ballet of beautiful chaos.” She grinned. “I liked the trick of twinkling the best, but what I really aspired to was shining as bright as the North Star, to guide and inspire humans. Give them hope.”
“How extraordinary,” Elizabeth breathed. “Why did you leave such a place? It sounds so grand.”
“Oh, it was. The halls of the Supreme Celestial Leader’s palace shine with the light of thousands of diamonds and the darkest onyx. It resides hidden in the middle of the Belt of Orion.” Her smile died as a frown pulled at the corners of her mouth. “I had to leave, for my mentor had struck a deal with the king; I was to be given into an arranged marriage with a dark star.”
Alice sucked in a breath. “What does that mean?”
“Perseus was nice enough while we were at court. No doubt he wished to make a favorable impression on me, but whenever we were alone, his vices became apparent. He craves power more than love, position over comfort. It is his wish to command a host of stars to do his bidding, shine where he wishes. Perhaps someday he will have the control he wants, and he’s not above sending a comet or an asteroid through various systems to disrupt the cosmos until his demands are met.” She gave into a shiver. “I could not align myself with such, for then my light would not be my own and it would dim.”
“How did you manage to escape?” Elizabeth asked, awe in her eyes.
“I made a fervent appeal to the Supreme Celestial Leader for a reprieve. I told him I needed time to think, and I couldn’t do that in the presence of Perseus.”
Transformed By A Christmas Star: A Lords of the Night novella Page 4