“I know why you are here,” Lady Euston went on without preamble. “I wish to speak with you about this in detail before I will permit you to see my daughter again,” she said as she took her seat and invited him to do the same.
“Of course, what would you like to know?” He said as he carefully studied her. She was a fragile looking woman, but he knew she held an inner strength matching his own. She practically glowed with an ethereal beauty unmatched in any other woman, except perhaps her daughter. He could feel her affecting him and knew she would discern immediately if he tried to be less that truthful. It was another aspect of the lady that confused him. She was human and should have no power over his mind, but he always felt it in her presence. It was a warm assurance of trust that made those around her desire to be honest with her. He frowned as he thought. She broke into his thoughts suddenly before he could discern further the qualities that intrigued him.
“Is she like you?” She watched him closely.
He felt her encouraging him to remain completely honest and he tried to gather his now scattered thoughts.
She looked into his amber-green eyes and found honesty. She could see the signs of his breeding in his countenance. His cheek bones were high, nose strait with slightly flared nostrils that spoke of his highland ancestors. His handsome jaw had a sharp, almost squared angle making him appear stern while the smile that continually played on his wide mouth made it known he was quick to smile. His hair was very black with an odd sheen that shown golden orange in the light. He had a small streak of white at each temple that she knew would move to the back of his ear when he changed. He was in his mid thirties, she would guess, although she knew him to be much older. It was hard to discern in their kind because they tended to live longer than regular humans. She turned her attention back to his words.
“We soon shall see for sure, but I am almost certain she is,” he said as he stood and began to pace the room.
“What then?” She impaled him with a narrow eyed expression. “I will not have her dishonored. She is the most sought after young lady of the season so far. There have been several offers for her this morning alone. I fear her father may be over run when he returns,” she said with pride. “I have allowed your attentions over the years, but things have shifted now, have they not?”
He was astonished. How could she possibly have known?
At his look of total astonishment she nodded and continued. “This is the reason for our reluctance to see you in recent years. We feared you would simply take her from us without giving her the choice. If your interests are less than honorable then you can leave immediately. I will not have my daughter become nothing more than one of your ladybirds to be discarded when it suits you. There will be no more midnight frolics in the gardens. She is a respectable young woman now, not a child. She had better remain so, unless you are prepared to cock up your toes,” she smiled at the last and used her best London accent, when her voice was usually completely void of distinction, as was his.
“You insult me, my Lady,” he turned to smile down at this fragile looking woman who dared to threaten him so sweetly. “My interests are indeed noble. As you know, it is rare for one of us to ever find our true mate. I have found mine. I knew this the day of her birth. You know it to be true. I have protected her and cared for her all of her life. You would not allow her to know me as I stand here now, but she knows my animal. I have stayed hidden for the last few years as you requested, but she will know me. She still wears my gifts. She has not forgotten me,” he said as a low rumble escaped his throat.
Lady Euston ignored the sound and said, “Have you awakened her then?”
Henry took a deep breath and tried to calm himself before he spoke; “Only partially, last evening. I can not risk changing her in London. I beseech you to allow her to travel with me to my home. There are many of us there. It will be easier for her there with those who understand her.”
“They will not accept her,” she sighed and Henry felt her reluctance. “She isn’t fully of your kind. That is why we are here.”
“It is most unusual, my Lady, but her scent says she is. Our kind can only produce children with their mate. The only reason that you were able to is if you were of our blood, which you are not. I do not claim to understand any of it, but it is the way of it. Her scent is that of our kind. It has never been heard of, but by some power I do not understand fully, you are Lord Euston’s mate.”
“I am,” she said with assurance but no explanation. “Perhaps we are evolving,” she smiled serenely.
“Perhaps he wished it so desperately that he simply made it so, sitting with you now, I can understand why.” A small smile tilted her lips, telling him she knew more than she was willing to divulge. “Regardless, she is my mate. I must beg your approval to help her. It has been put off far too long as it is. We are in desperate need of females and children. There are so few who are allowed to find their mates before they are defiled and become unable to bare our children. She should have been brought to me for her own protection years ago. The only reason I did not take her was the uncertainty of her abilities.”
“We shall see.” As she said it she rose from her chair and moved to the door. “I will get my daughter. I will chaperone this visit and decide what is to be done afterward.” Then she smiled and added in a kinder tone, “I am sure everything will be done as it is meant to be done. Her father dotes on her. He will decide what is best for everyone involved. I will strive to aide him in any decisions he will make. Now, if you will excuse me, my Laird.” With that she left the room to get Amelia, giving instructions for tea to be brought for their visit.
“Of course.” Henry said to the closed door.
He sat, more nervous than he could ever remember being, and waited.
He’d never planned to marry. He had enjoyed a doxy from time to time, but women rarely held his attention and since the day of Lady Amelia’s birth he had simply lost all interest in women. This little chit had awakened him. He could feel his body responding to her as she drew closer. He shifted in his seat and tried to compose himself. He would not allow her to find him in this disgraceful state. He must control himself. He clenched his fists and tried to breathe through his agony. He felt the sharp prick of his claws in his palms told him he was quickly losing the battle.
Freeing a Tiger's Soul (Tiger Series) Page 11