by Lydia Dare
She sighed and fell back against her pillow.
“You sound tortured,” her maid, Molly, said from the corner of the room.
Prisca sat up with a start. Where had her maid come from? “My brothers drive me mad… that’s all.”
Molly smiled, an action that lit up her face. Prisca took a long hard look at the other girl. A plan popped in her head. If she had to see Will day in and day out, if he really had a mind to court her, shouldn’t she know if he was true to his word? She couldn’t imagine her maid as much of a seductress, but Will didn’t seem to be particularly discriminatory. The young maid was pretty enough. Golden, silken curls, striking green eyes, slender figure. Blaine had a soft spot for Molly, she well knew. She’d have to do. Prisca knew she could trust her.
“Molly, I need your help.”
The maid’s eyes rounded. “I don’t think I like the way you said that, Miss.”
Prisca leapt from her bed and grasped her maid’s hands. “Hear me out. I need you to play a role for me.”
“A role?”
“Can you play a seductress?”
Molly backed away and covered her heart with her hand. “Miss, I’m a good girl.”
Prisca grinned. “A good girl who casts sly glances at Blaine whenever he’s about. He watches you all the time, you know.”
A blush stained the maid’s cheeks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She knew exactly what Prisca was talking about. Apparently her maid was more of a seductress than she’d originally thought. Molly would be perfect. Who else could she trust to tell her the truth anyway? “It’s not up for debate, Molly. I need to know if Lord William is being honest with me.”
“And you want me to seduce him to find out?” Prisca doubted Molly’s face could turn any redder at this point.
She nodded. “I want you to try. I want to know if he succumbs to your wiles.”
A gasp escaped the maid’s lips. “And if he does?” she squeaked.
Then she’d know the truth, wouldn’t she? “If he does, then you’ll simply tell him that he failed my test and all bets are off. That will dampen his ardor rather quickly.”
A frown marred Molly’s brow. “I don’t know, Miss.”
But Prisca paid her no attention. “You simply can’t refuse, Molly. I have to know the truth, and you’re the only one who can help me.”
Dinner had been far from riveting, and Prisca slowly climbed the cantilevered steps that led to the family quarters. How had she tolerated living with those five idiots all her life? In recent years, things had been so peaceful with just Papa, Emory, and herself. No matter that she loved each brother dearly, they still were predisposed to giving one a headache.
Even now she could hear raucous laughter erupting from the dining hall where her father and brothers still entertained Lord Brimsworth. If she could just go someplace to get a little quiet, perhaps she could put two thoughts together, which she sorely needed after Will’s visit.
The only quiet place she could think of was the garden. Of course, no one but a fool would go out of doors in the chilly evening air. But that also meant no one would go traipsing out there after her, either. With her mind made up, Prisca entered her room and pulled out a scarf and her warmest walking coat. She buttoned herself in tightly and then made her escape down the steps and out the garden door, successfully avoiding servants along the way.
The wintry air swirled about her feet and Prisca shivered, but she knew she’d adjust to the temperature soon enough. She tipped her head back, enchanted by the waning moon in the sky. The stars shimmered above her, reminding Prisca of a glass of celebratory champagne. Though she wasn’t certain if she should celebrate or not.
Years ago, she would have swooned if Will had taken her in his arms as he had done this afternoon. But she’d been young and foolish then. Now she knew what sort of man he was, and though her heart still raced whenever she saw him, she wasn’t certain swooning was the wisest course of action.
“Will, Will, Will…” She shook her head. “What to do about you?”
She stuffed her hands inside her pockets to keep them warm and retraced her steps from a few nights ago when her wolf had visited. Prisca’s eyes flew to the stone bench where she’d sat that evening, stroking the regal animal, and she sighed at the memory. It was a shame he wasn’t there now. She could use his council. Foolish as that sounded, she always felt better after divulging her fears and worries to the beast. Perhaps it was simply saying the words aloud that did the trick. It was worth a try.
Prisca flopped down on the bench and suppressed a shudder at the coolness that seeped through her coat and gown. For a brief moment, she felt as though someone was watching her, and her heart leapt with the hope her wolf had returned. She turned her head in one direction and then the other, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of him—but she was well and truly alone.
Here went nothing. “He takes my breath away, and I—”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” a voice came at her shoulder.
Prisca gasped and leapt from the bench, her heart pounding in her ears. Standing just a few feet away, the Earl of Brimsworth smiled wolfishly. “Where did you come from?” No one was there a moment ago. How could he possibly have moved so fast?
“Just out for a walk, Miss Hawthorne.” He took a step toward her, his amber eyes glittering in the moonlight. “The better question is what are you doing out of doors?”
Wishing her heart would return to its normal pace, Prisca folded her arms across her chest. “This is my home, my lord. I can go out of doors whenever I like.”
“I don’t doubt, Miss Hawthorne, that you can do whatever you like, indoors or out, whenever the mood strikes you. I simply meant that it is fairly cold at the moment.”
He was correct about that, not that she would let him know. “I prefer a little nip in the air. What are you doing out of doors?” Will would be very unhappy with her if he knew she was alone with the man after they made their bargain.
“I needed a bit of fresh air.” He gestured to the bench between them. “Mind if I join you?”
She really shouldn’t. Prisca shook her head. “I was just about to return to bed.”
Lord Brimsworth laughed. “No need to look so frightened, Miss Hawthorne. I’m not the big, bad wolf, you know.”
Wolf! Prisca narrowed her eyes on him. How did he know? “What do you mean by that, sir?” she snapped.
He held up his hands as if to surrender. “It’s just a turn of phrase, my dear. My, you are skittish this evening.”
Was she? He’d simply scared her; that was all. Prisca shook her head. “I am sorry, my lord. It’s been a long day, I suppose.”
He nodded in agreement. “If you are truly headed back in, I’d love to resume our game from this afternoon.”
She smiled. There was no reason to be terrified of the man. He’d been a perfect gentleman so far. She’d simply allowed Will’s distrust to seep into her thoughts. “Of course.”
Surrounded by all four brothers, crowded around their father’s desk as though they were plotting the invasion of a small country, Emory glanced from one to the other. “So what do you think?” he asked quietly.
Darius grinned from ear to ear. “I think it’s bloody genius.” He ignored the huff from Garrick at his cursing and continued, “Did you see the look on Will’s face when you said you planned to pawn her off on Brimsworth?”
That had been a welcome surprise. “He nearly turned green.”
Pierce rubbed his chin. “How did none of us ever realize Will had a soft spot for her?”
“We weren’t looking for it,” Emory replied. “Not until now.”
“But after the way she tried to ruin him,” Blaine chimed in and then let his words linger in the air. What a mess that had been.
“She was still a child. Will’s aware of that,” Garrick sighed, rubbing his eyes.
“I’d thought it would take a lot more work on our part to bring
him around.”
“It will be easier than we thought,” Darius agreed. “Thank God.”
“Are you sure about that?” Garrick asked. “She didn’t seem happy to see him, if you ask me.”
Pierce turned a bit purple as he tried to quietly hold in his chuckle. “You truly know nothing about women, Gar.”
“And you do?” the vicar hissed.
Pierce shrugged. “I obviously know more than you do.” When Garrick scowled, he continued. “When you were too busy glaring at Will, Prissy surreptitiously shot him glances as she batted her eyelashes.”
“How much port did you drink?” Garrick asked. “She did nothing of the sort.”
“Yes, she did,” Blaine said. “Saw it myself.”
“’Fraid so,” Darius added.
Garrick shook his head. “What about Brimsworth? He does seem taken with Prissy. What if we honestly supported a match with him?”
A horrified expression flashed across Blaine’s eyes. “That’s a truly awful idea, Gar.”
“But why? He comes from a good family. He’ll be a marquess someday.”
“The vicar, our mercenary brother.” Darius snickered.
Blaine shook his head. “Look, Dash is a friend, a good friend of mine. But he’s the last sort I’d ever want to see shackled to Prissy.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Emory asked, not that he wanted to change their plans, but Blaine’s countenance piqued his interest.
The youngest Hawthorne brother sat forward, lowering his voice. “Nothing I can put my finger on,” he confessed. “And his reputation mirrors Will’s, actually. He goes through some dark spells, and every now and then I think he could just snap. Makes me a bit uneasy sometimes.”
“Wonderful!” Pierce hissed. “So glad you brought the man into our midst then, you dolt.”
“What?” Blaine complained.
“Well, he doesn’t seem like the sort of fellow we’d want panting after Prissy, does he?” Pierce frowned. “Why did you even invite the man for the holidays?”
Blaine raked a hand through his dark hair. “I invited him before we decided to use him in this little ruse. He doesn’t ever speak to the marquess, and he’s by himself most of the time.” He shrugged. “I just thought it might do him some good to be part of a big family, if only for a few weeks.”
“This is getting us nowhere,” Emory said, “Brimsworth is here, but he’s not our concern. Will and Prisca are.” He leaned in closer. “So focus on the task at hand. What is the plan for tomorrow?”
Pierce grinned roguishly. “How about a little Blind Man’s Bluff? Let him get his hands on her.”
Garrick inhaled sharply.
Emory winced. “I don’t know, Pierce. We’d all have to play, and I’d rather not end up fondling Lizzie Giddings, if you don’t mind.”
“So you don’t have to play. Be standoffish in the corner and scowl at the girl,” Pierce suggested.
“How else can we get them alone?” Darius asked.
“We could do some sort of scavenger hunt and pair them up,” Blaine said. Then he winked at Emory. “Don’t worry. We’ll make sure you end up with one of us to keep you from Miss Giddings’ grasp.”
“Go ahead and laugh, Blaine. She hasn’t got her eye on you.”
Blaine bit back a smile. “So what if she’s got her eye on you? No one can make you do anything about it.”
Darius laughed. “You, little brother, were at school when Prissy finagled Blackmoor’s demise. If she ensnared him, none of us have a prayer.”
“Blackmoor wanted to be ensnared,” Emory informed them. “But Prissy didn’t give him a choice in the matter. Just think, men, if we’re successful in our plans, she’ll have her hands full with Will over the next few years and we can all live free from fear of her ever doing such a thing to us.”
“Self-serving as always,” Garrick complained.
“Indeed.” Emory looked down his nose at his most difficult brother. “And for that, you can be paired off with Lizzie Giddings during the scavenger hunt.”
Garrick shrugged. “She’s a perfectly fine chit. I don’t know what you’re complaining about.”
Seven
WILL SMOTHERED A CHUCKLE BEHIND A CLOSED FIST AS Garrick slid up next to him and said quietly, “Save me from Lizzie Giddings.”
Garrick winced a bit when Will clapped him on the shoulder and said, “I thought she’d set her cap for Emory?”
The vicar shook his head. “His scowling has put her off, and she’s focused her attention on me.”
Ah. That made sense. “Well, I believe Emory is about to reveal the partners for the scavenger hunt. I’ll say a quick prayer for you.” He bent his head, closed his eyes and mouthed a few words.
“Your sense of humor is sorely lacking,” Garrick grumbled, his eyebrows drawn together tightly. “Prayer is not a laughing matter, you know.”
“My apologies, Garrick.” A heavy pant reached Will’s ears, and he looked around the floor. Surely Emory wouldn’t bring the hounds inside, not into the parlor while guests were here, even if he was trying to dissuade particular ladies in attendance. Then he glanced up and caught the gaze of Miss Giddings, whose heavy breathing grew louder and louder as she approached.
“Will God forgive me if I warn you she’s flanking you right now? You’ve only moments to make an escape, should you desire one.”
“I’ll say a prayer for you, Will,” Garrick said stoically, as he stepped around him and ducked his head. But, as he did, Will didn’t miss the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. The good vicar did have a sense of humor after all. One could not grow up with so many derelict brothers and not maintain some appreciation for the fantastical.
Lizzie Giddings nearly ran Will over to chase after Garrick. “Oh, Vicar Hawthorne,” she sang, waving her hand in the air as she trailed him. Will could do no more than shake his head and laugh.
“That’s what he gets for condemning Emory for not wanting to partner the girl,” Blaine whispered quietly, stepping to Will’s side.
“I bet he’ll not do that again,” Will replied absently. His gaze settled on Prisca, his ears perking up when he heard her laugh over something Brimsworth said. Damned earl! He’d been by her side the entire night. Be careful around the man. What a fool he’d been with that bargain. He should have asked for a lot more than that! Stay twenty paces away from him at all times. That should have been his demand. Don’t flirt with him. Don’t laugh at his inane jokes. He should have thrown those in for good measure.
“Prissy’s having a good time of it,” Blaine said. “And even Blackmoor has relaxed a bit.” Will glanced over to where Simon stood talking amiably with the Giddings brothers. He was much closer to Prisca than where Will stood, which comforted him just a bit. That was probably because Lily was with her.
Of course, Ben rested on the couch with his hand on Elspeth’s expanding stomach. He’d not moved more than two feet from his wife, either. It was almost as though he sensed some sort of danger. Like any good shepherd circles his flock, a Lycan would circle his true master all night, if he sensed danger nearby.
Will had been trying to edge closer to Prisca throughout the evening, but every time he took a step in her direction, Brimsworth grabbed her elbow and pulled her farther away. And she’d gone willingly. At least his brothers sensed the same danger he did. He wasn’t completely daft. Just worried.
“I believe it’s time for a game of Blind Man’s Bluff,” Emory said over the conversations bouncing around the corners of the room. With a smile, Prisca passed him a length of silken fabric, which he folded to make a blindfold.
Will wanted to groan with the tedium of it, but then Prisca called out, “Once you’re blindfolded, the person you touch will also be your partner during the scavenger hunt, provided that you can name the person you’ve captured, of course.”
Lizzie and Sarah Giddings both clapped loudly. Garrick sunk back to lean against the wall. “Fun, fun!” Lizzie called. “Who goes
first?”
Prisca scanned the assemblage quickly. Then Emory held the blindfold out to Lily, who laughed as he beckoned Simon to bend down so she could tie it over his eyes. “You will owe me for this, Your Grace,” Simon muttered to her, so low that only Lily and the other Lycans in the room could hear him.
Will couldn’t hold back his chuckle when Lily replied in a hushed whisper beside Simon’s ear, “Promises, promises, Your Grace.” Then she giggled, tied the knot, and spun Simon in a quick circle. The object of the game was to disorient the seeker so he wouldn’t know who he grabbed blindly. But the game was a complete failure on a Lycan. A Lycan always knew his mate. And with their sense of smell, any of the Lycans in the room could pick out exactly who each person was.
However, Simon made a grand show of reaching out blindly, clasping and unclasping his hands. Darius grunted when Simon bumped an elbow into his ribs as he spun around. And Pierce held back an oath when Simon trod upon the toe of his Hessians. Simon would get recompense, one way or the other.
Finally, Simon gave up the game and honed in on Lily. She had a playful gleam in her eye. She was the only person who’d ever been able to play with Simon. When he stepped closer to her, he reached out to grab her arm but she dashed around the outside of the room, making a show of keeping a finger in front of her mouth, urging everyone to be quiet.
Simon followed slowly, his gait predatory. “Lily, dear. I believe you’re cheating,” he challenged. Then he made one giant leap over the settee and landed on his feet directly in front of her, where he swept her into his arms and kissed the side of her neck. “Oops, I missed,” he laughed as Lily pulled the blindfold from his eyes.
“You never miss,” she laughed as she patted his chest and then turned to hand the blindfold to Elspeth.
Ben and Elspeth danced a similar dance, but theirs was a bit more comical to watch. Ben didn’t go after Ellie with the single-minded purpose that Simon had used. But, finally, he caught her.
Then it was Will’s turn to catch Prisca.
Will watched as Elspeth removed Ben’s blindfold and he bent to claim a quick kiss to her cheek. He wanted a love like that. Elspeth held the blindfold out to Will, but as he kicked himself away from the wall and started across the room, Brimsworth got there first.