by Lydia Dare
His frustration with Prisca vanished immediately. “Oh. How is Mother this morning?”
The major’s eyes lost a bit of their twinkle. “She’s not well, son.” He sighed. “She’s losing what life she has left in her. A little bit more each day.”
Will’s soul ached at the words. He should have taken more care. He’d been so caught up in his situation with Prisca that he had neglected his mother a bit. “I’ll go see her.”
The officer shook his head. “Your Prisca does make her smile. Leave them be for the time being.”
Mother had always adored Prisca. She’d taken her under her wing as a young girl and acted as a motherly figure, as Priss only had a house full of males growing up.
“Besides,” the major broke into his thoughts. “There’s something else I’d like to discuss with you.” He gestured for Will to take a seat on the divan and then resumed his spot in a brocade chair.
Obedient as ever, Will sat. “What else is wrong, sir?”
Major Forster reached into his pocket, retrieving a folded note. “I’m worried about this Brimsworth fellow whom you’ve made an enemy of.”
“Brimsworth left the area.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Well, he hadn’t seen the man or smelled his scent in days. “Sir Herbert said he’d decided to return to London.”
“Well, perhaps it’s nothing then,” the major said. “Still, I should tell you Ben asked me to find out what I could about Brimsworth and his sire. This letter arrived from The Society yesterday.”
There was obviously something unsettling the man. “And?”
The major frowned. “And there’s nothing to be found. It appears, William, that there’s no history of Lycans in Brimsworth’s family at all.”
“Then on his mother’s side?” Will asked. After all, that wasn’t unheard of.
The major shook his head. “His mother was Philippa Hawkins, the eldest daughter of Viscount Aberdare. No history there either. It’s as though he’s an enigma of some sort.”
“Are you saying you think he is some sort of aberration?”
“I don’t know what I’m saying. I just want you to be careful. Benjamin said the man threatened you.”
Will snorted. “Ben is a busybody disguised as a Lycan.”
The major leaned back in his seat and chuckled. “He’s just a gentler breed than either you or Simon.”
That was probably true. He supposed it was kind that Ben was looking out for him. Unnecessary, but kind. Will sighed. “I do appreciate you doing Ben’s bidding.”
“Go on and find your wife.”
Will nodded his good-bye to the man and set off for his mother’s suite of rooms. Within moments, he stood outside her threshold and couldn’t believe his ears.
“—and it was so lovely, Alice. I do wish you’d been able to attend,” Prisca gushed.
“Tell me all about it,” his mother rasped. She sounded years older than she had the day before.
“Well,” Prisca began brightly, “the entire parlor was done up in white hothouse roses and silver ribbons strung across the walls. It smelled delightful and looked like a spring palace waiting to blossom. Papa wore his best jacket, the darkest black, and he looked so dapper, his chest puffed out with pride. And I wish you could have seen my dress. It was the prettiest shade of blue, matching Will’s eyes.”
“I’d always hoped the two of you would find your way to each other,” his mother whispered.
Will pressed his ear against the door. What was she talking about?
“So did I. And we are so very much in love, Alice. Do take your tonic now. Lily said you needed to rest.”
So very much in love? Will’s heart pounded faster. Did she love him? Could she? What was the Banbury tale she was spinning?
“Of course,” the dowager replied softly. “Do send Desmond up to sit with me while I sleep, would you?”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t have it any other way.”
A moment later, the door opened and Will had to brace himself to keep from falling inside his mother’s room. Prisca scowled at him. “Listening at doors, William?” she muttered so quietly only he could hear.
He grasped her arm and pulled her into the corridor. “What were you telling my mother?”
Prisca shrugged. “She wanted to hear about the wedding.”
The wedding? Will’s mouth dropped open. “White roses, silver ribbons, and I think you forgot to mention the black bombazine.”
She narrowed her violet eyes on him and wrenched her arm from his grasp. “So I embellished a bit. That’s not a crime.”
Her version was so much nicer than the actual event. “Is that what you wanted, Prissy? The flowers and the… blue dress?” The color of which matched his eyes?
“What I wanted didn’t matter. You all saw to that. You, my brothers, Papa.”
He hated to hear the pain in her voice, and he touched his finger to her jaw. “I’ll get you a whole room full of white roses and silver ribbons.”
Prisca tipped her nose in the air. “It was a tale to make Alice happy, Will. Don’t read any more into than that.” She started down the corridor toward the steps, but Will was quick on her trail. They still had many things to discuss, and she wasn’t going to escape him again.
At that moment, Elspeth came flying up the staircase past them, fuming. Ben followed in her wake, looking more furious than Will had ever seen him. Apparently all the Westfield men were chasing their wives this morning.
“Come back here, Elspeth,” Ben ordered.
“Amadain!” she called over her shoulder. Will wasn’t quite certain of the meaning of the word, but he didn’t relish being called such a thing if her tone was any indication.
The two of them burst into the closest bedchamber and slammed the door. “I told you that you’re not to heal anyone,” Ben hissed. “Not while you’re carrying our child.”
Elspeth’s grumbled more Gaelic words and Will winced. Poor Ben.
Prisca sucked in a breath. “Heavens! What was that about?”
“It’s a long story,” Will said, taking her arm again as they continued down the steps.
Prisca could just imagine that it was. She’d never seen such a display of temper. What could Ben have done? And what did he mean about healing? “Well, then it’s a good thing I’ve all day to hear it, isn’t it?”
The major appeared in the corridor and glanced from Prisca to Will and back. “Did Alice ask for me?”
Prisca nodded. “Yes, she did, sir.”
He brushed past them toward the staircase while Prisca made her way to the blue salon. She spun on her heel to face her new husband and thrust her hands to her hips. One way or the other, he would tell her. “What is wrong with Ben?”
He looked at her as though he didn’t have a clue what was going on. She didn’t believe him for a second.
“I am waiting, William.”
“You’ll never believe it,” he hedged, closing the door behind them.
It must be worse than she thought. “Try me,” Prisca pressed.
“Elspeth is from Scotland.”
Was he trying to say the Scottish were more prone to dramatics? “I imagine that was Gaelic cursing by the sound of it. But, honestly, what does that have to do with anything?”
Will shrugged.
He was definitely hiding something from her. Prisca flounced down on the settee, folded her arms across her chest, and tapped her fingers impatiently. “Will!”
He sighed and stepped toward her. “Have you heard the tales of healers and other mystical beings?”
She thought back to the faerie tales she’d heard as a child; she did remember a few. “You’re not making any sense.”
“The thing is, Elspeth is part of a coven.”
She couldn’t have heard him correctly. Was he trying to make a fool of her? More of one than he already had? “I beg your pardon?”
“A coven,” he said a bit louder. She didn’t know why he thought
it would sound different if he said it louder. “A coven of witches, to be more specific.”
Perfect! He intended to lie to her. “I do not find you remotely humorous.” She rose from her spot and intended to march right past him. Perhaps Lily could tell her what was going on.
Will caught her arm and spun her around. “Priss, I’m telling you the truth.” He took a deep breath. Then the words started to flow. “Elspeth is a witch. She is one of five from a powerful coven in Scotland. Her particular talent is healing. She can do so using her touch. But she also uses herbs and potions to do other things.”
“And so, she wanted to heal Alice?” Prisca asked, not believing one word out of his mouth.
He nodded.
“Then why is Ben so angry?” Honestly, did he expect her to believe all this drivel?
Will’s face twisted miserably. “Well, the last time Elspeth healed someone, it drained her to the point that she nearly died. Ben won’t let her take that chance again. Not that I blame him.”
Her husband was either quite deranged or a terrible liar. Prisca had a very good idea which it was. He’d lied to her about her own innocence, hadn’t he? She wasn’t going to stay here and let him make a fool of her. She yanked her arm from his grasp and started for the door.
“Now, where are you going?” Will asked. “We have things to discuss, Prisca.”
She’d not discuss one more blasted thing with him until he stopped spinning these tales. “I need some time alone.”
“Priss,” he complained.
But she ignored the plea in his voice. “More things to discuss? Like perhaps the existence of trolls or faeries? I’d rather not.”
“I’m telling you the truth,” he said solemnly, which truly annoyed her.
He sounded so honest, so sincere—about witches, for heaven’s sake. How could she ever believe a word that came out of his mouth?
“Indeed?” she asked, narrowing her eyes on him. “Do tell me, William, are there any other secrets I should be aware of? Anything else I unknowingly took on when I became a Westfield?”
He shook his head tightly.
“Good,” she replied. “Because I don’t know how much more I could take.” Then she breezed out the door.
Twenty-Two
WILL SCRUBBED HIS HANDS OVER HIS FACE. HIS WIFE hadn’t exactly been accepting of the “witch” news. He certainly couldn’t tell her she’d married a Lycan. At least not yet. He’d hoped since she already loved his wolf self, he could be honest with her about who he was. However, after that reaction, it obviously wasn’t the smartest idea.
Now he understood why Simon had wanted to keep the secret from Lily. Not that he’d kept it hidden for long. Will hoped his luck would hold out better than his brother’s had.
He started for the door but found Ben blocking his path, with a dangerous expression that would have made a lesser man squirm. “I ought to tear your head off.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too.” Will nodded with indifference.
Ben stalked forward. “How could you tell her?”
“Tell her what?”
His brother’s hazel eyes darkened even more. “Not that long ago, William, people were hunting witches and killing them. Ellie’s secret is just as important as ours.”
“Oh.” Will cringed. He hadn’t meant any harm. Prissy was family now, and if she knew some of their dynamics… “I just thought—”
“You weren’t thinking at all,” Ben growled. “What you tell Prisca about yourself is one thing but keep my wife and child out of it, will you?”
“Ben, you know she adores you. She would never hurt you or Elspeth.”
Ben folded his arms across his chest, not giving an inch. “After you tell her what you are, and if she doesn’t run screaming back to Langley Downs, you can tell her about the rest of us.”
“Apologies.” Will raked a hand through his hair. “Perhaps I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“How did it go last night?”
If any other man had asked how his wedding night had gone, Will would have punched him right in the face. But Ben knew the truth of her innocence. “She made me sleep in the guest room.”
Ben winced. “Told her the truth?”
“What choice did I have?”
His brother sighed. “You have made a mess of things, Will.”
As though he needed to be reminded of that fact. “Thank you for stating the obvious.” Will dropped onto the settee and stared at his younger brother. Ben looked positively tortured. “What about you? I picked up a word or two Elspeth hurled your way. They didn’t sound of the adoring variety.”
Ben walked toward the window and gazed out at the cloudless day. “You don’t think I’m awful for not allowing it, do you? She’s our mother, but Ellie…”
Will had seen the anguish his brother had gone through when Elspeth had nearly died after healing Ben a few months earlier. No man should have to endure such a thing. Still, their mother was in a precarious position. “It’s not my decision.”
Ben scoffed. “Whatever happened to my older brother who always told me what to do?”
“Simon’s probably in his study.” Will hoped to lighten the mood.
“No, he always ordered me around, while you simply told me what to do.”
“I’ve got my own set of problems now, and I don’t think I can answer this for you.”
“Damn! I had hoped you’d relieve me of this torment.” Ben spun from his spot to meet Will’s eyes.
Will leaned back in his seat, studying his younger brother. He wished he could take the torment away, but it wasn’t his place. “What does Elspeth say? Certainly she wouldn’t put the child at risk.”
Ben shook his head. “She can’t help wanting to fix anyone and everyone who crosses her path. But even she doesn’t know how it would affect an unborn child.” He began to pace the floor, as though he was uncomfortable in his own skin. “I can’t lose her again, Will. You saw what I was like before.”
“You’re not going to lose her,” Will replied, hoping to give his brother some comfort.
“I’m a selfish dog! I mean, this is our mother we’re talking about. How can I not allow Ellie to help her?”
“Does she have to touch her? Couldn’t a potion or spell do the trick?”
Ben shook his head. “She’s been drinking that tonic. Ellie made it, and we told Mother it was from Doctor Bramber, but it hasn’t done a damn bit of good.”
A cough from above emphasized the point. Knowing their mother languished in pain tore at Will’s heart. “Isn’t there another way? Some safe way for Elspeth…”
Ben heaved a sigh. “How could it be safe?”
What an awful predicament. Will sat forward in his seat. “Whatever you decide, Ben, Simon and I will support you.”
A strangled laugh escaped Ben. “I must be bad off. I don’t think you’ve ever said that to me before.”
A witch! He must think her the simplest of simpletons to believe such drivel! Prisca stomped all the way back to the dower house. How enlightening to know Will thought so highly of her intelligence. A witch, indeed.
Elspeth would be mortified if she knew what he’d said about her. It would serve Will right for Prisca to tell her. He shouldn’t go about maligning innocent ladies’ names without fear of retribution.
“I understand felicitations are in order,” a voice called from behind her.
Prisca stopped as dread crept up her spine. She looked over her shoulder and found Lord Brimsworth regarding her from the edge of the woods. He looked as handsome as ever with the sun beaming down on his golden hair. “My lord, what a surprise. I thought you’d returned to London.”
He left his spot near the trees and closed the distance between them. “I wanted to ensure you were safe before I left these parts.”
“Safe?” she echoed with a shake of her head.
“Westfield doesn’t exactly have the most pristine of reputations, my dear. I wanted to make sure he didn’t run o
ut on you at the last moment.” He moved to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear, but she dodged his hand.
The look on his face sent uneasy chills down her spine. “And if he had, what would you have done?” she asked tartly.
“I would have taken his place, as I originally intended.” He flashed a radiant smile. “My fondest wish is for your happiness, my lady.”
There was something in the way he spoke his words that made her shiver. Perhaps Will had been right about him all along. His eyes had a feral look to them, and she found herself quite uncomfortable in his presence. Ready to be rid of the earl, she resumed her walk to the dower house. “As all is fine, will you be returning to London now?”
He kept his steps even with hers. “In due time. So, if you have need of me, you have only to ask.”
“Thank you,” she replied, knowing full well she’d never ask him for a thing. She had the Westfields and her own idiotic brothers to go to, if she was of the mind. The Earl of Brimsworth should move on with his life. “Though I’m certain that’s not at all necessary.”
He grabbed her arm, halting her. “Don’t be so certain. As I said, Westfield’s reputation leaves much to be desired. Your brothers handed you over to him on a silver platter. You have only to ask for my assistance, and I will hasten to your side.”
Prisca wrenched her arm from him and pasted on a fraudulent smile. “I do appreciate that, my lord. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am awaiting my husband.”
“Heaven forbid I keep you then,” he replied with a charming smile.
Prisca said farewell and then briskly made her way to the dower house, her heart thumping loudly the entire way. Once she reached her destination, she threw open the door and tried to catch her breath. Something told her she’d narrowly made an escape.
Will followed Prisca’s scent back to the dower house, walking slowly, his hands in his pockets as he kicked a stone in his path. They had important things to discuss, and she couldn’t avoid him forever. She’d definitely been this way, because her scent was strong. But then another scent joined with hers. Will stopped in his tracks and sniffed the air.
Brimsworth!
Damn! He’d been certain the man had left the area. Will ran toward the dower house as fast as any Lycan possibly could. He barreled through the door without even waiting for the footman to open it.