A Certain Wolfish Charm

by Lydia Dare

  His lips pressed against hers, nearly painful with the intensity of his caress. She whimpered against him, but he paid her no heed.

  "Is this new?" he asked as he tugged at her bodice when he finally lifted his head.

  "Yes," she whispered. "You bought it."

  "I'll buy you another." Then the fabric tore as he ripped it from top to bottom and shoved it from her shoulders.

  Lily could do no more than gasp. She was terrified. But she was more terrified of her own reaction to Simon than she was of his actions toward her. She grew wet, her center pulsing as he cupped her breasts in his hands and lifted them to his face, pushing the centers together so he could draw both peaks into his mouth at once.

  Lily reached for his shoulders when her legs weakened. She glanced toward the door.

  "The door's open, Simon," she had the sense to whisper.

  "I don't care," he said as he slid his leg between her thighs and rocked her body against it.

  She immediately cried out. And then repeated the motion on her own.

  His eyes narrowed. "Do it again," he said. She rocked against him once more, wetness flooding his pants leg as she did so.

  "I want you," he said quietly. "Here. Now."

  "Yes," was all she could say.

  Simon pulled his thigh from between her legs and adjusted to free himself from his trousers. Effortlessly, he lifted her, pushing her against the wall as he slid into her in one hard, fast thrust.

  Lily cried out. Simon pushed her face into his shoulder. "Someone will hear you," he said. "They'll know that I'm taking you like an animal in the library."

  She watched his face shift as he realized what he'd said and began to withdraw from her. Lily leaned forward and nibbled his neck, lightly abrading his skin with her teeth.

  He growled and filled her again. She pressed her face into his shoulder as she lifted her legs to wrap around his waist. She took him deeper. He slammed into her again. And again. And again. And finally, when she could take no more, he allowed her to splinter into a million pieces and then followed.

  ***

  Simon held her there against the wall while he caught his breath. What had he done? He'd lost control. He'd hurt her. He'd used her. He'd taken her in a

  library

  with the door open like she was a common whore.

  "Oh, God, I'm sorry," he mumbled.

  "Why?" she asked, her legs still wrapped around his waist.

  "I was out of control," he said.

  "No…" she began, but he refused to let her speak.

  "I was. I was out of control." Simon dropped her legs to the floor and let her stand. "And I ruined your dress." He tried to pull the edges together. But the damage was too severe. He took off his jacket and slid it around her shoulders. He righted his trousers and picked her up in his arms to carry her up the steps. Simon wondered absently where the rest of the household was. But he paid little attention to their absence. He had to get Lily upstairs before someone saw what he'd done to her.

  He took the stairs two at a time. He laid her gently on the bed and took her face in his hands. "You deserve better than me," he ground out.

  He shushed her protest and lay with her for a moment, until her breaths became regular and quiet.

  Once she slept, he got up, dressed, and left the room.

  "Billings!" he called once he reached the bottom step.

  "Yes, Your Grace?" The man appeared as though magically summoned.

  "Have two horses readied and find Maberley. We'll be leaving tonight, instead of tomorrow."

  "Yes, Your Grace."

  Simon needed to get far away from Lily before he hurt her. Before he went too far and she ended up hating him.

  Forty-Four

  "You wanted to see me, Blackmoor?" Oliver asked, rubbing his eyes as he stepped into the study.

  Simon stared up at the lad, his vision clear, his memory of losing control still fresh in his mind. "We're starting for Surrey tonight. Grab your satchel and meet me in the stables."

  "Tonight?" Oliver covered a yawn with his hand. "I thought we were going to leave in the morning. I didn't get to say good-bye to Aunt Lily, and Cook said—"

  "Tonight!" Simon snapped. Then he closed his eyes and tried to maintain his temper. After all, it wasn't Oliver's fault that he had lost control with Lily. He took some calming breaths before slowly opening his eyes.

  Oliver looked frightened, standing with his back against the wall, his brown eyes focused like beacons on Simon.

  "We're close to the full moon, Oliver. We have to go. I'm afraid I may hurt Lily if we stay another night."

  Before he could finish his statement, the lad rushed from the room. At least he now understood the urgency.

  Simon awaited Oliver in the stables. Abbadon was saddled and ready, as was Erebus. Simon never would have thought the boy could handle the Anglo-Arabian, but he apparently had Daniel's skill with horseflesh. The gelding adored Oliver, which was nothing short of a miracle.

  After only a few moments, Oliver entered the stables, his eyes red-rimmed and with a leather satchel slung over one shoulder. His furious glare brought Simon up short. "If you ever hurt her, I will kill you."

  Simon nodded. If he ever hurt Lily, he'd kill himself. There was no need for Maberley to bloody his hands. "Well, that's why we're leaving."

  In one fluid move, Oliver mounted the AngloArabian with the grace of an expert horseman. "What are you waiting for, Blackmoor?"

  The lad's protective qualities were admirable, especially in a boy so young. Simon mounted Abbadon, all the while keeping his eyes locked with his cousin's. "Follow close, and don't get lost."

  Oliver nodded. Then a look of doubt entered his eyes. "Are you not afraid of highwaymen?"

  Simon threw back his head and laughed. He needed that release immensely. "God help the highwayman who thinks he can stop two Lycans."

  With that, they rode into the night under the bright light of a nearly full moon.

  ***

  Lily sat at the breakfast table, slowly sipping her tea. A plate of baked eggs and sausages sat in front of her, but she couldn't find her appetite.

  It was quite a shock to wake up and discover that her husband and nephew were already gone. No note. No good-bye. Nothing.

  Into the woods

  . That's what Cook had said. Had they even gone to Surrey? Or were they hiding in the woods? Waiting for the moon to wane?

  She shook her head. Did she

  truly

  believe her husband was a werewolf? That Oliver was a werewolf? It sounded insane. Yet everything she'd read seemed to indicate that the impossible

  was

  possible. It would have been nice to discuss the Lycan book with Simon before he disappeared.

  But he hadn't given her that chance. Blast him!

  "You should eat something," Alice said as she entered the room and sat across from Lily.

  "Apparently I'm not hungry."

  Alice frowned, raking her gaze across Lily. "Are you feeling ill?"

  Ill tempered

  . "That depends. Are you not allowed to discuss Lycans with me today?"

  A ghost of a smile lit Alice's lips. "Sweet Lily. I told you, only Simon is able to reveal such secrets."

  She wasn't denying it though, was she? "I see." Lily drummed her fingers on the breakfast table. "But is that just in regards to Simon? Can you tell me about Will? Or your husband? Oliver perhaps? Is my nephew a… a Lycan?"

  Alice took a deep breath. "Dear, after Simon reveals everything to you, we can have as many conversations as you'd like on the subject. For the time being, you are on the correct path. I can't say more than that."

  Lily leapt to her feet. This was among the most bizarre conversations she'd ever had. "Why not? Are there werewolf spies that would know if you told me? Will they suddenly appear in the middle of the room in a poof of smoke and drag you off to some wolfy prison for revealing their secrets?"

  "I know it's difficult, Li
ly," Alice began softly.

  Lily punched her hands to her hips. "Difficult, Alice, is reading fantastical books about werewolves and starting to believe that the man I married and the boy I raised are such creatures. I should be locked away in Bedlam for even entertaining the idea. Then I woke up to find the two of them gone. And the only person who can give me answers refuses to do so."

  "I would if I was able."

  Lily started from the room, but Alice's words halted her. "Do you remember when I asked you if there was anything Oliver could do to make you stop loving him?"

  "Yes," she answered, looking back over her shoulder.

  Alice nodded. "What if he is a Lycan, Lily? What if everything you're entertaining is true? Simon, Will, Oliver… Would you love them less? Or stop loving them all together?"

  What if it was all true? What if Simon transformed under the light of a full moon and became a wolf? A memory flashed in her mind of the wolf on the hill she saw the night she spent at Langley Downs. It had seemed as if the creature had called out to her.

  Was it Simon?

  ***

  The sun was barely in the sky when Simon spotted Reston House from atop a hill outside of Guilford. The Elizabethan home was of modest size and settled nicely in the woods, just as Lieutenant Schofield had described. Oliver would be safe here, which was a relief.

  He urged Abbadon forward and galloped down the hill. They rode around the back of the house toward the stables, where they dismounted. Almost at once they were surrounded by a pack of russet-haired, freckle-faced children.

  "Are you the duke?" asked one bold little girl, about six years old.

  Before Simon could answer, a hulking man with auburn hair stepped from the home's back door. "Blackmoor?" the man called.

  "Lieutenant Schofield?" Simon asked.

  "Who else?" the officer asked, stepping forward and clapping Simon's back as though they were old friends. "We weren't expecting you 'til this afternoon." Then he looked at the swarm of children, who all looked just like him. "Mary, take your brothers and sisters, and run along to your mother."

  The oldest girl herded her brothers and sisters and directed them back toward the house.

  "Sorry," the lieutenant began. "It's not all that often we have such important guests." Then he looked over Simon's shoulder. "And you must be the Earl of Maberley."

  "Oliver," he replied, nodding.

  "Well, Oliver," the lieutenant said, "Leo is up in his room making space for you. Come along, and we'll introduce you."

  In no time, Oliver and Leo Schofield seemed to be the best of friends and had gone to explore the woods behind Reston House together. Lily would be relieved the two boys had connected so quickly.

  Lily.

  Simon's thoughts returned to her, and his heart ached, but he could see her again in a few days when the worst of his affliction had passed. When he was certain she'd be safe from him. He accepted a cup of tea from the army officer after sinking into an overstuffed chair, which was heaven after the long ride.

  "Would you like to rest, Your Grace?" the lieutenant asked him. "You look exhausted, if you don't mind my saying so."

  Simon only hoped he looked better than he felt. "That is very kind, but I should be getting back to Westfield Hall."

  The lieutenant winked at him. "Ah, your wife is wanting you home safe for moonful?"

  He tried to keep the scowl from his face. "My wife is unaware that I am Lycan."

  The officer nodded in understanding as he dropped into a seat across from Simon. "Ah, my first wife was the same way. She was a sweet thing but didn't have the fortitude for a claiming."

  Finally. Simon heaved a sigh. Everyone else made it sound as if he'd made the wrong decision, but Lieutenant Schofield seemed to understand.

  "In that case, would you like to stay here with us? We have plenty of room."

  That Simon doubted, but the offer was generous. He shook his head. "I don't want to be too far from my wife."

  "I understand."

  "You say your first wife didn't have the fortitude?"

  The lieutenant rubbed his chin. "Leo's mother. When she discovered what I was, she threw herself from the attic. She died on impact. He was just an infant. I'm fortunate my second wife's will was a bit stronger."

  The matter-of-fact way Lieutenant Schofield could discuss such a thing made chills race up Simon's spine. An image of Lily's lifeless body flashed in his mind. Surely she wouldn't throw herself from the top floor of Westfield Hall upon learning the truth.

  His resolve to keep her distant from this aspect of his life seemed the correct decision. In their vows, he'd promised to protect her, and he appeared to be on the right course.

  After finishing his tea, Simon thanked the lieutenant for his generosity and then started back for Hampshire.

  Forty-Five

  Lily bolted upright in bed, the plaintive call of a wild animal rousing her from her sleep. She ran to the window and searched the darkness. There, limned by the light of the full moon, sat the wild beast that called to her. High on a hill, the lone wolf raised his head and howled.

  The sound tore through her like the slice of a sharp blade. She doubled over, seeking relief from the blinding pain. Black danced around the edges of her vision, but she fought it back.

  "Simon," she whispered, when she could finally stand again. She pressed her fingertips against the cold, wet glass, using her index finger to trace the wolf's form. The beast raised his head and called again. This call reached past the pain it caused in her body and touched her heart.

  "I'm coming," Lily whispered. She turned, ran on her bare feet across the floor, and flung open her door with so much force that it hit the wall and bounced back closed. The sound reverberated through the room. But the call of the one she loved was the only noise she heard. She opened the door again and slipped through.

  Lily dashed down the hallway, her frantic pace disguised by the soft carpet beneath her feet. When she reached the lower level of the manor, she turned toward the doorway that led to the garden. As she rounded the corner, her hip collided with the edge of a hallway table. A heavy vase crashed against the hardwood floor.

  Lily stopped only briefly to press the heel of her hand to the pain in her hip. She had to reach Simon. She had to get to him. Nothing would stand in her way.

  "Lily," a voice called. She barely heard it, her heartbeats loud in her ear, almost as loud as the breaths that rushed in and out of her lungs.

  "Lily!" The word finally caught her attention.

  Lily turned slowly to find Alice in her nightrail and wrapper, leaning against the doorjamb of the library. She had a glass of amber liquid in her hand, which she raised casually to her lips. A smile played at the corners of her mouth. Lily had no time for the woman. She had to reach Simon. Lily turned back toward the door.

  "Are you fully aware of what you're doing?" Alice asked. Her question drew Lily's gaze.

  Lily shook her head. She had no idea what she was doing. She simply knew she had to heed the call of the wolf.

  Her wolf.

  Simon.

  "Do not let him hide from you," Alice surprised her by saying. "Do not let him shut you out. Don't accept anything less than

  everything

  ."

  Lily nodded.

  Alice walked toward her. She cupped Lily's face in her hands and forced Lily to look at her.

  "If he hurts you, know that it's not intentional."

  "He wouldn't hurt me."

  "He won't intend to."

  Lily nodded.

  "If you weren't his intended mate, you wouldn't

  feel

  the call."

  "I understand. I must go."

  Alice stepped back and nodded. "Go. Be well. Love him."

  "As though I have a choice." Lily was unable to repress the small smile that erupted before she turned on her heel and ran for the garden door.

  ***

  Simon sat atop the hill, his need for Lily painfu
l in its intensity. He wanted nothing more than to shift back to human form and go to her. He needed to be with her. He needed to be inside her. He needed her.

  Simon arched his neck and called to her. He knew she would not hear, but he needed to make the sound. He needed to scream to the heavens. He needed to cry.