The Wolf's Choice (The Wolf's Peak Saga Book 4)

by Patricia Blackmoor

  When the ceremony ended, we all climbed the stairs to the balcony and made our way into the ballroom. Just like the outside, Annabelle had decorated it beautifully. Tulle hung from the ceiling and candles sparkled in the chandeliers, picking up the gold tones throughout the room.

  The head table was slightly raised above the room, and we were seated at a table just in front of it. Like the chairs in the garden, name cards identified where the members of the council and the highest levels of regency were to sit. We found ourselves seated with the rest of the councilmen and their dates, while the prince and other members of government were at the table beside us.

  Across the room, the duke and his new bride were sitting in a pair of high–backed chairs, greeting the reception line. I considered joining them, but the line was long and Christine already had a look on her face that implied she was overwhelmed. As the line grew shorter, I thought I might have a chance to say hi, but she abruptly left her chair and rushed out, Annabelle following behind her. I wouldn’t get a chance to congratulate her until after the dinner plates had been cleared away.

  She and Jasper, along with other guests, had been dancing. I glanced over at Adam to see if he looked interested, but he didn’t say anything, and I certainly wasn’t going to ask him. Jasper and Christine broke apart for a moment so Jasper could speak with the prince, and Christine went back to her seat at the head table. It didn’t appear she had many guests here for her; rarely did anyone other than Annabelle or Jasper speak to her.

  “I’ll be right back,” I told Adam, and he watched with interest as I stood up and crossed over to where Christine sat. I took the seat Annabelle had been sitting in next to her and offered my arms for a hug.

  “Christine, I’m so happy for you!” I told her as I pulled her close.

  She surveyed me skeptically. “Really? I mean, you aren’t even a little disappointed that this isn’t you right now?”

  I laughed. “Oh, heavens no.” I tried to keep my gaze away from Adam, but I failed. “You know, they sent us home without telling anyone who Jasper had picked, but I hoped it was you. I had to beg Adam to tell me! When he said it was you, I jumped with joy.”

  She smiled at me. “That’s so sweet,” she said, and by the smile spreading over my face, I could tell she meant it. “How are things with Adam?”

  “They’re...oh, I don’t know,” I sighed. Truly, that was an understatement. I was absolutely clueless.

  “He brought you as his guest, I noticed,” she said.

  Might as well be honest with her. “Yes, he did. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if that’s because he wanted me to be here with him, or because he knew I was excited for you.”

  “Well, you look lovely,” she said.

  I laughed. “You look even lovelier!” Imagine, her complimenting me, while she was the bride! “Your dress is stunning.”

  “I think it weighs more than I do.”

  I surveyed the gown. “That would be the train. I don’t even want one, but I’m sure my mother will insist. She’s traditional like that. She’ll say something like, ‘If it’s good enough for the queen, it’s good enough for you!’ Mothers can be insufferable sometimes.”

  Christine glanced down at her hands. “I wouldn’t know. Mine passed away when I was very young.”

  My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry. How terrible of me.”

  “It’s all right. You didn’t know.”

  “I feel like a bit of an ass.”

  “Please don’t.” She was quiet for a moment as I sat in my mortification. “I think Adam wants to dance with you. He keeps looking over here. Maybe you should go see.”

  I glanced his way, and he was indeed watching us. “Do you think?”

  “Absolutely. But promise me one thing?”

  I frowned as I stood. “All right?”

  “When you two get married, be sure to invite us.”

  My face flushed, and I couldn’t seem to muster a response. I turned and went back to my seat, where Adam was waiting.

  “Did you give her your congratulations?”

  “I did.”

  He leaned in to look at me. “Are you all right? You seem a bit flushed.”

  I didn’t want to tell him Christine’s parting words. “Must just be the wine.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “Do you want to dance?”

  Christine had been right. “You know, I would love that.”

  He took my hand, and my heart thumped as he pulled me onto the dance floor. We’d both been trained in ballroom dancing since childhood, and thus moved smoothly across the floor together. Or, we would have, had I not been so occupied by the feeling of his hands on my arm and waist, by the close proximity of our chests. Last time we had been so close, we were naked, and my mind wouldn’t let me forget.

  Chapter Thirteen

  For the rest of the night I could feel the phantom of Adam’s hands on my body. I grinned like an idiot all night and the next morning. I didn’t bother trying to hide it. I was happy.

  Adam and I had danced for almost an hour, our hands and bodies touching the entire time. Other girls, like Lillian, had tried to cut in, but Adam acted as if he didn’t even notice they were there. His gaze was on me the entire night, and even though I was still confused about his feelings for me, it made me wonder if perhaps we would be together after all.

  We had stayed together through the whole night, simply enjoying each other’s company. We didn’t leave until the ballroom was nearly empty. I constantly wanted to bring up the way he’d abandoned me, but we were having fun, and I didn’t want to ruin that. When he dropped me off at home, I thought perhaps he’d kiss me, but instead he just shook my hand and told me he would see me later. I hoped he would keep his word this time.

  The next morning, I went downstairs for breakfast, and my mother joined me not long after. I think she was surprised to see me up so early, but truly I was in such a good mood, I couldn’t stay in bed another minute. The sun was shining and birds were chirping, and once again, I was in love.

  “You came home late last night,” my mother said as she sipped at her tea.

  “Oh,” I murmured, looking down at my food, not wanting her to see the glee spread across my face. “Well, Adam is on the duke’s council, so he stayed as long as he could.”

  “Did you have fun?”

  I tried so hard not to smile, but suppressing my grin hurt. The corners of my mouth pulled up involuntarily. “It was lovely,” I said.

  “You’ll have to tell me all about it,” she said, “but later. I need to go into town today. Would you like to come with?”

  “For what?” I asked. Usually she’d send Clara into town if she needed something.

  “I thought I’d shop for some new dresses,” she said. “Now that summer is here, I want to get some lighter–weight gowns.”

  “I’d love to come,” I told her.

  After I’d finished eating, I went upstairs to get ready. Since we were only going into town, I chose a more simple, rosewood colored gown to wear, and pulled my hair back with a braided bun. Once my boots were laced up and I had my gloves and handbag, I waited for my mother down in the parlor.

  Though it was silly, I couldn’t help myself from glancing out the window, just in case Adam had decided to visit. I knew, logically, that he was probably busy or still sleeping. I most likely wasn’t even on his mind. Yet at the same time, I held out hope.

  I heard my mother on the stairs and I snapped out of my reverie. She beamed at me in her full, mustard dress. “Ready to go?”

  “Yes,” I said, standing from the settee and joining her by the door. The coach was waiting, and the driver helped us inside, and off we went.

  “Where would you like to stop first?” I asked her as we rode along.

  “Probably Belladora’s,” she said, referencing one of the most popular dress shops in town.

  “Sounds perfect,” I said. “What sort of dresses are you looking for?”

  “Lightwei
ght. Something I can wear to a garden party or the races.”

  We were quiet for a moment until she spoke up again. “So, tell me about the wedding.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  “Who was there?”

  I went over the extensive guest list. It may have been my imagination, but I swear, my mother glowered with envy when I told her we sat at the table next to the prince and princess. I told her about the others that were there, women we went to church with and the races with.

  We talked about Christine’s gown and the wedding’s food and decorations until we pulled up outside of the dress shop. Belladora’s Dress Shop was the most popular and high–end shop in town. All the ladies of aristocracy shopped there. It was easy to see why: the gowns that filled the shop were made of the finest fabrics with the utmost attention to detail.

  When we entered, a saleswoman greeted us immediately. “Mrs. Ackerman, Miss Ackerman, how wonderful to see you!”

  “Hello, Anna,” my mother said. “What do you have today?”

  “We have these new samples,” she said, pulling us over to a rack in front. The gowns that hung here were made of cotton, soft, with eyelet lace around the edges.

  “These are perfect,” my mother exclaimed.

  “Would you like to try a few of these cuts on?”

  Anna searched for sizes close to what my mother would wear, then led us toward the back of the store where the fitting rooms were. I sat down on a blush ottoman in front of a three–way mirror while my mother slipped inside one of the rooms.

  Anna stood by while my mother changed, ready to assist with whatever was necessary. My mother came out in the first dress and stood by the mirror, admiring herself. Admittedly, the dress was flattering, narrowing her widened waist.

  “Which fabrics does this come in?” my mother asked, and Anna showed her a book of fabric swatches. She and my mother conversed for a moment before my mother went back to try on more options. Before the door was shut behind her, she stopped.

  “Anna, why don’t you take Hazel’s measurements?”

  “Mine?” I asked. “Why on earth do you want mine?”

  “So we can have them on file when you need new gowns,” she said, before disappearing back into the room. Anna opened up another room for me, and I reluctantly slipped inside and stripped down to my slip. When she had finished complimenting my mother on her second dress, she came to my room and wrapped the tape measure around me, jotting down the numbers on a small pad of paper.

  “Go ahead and get changed,” she said when I was done, and I hurriedly complied.

  I stepped out of the dressing room, but my mother was still in hers. While I waited for her to change, I browsed the racks, looking at the different silhouettes and fabrics available if one had the funds.

  “Oh my God.”

  I froze when I heard the voice. The familiar voice, one that had made my life miserable all through school. I tried to ignore it, but as I moved back toward the fitting rooms, Lillian cut off my path. Turning around, I was stopped by Hattie.

  “What?” I asked, the word spitting from my mouth.

  “Goodness, so much vitriol,” Hattie said.

  “We just want to talk to you,” added Lillian.

  I looked beyond her to where my mother was out of the dressing room, admiring herself in the mirror and paying no attention to me.

  “Did you have a good time at the wedding?” Hattie asked me.

  “It was fun,” I said, not sure where she was going with this.

  “We had a good time too,” said Hattie.

  “Or we would have,” said Lillian, “if you hadn’t been there.”

  “I stayed out of your way,” I said. I was trying to back away, but I had nowhere to go. I was trapped between Lillian, Hattie, and the racks of heavy gowns.

  “Looking for something?” Hattie asked.

  “Just for my mother.”

  “I think she’s distracted, don’t you, Lillian?”

  Lillian glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, yes. We have plenty of time for a chat.”

  “Could you just tell me what you want?” I asked.

  “Like we said, just to talk,” Hattie told me.

  “About what? I can’t imagine there’s anything I want to talk to you about.”

  Hattie sighed. “So rude.”

  Lillian cut in. “So, we saw you with Adam yesterday.”

  I swallowed. “Yes. I was his guest.”

  “Is that all you are?”

  “I don’t understand your meaning,” I said.

  “Are you and Adam together?” Hattie asked.

  I didn’t have an answer, because I honestly wasn’t sure, so I just sort of stared, wide–eyed.

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake, it’s not a hard question,” Lillian said. “Are you courting or not?”

  “No,” I answered truthfully, my voice just above a whisper.

  “Good,” said Lillian.

  “Good?”

  “Well, let’s be honest, Hazel,” Hattie sighed, “you and Adam would never work together.”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

  “But it is,” Lillian said. “Because Adam is one of us. He’s in our class. And if he gets together with you, well, that would just be embarrassing for everyone.”

  “Not for me.”

  That threw her a bit, and if I wasn’t so intimidated, I might have laughed.

  Lillian scowled. “Perhaps not. But Hazel, if you really cared for Adam, you would let him go so he can be with someone who deserves him.”

  “What makes you think I don’t deserve him?”

  “For heaven’s sake,” Hattie scoffed. “Hazel, you’re nothing. You have nothing to give him that he doesn’t already have. He can’t be with you.”

  “I think that’s rather for him to decide, don’t you?”

  “Hazel, darling,” Hattie said, picking at an imaginary thread on my dress. I tried to back away, but had nowhere to go. “You are so, so plain, and Adam,” she glanced at Lillian, and the two giggled. “Well, he’s handsome.”

  “Not just handsome, he’s like a god,” Lillian sighed. “A Greek statue.”

  “Right,” said Hattie. “You’re far too plain and inconsequential to be with a man like that.”

  “If that’s what Adam determines, than he can tell me that himself,” I said, finally defending myself. “This is absolutely none of your business.”

  “I’m going to make it my business,” Lillian whispered to me.

  “And how is that?”

  She stood close to me, far too close for comfort, her face in mine. “You are going to stay away from him.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are,” she said, her voice low and menacing. “If you don’t, I promise, you’re going to regret it.”

  I rolled my eyes, although my heart was pounding. I had no response.

  “I’m serious, Hazel.” Her breath was right in my ear. “You need to leave him alone, or I’m going to have to force you to. And trust me, you aren’t going to enjoy it if I have to force you.”

  Hattie had begun to look uncertain, her eyes darting from side to side. “Lillian—”

  “I promise,” Lillian repeated. “You will regret it.”

  “Hazel!”

  My mother’s voice rang out across the shop, and Lillian stepped back. Though she wasn’t actively threatening me anymore, her face still held a scowl and her fists were balled at her sides. I breathed.

  My mother pushed through the racks. “Oh, there you are!” she said when she finally caught sight of me. “Hello, Hattie, Lillian, how are you ladies?”

  “Oh, we’re quite well, Mrs. Ackerman,” Hattie said, putting unnecessary emphasis on the prefix.

  “We were just chatting with Hazel about the wedding,” Lillian said. “It was so beautiful.”

  “Pity you couldn’t be there,” said Hattie, and my mother squirmed.

  “Yes, well, can’t be eve
rywhere at once,” my mother said. I wished I could be like her, holding her poise instead of being so easily shaken by these horrible women.

  “Are you ready to go, Hazel?” my mother asked. “I’ve finished putting in my order.”

  “Did you order a new dress, Mrs. Ackerman?” Hattie asked.

  “Ordered half a dozen, actually,” my mother said, annoyance on her face. “Come along, Hazel.”

  Hattie stepped aside, and I pushed past her to join with my mother.

  “Goodbye, Hazel,” Hattie called out. “Hope to see you soon!”

  “Oh, I’m sure we will,” Lillian said. “Goodbye, Hazel!”

  I followed after my mother into the carriage, my heart still thumping out of my chest.

  “I’ve never liked those two,” my mother said after we’d settled in. “They’re so rude.”

  She had no idea.

  Chapter Fourteen

  That night, after a long bath, I sat at my dressing table brushing through my hair. With the moisture squeezed out and my hair plaited back, I set the brush down and tucked a stray strand behind my ear.

  I was struggling to put Hattie and Lillian’s words out of my head. I knew, logically, that they were doing their best to be terrible to me. Their goal was to make me doubt myself, and sadly, it was working.

  I was plain. I didn’t have a title. I had nothing to offer Adam except for my love, and it was laughable to believe that would be enough. My heart ached every time I thought about it, every time his smile or his laugh flashed through my mind. I might be in love with him, but that wasn’t going to be enough.

  Yet, I still held onto hope. I wasn’t going to let that go until I heard the words from Adam’s lips, until he told me himself that he wasn’t interested. Only then would I give up. Lillian and Hattie may have shaken my self–confidence, but their empty threats didn’t scare me.

  I looked at myself in the mirror. Perhaps next time we journeyed into town, my mother would let me buy cosmetics of my own. That way, my face wouldn’t be so plain.

  I stood up from my dressing table and went over to the window to shut the curtains before bed, as I did every night. As I moved to pull the curtains across the rod, I paused. Down below me, sitting in the yard by the road, was a wolf. This wolf looked different than the one that I had seen across the road several days before, and like that one, I didn’t recognize it. I stood in front of the window, staring down at it for a moment, and our eyes locked. The wolf stared back at me, unblinking.