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

by Patricia Blackmoor

  The house was strangely quiet. I passed through to the kitchen, where I finally found the first signs of life.

  “Miss Hazel, you’re up and about,” said Clara as she wiped her hands off on a towel. “Are you feeling better?”

  “I am.” I looked around the empty house. “Where is everyone?”

  “Oh, your parents went into town for some things; they left a bit ago. They should be back by dinnertime. Your brother is out back.”

  “Thanks,” I said, craning my neck to look out the French doors.

  “Are you hungry?” Clara asked me. “I know that you haven’t eaten much. I’ve got leftover crumpets from breakfast, and I’d be happy to fry you up some eggs.”

  “That sounds fantastic,” I said.

  I went and sat on the back porch while Clara made my breakfast. The sun was out, and felt perfect on my skin. When Harry saw me, he crossed the lawn and came and sat beside me.

  “You look like you’re feeling better,” he said.

  “I am, thank you.”

  “We were worried. Adam was worried.”

  I smiled. “You don’t say.”

  He laughed. “He was beside himself. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him like that.”

  “I thought it was sweet.”

  Clara came out the French doors and set my plate in front of me, and I hungrily dug in.

  “Since you’ve had a chance to rest, do you remember anything else about the accident?” he asked me.

  “Nothing new,” I answered.

  “Adam mentioned the wolf you saw. You think that’s the same one that was sitting outside the house?”

  “It was a ways away,” I admitted, “but I think so.”

  “Adam and I have been keeping a lookout, but the wolf hasn’t come back.”

  “That’s good, I suppose.”

  “We asked around town as well, but no one seemed to know who that wolf might be. You’re sure it was silver and gray?”

  With my head injury, I was doubting myself. “I think so.”

  He shrugged. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.”

  I hesitated, not sure how to broach my next topic. “Harry, you know Hattie Thorn and Lillian Hilton?”

  He leaned back in his chair. “Yes, why?”

  “Well, I think you might know that I’ve never been particularly fond of them. Recently, they’ve been more awful than usual. They heard that Adam and I are courting, and they were livid. Do you know why that might be?”

  Harry smirked. “I can think of a few reasons.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  He sighed. “I’ve long suspected that they fancy Adam.”

  I swallowed, feeling my muscles tense. “What makes you say that?”

  “Oh, when we were younger and happened to be at the same place—a party, the races, that sort of thing, they’d follow him around like lost puppies.”

  “Really.”

  “He ignored it, of course,” Harry said with a wave of his hand. “He never had any interest in them. From what he says, he’s never been interested in anyone but you, though he certainly never said anything to me.”

  My face flushed. “I’ve fancied him for a while as well.”

  “Fine work you did keeping it from me.”

  “What was I supposed to tell you? I thought it was a silly girl’s dream.”

  “Surprise, then.”

  “You’ve no idea,” I murmured. “But it all makes sense now. Lillian and Hattie were horrid to me because for once, I’ve got something they want.”

  Harry grinned. “Something like that.”

  “How peculiar. Never thought this day would come.”

  “Imagine how they’ll feel on your wedding day.”

  “Now you’re getting ahead of yourself,” I said, sipping at my tea. “Still, attacking me seems a bit of an overreaction to jealousy, don’t you think?”

  Harry sat up straighter. “Attack you? You didn’t mention that.”

  “In the shop. Lillian confronted me about Adam, then she shoved me. I hit the floor.”

  “She shoved you purposefully?”

  “It certainly seemed so. She was positively seething with rage.”

  “Did mum see it?”

  “Not until after I’d hit the floor. The only other person who saw what happened was Hattie.”

  “Perhaps you should keep your distance.”

  “That’s what Adam said,” I sighed. “I try, but they seem to find me no matter how hard I avoid them.”

  “Well, I’m sure it’s nothing. They’ll have to accept that you’re courting Adam soon enough, and once they do, they’ll move on.”

  “Still, seems an overreaction, doesn’t it?”

  “Oh, I agree,” Harry said with a nod. “But if I remember right, they’ve always been horrid to you, haven’t they?”

  “Yes, since we were in school together.”

  “They may just dislike you, odd as that is. And besides, aren’t the two of them positively spoiled rotten?”

  “That’s true.”

  “Neither one of them is used to not getting what they want. They probably didn’t know how to handle it.”

  “They did put up quite a fuss when they were told that the duke didn’t choose them,” I said, thinking back to my time at Wolf’s Peak. “The butler had to remove them, and they were kicking and screaming.”

  “I remember Adam telling me that.”

  “I suppose if they were willing to do that in the duke’s home, it shouldn’t surprise me that they’d be upset other times they don’t get what they want.”

  “Some people,” Harry said, shaking his head. “If my children ever behave like that, please, take me out back and shoot me.”

  “You’d have to have children first,” I said, trying to keep the tone light, though I knew it was a sensitive subject. My parents were desperate for Harry to get married and give them a gaggle of grandchildren.

  “God,” he muttered. “And to do that, I’d need to get married.”

  “There isn’t one girl in town who catches your fancy?”

  “If there is, I haven’t met her yet.”

  “If you’re looking for a wife, I hear Hattie and Lillian are available.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me. “You aren’t funny,” he said, standing up from the table. Chuckling to myself, I followed him inside.

  Nearly two weeks later, I sat at the piano in the living room, my fingers dancing over the ivory keys. Things had been quiet since I’d left my bed. Adam had been to visit some family in Scotland, so he hadn’t been around much. The wolf outside my window hadn’t returned either, and I was beginning to think the whole thing was either a coincidence or all in my imagination.

  I shuffled the sheet music and laid out the pages against the stand on top of the piano. Flexing my fingers, I started again, my favorite Nocturne that somehow still gave me trouble. My own fault for choosing a song in E–flat, forcing my brain to work harder to convert the key.

  I was midway through the piece when I heard the back door open, but I didn’t pay it any mind. I assumed it was Harry or one of the servants. Instead, Adam passed through, sitting in one next to me on the piano bench.

  I pulled my hands from the keys, but he shook his head. “Please, finish.”

  Suddenly self–conscious, I placed my fingers back on the ivory and finished the rest of the piece, praying I didn’t hit the wrong note or stumble. Adam probably wouldn’t mind, but I’d be horribly embarrassed.

  When the piece came to a close, I released my hands and placed them in my lap. He smiled. “That was beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How are you feeling?” He reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and my stupid heart began to beat faster.

  “Much better, thank you.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been away.”

  “No need to apologize. You’re a lord, you have duties.”

  He sighed. “You aren’
t wrong. Have you seen the wolf again since I’ve been gone?”

  “Not at all.”

  He frowned. “Strange. Still, that’s probably for the best.”

  “It certainly makes me more comfortable.” I paused, trying to carefully plan out my next sentence. “Harry told me that Hattie and Lillian fancy you.”

  Adam shifted, not quite meeting my eyes. “Did he?”

  “He said they follow you around like puppies.”

  “I suppose I’ve never noticed.”

  I gently touched his arm. “Adam, you don’t have to lie to me.”

  “I’m not lying,” he promised. “I really haven’t.”

  “Just because you noticed it doesn’t have to mean you enjoyed the attention,” I told him. “But I do find it hard to believe that you didn’t notice two beautiful women following you around.”

  “Annoying is a better descriptor,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I suppose the reason that I didn’t notice is because I had an eye on someone else.” He nudged me.

  “You’re trying to change the subject.”

  “Perhaps. It’s uncomfortable to talk about girls who thought they fancied me.”

  “The problem is,” I said, taking a breath. “I think they still do. I think that’s why they attacked me at the store.”

  He frowned. “That’s incredibly immature, if that’s the case.”

  “No one ever said they had any maturity,” I muttered to him.

  “I’ve never done anything to encourage it,” he said. “But I apologize if it’s really me that they’re upset about.”

  “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault.”

  “Perhaps. But I hate to think that they would be willing to hurt you over some silly crush.”

  We both fell quiet. The topic was making Adam more uncomfortable by the second; he was squirming and fiddling with his hands. It wasn’t particularly comfortable for me, either. As silly as it might be, I didn’t like imagining other women being infatuated with Adam, and it scared me a bit that they might be willing to hurt me over it.

  “How was your trip to Scotland?” I finally said.

  “Oh, it was fine. It’s my mother’s family, my aunts and such. I hadn’t seen them in a bit.”

  “It’s nice that you were able to find time.”

  “The duke and Christine were on their honeymoon, so he gave us some time off. I think after the hectic process of the duke’s engagement and wedding, we could have all used it.”

  “Where did they go on the honeymoon?” I asked.

  “To the coast. They got back just a few days ago. Seemed they had a lovely time.”

  “I visited the coast once when I was little,” I said. “I’d love to go back.”

  Adam was quiet for a moment, then he turned to me. “The duke is having another garden party this week.”

  “Another?”

  “It’s mad, isn’t it? I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time. It seems like he’s throwing a party every week.”

  “Is this what it’s like, being a part of the regency?”

  He chuckled. “He’s never celebrated like this since I’ve been on his council. I’m happy that he’s happy.” He paused again. “Would you like to come with me?”

  “I’m sure it would be lovely for Christine to have a friend there.”

  “Not just for Christine,” Adam said. “For me, as well. I would like you to come as my date, if you’d like.”

  I pinched my lips to suppress a wide smile. “That sounds brilliant.”

  Adam didn’t bother hiding his smile. “Wonderful. I was hoping you’d say yes.”

  “Did you think there was a chance I’d say no?”

  “I wasn’t going to assume,” he said.

  Silence fell between us as we looked into each other’s eyes. Gently, Adam raised his hand to cup my jaw. Our lips met in a soft kiss, melding together. My hands found his shirt, grasping it, pulling him closer to me.

  “Oi! Do you have to do that in the middle of the house?”

  I probably jumped about a foot, neither Adam or I willing to meet my brother’s annoyed expression.

  “Sorry, mate,” Adam said as I tried not to laugh nervously.

  Adam cleared his throat and stood up from the piano bench. “I’ll see you on Thursday, if that’s all right, Hazel? Two o’clock?”

  “Sounds lovely,” I said to him.

  He gave me a slight nod as he followed my brother to the kitchen, and once they were out of sight, I let the smile spread across my face.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Both Adam and Harry agreed that I had nothing to worry about when it came to Lillian and Hattie. Though I wasn’t sure if I agreed, I did my best to put them out of my mind. Although their attraction to Adam made me uncomfortable, nothing I did was going to change it. Instead, I stayed in the house, not wandering into town. I would give them a few days to cool down before I let myself be exposed. I had more important things to think about anyway, like the fact that Adam and I were courting.

  I tried to focus on the upcoming gala at Wolf’s Peak. It wasn’t too difficult when my new gowns arrived later that week. As soon as the package arrived, my mother rushed them up to my room and together we excitedly unpacked. The gowns were even more gorgeous in person, the cuts and fabrics perfect together. I hung each gown in my wardrobe, fingers lingering over the material.

  “Oh, you should wear this one to the party,” my mother said, holding up the blue dress with the floral pattern.

  “I was hoping to wear this one,” I said, motioning to the sage green dress I had just hung. It was my favorite by far, a soft chiffon with sheer sleeves, simple and stunning.

  “Darling, it’s lovely, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for a garden party,” she said.

  I wanted to disagree, but I’d save it for something else. “All right,” I said, not wanting an argument. “I’ll wear the blue one.”

  The day of the garden party, my mother laced up my corset and I climbed into the blue gown. Blue wasn’t the best color on me, but it did pull out the hazel color in my eyes. Not as much as the sage would have, but it was still lovely.

  With my gown buttoned up and the white sash tight around my waist, I sat down at my dressing table to allow my mother to work her magic on my hair and face. She pulled my hair back, securing it loosely with pins at the nape of my neck. She applied just the barest bit of cosmetics to my face, some powder to reduce shine, a bit of rouge, a little color on my lips. Finally she rummaged through my jewelry box for the finishing touches.

  “The jewelry box Adam gave you is lovely,” she remarked.

  “I know. I adore it.”

  “It was probably quite expensive.”

  “Oh,” I said, shifting in my seat. “I hadn’t really considered price.”

  She held a pearl necklace up to my neck, but after a moment reconsidered and chose a set of pearl drop earrings instead. I was glad we agreed on that; the necklace would have been far too much with the white ruffles on the neckline.

  I pulled out a pair of lace gloves, then went to my wardrobe to choose a pair of boots. As I rummaged through my options, I paused.

  “Mum, have you seen my suede heels?”

  “You weren’t going to wear heels to a garden party, were you?” she asked.

  “No, I’m wearing boots. I just noticed that the heels aren’t in here.”

  “Well, I certainly don’t know what you did with them,” she sighed.

  I wanted to argue that I hadn’t done anything to them, that they had been in my closet last time I’d looked several days ago, but I held my tongue and pulled my boots on.

  As I laced them up, I heard the sound of a carriage. My mother dashed to the window.

  “Adam’s here!” she sang out. “Hurry up.”

  “I’m ready,” I said, standing up as I could hear Adam come in the front door. My mother hurried downstairs, and after a quick look in the mirror, I left my bedroom and followed after
her.

  No one was in the entry when I descended the stairs. Instead, they had all gathered together in the parlor, where Adam was talking with my parents and Harry. I passed through into the parlor, and Adam looked over at me and smiled. My heart began to beat faster as I crossed the room toward where they were standing by the window.

  “Oh, there she is,” my mother squealed. I grimaced. “All right, you two,” she said, stepping back. “I need a photo.”

  “You really don’t, Mum,” I sighed.

  “Nonsense, don’t you want to remember these days? Have photos to show your children?”

  I rubbed at my temple. “Oh my God, mum.”

  “You know, in my day, we didn’t have these fancy little boxes,” she muttered as she pulled the camera off the mantel.

  “I know, mum, you said that last time.”

  “Just humor her,” Adam murmured in my ear, and a thrill ran through my body as his breath hit my neck.

  “Fine.”

  My father and brother stepped back, and Adam threaded his arm around my waist as we posed for the camera. After the photo had finally been taken, my mother set the camera back down.

  “Oh, I meant to show you!” she exclaimed. “We got the photos back that we took from the wedding.”

  “Mum, we’ve got to go,” I protested.

  “Oh, it will just take a minute,” she said. She pulled out the envelope.

  I had to admit, the photos looked nice. There we were, standing next to each other in the entry, wearing the green dress of mine that had gone missing. It was sad—that dress had been gorgeous—but it would live on forever in my photos.

  “Are you ready?” Adam asked, taking my arm.

  “Absolutely,” I said, ready to escape my mother’s loquacity.

  We left the house with Adam helping me into the carriage. I had expected him to take the seat across from me, but instead he sat down on the seat next to me. Our shoulders touched, and my heart beat rapidly. Stupid. I didn’t want him to hear how flustered I was. My face was already turning red as it was.

  The carriage started off toward Wolf’s Peak. As we rolled along, I turned to Adam.