McNeely, Rachel - The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  “Exactly who are you?” Wulf asked, looking from one to the other.

  “I’m the Constable and these are my assistants. Don’t remember seeing you here before. Are you Lord Radford?”

  “I am. My father visited frequently in the past. I prefer my other country estate.”

  Wulf walked to the window. Dawn lit the horizon. Facing the men, he said, “Gentlemen, you must excuse me. It's time for my ride. I don't wish to miss it. I plan to leave by noon for London.”

  “You can’t leave now.”

  “And why not? I certainly have more important things to do than to go hunting with my neighbors for a wolf. I'm sure they can handle that without my help. Just see they stay off my property.” The iciness of Wulf’s words could have frozen the noses of the men standing nearby. Wulf moved forward, and the men stepped back.

  “Seems like you'd want to see the wolf caught," the Constable said.

  "Not at all. I have no idea what the men were doing sneaking around my property, but the wolf is obviously a good deterrent to stop any more nefarious outings on my land."

  The Constable glared at Wulf. “Come on, you two,” he snarled. “We will see if Lord Radford's neighbors are more willing to help.” He stopped at the door and his eyes drilled into Wulf. “We'll take care of this matter.”

  Wulf inclined his head. “I wish you good hunting.”

  Bailey, who had joined them, closed the door and sagged against it, his eyes full of questions.

  “We will talk on the way to town. For now, I will ride as I told the gentlemen."

  “I will prepare for our departure.”

  Wulf went to the stables and waited while his favorite mare was saddled. Mounting, he directed his horse away from the forest and across the open fields. The wind blew through his hair. Wildflowers crushed by his horse’s hooves added a sweet scent to the early morning air. Dewdrops sparkled on the grass and lambs grazed nearby. The idyllic morning contrasted with the evil last night, just as he lived two contrasting existences.

  He slowed at the top of the hill and viewed the patchwork of neighboring farms. This estate was not as safe as it had been in his father and ancestors’ time. The family was not known as well in this area, especially since Wulf rarely came to London and consequently seldom came here. He needed the larger acreage of fields and woods on his ancestral estate. Even that might not be enough to continue to hide his secret.

  Should he tell Thea the truth before they wed? If he did, she might call off the wedding and tell others about him and his family. He didn’t think she'd betray him, but he couldn’t risk how she might react.

  He’d marry her first. She might hate him later, but that would help keep distance between them. He would not risk having a child, yet. Hope still lingered that he'd find the answers he needed. This nightmare had to end with him.

  Chapter Eight

  A knock on the door woke Thea. “Come in.”

  A young maid brought in a tray and placed it on a small, oval table by the bed.

  “Thank you.” Thea slipped out of bed and pulled on her wrapper. After pouring herself a cup of the sweet smelling chocolate, she walked to the window.

  Carriages rumbled by. She took a sip of chocolate, hoping the warmth would calm her uneasiness. Now that she was awake, her concerns regarding Wulf's strange behavior and her impending marriage came to the forefront. When might Wulf return and how soon afterwards did he plan to marry her?

  She forced the questions and worries filling her head away and glanced around as Elvie came through the adjoining door.

  “I’ll get dressed. We should go downstairs for breakfast,” Thea said.

  “I'm ready. I'll wait in my room.” Elvie fairly danced across the floor. “Today we go shopping for new gowns."

  Whatever happened in the future, seeing her sister happy made it all worthwhile. Thea dressed in a simple light gray muslin gown. She pulled her hair up into a heavy knot. Looking into the mirror, she studied the slim, serious looking young woman reflected back at her.

  Remembering Wulf’s golden eyes watching her, glowing at her, brought a sensation of warmth caressing her skin. Most of the titled debutantes were beautiful. She'd love to improve her appearance. Being his bride, it was important not to embarrass his family, as his mother had told her in no uncertain terms. Ha, be honest. You want to look the best you can for the man who will soon be your husband.

  Thea turned resolutely from the mirror. She'd ask his mother for advice. Lady Radford knew all of the newer styles and fashion for clothes and hair. She walked across to Elvie's door and called to her. She mustn't linger any longer, although she'd prefer to hide in her room.

  Lady Radford and Lady Jane were already seated in the small dining room. Thea and Elvie helped themselves from the platters of food on the sideboard and then joined their hostess and her daughter.

  “Did you sleep well?” Lady Radford asked, chilliness still in her tone.

  “Yes, very well thank you.” Thea’s eyes met Lady Radford’s. “I appreciate all your son and you have done for us, Lady Radford. I have one more favor to ask.”

  Lady Radford raised her chin and sat back in her chair. “Yes?”

  “You are very knowledgeable about fashion. I have heard ladies are wearing their hair short.” She touched the back of her head. “My hair is long and heavy and I was thinking of having it cut. What do you think?” A slight smile crossed Lady Radford’s face, sending a shiver of uneasiness along Thea’s spine.

  “I employ a very capable hairdresser. I am sure she'd cut your hair in a most attractive style.”

  “Today?”

  Lady Radford nodded and rose. “I will go now and send a request she come here this afternoon, after we return from shopping.”

  Thea thanked her future mother-in-law and sat back satisfied. Perhaps it would make her more attractive. Several young debutantes wore their hair short and curled around their faces giving them a softer look. If the mantua-maker sent some gowns home with them, and her hair was cut shorter, she believed it would help her feel more confident and attractive.

  She noted Jane and Elvie’s worried expression. “Is something the matter?”

  “My brother will return soon. Why not wait and ask him first?” Jane said. “He has always said no when Mother suggested cutting my hair.”

  “He has no right to say no or yes,” Thea said.

  “When you are married, he has all the rights.” Jane put up her hand. “Not that he will be unkind, but he is used to making the decisions in his home.”

  Doubt clouded Thea’s vision for a moment. Fear clawed at her insides. Did she go from one monster to another? No. She'd always known the husband was the decision maker. He'd have complete control, but his sister had no fear of him. The thought reassured her.

  "Come, girls. I've sent the message and we need to leave early so we get back in time for Miss Beckett's hair cut. Hurry along. I'll call for the carriage." Lady Radford urged them upstairs for their pelisses.

  Thea and Elvie returned downstairs ready for their outing. Garr came out of the kitchen to join them.

  “Lord Radford said I’m to go with you everywhere,” he said.

  Thea smiled. “We are glad to have you along.” She glanced up the stairs and saw Lady Radford frown.

  “What is this? Who is this man?”

  “Lord Radford has instructed him to come with us on all outings,” Thea explained.

  Lady Radford put on her gloves. “You may attend us for now. I shall talk with Ulric on his return.” Her voice reflected her displeasure.

  Thea and Elvie followed close behind Jane and her mother and climbed into the carriage to sit opposite them. It didn’t take long to arrive at the shop.

  The mantua-maker, Madame Chloe, rushed to greet Lady Radford. When told what was needed, the woman beamed and rubbed her hands together. “I am sure we can dress these lovely ladies to suit you, Lady Radford.” She studied Thea and Elvie, walking around them and mumbling softly to
herself. Her head nodded as though satisfied with her assessment.

  “As I explained, they need everything. Gowns for day, evening, and night clothes, plus they will be returning to our country estate, so riding habits must be included. I’m sure you will not forget anything,” Lady Radford said, a wry smile crossing her face.

  Although uncomfortable with the two women talking about her and Elvie as though they were not in the room, Thea kept her mouth shut and settled into a nearby chair. Jane whispered in Elvie's ear, bringing a smile to her face. For Elvie alone, all this embarrassment was worth it. The mantua-maker and Lady Radford looked at a number of patterns and then Madame Chloe rushed off, disappearing behind a curtained area, only to return with an assistant and a large stack of materials—silk, satin, sheer cottons, crepe and velvet.

  Thea and Elvie stood patiently while measurements were taken and fabrics draped across their bodies. Lady Radford walked around them, saying yes to some and no to others. Madame Chloe brought out a silk shot with green, blue, and gold. The colors swirled and shone in the watery sunlight breaking through the fog and shining through the window. Thea reverently caressed the silk. It was lovelier than anything she'd ever seen.

  “You're right.” Lady Radford nodded. “It is perfect for an evening gown. Make it one of the first you sew.” She gazed up at Thea. “I will see my son stays in town long enough for a ball to announce your marriage. This will be the perfect gown.”

  Thea laughed inwardly. If Lord Radford didn't want to do something, Thea doubted Lady Radford had much influence. She loved the material, and if not in London, maybe some day she'd have a chance to show off the finished gown. She especially wanted to see Lord Radford’s expression when she wore it for him.

  “We need one more item,” his mother added. “Show me some silk in a white or cream color.”

  “Ah yes, Madam. A wedding dress?”

  “I’m sure one of my gowns…” Thea began.

  Lady Radford stared her down. “I know what you need. Even though my son insists on a small wedding, there will be reports of what you wear.” She turned to look at the new fabric brought from the back room.

  Madame Chloe flung the cream-colored silk, embroidered with shiny silver threads in the shape of feathers, across Althea’s shoulder.

  Silence. The women studied the fabric and Althea stared at her image in the mirror. Instead of making her paleness more prominent, the material cast a soft glow to her features.

  Lady Radford cleared her throat. “Yes, as usual your taste is impeccable, Madam Chloe. Use your own judgment about the style and see it finished quickly. My son appears to be most impatient to wed. Also we'll take those finished gowns you showed us."

  The mantua-maker had her assistant wrap the few finished gowns Lady Radford had approved and she took them out to Lady Radford's driver. "I'll send the others when they're finished, my Lady," Madame Chloe said.

  “We need them as soon as possible. You'll be well compensated. Come all of you.” Lady Radford motioned to her daughter, Thea, and Elvie. “We have much to do yet.”

  It was fun as Jane said. Her mother did not stop until they had gowns, hats, shoes, gloves, and anything else she considered necessary. On the way home, at Jane's encouragement, they stopped briefly for sweet ices.

  * * * *

  Wulf went directly to Jeffrey’s. The butler motioned him toward the dining room. His boot heels clacked across the floor, as he strode down the corridor. He moved his shoulders restlessly. His clothes restricted his movements and itched after the freedom he experienced in wolf form.

  Jeffrey had lowered his paper and looked expectantly as Wulf strolled through the door. “You're back. Had breakfast?”

  “No, I left my estate rather early.”

  “Join me,” Jeffrey said.

  Wulf chose sausage, ham, potatoes and eggs from the assortment of offerings. Then he joined his friend at the table. "Was everything quiet here?"

  "Yes, I rode to your house and went in the back way. According to your man, Garr, the ladies were planning a shopping trip today and he'd go along. I like the man. All was quiet, so I returned without them knowing I'd been there."

  "Thank you." Relief eased the tension in Wulf's muscles. "I had a bit of an adventure myself." Wulf proceeded to tell Jeffrey about the episode with Akers and later with the men who came to his home.

  "And you're fairly certain your late night visitors were Akers men?"

  "Yes. The attitude gave them away. A regular constable would not be threatening a marquis in his own home. If I'd had more time, I'd have investigated further." Wulf took a swallow of coffee. "But, I have plans to put into motion. By the way, have you anything planned for tomorrow afternoon?”

  Jeffrey contemplated his friend. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I’d like for you to attend my wedding.”

  Jeffrey, who had just taken a swallow of his coffee, choked and coughed.

  “I do so enjoy surprising you.” Wulf curled his lip in a faint smile.

  “I understand you're betrothed, but isn’t this rushing it a bit?”

  “Not at all. I'm ready to return to the country. The sooner the deed is done, the better.”

  “You don't consider this a love match?” Jeffrey looked at him speculatively.

  “We both have mutual needs. This way will work much better than an emotional relationship.” Wulf almost flinched telling such a lie to his friend.

  “And after Clarisse…”

  “Do not say her name,” Wulf growled. The memory of his first wife and her betrayal was suddenly fresh in his mind. Beautiful Clarisse with her golden hair, blue eyes and full luscious lips that made all the men around her want to taste them, had been innocence personified on the surface. She’d fooled him.

  “How can you ever have a successful marriage with another woman, Wulf, if you haven't resolved those feelings?”

  “We have agreed to a marriage of convenience. Neither expects anything more.”

  “Are you sure? Most women find it difficult not to become emotionally involved.”

  “I will see that we don’t.”

  Jeffrey started to say something else and apparently thought better of it. “Of course I will be at your wedding. What time and where?”

  “My house at two, I hope. I sent a message to our rector before I left town and asked him to be here by tomorrow, if at all possible. If he does not arrive, I'll contact you.”

  “Why this rush?”

  “Her uncle, for some unknown reason, wants her to marry Akers. She doesn't want too. I guessed that the uncle had altered his brother's will, and I confronted him. He's afraid to challenge me, which is evidence of his guilt. But, I have nothing to show a court of law. It won't take Beckett long to figure that out. I don't trust him or Akers not to try another trick. Akers is determined to marry her or he'd have not attempted the kidnapping plot. I plan to marry her tomorrow and we'll leave town the next day.”

  Jeffrey nodded. “From the start, you didn't plan to stay very long in London. I presume Lady Jane is satisfied with your short appearance.”

  “My sister, like you, knows me well.”

  They ate in companionable silence. Jeffrey shared his paper and Wulf relaxed. If all went well, he and his new wife would be back at his ancestral estate within a few days. He was ready to leave the busy town with its noise and smells.

  Wulf pushed back from the table. "Thanks for breakfast. I have several errands to do and then I'm heading home."

  * * * *

  Arriving home tired but happy, Thea and the others were greeted by the hairdresser. She had waited patiently for their arrival. She quickly directed Thea out to the garden. Lady Radford smiled and excused herself.

  Thea sat with a sheet wrapped around her shoulders, while the woman Lady Radford recommended began to trim the front of her hair. Elvie and Lady Jane stood nearby with worried expressions on their faces.

  “Please quit frowning,” Thea said.

 
Lady Jane stepped in front of her. “I wish you would wait until Wulf gets home.”

  "There isn't time, and this is a decision that should be mine. I'm not married to him yet!”

  “You will be, by tomorrow afternoon.” Wulf stepped outside.

  Thea sat straighter and tilted her chin up in defiance. The hairdresser stepped back. Elvie and Lady Jane gasped.

  Wulf strolled around, viewing her hair from all sides. Her face prickled with heat from the cut hair sticking to her skin and the intensity of his glare. He bent and picked up a small lock of black strands.

  “Why would you want to destroy something so lovely?”

  She tightened her mouth. What could she say? She’d never thought her hair was pretty and no one except her father had ever voiced an admiration for it.

  Shivers of anticipation rippled along her spine. Would he refuse to marry her? Maybe he'd been waiting for such an opportunity to cry off. She tried to swallow and found her throat tight and dry.

  “Your mother assured me it is most fashionable to have short hair. I intend to make my own decisions regarding my person.” The words came out clipped with only a slight quiver, which she hoped Wulf didn't notice.

  “Mother is always current with fashion.”

  His voice gave away none of his feelings. Thea wished she knew what he was thinking. His coolness rattled her nerves, more than if he expressed his anger.

  “I came to tell you that my rector will be here at two o’clock tomorrow to marry us. I trust you will be prepared to leave for the country early the next morning.”

  “Lady Radford is planning a ball to announce our marriage and introduce me to the Ton as your wife.”

  “I am sure she will understand my need to return to home. Leave mother to me.” With that he turned on his heel and started toward the French windows. He glanced at the woman standing to the side. “Don’t touch another hair on her head,” he snarled, before walking briskly toward the sitting room.

  “I have no say in the matter?” Thea's voice stopped him. He didn’t turn around.