The Wolf Next Door
Page 31
The old officer nodded. “I have a cousin there who I think can mentor the man better than I could.”
Will growled under his breath.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Simon said. “But he has been dealt with. The major saw to that. And Brimsworth gave his word as a gentleman that he wouldn’t return here.”
“As a gentleman?” Prisca echoed. He seemed the furthest thing from that, the feral, golden wolf still fresh in her mind.
Will sighed beside her. “He gave his word?” At Simon’s nod, he looked at Prisca. “His honor means everything to him. If he gave his word, we have nothing to worry about.”
Well, if Will believed it, she trusted him. She smiled at her husband and then took a sip of tea.
When the butler entered the breakfast room, Elspeth asked him, “Have you seen Miss Macleod, Billings? Or is she sleepin’ late this morning?”
The older man looked slightly uncomfortable. “She left for home a couple of hours ago, actually.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a note. “She did leave word for you, my lady.”
Elspeth took the bit of foolscap and tore into it quickly. Her eyebrows arched and she shrugged as she said, “She says she forgot her father’s birthday is approachin’. And she needed ta return home posthaste. She extends her thanks for allowin’ her ta stay as long as ye did.” She addressed the last to Simon and Lily. A frown marred Elspeth’s pretty features.
Ben’s hand reached to cover hers. “Do you think that’s all it is?”
“I donna ken what she’s thinking. Mr. Macleod’s birthday is in April. I suppose April’s approachin’, but it’s no’ right around the corner.”
“We’ll send a note to make certain she’s all right,” Ben suggested.
Then they all shoved Miss Macleod’s absence from their minds and concentrated on the meal. Finally, Simon pulled Lily to her feet and said, “We’re going to catch a few hours of sleep. I suggest you all do the same.” As he walked by Prisca, he touched his hand to the top of her head and said, “Welcome to the family, my dear.”
Epilogue
Westfield Hall, Hampshire December 1817
Will tugged Prisca toward what he promised was a secluded parlor. She was surprised he’d managed to locate a place that was not occupied by one family member or another. Westfield Hall was nearly bursting at the seams.
At the moment, her father and all of her brothers were overcrowding the manor. Benjamin and Elspeth, along with their darling daughter Rose, had arrived a few hours previously. Major Forster and Alice were cooing over their grandchild at this very moment. Oliver York was also in residence, along with a few of his friends he’d brought home with him from Harrow. While Simon and Lily were playing host to everyone, Will had quietly pulled Prisca away from the din.
“What is it?” she whispered, as he shut the door behind him.
With a mischievous smile, Will rummaged around in his pocket and then extracted a tiny bit of mistletoe. He’d secreted her away for a kiss? She couldn’t help but laugh. “William Westfield, you don’t need mistletoe to kiss me…”
He held it over her protruding belly and pressed his lips to where their child grew inside her. In response, their baby kicked its foot wildly. Will traced his hands across her stomach and whispered, “Come on, little fellow, don’t make us wait too much longer to introduce yourself.”
Prisca rolled her eyes and batted his hands away. “Somewhere along the way, I do believe you’ve lost your mind.”
Will winked at her. “It’s just a bit of encouragement. Can you imagine the look on Simon’s face when you deliver before Lily?”
Prisca laughed. “I had no idea it was a competition.”
“Of course, it’s a competition. Did you see all the attention little Rose has received?” Will pocketed his mistletoe. “It’s about time this little one made his appearance.”
“On that, you and Papa agree. He is quite ready to be a grandfather.”
Will chuckled. “He pulled me aside tonight and told me he was glad to know I wasn’t the rogue he’d always thought me.” He slid his arms around her back and pulled her into his embrace.
Prisca sighed. She’d never tire of his love and attention. “Oh, but you were that rogue for many years.”
“Hmm,” he agreed, brushing his lips across her brow. “How lucky I am that you forgave all of my past misdeeds and married me anyway.”
“Not that you gave me any choice.”
Will looked down at her, his light-blue eyes intense with his gaze. “Any regrets?”
She shook her head. “Never.” Their child kicked her again, and she laughed. “And the baby is in complete agreement.”
About the Author
Lydia Dare is an active member of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, where she sits on the board of directors. She lives in a house filled with boys and an animal or two (or ten) near Raleigh, North Carolina.