Lydia Dare - Wolf Next Door

"Then on his mother's side?" Will asked. After all, that wasn't unheard of.

The major shook his head. "His mother was Philippa Hawkins, the eldest daughter of Viscount Aberdare. No history there either. It's as though he's an enigma of some sort."

"Are you saying you think he is some sort of aberration?"

"I don't know what I'm saying. I just want you to be careful. Benjamin said the man threatened you."

Will snorted. "Ben is a busybody disguised as a Lycan."

The major leaned back in his seat and chuckled. "He's just a gentler breed than either you or Simon."

That was probably true. He supposed it was kind that Ben was looking out for him. Unnecessary, but kind. Will sighed. "I do appreciate you doing Ben's bidding."

"Go on and find your wife."

Will nodded his good-bye to the man and set off for his mother's suite of rooms. Within moments, he stood outside her threshold and couldn't believe his ears.

"—and it was so lovely, Alice. I do wish you'd been able to attend," Prisca gushed.

"Tell me all about it," his mother rasped. She sounded years older than she had the day before.

"Well," Prisca began brightly, "the entire parlor was done up in white hothouse roses and silver ribbons strung across the walls. It smelled delightful and looked like a spring palace waiting to blossom. Papa wore his best jacket, the darkest black, and he looked so dapper, his chest puffed out with pride. And I wish you could have seen my dress. It was the prettiest shade of blue, matching Will's eyes."

"I'd always hoped the two of you would find your way to each other," his mother whispered.

Will pressed his ear against the door. What was she talking about?

"So did I. And we are so very much in love, Alice. Do take your tonic now. Lily said you needed to rest."

So very much in love? Will's heart pounded faster. Did she love him? Could she? What was the Banbury tale she was spinning?

"Of course," the dowager replied softly. "Do send Desmond up to sit with me while I sleep, would you?"

"I'm sure he wouldn't have it any other way."

A moment later, the door opened and Will had to brace himself to keep from falling inside his mother's room. Prisca scowled at him. "Listening at doors, William?" she muttered so quietly only he could hear.

He grasped her arm and pulled her into the corridor. "What were you telling my mother?"

Prisca shrugged. "She wanted to hear about the wedding."

The wedding? Will's mouth dropped open. "White roses, silver ribbons, and I think you forgot to mention the black bombazine."

She narrowed her violet eyes on him and wrenched her arm from his grasp. "So I embellished a bit. That's not a crime."

Her version was so much nicer than the actual event. "Is that what you wanted, Prissy? The flowers and the… blue dress?" The color of which matched his eyes?

"What I wanted didn't matter. You all saw to that. You, my brothers, Papa."

He hated to hear the pain in her voice, and he touched his finger to her jaw. "I'll get you a whole room full of white roses and silver ribbons."

Prisca tipped her nose in the air. "It was a tale to make Alice happy, Will. Don't read any more into than that." She started down the corridor toward the steps, but Will was quick on her trail. They still had many things to discuss, and she wasn't going to escape him again.

At that moment, Elspeth came flying up the staircase past them, fuming. Ben followed in her wake, looking more furious than Will had ever seen him. Apparently all the Westfield men were chasing their wives this morning.

"Come back here, Elspeth," Ben ordered.

"

Amadain!

" she called over her shoulder. Will wasn't quite certain of the meaning of the word, but he didn't relish being called such a thing if her tone was any indication.

The two of them burst into the closest bedchamber and slammed the door. "I told you that you're not to heal anyone," Ben hissed. "Not while you're carrying our child."

Elspeth's grumbled more Gaelic words and Will winced. Poor Ben.

Prisca sucked in a breath. "Heavens! What was that about?"

"It's a long story," Will said, taking her arm again as they continued down the steps.

***

Prisca could just imagine that it was. She'd never seen such a display of temper. What could Ben have done? And what did he mean about healing? "Well, then it's a good thing I've all day to hear it, isn't it?"

The major appeared in the corridor and glanced from Prisca to Will and back. "Did Alice ask for me?"

Prisca nodded. "Yes, she did, sir."

He brushed past them toward the staircase while Prisca made her way to the blue salon. She spun on her heel to face her new husband and thrust her hands to her hips. One way or the other, he would tell her. "What is wrong with Ben?"

He looked at her as though he didn't have a clue what was going on. She didn't believe him for a second.

"I am waiting, William."

"You'll never believe it," he hedged, closing the door behind them.

It must be worse than she thought. "Try me," Prisca pressed.

"Elspeth is from Scotland."

Was he trying to say the Scottish were more prone to dramatics? "I imagine that was Gaelic cursing by the sound of it. But, honestly, what does that have to do with anything?"

Will shrugged.

He was definitely hiding something from her. Prisca flounced down on the settee, folded her arms across her chest, and tapped her fingers impatiently. "Will!"

He sighed and stepped toward her. "Have you heard the tales of healers and other mystical beings?"

She thought back to the faerie tales she'd heard as a child; she did remember a few. "You're not making any sense."

"The thing is, Elspeth is part of a coven."

She couldn't have heard him correctly. Was he trying to make a fool of her? More of one than he already had? "I beg your pardon?"

"A coven," he said a bit louder. She didn't know why he thought it would sound different if he said it louder. "A coven of witches, to be more specific."

Perfect! He intended to lie to her. "I do not find you remotely humorous." She rose from her spot and intended to march right past him. Perhaps Lily could tell her what was going on.

Will caught her arm and spun her around. "Priss, I'm telling you the truth." He took a deep breath. Then the words started to flow. "Elspeth

is a witch. She is one o

f five from a powerful coven in Scotland. Her particular talent is healing. She can do so using her touch. But she also uses herbs and potions to do other things."

"And so, she wanted to heal Alice?" Prisca asked, not believing one word out of his mouth.

He nodded.

"Then why is Ben so angry?" Honestly, did he expect her to believe all this drivel?

Will's face twisted miserably. "Well, the last time Elspeth healed someone, it drained her to the point that she nearly died. Ben won't let her take that chance again. Not that I blame him."

Her husband was either quite deranged or a terrible liar. Prisca had a very good idea which it was. He'd lied to her about her own innocence, hadn't he? She wasn't going to stay here and let him make a fool of her. She yanked her arm from his grasp and started for the door.

"Now, where are you going?" Will asked. "We have things to discuss, Prisca."

She'd not discuss one more blasted thing with him until he stopped spinning these tales. "I need some time alone."

"Priss," he complained.

But she ignored the plea in his voice. "More things to discuss? Like perhaps the existence of trolls or faeries? I'd rather not."

"I'm telling you the truth," he said solemnly, which truly annoyed her.

He sounded so honest, so sincere—about witches, for heaven's sake. How could she ever believe a word that came out of his mouth?