Lydia Dare - Wolf Next Door

"Indeed?" she asked, narrowing her eyes on him. "Do tell me, William, are there any other secrets I

? Anything else I unknowingly took on when I became a Westfield?"

He shook his head tightly.

"Good," she replied. "Because I don't know how much more I could take." Then she breezed out the door.

Twenty-Two

Will scrubbed his hands over his face. His wife hadn't exactly been accepting of the "witch" news. He certainly couldn't tell her she'd married a Lycan. At least not yet. He'd hoped since she already loved his wolf self, he could be honest with her about who he was. However, after that reaction, it obviously wasn't the smartest idea.

Now he understood why Simon had wanted to keep the secret from Lily. Not that he'd kept it hidden for long. Will hoped his luck would hold out better than his brother's had.

He started for the door but found Ben blocking his path, with a dangerous expression that would have made a lesser man squirm. "I ought to tear your head off."

"Merry Christmas to you, too." Will nodded with indifference.

Ben stalked forward. "How could you tell her?"

"Tell her what?"

His brother's hazel eyes darkened even more. "Not that long ago, William, people were hunting witches and killing them. Ellie's secret is just as important as ours."

"Oh." Will cringed. He hadn't meant any harm. Prissy was family now, and if she knew some of their dynamics… "I just thought—"

"You weren't thinking at all," Ben growled. "What you tell Prisca about yourself is one thing but keep my wife and child out of it, will you?"

"Ben, you know she adores you. She would never hurt you or Elspeth."

Ben folded his arms across his chest, not giving an inch. "After you tell her what

you

are, and if she doesn't run screaming back to Langley Downs, you can tell her about the rest of us."

"Apologies." Will raked a hand through his hair. "Perhaps I wasn't thinking clearly."

"How did it go last night?"

If any other man had asked how his wedding night had gone, Will would have punched him right in the face. But Ben knew the truth of her innocence. "She made me sleep in the guest room."

Ben winced. "Told her the truth?"

"What choice did I have?"

His brother sighed. "You have made a mess of things, Will."

As though he needed to be reminded of that fact. "Thank you for stating the obvious." Will dropped onto the settee and stared at his younger brother. Ben looked positively tortured. "What about you? I picked up a word or two Elspeth hurled your way. They didn't sound of the adoring variety."

Ben walked toward the window and gazed out at the cloudless day. "You don't think I'm awful for not allowing it, do you? She's our mother, but Ellie…"

Will had seen the anguish his brother had gone through when Elspeth had nearly died after healing Ben a few months earlier. No man should have to endure such a thing. Still, their mother was in a precarious position. "It's not my decision."

Ben scoffed. "Whatever happened to my older brother who always told me what to do?"

"Simon's probably in his study." Will hoped to lighten the mood.

"No, he always ordered me around, while you simply told me what to do."

"I've got my own set of problems now, and I don't think I can answer this for you."

"Damn! I had hoped you'd relieve me of this torment." Ben spun from his spot to meet Will's eyes.

Will leaned back in his seat, studying his younger brother. He wished he could take the torment away, but it wasn't his place. "What does Elspeth say? Certainly she wouldn't put the child at risk."

Ben shook his head. "She can't help wanting to fix anyone and everyone who crosses her path. But even she doesn't know how it would affect an unborn child." He began to pace the floor, as though he was uncomfortable in his own skin. "I can't lose her again, Will. You saw what I was like before."

"You're not going to lose her," Will replied, hoping to give his brother some comfort.

"I'm a selfish dog! I mean, this is our mother we're talking about. How can I not allow Ellie to help her?"

"Does she

have

to touch her? Couldn't a potion or spell do the trick?"

Ben shook his head. "She's been drinking that tonic. Ellie made it, and we told Mother it was from Doctor Bramber, but it hasn't done a damn bit of good."

A cough from above emphasized the point. Knowing their mother languished in pain tore at Will's heart. "Isn't there another way? Some safe way for Elspeth…"

Ben heaved a sigh. "How could it be safe?"

What an awful predicament. Will sat forward in his seat. "Whatever you decide, Ben, Simon and I will support you."

A strangled laugh escaped Ben. "I must be bad off. I don't think you've ever said that to me before."

***

A witch! He must think her the simplest of simpletons to believe such drivel! Prisca stomped all the way back to the dower house. How enlightening to know Will thought so highly of her intelligence. A witch, indeed.

Elspeth would be mortified if she knew what he'd said about her. It would serve Will right for Prisca to tell her. He shouldn't go about maligning innocent ladies' names without fear of retribution.

"I understand felicitations are in order," a voice called from behind her.

Prisca stopped as dread crept up her spine. She looked over her shoulder and found Lord Brimsworth regarding her from the edge of the woods. He looked as handsome as ever with the sun beaming down on his golden hair. "My lord, what a surprise. I thought you'd returned to London."

He left his spot near the trees and closed the distance between them. "I wanted to ensure you were safe before I left these parts."

"Safe?" she echoed with a shake of her head.

"Westfield doesn't exactly have the most pristine of reputations, my dear. I wanted to make sure he didn't run out on you at the last moment." He moved to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear, but she dodged his hand.

The look on his face sent uneasy chills down her spine. "And if he had, what would you have done?" she asked tartly.

"I would have taken his place, as I originally intended." He flashed a radiant smile. "My fondest wish is for your happiness, my lady."

There was something in the way he spoke his words that made her shiver. Perhaps Will had been right about him all along. His eyes had a feral look to them, and she found herself quite uncomfortable in his presence. Ready to be rid of the earl, she resumed her walk to the dower house. "As all is fine, will you be returning to London now?"

He kept his steps even with hers. "In due time. So, if you have need of me, you have only to ask."

"Thank you," she replied, knowing full well she'd never ask him for a thing. She had the Westfields and her own idiotic brothers to go to, if she was of the mind. The Earl of Brimsworth should move on with his life. "Though I'm certain that's not at all necessary."

He grabbed her arm, halting her. "Don't be so certain. As I said, Westfield's reputation leaves much to be desired. Your brothers handed you over to him on a silver platter. You have only to ask for my assistance, and I will hasten to your side."

Prisca wrenched her arm from him and pasted on a fraudulent smile. "I do appreciate that, my lord. Now if you'll excuse me, I am awaiting my husband."

"Heaven forbid I keep you then," he replied with a charming smile.

Prisca said farewell and then briskly made her way to the dower house, her heart thumping loudly the entire way. Once she reached her destination, she threw open the door and tried to catch her breath. Something told her she'd narrowly made an escape.

***

Will followed Prisca's scent back to the dower house, walking slowly, his hands in his pockets as he kicked a stone in his path. They had important things to discuss, and she couldn't avoid him forever. She'd definitely been this way, because her scent was strong. But then another scent joined with hers. Will stopped in his tracks and sniffed the air.