Lydia Dare - Wolf Next Door

"Where are we going?"

He looked back over his shoulder at her. "I am going to Scotland.

You're

staying here. Though it might be a good idea for you to move into The Hall while I'm gone."

Why couldn't she go to Scotland with him? She wouldn't be in the way. They were just now starting to rub along well together. "What does it matter where I am?" she muttered.

Will turned to face her. "I'm not going for a leisurely jaunt, Prisca. You wouldn't want to go. Besides, you're needed here."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because Mother adores you. Embellish to your heart's content. Just stay with her for me, Prissy, until I return."

The emotion she saw in his eyes made a lump form in her throat. All Prisca could do was nod.

Will turned away from her and let his robe drop to the floor as he retrieved a fresh pair of trousers. Her eyes landed on the crescent moon mark and she wondered again what it was about the blemish that called out to her. She'd obviously spent too much time with the wacky Westfields. If she wasn't careful she'd be as mad as the lot of them.

***

After bathing and dressing, Prisca trekked up the path to Westfield Hall. Billings ushered her inside, and she quickly found her way to Alice Westfield's bedside. The dowager, now so frail and thin, didn't even look like herself.

She was sleeping, and Major Forster sat diligently at her bedside. If his love and devotion could have healed Alice, she would be up and about, spinning with joy. But love didn't have that sort of power.

Prisca stepped forward and caught the major's attention. "Can I sit with her a while?"

"Of course, m'dear." A moment later, the old officer left the two of them alone.

Prisca sat in the seat he'd vacated and leaned forward, placing her hands on the warm counterpane. She wasn't certain how long she sat sentry over the woman, but she did notice when the sun started to dip in the sky.

Alice's light eyes slowly opened, and a smile lit her lips when she saw Prisca. "My dear girl," she rasped. "I'm sure you have better things to do than watch me waste away."

Prisca choked on a sob. She shook her head, hoping to lighten the mood. "What could possibly be more interesting at Westfield Hall? Blackmoor is probably barking orders at poor Billings and scowling at anyone who passes him by. Benjamin can't help staring moon-eyed at Elspeth from sun-up to sundown, which is a bit revolting, I must tell you.

"And Lily is catching up with Oliver, listening to all the sordid details of one schoolboy prank after another." She playfully rolled her eyes. "As always, you are by far the best conversationalist to be found on the premises and the only sane Westfield of the lot."

Alice laughed, which caused a fit of coughs.

Prisca handed the dowager a handkerchief and silently berated herself for causing the woman any undue pain. "I'm so sorry."

Alice clutched her hands and smiled. "You have nothing to apologize for, Prisca. But you didn't mention William. What inane activity is my middle son participating in at the moment?"

Riding to Scotland to retrieve a magical plant to save

your life.

She didn't even consider telling her the truth. "He's out on an errand for Blackmoor."

"You are good for him." She released her grasp on Prisca's hand. "So good for him," she repeated as her eyes seemed to glaze over. "Don't let him hide from you. Make him show you who he really is."

Who he really is? She nearly snorted. "Oh, I know who he really is, Alice. Never fear about that."

The dowager closed her eyes, her smile dimmed a bit. "I'm glad he told you. But don't worry, dear. They're not nearly as frightening as they think they are. Majestic creatures in the moonlight. The way God made them. Shiny coat and…" her words fell off as she drifted back to sleep.

Prisca gaped at her mother-in-law. Shiny coat? Majestic creatures in the moonlight? Apparently, Alice was as mad as the rest of Westfields. That or her illness had made her delusional.

When the major resumed his spot by Alice's bedside, Prisca left them alone and descended the steps in search of the others. She stepped into the green parlor, and the portrait of Alice in her earlier years immediately caught her attention.

"She was beautiful, wasn't she?" Benjamin asked from behind her.

Prisca wiped away a tear from her cheek. "She's still beautiful." She looked over her shoulder at her brother-in-law. "Do you really believe the plant Will went to retrieve will save her?"

A tortured sigh escaped him. "I have to believe it."

The conversation between the three brothers echoed in her mind. "Can Elspeth

truly

heal people, Ben?" Prisca asked. It all seemed so fantastical.

"Yes, she truly can." He stepped farther into the room and leaned casually against one of the window frames.

"Then why not let her?" Prisca followed him and placed her hand on his back. "What are you afraid of ?"

"When she heals with her touch, she has to use some of her own power. She has to give a part of herself. That could hurt her. And our child." He inhaled deeply and turned to look at her. "You've no idea what it's like to have to choose between your wife and child on one hand and your mother on the other. The last time Elspeth healed someone, she gave so much of herself that I thought I'd lost her."

"Who was she healing?"

"Me," Ben admitted.

Heavens! She had no idea. "When were you

that

ill? I never heard anything about it."

"I didn't tell the others." He shifted uncomfortably. "I was actually sick before I left for Scotland. It was why I went looking for the fabled witch who can heal."

"And that was Elspeth?"

"Her mother, actually. But Ellie has her power, now that she's gone. It's passed from mother to daughter, inherited like blue eyes or that streak of white at Simon's temple."

"You have to know how all this sounds to me, Ben," Prisca sighed.

"Do you mean you can't believe in the mystical world, Prissy?" His hazel eyes twinkled a bit, and he tugged her toward the settee.

Hesitantly, she touched her hand to her locket for strength. "I don't know what to believe."

"Allow your mind to consider the impossible. You'll thank me for that."

"Consider the impossible." She frowned.

"For instance," Ben began and tucked a stray curl behind her ear, "have you ever heard of Lycans?"

Lycans. "You mentioned them this morning to Will. You said 'As sure as we are Lycans exist.'"

He grinned at her. "I thought you might have been listening."

"What is a Lycan?" she asked. "Do

you

not believe in them?"

Ben threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, I believe in them. If you'd like, I can get you a book or two on the subject."

Why would she care one way or the other? She'd never even heard of the creatures before today. "Don't be difficult, Benjamin. Just tell me what they are."

He leaned forward and whispered, "Werewolves. Though Simon doesn't like that word. So do try not to use it in front of him."

Why would the Duke of Blackmoor care if she said the word

werewolf

? What utter nonsense. Besides, she took great care to talk to His Grace as little as it was anyway.

"You're staying here while Will is gone?" Ben asked.

Prisca nodded.

He winked at her. "Before you retire this evening, I'll procure a volume for you to peruse."

"You want me to read about werewolves?"

"I think you may find it enlightening." Ben rose from his spot and tweaked her nose. "You can thank me later," he said before leaving her to gape at his disappearing form.

Twenty-Six

Prisca stirred when she heard Lily's soft voice call her name. "Prisca," she heard as a gentle hand shook her shoulder. Prisca blinked her eyes open. "I had a room prepared for you upstairs. Why don't you go and get some rest?"