Lydia Dare - Wolf Next Door

"Indeed?" she asked mordantly. "You've had nearly twenty years to do so, William. Pray, forgive me if I have a difficult time believing you now." She looked down at the book clutched in her hands, and a smile he didn't think she felt crossed her face. "They should make one of these for women."

"There are no Lycan women," Will said softly. She looked like she could break at any moment.

She scoffed. "I mean for the ignorant women who love them." She started down the corridor, walking away from him.

"Prisca!" he called after her.

She stopped but didn't turn back to face him. "I believe I'll go stay with my father for awhile."

"Sir Herbert?" His heart thudded in his throat. She couldn't mean to leave him.

"Of course," she snapped. "He's never kept secrets from me or made a habit of lying to me."

It wasn't the same thing at all. "I wish you wouldn't say it like that. This isn't something I've ever told anyone."

"I'm not just

anyone,

William. I am your wife." She continued her escape down the corridor.

"Prisca Westfield, come back here this instant!" he bellowed.

But she didn't stop, and the iron bed frame prevented Will from chasing after her.

Thirty

Prisca tossed one dress after another into her trunk. She should have a maid pack for her, but none of them would answer her summons from the bellpull. Most likely they were following William's directive. It was probably better this way. Packing her own clothes gave her something to focus on. Something other than her husband anyway.

A bed! He'd been shackled to a

bed

, for heaven's sake. He'd left her to run off, and someone had shackled him to a bed. Prisca wasn't in a hurry to see him anytime soon.

A knock sounded at her door, and Prisca glanced briefly at it before stuffing her favorite blue muslin into the trunk. "Go away, William."

The door cracked open, and Alice poked her head inside. "Prisca dear, do you have a minute for me?"

She nodded and sank down onto the bed. "Only if you promise not to plead his case."

Alice winked at Prisca and closed the door behind her. "Love them as I do, none of my sons handled this aspect of their marriages particularly well. Not that Jonathan handled it any better all those years ago."

"I'm not sure I understand."

Alice took a spot on the bed beside Prisca and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. "Elizabeth would have been so proud of you."

It had been years since anyone had mentioned her mother. A lump formed in Prisca's throat.

"After five sons, she desperately wanted a daughter, you know," Alice continued. "You look so much like her."

"I wish I'd known her."

Alice's eyes crinkled as she smiled. "She was so spirited, so full of life."

Her father always said the same. Elizabeth Hawthorne had been a pillar of society, the life of every event.

"She was fearless," the duchess continued.

Fearless? Prisca stared at her mother-in-law. "What do you mean by that?"

"Elizabeth would never have turned tail and run away. She was made of sterner stuff. If Herbert had done something foolish, she would have made him atone for the mistake."

Prisca heaved a sigh. "I seriously doubt that my father lied to her for two decades."

Alice frowned and patted her hand. "I know how you feel, my dear. I was quite furious with Jonathan when I first learned what he was. He didn't tell me until the first full moon of our marriage. That was quite a surprise, I can assure you."

Prisca leaned closer to her mother-in-law. "Was he afraid you'd turn tail and run away?" she echoed the duchess' earlier words.

"I'm sure there was a bit of that. I know Simon was afraid Lily wouldn't love him if she knew the truth. That she'd see what he really was and run away in fear. It can be a bit terrifying to reveal your soul to the one you love, especially when it's something like this."

Prisca scoffed. "Love?" She shook her head. "Alice, you're mistaken. William does

not

love me."

The dowager duchess' eyes twinkled. "Are you certain about that?"

He wanted her, but he didn't love her. He'd had years to tell her if that was the case.

"Before you leave, Prisca, why don't you discover the truth, whatever it is?"

Did she dare do that? Would it hurt worse if she learned for certain what Will's feelings were? She shrugged.

"What a lovely locket," Alice said, touching the golden chain around Prisca's neck. "It's very pretty. Do you have Will's miniature inside?"

Prisca fingered the locket absently and then flipped it open to show her the likeness of the wolf inside. "I don't have Will's picture in it yet. Although I assume I should. What with him being my husband and all."

"I believe you already wear him close to your heart." Alice smiled softly, kissed Prisca on the cheek, and left the room.

***

Will stalked the halls like the furious wolf he was when he'd been unable to find Prisca in the guest room. All of her clothes had been flung into a trunk, and none of her personal items lay about.

"Prisca!" he called, walking the corridors downstairs and flinging doors open at random. He would know her heartbeat anywhere, and he'd not heard it for hours. Of course, he'd been out at the stables where the blacksmith could work on the shackles.

He absently rubbed his wrists, thankful to finally be free of the chains, not to mention the iron headboard that he'd carried around. With time, it had become as heavy as an anvil and much more cumbersome.

Simon passed him in the corridor. "Do you know what time it is?" he barked.

Will felt little remorse. He'd raise them all from their beds if he didn't find Prisca soon. "Time for all good little wolves to be tucked in their dens?"

Simon scowled at his comment.

"Sorry," Will mumbled.

A nod was Simon's response, and then his eyes

?"

he asked absently, motioning for Will to follow him

into his study.

"Yes. It took the blacksmith and two stable hands to do the job. And it finally came down to Mr. James' out-of-town brother-in-law who apparently picks pockets as well as locks. Don't ask."

"Truly?" Simon arched one black eyebrow.

Will held up his wrists for inspection. "I'm finally free, aren't I?" He wasted no time getting to the point. "Have you seen Prisca?"

Simon heaved a sigh. "Forget your wife for just one minute, will you? I have news."

"What news?"

"While Mr. James' questionable relations were freeing you, Major Forster and I hunted down your abductor."

All the air in Will's lungs escaped. "You caught Brimsworth?"

Simon nodded, an incredulous expression marring his brow. "He said you suggested

me

as a mentor."

"I'd have said anything for him to free me."

"Well, the major is already on his way to London with the earl.

He

graciously offered to mentor the man under the circumstances."

London. That was good news. Will smiled, relief washed over him. "You didn't answer my question. Have you seen Prisca?"

"Not for a while." Simon sneered. "She was with Lily, Elspeth, and Miss Macleod sipping hot chocolate in my sitting room after I got back from tracking down Brimsworth."

So, that's why Simon looked to be in a foul temper. Someone else had his sweet Lily's attention.

"I'll go and be sure Prisca is all right." Will turned to walk from the room.

"Just a moment, William." Simon motioned to a chair across from his desk. "There's more. Have a seat."

Will fought back a groan. Simon had called him William

and

told him to sit. Just when he'd thought his day couldn't get any worse. "It's been a long day. Will you shake me by the scruff of the neck if I refuse?"

"Shall I have to?" Simon asked, his silver eyes darkening a bit. Will knew that look. And he immediately tucked his tail into a chair.