Dare, Lydia - Tall, Dark and Wolfish

They sat in companionable silence for some time, which was nice. After a few more rounds of whisky, Ben leaned back in his chair and stared up at Alec's ceiling. "Do you ever think you'll understand the workings of the female mind?"

Alec sighed. "Not if I live ta be a hundred. I'm beginning to think it would be easier to perform Hercules' twelve labors than to court Caitrin Macleod."

"Perhaps you should take that as a sign from the gods." Ben couldn't imagine a worse fate than being leg-shackled to that haughty witch.

"Now, now," Alec began good-naturedly, "if I'm keeping my mouth shut about Miss Campbell, you can at least return the favor where Miss Macleod is concerned."

That did seem fair. "All right, what's the problem?"

"You'd think I was daft."

"Who says I don't already?" Ben chided him.

Alec sighed. "I'd rather not confirm your suspicions, then. You want to tell me what Miss Campbell said to get you looking like a lost puppy dog?"

"She wasn't happy to learn I've had relations with whores."

Alec choked and Ben sat forward to pound on his friend's back. "Are you all right?"

"Good God, Westfield! I don't even want to know how you ended up discussing that."

Feeling like the biggest of fools, Ben slunk back into his seat. "She made me tell her."

Alec roared with laughter. "I can't imagine why you would do such a featherbrained, idiotic thing."

Ben glowered at him. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Do you tell the duchess of your exploits as well?"

Mother.

He hadn't written her in weeks. She was probably worried about him, but she'd be more so if he put pen to foolscap. After all, he'd never been able to fool her when something was wrong. Now he didn't even bother. Besides, if Elspeth could heal him, there was no reason to get his mother upset in the first place.

Alec laughed even harder. "Please tell me you haven't."

"Of course, I don't tell my mother everything." Who would need to? She could read about it in the society rags. "I'm going to bed."

The sound of Alec's laughter followed him up the stairs.

Twenty

Elspeth woke to the sound of a gentle knock on her door. She pulled a wrapper over her nightrail, lifted her hair over the lace collar, and opened the door a crack.

Caitrin's blue eyes flashed at her. "We ken ye're angry at us, but we're here ta support ye today, no matter what." Caitrin, Rhiannon, Blaire, and Sorcha brushed past Elspeth into the room. "Ye bury yer grandfather today, and we'll be here with ye whether ye want us or no'." She brushed a tear back from her cheek.

"Cait, of course I want ye," Elspeth said as she fell into the huddle of girls. "Ye're my family, and I canna do without ye."

When they finally separated, Caitrin looked down at her friend's wrapper. "Is that what ye plan ta wear today?"

"Of course, it's no'," Elspeth said. "Doona be daft."

"Then ye better hurry, because the vicar already rang the death bell in the square. People will be arrivin' shortly." She clapped her hands together sharply. "Let's get ye movin'."

"I overslept?" Surely she hadn't stayed in bed that long. Although it

had

been late when she'd finally fallen asleep.

Caitrin smoothed Elspeth's wild hair with her hand. "Ye deserve ta rest more than anyone I ken. Ye've been dealin' with a lot." Then she moved to the window and raised the curtain. "The first of the mourners are walkin' this way. Unless ye plan ta greet them in yer nightrail, ye need ta dress."

Elspeth spun into action. She disappeared into her room and changed clothes after washing quickly. Then she combed through her unruly locks. They had a mind of their own, no matter what she did. She secured the flyaway tendrils with her mother's hair combs, knowing all the while that her hair would be down around her shoulders before the hour had passed.

She bustled around the kitchen, started a pot of water for tea, and rushed out the front door. As soon as she stepped through the opening, she ran into the broad chest of a man.

"Whoa, there," a deep voice said as strong arms steadied her. She knew immediately who they belonged to. Elspeth stopped and inhaled deeply. He had a scent like no other. He smelled of shaving soap and… Ben. It was unique to him, almost a wild scent, and it set her heart to thumping.

Finally she raised her head and met his gaze. "I doona ken what made ye think ye'd be welcome here, Lord Benjamin," she whispered harshly.

His eyes narrowed as he released his hold on her and stood up to his full height. "I came with Alec to bring chairs."

"Ye'll be leavin' when ye're done, I assume?" The words sounded harsh to her own ears, but she couldn't deal with him at the moment.

His fingers reached out to touch her chin, gently but forcefully making her meet his gaze. "No, lass. I'll not be leaving you today. You can hate me all you want. But I'll be staying."

Elspeth couldn't contain the small leap her heart made when he said he wouldn't be leaving.

"Suit yerself." She stepped back, moving out of his grasp. She immediately felt alone. More lonely than she'd ever been.

"Tea is ready," Caitrin called to her from the doorway. Elspeth glanced up at Ben. The annoyance on his face when he looked at her friend would have been funny any other time. She thought she heard him grumble as she turned and went in the house. The other three witches were busy preparing food for the mourners who would visit.

"Why is

he

here?" Caitrin groused.

"He said he came with Mr. MacQuarrie ta bring the chairs, Cait." She sighed, "Just leave it be, please."

"He dinna ken yer grandfather," Cait said quietly.

"Do ye want ta cause a scene and force him ta leave?" Elspeth whispered vehemently. "I would rather have him stay than have ta listen ta all the waggin' tongues. I doona think my grandfather would've wanted that."

"After the service, can I toss him out on his ear?"

"Ye can toss him out on his arse if ye want. I doona care," Elspeth groaned under the weight of a heavy stockpot.

"Here, let me help ye," Caitrin said as she tried to take some of the weight from Elspeth's burden. Suddenly the weight was lifted away.

"Tell me where you want it," Ben said, his hazel eyes twinkling at her. He bore her burden with ease. "I'll be at your beck and call today. So use me as you see fit."

"Ye doona have ta—" El started.

"Just tell me where to put it, Ellie," he said quietly.

She pointed to a table across the kitchen. "Over there is fine."

Caitrin suddenly clutched her arm and spun her around. "Did he call ye

Ellie

?"

"I dinna notice," Elspeth lied smoothly as she shrugged her shoulders.

"He's goin' ta ruin ye. I can see it now." She closed her eyes tightly.

"Will ye stop with the theatrics, Cait. He moved a bloody pot," Elspeth said low enough for only her friend to hear. To be caught swearing by anyone else would be terrible for the little bit of reputation she

did

have.

Ben chuckled from across the room. Of course he would have heard her curse. He was party to every nonsensical thing she'd done for the past six days.

Ben could stand in the corner all day and would be perfectly content just to watch her bustle about the kitchen. He tried to appear busy, arranging chairs and helping carry heavy items for the other girls. But he really just wanted to eavesdrop.

He couldn't bite back a chuckle when he'd heard her curse. She was as fiery as her hair. He wanted at that moment to touch his mark and see if she would respond the same way she had the night before, but this wasn't the time or the place. He knew that today was important for her. And he would not detract from her sorrow, nor would he contribute to it.