Lydia Dare - A Certain Wolfish Charm

"It is obvious how much you love Oliver."

Lily's face lit up. "I adore him. I do wish you'd

seen him before now. He was the sweetest child you'd ever meet."

"He's different now, though," Alice said. The change must have been difficult for her to face, not knowing what was happening. Poor girl.

"Simon and Will say it's natural. I've never raised a boy before, Alice," Lily admitted. "But it doesn't seem natural to me. It feels as if I'm missing something."

Alice patted her hand understandingly. "Lily, what if you're right? What if there is something else going on with Oliver? Something you can't understand. What if he could never be the sweet child you raised ever again?"

Lily shuddered at the thought, and Alice clutched her hand tighter.

"I don't know how to answer that."

"Well," Alice prompted, "would you stop loving him? Would you turn away from him? Abandon him?"

Lily snatched her hand away, looking appalled at the suggestion. "Never. I love him more than life. I might not have given birth to him, Alice, but I feel as if he's my child in every other way."

Alice smiled. She was hoping Lily would say something along those lines. "No matter what?" she asked, knowing Simon hovered at the bottom of the terrace listening to every word.

Lily nodded her head, clutching her hand to her heart.

"So you are capable of unconditional love. That is good, dear. As a wife, you will need that ability. There may come a time when it is tested, and I do so hope you choose wisely."

Lily blinked at her. Obviously the girl didn't have any idea what she was talking about, though Alice was certain she'd find out soon enough. Simon couldn't keep his secret forever, and he shouldn't have to.

Twenty-Four

Early morning light poured into Lily's room, and she blinked her eyes open. Why hadn't she closed the drapes the night before? She lay quietly, staring up at the pale green canopy above her.

Strange. In almost no time at all, Westfield Hall was beginning to feel like home. She supposed that was a good thing, since it was to be her home shortly.

She sighed and then swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Almost instantly, she heard a light knock at her door. It was a little early for visitors.

Lily tightened her wrapper about herself and crossed the room to the door. She opened it and was surprised to find Simon standing on the other side. Instantly, she was worried something had happened. "Is it Oliver?"

A grin broke out on his face. "No, love. It's Will. He returned in the dead of night."

Will? Her eyes widened in surprise, and Simon pushed the door wide. "I've sent word to Mr. Bostic and expect him this morning. I thought you might want help picking out your wedding dress."

As if she would trust his taste in that regard! Lily heaved a sigh. She was still getting accustomed to the idea that Will had returned. She would marry Simon today. Her life would never be the same.

Lily moved to shoo him from the room. He stood his ground. "I need to get dressed, Simon." She motioned toward the door with her hand again.

"I had thought to help you with that," he murmured, bending to kiss her cheek softly.

Lily patted her hair, smoothing the stray locks that had escaped her braid during the night. "I must look a fright."

"The only thing I find frightening is how much I want you," he said candidly, his eyes suddenly dark as night.

Lily shivered and drew her wrapper closer about her body.

"Simon," a voice called from the hallway.

"Lily, if Ben ever goes missing again, I'm going to kill him. Because if she wasn't worried about him, she never would have descended upon

me

."

Lily couldn't hold back the snicker that erupted.

"Simon!" his mother's voice called more urgently. The sound of doors opening up and down the hallway made Lily smile even more. She was obviously opening every door, looking for her son.

"Do you want to climb in the wardrobe?" she whispered.

"If I thought you might fit in there with me, I probably would." His gaze raked from her bare feet to the top of her head. The man was dangerous.

"Simon!" his mother called as her head poked

through Lily's open door. "Out!" She stepped behind him and pushed.

"You had better go," Lily warned him. His mother appeared to be perfectly serious in her intent.

"I just wanted to give Lily a gift, Mother," Simon said, planting his feet and refusing to move.

"And I can just imagine what sort of gift you want to give her, Simon," Alice said sarcastically.

Lily couldn't control her blush. She'd never met a family that discussed such things. But she had to admit they were adorable. They honestly loved one another.

"What kind of man do you think I am, Mother?" he said as he picked an invisible piece of string from his jacket.

"Oh, I know exactly what kind of man you are, Simon. Out!" She held up one finger and pointed toward the door.

Simon took a box from his pocket and gave it to his mother. "I did have good intentions. Even if I do get distracted easily around her." He winked at Lily. "I'll see you in just a bit?"

As though she would change her mind. Not a chance. He stepped across the threshold, and Alice came to stand before her. "Are you ready?"

Lily could only nod. She thought she was ready. She assumed time would tell.

"Then let's get started." Alice clapped her hands together, and servants immediately arrived carrying buckets of steaming water. They filled the tub and then left. Maids bustled through Lily's wardrobe, removing clothes, undergarments, and slippers and lining them up for the duchess' inspection.

"Into the tub, dear," Alice directed as she began to peruse the assembled dresses.

Lily stepped into the tub, and the hot water lapped against her calves. Then she sank deeper until she was almost completely covered. While one of the maids washed her hair, another scrubbed her arms and legs. Lily felt like a child. She couldn't remember the last time someone had bathed her.

Too soon, she was plucked from the water and wrapped in a robe, while a maid went to work drying her hair with one plush towel after another.

Finally dry, Lily opened her eyes to find Alice regarding her quietly. The duchess's gaze was nearly as dark as Simon's. "I have a feeling you are quite unprepared to marry my son. But I will do my best to rectify that." She held out the box Simon had passed to her. "Let's start with this, shall we?"

Lily opened the small satin box, and the air rushed out of her lungs. A translucent grey stone, oval in shape, lay inside. It was unusual in its color. Lily ran her fingers over the smooth surface, and then she lifted the stone to look at it closer.

"It's beautiful. What is it?" she whispered. She laced its delicate gold chain through her fingers. As it caught the light, the stone shimmered.

"It's moonstone," Alice answered, touching her shoulder. "It belonged to his grandmother."

Lily's heart began to pound. What a sweet gesture. Not one she would have expected from Simon.

"Now," Alice's voice broke into her thoughts, "about your dress…"

Lily turned her attention to the line of her serviceable gowns laid out on her bed. Only one dress looked even close to what a duchess would wear. Alice ran her fingers over Lily's new green silk. "This one is very lovely."

"Thank you. Prisca Hawthorne designed it for me."

Alice smiled at that. "Such a sweet girl, and very talented." She picked the gown from the bed and handed it to Lily. "This is the one, dear."

Lily agreed. There wasn't another viable choice.

***

"Nervous?" Will asked, handing Simon a whisky.

"Why would I be nervous?" Simon sank down in the chair behind his mahogany desk, hoping his brother didn't notice the amber liquid tremble in his hands. He placed the tumbler on his desk. He didn't need to imbibe this early.