Lydia Dare - A Certain Wolfish Charm

Her mother-in-law. Alice was the only woman who seemed to know the secret. If she couldn't finagle an answer out of her, she would set her sights on Oliver. One way or the other, she'd get to the bottom of this mystery.

***

Simon took great pride in showing Oliver around the Harrow grounds. For most of the tour, the headmaster accompanied them, leading them down one corridor or another and even allowing them a peek into one of the boys' chambers.

The visit brought back many memories for Simon. The years he and Daniel had spent there together, the scrapes and adventures they'd shared. He wished again that his closest friend had survived that awful carriage accident. There was no doubt in his mind that Daniel would have been proud to see Oliver grow into a man before his eyes.

The headmaster gave his permission for Simon and Oliver to explore the grounds alone. The countryside wasn't different from Simon's memories, so he was able to direct Oliver down a secluded path that very few people knew about. It had been used by one Lycan schoolboy after another through the years. Even after all this time, Simon easily found his way through the thick foliage until they reached a small circular clearing.

"This is where you'll come," he told Oliver. "When the moon is full, this place will be your haven." He pointed to the sky above them. "The light will hit you in the middle here." He gestured to a circle of white rocks just a few feet from where Oliver stood. "After the transformation, you'll be free to roam the grounds, like we did at Westfield Hall. Then you'll return to this spot when the time has come to resume your human form."

Oliver quietly looked around the clearing. "Will there be others like me?" he finally asked.

Simon didn't have a clue. He supposed he could take a look at the rolls. "It's possible there are others. When I attended Harrow, it was just Daniel, Will, and me. I'll see if I can find out for you."

Oliver circled the pile of white rocks. "What is this?"

"I never thought to ask. It has always been here, even in my father's time."

Oliver nodded, sniffing at the air. "It does smell as if someone has been here."

Simon did the same. A faint scent lingered, yet the breeze rarely found this place. "Do you hope there are others? Are you afraid to be alone?"

The lad's back straightened instantly. "I'm not afraid of anything," he boasted proudly. "Just curious."

Simon bit back a smile as he remembered saying something similar to his father years ago. "My apologies."

After he sniffed back his indignation, Oliver glanced around the clearing once more and nodded. "All right, Blackmoor. I think I've got the lay of the land."

"You sure?"

The boy let go a sigh. "If I know Aunt Lily, she's wearing a path through that churchyard. She doesn't like to be kept in the dark."

Somehow, Simon knew that. He clapped a hand to Oliver's back and directed him back down the secret path. "We'll have to distract her then. Does your aunt like the theatre?"

Oliver pushed his way through the dense flora. "She likes to read Shakespeare. I don't know that she's ever seen a play."

That brought a grin to Simon's face. "Well, I'll have to remedy that. We'll stay in London a few days. Get you fitted for new school clothes." Order something shee

r

for Lily, or several somethings. A new wardrobe befitting a

duchess. Jewels. Ribbons. Hair combs. "You won't mind u

s going out at night and leaving you alone, will you?"

"No," Oliver answered and then jumped back when a tree limb smacked him in the arm. "I'd like to read more about Lycans. I found a couple of books at Maberley Hall. They're different from the ones Will gave me."

Same information, however. Simon kept that bit of fact to himself. As long as Oliver wanted to study up on their heritage and lore, he would support him. Keeping the boy occupied would also leave Simon and Lily to their own devices. He looked forward to offering London on a platter to her. Starting tonight with his box at Drury Lane.

***

When the ducal coach rambled to a stop in front of St. Mary's Church, Lily finished her walk through the churchyard. The sunlight reflected off the Blackmoor crest, and the sight made her shiver. The door opened, and Oliver scrambled out, a boyish grin on his face. Lily's heart warmed. It had been so long since he'd looked carefree.

"Aunt Lily!" he cried, running toward her.

She laughed as she embraced him. "Well, you obviously enjoyed yourself."

Oliver pulled back from her and nodded. "I do wish you could have seen it."

So did Lily, but seeing Oliver so happy, she felt her annoyance melting away. "Do tell me about it," she said as they walked toward the coach.

Simon stepped from the conveyance at that moment, his eyes light with merriment. "Isn't St. Mary's lovely?" he asked.

Lily nodded as he took her hand. "I can see why Byron enjoyed his time here."

Simon chuckled, helping her into the coach. "You'll have to ask Will about him some day."

"Oh?" Lily asked as she settled herself against the squabs. "Did he know him?" She couldn't keep the scandalized tone from her voice. As lovely as Lord Byron's poetry was, he'd very recently been exiled; the offenses were too shocking to speak of in polite society.

Simon took the spot next to her, just as he had the entire journey, and draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. He smelled of sandalwood and the outdoors. "They were in the same year."

Oliver climbed inside the coach, sat across from them, and rolled his eyes. "Must you go about touching her

all

the time?"

With a warm laugh, Simon squeezed her arm. "As she's my wife, I don't see where you have anything to say about it, Maberley."

Oliver groaned, closed his eyes, and rested his head against the wall of the coach. "It's enough to turn a fellow's stomach."

"Well, we'll give you a reprieve tonight then, my boy."

"Oh?" Oliver asked, sitting forward in his seat.

"I believe I will take Her Grace to the theatre tonight. I can trust you to stay out of trouble for one evening, can't I?"

Lily looked up at Simon. "The theatre?"

"We have a box at Drury Lane. I believe

Richard

III

is on stage. At least it was when I left Town a few weeks ago."

Shakespeare? Drury Lane? Giddiness spread through Lily.

***

Simon loved seeing Lily's expression of awe when they entered his home on Curzon Street. Having grown up with all the grandeur of one ducal home or another, Simon enjoyed seeing his world through her eyes.

The Rutledge family was landed gentry, but foolish investments had left them penniless. He'd been surprised when Daniel had insisted all those years ago on marrying Emma. They were both so young at the time. She hadn't had fortune or connections to lend him, only herself. She was a quiet girl with simple tastes. But she spoke to a part of Daniel that Simon

was just now beginning to understand.

He wanted to give Lily everything. Jewels, gowns, new experiences, anything to make her smile and see her pretty eyes grow wide with surprise. To that end, he went to the safe in his study, certain he had more of his grandmother's moonstone jewelry there.

Pulling back a portrait of his grandfather, he worked the combination until a cough from the doorway halted him. Simon stepped away from the hinged portrait to find his butler, Anderson, standing just inside the study.

"Yes, Anderson?"

The middle-aged man appeared uncomfortable and shifted in his spot, which was not like him at all. Simon had never known the butler to hedge.

"Well, Your Grace, it is Friday."

Simon raked his gaze across the man. What was this about? "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"