Lydia Dare - A Certain Wolfish Charm

you at Canis House soon.

Sincerely, Maj. Desmond Forster

"Is everything all right?" Lily asked, rising from her seat.

Simon carefully folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He was surprised to see Lily's gaze concentrated on him when he glanced in her direction. Her brows were drawn together, her hazel eyes troubled.

"News, Simon?" she asked.

"Nothing of importance, love," he replied, trying to make his tone sound light. "Just a note from an old friend of my father."

"Which old friend?"

Why all the questions?

"Major Forster." If he was fortunate, she would leave it at that.

"And what did he want?"

Simon closed his eyes and sighed.

Please don't force

me to lie to you more than is necessary.

"He knows of a boy who will be attending Harrow along with Oliver. He suggests that the boys meet before the session begins so they can become acquainted."

Lily crossed the floor, confusion reflected in her eyes. "I'm certain there will be a number of boys at Harrow for the Michaelmas term."

None like Leopold Schofield

. "Yes, but I was looking for a mentor for Oliver. Someone to take him under his wing, so to speak. Major Forster thinks one of his lieutenant's sons would be a good fit."

Lily reached out her hand to Simon, and, when he pulled her toward him, she kissed his cheek. "That was a very sweet thing to do."

Simon nuzzled against her neck, inhaling the soft lilac scent that he had come to identify with Lily. So light and feminine, so different from him. "I'm never sweet," he said gruffly.

She giggled at that, wrapping her arms around his middle. "I beg to differ."

"Not sweet," he repeated, nipping at the base of her neck. "I had ulterior motives."

Lily's lithe body molded against his. "I can't imagine what you mean, Your Grace."

He blew his breath low across her bodice and cupped her bottom, pressing his arousal firmly against her softness. "I think it should be obvious."

"My beastly husband," she began with a teasing lilt to her voice. "If you ruin my new gown, I'll thrash you."

New gown? Simon ran his fingers along her silkcovered back. How had he not noticed she wore something new? "Is this one of Madam Pelletier's?"

Lily nodded. "An entire trunk arrived this morning.

I can't even imagine what you spent to have such an extensive order finished and delivered so quickly."

To hell with the dresses. Simon couldn't hide his grin. If the order was complete, Lily should have received several pieces that were for his eyes only.

"You have a strange look on your face," she told him.

Simon lifted one brow. "That, love, is me imagining what you'll look like in one of your new nightrails."

A pretty blush pinkened her cheeks. "I don't know why you bothered to order them at all. They don't hide a thing. I might as well walk about nude."

Simon couldn't resist squeezing her bottom. "Excellent suggestion."

Lily stepped out of his arms with an enchanting giggle. "Behave yourself, Simon Westfield. And you'll have to be patient as well. I am supposed to leave for Langley Downs in a few moments."

Langley Downs. Simon's smile became a scowl. "I'd rather you not spend time with Prisca Hawthorne."

Lily shook her head. "Why?"

"Who do you think told Mrs. Bostic you were living here unchaperoned?" When Lily stared blankly at him, Simon continued, "That meddlesome chit can manage her brothers' lives all she wants, but I take umbrage when she interferes in mine."

"Simon," Lily began, "if you weren't afraid for my reputation, would you have ever married me?"

No. He'd have suffered without her. He wouldn't have wished his life on her. He wouldn't have tied her future to him.

When he didn't respond, Lily frowned at him. "I see. Are you sorry you married me?"

"No," he assured her and closed the distance between them. "Never believe that. I love that you're mine, Lily." Selfish bastard that he was, he could never let her go now.

"Well," Lily said, folding her arms across her chest. "I didn't know Prisca was the cause. I'll have to thank her over tea."

***

Langely Downs' butler announced, "The Duchess of Blackmoor," before returning to his post.

As she stepped over the threshold of the green parlor, Lily was surprised to see that Prisca was not alone. "Your Grace." Emory Hawthorne stood and bowed stiffly. "Allow me to offer my felicitations on your recent marriage."

Lily smiled at the gentleman, who seemed suddenly uncomfortable now that she'd arrived. Of course, the last time she'd seen him, she'd been in a terrible state of disarray, courtesy of Simon Westfield. "Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne. I shall pass on your well wishes to my husband."

After a tight smile, he excused himself and left Lily and Prisca to their own company. As Prisca linked her arm with Lily's, her violet eyes twinkled mischievously. "All right, since the dowager isn't with you, you can tell me everything, Lily."

"Everything?"

Prisca nodded enthusiastically. "How is it? How do you like being a duchess?"

"I suppose now would be a good time to thank you for ruining my reputation and forcing me into a marriage with Simon."

Prisca didn't even look ashamed. Her smile grew larger, brightening the room. "It was a stroke of luck. I didn't know what I was going to do until the situation presented itself. I am surprised Will told him, however. No wonder Blackmoor scowled at me when I left Westfield Hall last week. That man does not like to be managed."

"Hmm." Lily agreed. "He mentioned as much."

"But are

you

happy?" Prisca asked, as she sat on the settee and gestured for Lily to join her.

Lily couldn't help but smile. "Very. I do want to thank you for everything, especially for braving Simon's temper."

Prisca giggled. "Please. As I said before, I've known Blackmoor my entire life. I'm not the least bit afraid of him."

The room began to spin in Lily's mind. She may not be able to get her mother-in-law to tell her anything, but Prisca might know what she was after. "I have a strange question to ask you."

"Well, that sounds intriguing."

"As you say, you've known Simon forever…" Lily frowned. He would be furious if he knew she was asking these sorts of questions. She shook off the thought. She was the Duchess of Blackmoor, and she had every right to know what her duke was hiding from her. "Does the full moon mean anything to you?"

When her friend said nothing but stared at her blankly, Lily prodded, "In regards to Simon?"

After a moment, Prisca furrowed her brow. It was a ridiculous thing to ask. Lily felt like a fool the moment the words left her mouth.

Finally, Prisca shook her head. "I don't know, Lily. I've often wondered the same thing. Not about His Grace. He is much older than me. But once upon a time I spent quite a lot of time with Will and Benjamin. It was years ago. Their moods became like clockwork. I didn't notice it at first, and it happens so gradually, but the longer you're with them, the more it becomes apparent. Will always got more agitated as the moon waxed, and Ben always got more quiet."

"Do you know what it means?" Lily asked, leaning toward Prisca who shook her head.

"I asked Will once. I've never seen him so furious. He refused to talk to me about it and… Well, things between us haven't ever been the same since."

Lily felt the wind whoosh out of her lungs. What a horrible tale. What if Simon reacted the same way? She didn't want things to change between them, other than she wished he'd trust her with whatever this was. She didn't want them to constantly hurt each other the way Prisca and Will did.

Maybe it was best not knowing. As long as Simon stayed with her, she could be content. Losing him wasn't an option, even if it meant never learning his secret, even if it meant he didn't fully trust her. At least for now.