The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (29 page)

Jeffrey read the note. “Two lines must intersect? The whole of the message is rather cryptic.”

“Yes,” Thea said softly. “Grandmamma would not or could not help with an explanation. My grandmother has a gift and she uses it wisely. Some may call her a witch.” She stared pointedly at Wulf. “Others think of her as a healer and a seer. She is loved by most in her village.” Thea glanced over at Jeffrey. “She said Wulf and I must find the answers.”

The two men sat silently after her comments. Thea stood. “If you'll excuse me, I will retire for the night now."

Jeffrey stood. “Certainly, my lady.”

Thea nodded to Wulf and left.

Jeffrey stared at the note, and Wulf took another swallow of the smoky, dry wine. The music had stopped.

Jeffrey stared at Wulf. “Does she know you’re a werewolf?”

“Yes.”

“And she accepted it?”

“Yes.” Wulf glared at his friend. “I know where this is leading.”

“Really?”

“If she can accept my other side, I should be able to do the same.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself." He hesitated then spoke.

"I wonder if you really want to break the curse and rid yourself of the wolf.”

Wulf slammed his glass down. “What the hell are you talking about?” He stood and towered over Jeffrey.

“Sit down.” Jeffrey spoke in a normal tone, but Wulf heard the command. He and Jeffrey had one other altercation years ago. Wulf smiled in remembrance.

“What are you going to do, Jeffrey, knock some sense into my head?”

“I did it once.”

Wulf shrugged. “I’m bigger and tougher now.”

“Still stupid though.” Jeffrey raised his hand when he saw the fire in Wulf’s eyes. “What are you thinking? I saw this happen with your father. So did you.”

“He survived and lived a profitable life. He came to like the part of him that was the wolf."

“Ah, so you
are
giving up trying to get rid of the curse.”

“Not giving up. I am making a choice to stop chasing after something I can't find.” He glanced away from the intent scrutiny of the one man who had known him best through the years. “Actually—" "I haven't made my final decision.” He turned up the glass and emptied it, then refilled his and reached for Jeffrey’s.

Jeffrey held his hand over his glass. “No more for me. I’m ready to go to bed.”

Silence fell between them. “I’m finding it more and more difficult to not change each night or every other night,” Wulf said softly. “It frightened me at first, now I enjoy the release and sweet taste of freedom and power that has overshadowed the earlier distaste.” He raised his head and looked straight at his friend. “I’m losing the battle. You know how hard I’ve fought.”

Jeffrey nodded.

Wulf held his head between his hands. “What can I do? This will never end and I am no longer sure I want to fight it.”

“Aren’t you? I see how you look at your wife when you think no one is watching. Isn’t she worth fighting for?”

Wulf took one of the small carved animals in his hand. The smooth wood felt cool in his palm. He ran his fingers along the rounded edges. Haunted and miserable, he looked at his friend.

“She is. And she wants to help stop the curse.” Wulf bowed his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “I'm scared that if she helps, harm might come to her. The only way I see to keep her safe is to keep her at arm’s length.”

“You love her.” Jeffrey stood and placed his glass on the table. “All along you thought you could find the answer in a book or somewhere around this house.” He leaned closer to Wulf. “At least part of the answer lies in here.” He tapped Wulf on the chest. “Inside
you
the battle will be won or lost.” With that he turned and left.

Jeffrey was perceptive. Wulf remembered last night and realized every night he'd have a war within himself fighting to not go back to Thea’s room. If he lost the battle and they made love, they risked the chance of having a child, a son. No matter how hard it was to stay away from her, he must.

The seduction and call of the wolf lured Wulf to change. The price was high, if he kept giving in.

* * * *

Thea watched from her window for the wolf’s appearance, but when she finally fell asleep in her chair, close to dawn, there'd been no movement out her window. The upstairs maid woke her, knocking on the door to bring her morning tray of hot chocolate.

“Are you all right, my lady?” The maid glanced at the bed that hadn't been slept in.

“I fell asleep in my chair again,” Thea forced a laugh. “My neck will be sore all day from sleeping in such a state.”

“Perhaps you wish to rest for a while. I can bring back fresh hot chocolate.”

“No. It is time to be up and about. Is my sister awake?”

The maid nodded and smiled. “Miss Elvie left early for a morning walk.”

“She did not go alone?” Thea asked, her voice sharp.

“No, Lord Kenelm is walking with her.”

“Good.” Thea sipped on the chocolate while the maid set out her clothes for the day. Jeffrey’s expression at the dinner table last night showed he was captivated by Elvie’s bright beauty; as if that was the first time he’d seen her.

How nice if he and Elvie fell in love and married. Then, Thea would only have herself to worry about. She'd find a small cottage, maybe in her grandmother’s village. Silly, Jeffrey seemed a confirmed bachelor and her sister had a mind of her own. Thea wouldn't solve her problems so easily.

She ignored the pain in her heart at the thought of leaving Radford Hall and its owner. If he didn't love her, the pain would send her away. And he didn't come to her room last night.

Where did they go from here? She had no idea. Her maid helped her dress in a practical, rose-colored wool gown, and Thea headed downstairs to face the day.

Elvie and Jeffrey came in the front door laughing as Thea reached the bottom step. “You two are early birds."

“It's a sunny day, and we have had a good walk. We visited the new kittens in the barn.” Elvie’s face glowed.

“Good morning, Lady Radford,” Jeffrey greeted Thea.

“Please call me Thea. Will you two join me for breakfast?” Thea motioned toward the small dining room.

“I had an early breakfast and must go tell Wulf goodbye. I came to see Wulf about some business that we took care of last night. There is much work waiting for my attention at my estate. My mother will not be pleased if I tarry long.”

“I'm sorry you can't stay longer, but I would not want to have your mother mad at us.” Thea smiled. “Please visit anytime.”

“Thank you. I will see if Wulf is in his study.” He bowed and walked briskly away.

“Such a nice man and I understand he is eligible,” Thea said, watching her sister’s expression.

Elvie laughed. “There you go being a matchmaking mama. He is nice, but single at his age means he is not interested in matrimony.”

Thea smiled and put her arm around her sister’s waist. “Join me while I eat and tell me how you have become so wise.”

Elvie grinned at Thea. “After my brisk morning walk, I might even eat another breakfast.”

* * * *

Jeffrey knocked on Wulf’s door.

“Enter.”

“Good morning. I'm sorry I missed you earlier.”

Wulf pushed the papers on his desk aside. “I didn’t sleep well. My manager and I went on an early morning tour of a nearby farm.”

“I have come to say goodbye.”

“Forget all the nonsense I spouted last night,” Wulf said.

“Sometimes we need to talk things out.” Jeffrey walked to the desk. “I have duties to take care of for my mother. If you need me, send a message to the estate.”

“I understand. You won’t be visiting your hunting lodge?”

“No.” Jeffrey smiled wryly. “There comes a time when family demands attention and my mother and sisters are at that point. Be careful, my friend. The decisions you make now might well be irreversible and effect the direction of the rest of your life.”

“You think I still have a choice?”

“If you accept help from your wife and friends, yes,” Jeffrey said.

Wulf shook Jeffrey’s hand and then walked to the window to watch him ride away. So much had happened. His life was spiraling out of his control and he had never felt so alone.

He started to go back to his desk when he saw a carriage pass Jeffrey, headed for the house. He groaned inwardly. This was not a good time for his mother to visit, but it was nearing the end of the season so he shouldn’t be surprised. Her inquisitive nature would demand she come to see how her new daughter-in-law and he were coping.

Wulf put on his jacket and straightened his cravat. Much as he'd like to let his new wife greet his mother alone, he knew better. Mother had a bitter wit and sharp tongue. In a moment she'd shred Thea’s confidence and undermine her authority.

As Wulf strode down the corridor, he saw Bailey open the door and his mother sweep into the house, followed by Jane and many boxes and bags. This was not to be a short visit.

“Ulric, it is good of you to greet us so promptly.”

“Yes, especially since you sent no word ahead of your arrival.”

His mother raised her chin. “Don’t be petulant. You have always welcomed our visits.”

Jane’s, not yours
. “That is true, but I have a wife now, and she would appreciate having time to prepare rooms for you.”

“A good wife has the home prepared for guests at anytime.”

“Then I must be a good wife,” Thea interrupted them. “May I call you Mother Radford?” She didn’t wait for a response. “Mrs. Sanders will take you to the green room. I thought you might enjoy the sunsets reflected in the lake.”

His mother’s shocked expression brought a rare smile to Wulf’s face. Few people succeeded in surprising her and leaving her speechless.

“Humph, we shall see. I prefer well-lit rooms.”

“As you know, the green room has windows on both the west and north side,” Thea replied then turned to smile at Jane. “Mrs. Sanders has everything ready in your old room. I hope that is all right.”

“Perfect.” Jane smiled. She hugged Wulf. “It is good to see you, brother. We have news that I can't wait to tell you. Let's have tea first, and then we'll go upstairs to rest."

“Good, I'll have time to finish checking my accounts after we talk.” Wulf couldn't wait to hurry back to his study to hide. Four women in the house promised to be a challenge. With all his problems, he'd thought it couldn't get worse, but he was wrong.

As they sat sipping tea, his mother looked at him.

“We decided the engagement announcement should be made here at the estate.”

Wulf placed his tea cup carefully on the tea caddy and went across the room to pour a stronger drink. Crowds of people were about to descend on Radford Hall for several days. Inwardly, he shuddered. Women loved these occasions. There wasn’t a chance of changing their minds.

Jane glowed, and he enjoyed seeing her happy, even when it meant she'd move away from home for good. They were close and he wasn’t sure how marriage would change their relationship.

Marriage changed everything. Look at all his plans for a convenient marriage. The feelings swirling around Thea and him had nothing convenient about them.

“Give me a list of the guests,” Thea said to Lady Radford and Jane, ignoring her husband’s dismay. “We will send out invitations right away. Elvie," she nodded her head at her sister, "and I can help with addressing the envelopes and with any decorations. Your brother,” she glanced at Wulf, “and I want this to be the most special of days for you.”

Jane grabbed Thea’s hands. “Thank you. I am so excited. I know you will see what a wonderful man he is when you meet.” She looked across the room at her brother. “Wulf met him in London. Don’t you agree, Wulf, that he is most handsome and pleasing?”

“Not exactly the words I'd use to describe a man. I think it's time I went out to do some work. I shall see you ladies at dinner. Mother,” he inclined his head and fled the room. The crackle of laughter followed him.

Wulf walked right past his study and strode outside, going toward the stable. A ride on Batair might help clear his head. This was not the best time for a house full of people and a party. With all the problems facing him this added more complications. Still, he wouldn’t disappoint Jane. If it was his mother and Jane wasn’t involved, he would have sent her back to town.

The stable boy led Batair out of his stall. Wulf put the saddle on Batair. The proud stallion let few people touch him. Wulf put his foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over, then motioned with the reins, and Batair moved out of the barn and down the lane toward the pasture. Wulf's thoughts intruded even as he settled in for a ride.

He'd struggled late into the night with his desire to shift into the wolf. Since coming home he’d let the seduction, the temptation lure him into changing more frequently. And when he was in wolf form the desire for his lovely wife became almost unbearable.