Wolfishly Yours (16 page)

Married to Livi. The suggestion both terrified him and made his stomach do little flips. He could hold her and kiss her whenever he wanted. He could, as his brother indelicately put it, tumble her every morning, noon, or night, if he wanted. But… “You know as well as I that Holmesfield will never agree to any such match.”

Archer took another puff off his cheroot. “And yet Dash said to make it happen. So who are you more afraid of, Grayson? Holmesfield? Or Dash?”

Without a doubt he was more concerned about Dash. Still that didn’t mean Gray had any idea of how to proceed with that curmudgeon Holmesfield.

A scratch came at Livi’s door, but she refused to acknowledge it. After the events of the previous evening, she didn’t care if she saw anyone today or ever. Memories of Gray kissing her, holding her, and whispering words like
marriage
ran through her mind. Then the ridiculous fight Gray and Lord Radbourne had engaged in, rolling around the garden floor like two unruly beasts. She groaned, then rolled over in her bed, pulled the counterpane up over her shoulders, and closed her eyes to block out the sun that now spilled in through the drapes. Certainly she could plead a headache and stay abed all day, couldn’t she?

The scratch came again, and this time it sounded a bit more impatient, if that was possible, like an angry mouse in a temper. Well, whoever it was could scratch all day until their nails were stubs for all Livi cared. She’d suffered day after day in English society. She’d tolerated balls and musicales and stuffy drawing rooms. She should be granted time to herself, if only for a little while.

“Miss Liviana!” Marie’s voice came out in a hiss.

Livi groaned, hoping her maid would think she was still asleep and leave her in peace.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Sophie’s voice filtered through the door. “She can’t be sleeping with all the noise you’re making.” Then the door burst open, bringing both Sophie and Marie stumbling into Livi’s sanctuary. “Livi!” her friend complained. “Out of bed. Quickly.”

Quickly? Livi cracked an eye open. “Why?”

“I knew you were awake.” Sophie crossed the floor and sat on the edge of Livi’s bed. “Lord Honeywell is in your grandfather’s parlor.”

Livi pushed up on her elbows. “Why?”

Sophie snorted. “Is that the only thing you can say this morning?”

It was as good as anything else. Livi shrugged. “Why is he here?” she added a few extra words to appease her friend.

“To call on you, of course. Let Marie get you dressed and then hurry to the parlor.”

But Livi didn’t want to see Lord Honeywell. She didn’t even want to see Sophie this morning. “I’m not feeling like receiving visitors today. Will you send him away, please?”

Sophie frowned at her and touched a hand to Livi’s brow. “Are you ill?”

If she
was
ill, would everyone leave her alone? Livi nodded, not wanting to verbalize a fib.

“Hmm.” Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “That is a shame. You have quite a display of flowers lining tables in the parlor and music room.”

“Flowers?”

“Despite Lord Radbourne and Mr. Hadley’s best efforts, you seem to have caught some eyes last night.”

That didn’t make any sense.

“I doubt Lord Honeywell will be your only caller this morning—he’s just the first to arrive. I do wish you were feeling better so you could greet them all. It wouldn’t do for them to think you were putting them off.”

“Have you seen Gray… er… Mr. Hadley this morning?” Livi blurted out before she thought the better of it.
Bon
Dieu
, what was wrong with her? She certainly didn’t want to see Gray this morning. Not after the spectacle he caused the night before.

“Is that what your sudden illness is about?” Sophie squeezed her hand. “Not to fret, Livi, Mr. Hadley did not return here last night. So you won’t have to worry about seeing him or his disreputable brother this morning.”

Well, that was even worse, wasn’t it? “He didn’t return?” Livi squeaked. “Is he all right? Do you know where he is?”

“Neither of them deigned to tell me their plans for the evening, but I’m sure they’re both fine. They always are, no matter what sort of trouble they find themselves in. Hadley men seem impervious to any permanent damage.”

Livi suddenly itched to leap from the bed. She didn’t want to see Gray, she told herself, but she hated the idea of not knowing where he was or what had happened to him. When had the insufferable English Lycan gotten under her skin? When had she started to care about his well-being? And why could she still feel his kiss against her lips. “We’ve got to find him… I mean them.”

Sophie laughed. “We will do no such thing. If they prefer to behave like dogs, then they can sleep outside for all I care. Besides, Livi, associating with them will only hurt your prospects. Now I know Lord Honeywell is not the most exciting of men, but he is here and you could use the practice of conversing with a proper gentleman.”

At that moment a strangled scream from below stairs startled both Livi and Sophie. “
Bon
Dieu
, what was that?”

Sophie leapt to her feet. “I think that was Lord Honeywell.” She rushed to the door. “Excuse me, will you?” But she didn’t wait for a reply before bolting from Livi’s room with Marie quick on her heels.

Livi threw off her counterpane and followed the pair across the corridor and down the steps to the first floor, just in time to see Lord Honeywell dangling from Grayson Hadley’s grasp. Livi, Sophie, and Marie all gasped in unison.

“And stay away from her,” Gray growled before unceremoniously tossing Lord Honeywell out the front door into the street. Then he slammed the front door, which shook the foundation just the tiniest bit.

“Mr. Hadley!” Sophie scolded, rushing down the remaining steps. “Have you taken leave of your senses?”

But Gray didn’t answer her. His dark eyes landed on Livi, still on the steps, and a roguish smile lit his lips. “What an interesting choice in attire this morning, my dear.”

Livi glanced down at her nightrail to find it might as well have been completely sheer for all the protection it warranted her.
Bon
Dieu
, she was an idiot. She had been in such haste to find out what the commotion was about that she hadn’t even grabbed her wrapper on the way out of her room. She took one last horrified look at Gray and then bolted back up the stairs and flew into her chambers.

***

Gray couldn’t help but grin as he watched Livi dash up the stairs. If he’d ever seen a lady as beautiful, he couldn’t remember her. Seeing heat creep up her face made him want to do all sorts of delicious things to see if other parts of her colored just as prettily. The very thought relieved a bit of the anxiety he’d been bottling up since Dash’s demands the night before. They could make a match of it. A most delectable match if her thumping heartbeat and rosy skin were any indication.

“Mr. Hadley!” Lady Sophia hissed once more, breaking him from his reverie. “What has gotten into you?”

He nodded his head once at his tutor in greeting. Hmm, as soon as he married Livi, he would be free of Lady Sophia’s lessons just like Wes was. His smiled widened. “Do excuse me, my lady. I have come to have a word with Lord Holmesfield.”

Lady Sophia smacked his arm when he started past her toward the staircase where Livi had just been standing. “You threw poor Lord Honeywell onto the ground. You threw him to the ground!” Her horrified expression would normally have given Gray pause, but not today. “I have asked you and asked you to keep your distance from Miss Mayeux, and this is what you do?” She gestured wildly toward the closed front door. “You tossed Lord Honeywell outside as though he were a pile of rubbish.”

“I won’t have other men calling on Livi. See that they don’t.” He brushed past her.

“And just who are you to say who can call on her and who can’t?” Lady Sophia demanded.

Gray winked at her. “Her husband, just as soon as I can arrange it.” Then he strode up the steps, grinning when he heard her indignant gasp.

He stopped outside the earl’s quarters and took a deep breath. Men like Holmesfield respected power, and though Gray might not have political or financial power, he did have physical strength and a commanding presence. Hopefully, those two traits combined would be enough to gain the earl’s favor. He lifted his hand to knock but stopped when he heard someone behind him.

“I was worried about you.” Livi’s summery scent washed over him.

Gray spun on his heel to face her, only to find her frowning at him. Even worse, she’d donned a wrapper, much to his chagrin. He much preferred her in that nearly sheer nightrail she was wearing when she’d first greeted him. Of course, he also preferred her smiling at him. “No need for that. I’m in one piece, as you can see.”

“Can the same be said for Lord Honeywell, I wonder?”

Honeywell again? Gray scrubbed a hand across his face. “Don’t tell me you’d like the odiferous fellow to call on you again.”

Livi’s eyes narrowed on Gray. “After the scene you and your brother caused last night, after the way
you
behaved at the Longboroughs’ the evening before, I’m fortunate anyone called on me.”

Gray winced at the censure in her tone. Still, her callers weren’t something she would have to worry about much longer. “Forget Honeywell, Livi. I’ll make everything right with your grandfather.”

“
Bon
Dieu
,” she squeaked as though the suggestion horrified her. Then Livi stalked closer to him, shaking one finger in his direction. “Don’t you dare wake him. He doesn’t know about any of this, and I won’t have you telling him.”

“He doesn’t know?” How was that possible? Holmesfield had seemed to take a vested interest in Livi’s progress.

Livi heaved a sigh. “I’ve been fortunate thus far. So just leave, will you?”

Holmesfield’s knowledge, or lack thereof, didn’t change Gray’s situation in the least. Dash knew, and Dash had ordered him to present himself to the earl and secure Livi’s hand, one way or another. Surprisingly, Gray wasn’t all that opposed to the idea now that he’d had several hours to get used to it. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He turned back to Holmesfield’s door and would have knocked if she hadn’t rushed forward and clutched his arm.

“Haven’t you done enough? I won’t go to a convent,” she hissed. “Go away. You’ll just make everything worse.”

Blue fire flamed in her eyes and Gray couldn’t help but smile at her. She was adorable in a temper. Something he could look forward to the rest of his life. He reached his free hand out and tucked one of her dark curls behind her ear. Convents were not in her future; he was. “Were you truly worried about me?” He let his voice drop to a low rumble. “That is promising.”

“Graaaaay,” she complained, exasperation laced her tone. “You’re being a pest.”

“I think I like the idea of you worrying about me,” he said, as though she hadn’t spoken.

“If you don’t tuck your tail and leave this instant, I will put you in a choke collar and drag you out myself.”

“A collar, huh?” He bit back a grin. “What a naughty suggestion, Livi. Perhaps we can revisit that after we’ve married.”

Her delectable mouth dropped open at that suggestion. “I beg your pardon?”

“Begging’s not necessary, I assure you.” Gray gestured toward her grandfather’s door with a cock of his head. “After I finish with Holmesfield, we can discuss it more in depth.”

Livi folded her arms across her chest. “Did you say ‘married’?”

Gray nodded. “Just as soon as it can be arranged.”

Her brow furrowed and she leaned closer toward him. “There’s no need for that, Gray,” she whispered. “You haven’t ruined my chances. Just behave from here on out, or better yet…” Her frown deepened. “If you keep your distance all together, I should be fine. Sophie says Lord Honeywell won’t be my only caller today. So all’s forgiven. Just leave.”

Leave her to the other men in Bath? The idea nearly made Gray nauseous. Besides, Dash would never stand for it. “I’m afraid that’s out of the question, my dear.”

She stomped her foot. “Why?”

Because he didn’t want to lose her to someone else. Because he adored her. Because he wanted to get a good look at the mark on her thigh, and had ever since he’d first met her. He might even want to taste it. He’d have to see it to determine. He adjusted his trousers at the very thought. But considering the frown on her face, he thought the better of saying as much. “Because Eynsford ordered it,” he said instead. She would at least understand the hierarchy of a pack. She wouldn’t question that.

Livi staggered backward, and Gray thought she would have fallen over if he hadn’t caught her arm. “W-why would he do such a thing?”

Gray shrugged. “Holmesfield might not know what’s gone on, Livi, but my brother most assuredly does. I’m to get your grandfather’s blessing one way or another.”

All the color in Livi’s face drained away.

Livi thought she might be sick.
Lord Eynsford
had ordered Gray to marry her? How utterly humiliating.

Bon
Dieu
! Her grandfather wouldn’t be happy about the situation, nor would Papa, for that matter. Livi hadn’t been sent all the way across the Atlantic only to wind up married to a Lycan who was barely accepted by society. If Papa had wanted that for her, he’d have let her stay in New Orleans.

Gray’s dark eyes seemed to peer into Livi’s soul, and the memory of his kiss flashed in her mind—the way his strong arms had encompassed her, the way his sandalwood scent had washed over her, the way tingles had raced across her skin.

Things would be different, she supposed, if he cared for her like Papa had cared for
Maman
before they’d left England. But he didn’t. She thought Gray liked her well enough, but that was hardly the basis for a marriage. Livi shook her head. “Before you speak to my grandfather, don’t you think you should ask me to marry you first?”

Gray smiled that charming smile of his and took her hand. “Miss Liviana Mayeux, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Livi tipped her chin back, much the same way she’d seen Sophie do more than once. “
Non
, but thank you for your generous offer all the same.”

“No?” he repeated as his eyes narrowed and incredulity dripped from his voice.

“
Non
,” she said again. “So you may go back to whatever gutter you slept in last night. I don’t need your pity nor Lord Eynsford’s meddling. I’ll inform Eynsford of that fact myself, if you need someone to explain it to him.”

Gray heaved an indignant sigh. “I don’t think you understand the gravity of our situation, Livi. Eynsford—”

“Is not my alpha and I don’t have to answer to him.”

Gray’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Refusing me isn’t an option. Holmesfield might not know at this moment what has gone on, but you won’t be able to keep him in the dark forever. The sooner we’re married, the better it is for you, for your reputation.”

But not better for her heart. “I—” she began, but was interrupted when her grandfather’s door opened suddenly.

The earl’s valet stood on the threshold, glaring at the pair. “Lord Holmesfield would like to know what is going on in the corridor.”

Gray tipped his head to Livi and said, “You’ll thank me for this one day.” Then he turned his gaze on the servant. “I’ve come seeking his lordship’s audience.”

“Is that Grayson Hadley?” her grandfather called from within his chambers.

Gray didn’t wait to be announced, but brushed past the valet and strode purposefully into the earl’s room. “Good morning, sir. I thought it best if I presented myself to you before the gossip reached your ears. Please rest assured that I will provide for Livi and look forward to our future together.”

Blast him! Did he really need to use the word “gossip”? Livi tightened her hand into a fist.

“What are you blathering about, Hadley?” her grandfather grumbled.

Livi pushed her way past the valet too. “Mr. Hadley is merely jesting, Grandfather,” She turned her glare on Gray. “He hasn’t been feeling well and is in no mood for your games, sir.”

But Gray shook his head, all male arrogance, all wolfish male arrogance. “Your granddaughter is trying to preserve your good humor, Lord Holmesfield. But her attempt is in vain. Once you are out of your bed, you are sure to learn all the gossip involving Livi and myself. And you’ll be sure to demand I marry her. But there is no need for demands, as I have come to ask for her hand of my own volition.”

His own volition? Livi somehow managed not to snort. If it wasn’t for Lord Eynsford, Gray would be sleeping off the effects of alcohol somewhere else this morning, not standing in her grandfather’s chamber trying to ruin her life. “That is an exaggeration, Mr. Hadley, and now I’ll ask you to leave my grandfather in peace. He’s—”

“What is he talking about?” the earl asked again, struggling to sit up in his bed. “What’s this about gossip?”

Gray stepped toward the bed. “Would you like some assistance, sir?”

Her grandfather glared at Gray. “I would like for you to tell me what you did to Liviana.”

“I kissed her,” Gray announced. “Last night at the Assembly Room. But even before that, all of Bath had linked the two of us together, and you can be certain that it’s in Livi’s best interest to marry me as soon as possible.”

The earl scoffed. “I’d sooner see her shipped off to Newgate.”

“I hardly think becoming a Hadley is worse than life in prison.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” her grandfather growled. Then he speared Livi with his gaze. “Are people truly discussing the two of you?”

She couldn’t really lie. Well, she could, but he’d find out soon enough and then where would she be? “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“Any attachment to him is as bad as it sounds. Worse, even.” He pointed to the corridor. “Go to your room and put on some clothes, Liviana. When your fiancé,” he spit the word, “and I are finished here, I’ll send for you.”

Fiancé? He’d capitulated just like that? And here Livi had thought her grandfather was made of sterner stuff. “But—” she began only to have the old man raise his hand and shoot her a withering glance.

“You are in your nightrail!” he bellowed. “Go get dressed for the day.”

“I’ve got a wrapper,” she protested, hoping to make him listen to reason before sending her away. “Grandfath—”

“You are in your night clothes! Go to your room this instant.” And then a fit of coughs overtook him. “Now!”

Blast it! Livi didn’t really have a choice. If she stayed, her grandfather would only get angrier, if his red face and coughing fit were any indication. What rotten luck. She sent one more scathing glare in Gray’s direction before bolting from her grandfather’s chambers to the safety of her own.

Perhaps she could still find her way to Bristol and hop a frigate back to New Orleans. Better yet, New York or maybe Boston. She didn’t have to go home, after all. Not if Papa would only send her back to England to face Grayson Hadley. Gray who didn’t really care about her. Gray who was only marrying her to appease his pack alpha. Well, Livi wouldn’t have it.

***

Gray couldn’t help but watch Livi flee the room. It really was too bad she hadn’t been more agreeable to the arrangement. Last night she’d seemed perfectly happy to be in his arms. Had she changed her mind in the light of day?

“You can take your eyes of my granddaughter’s backside,” Holmesfield growled. He truly did growl. All things considered, he would have made a perfectly good Lycan with his ferocious sound.

Gray smiled at the old man, hoping to appease him just a bit. “I am sorry, Lord Holmesfield. I meant no disrespect. I’m simply besotted.”

The earl’s eyes narrowed on him. “Tell me this is the first time you’ve seen her in her nightrail.”

But he had seen her before in that exact set. The very first night they’d been in Bath. Gray couldn’t really lie; the old man would see the truth on his face. So instead he took a step forward and offered up his hands in supplication. “I know I’m not the man you would have chosen for her, but I’ll make her happy. I swear it. I’ll see that she’s always well cared for.”

“I suppose you thought that diversion would distract me from my question, which is an answer in itself.” Holmesfield pinched the bridge of his nose as though an ache pulsed in his brain. “But you are correct, Hadley. You are far from who I would have picked for my granddaughter. And I am far from pleased with the situation.” He snorted in disgust. “I hope you have a houseful of daughters to plague you every day and night. It’ll serve you right.”

Hardly a complimentary thing to say about the fairer sex. Dash had a daughter whom he adored with all of his heart. Only time would tell if his forthcoming bundle would be another girl or not, but Dash seemed quite thrilled at the prospect. Gray simply frowned at the man, which made the earl laugh in response.

“Just you wait. Daughters run off in the middle of the night with scurrilous Frenchmen and flee the country. Granddaughters attach themselves to unruly blackguards while you’re sick in bed.” Then he shook his head. “I suppose I should be grateful
you
at least sought an audience with me. Philippe Mayeux just absconded with my Grace and I never saw her again.”

The old man still seemed pained by the past. Gray sighed. “We’ll be close at Hadley Hall. You’ll be able to see Livi anytime you’d like.”

“Don’t try to appease me, Hadley.” The earl’s frown deepened. “You’ll leave for Lambeth Palace this morning, and—”

“My brother has already set out to acquire a special license on my behalf,” Gray said. “I thought speed would be warranted under the circumstances.” Or rather Dash had ordered Archer to ride like the wind for London, not that Gray could say as much. “I’d imagine he’ll return sometime this evening.”

Holmesfield gestured to the door. “Then be gone until tomorrow morning when you have the license in hand. I’d rather not have to look at you in the meantime.”

There was really no need to torture the man with his presence, was there? Probably not. He’d just given his permission for Gray to marry his granddaughter, pretty much against his will. Why rub salt in the wound? Gray bowed slightly at him and backed out of the room and then down the steps.

But just as he reached the front door, a flurry of movement crashed into his arm and then clung to it. He looked down into Livi’s furious face and forced himself to still, rather than clutch her to himself as he so desperately wanted to do.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed.

He forced his smile to retreat. “Right this moment, I’m trying to keep myself from kissing you.” She looked so damned pretty when she was angry. He’d have to make her angry often. Somehow, he didn’t think that would be difficult.

Livi released the clutch she’d had on his arm with a heavy sigh and stepped back from him. “You know that’s not what I mean.”

Gray let his eyes roam over her body. She’d quickly changed out of her nightrail and had donned a blue walking dress, one that nearly matched her sky-blue eyes. But it held none of the fire her eyes did. He had to admit that he much preferred her in her nightrail. But he assumed he’d like her in nothing at all even more. He cleared his throat and picked a point on the wall to stare at for a moment. Just until he could gather his wits about him.

Livi began to pace in front of him, as she raised a hand to her mouth and worried her fingernail. “I can’t believe you did that,” she mumbled to herself. “What must he think of me now?”

Gray hitched his shoulder against the wall and watched her walk to and fro. “He thinks you’re marrying below your station,” Gray admitted. “But it cannot be avoided.”

“It could be avoided if he would just send me home. No one need know of this little problem back in New Orleans.”

The very thought of her being shipped back home was enough to make the hair stand up on the back of his neck. “I’m afraid that’s not going to happen,” Gray informed her. She may as well resign herself to it. She would be Liviana Hadley in fewer than twenty-four hours. He stepped closer to her and reached out a hand to grasp her elbow, stopping her pacing with a gentle tug to her arm. He clucked her under the chin with his crooked finger. “Accept our circumstances, Livi. We will be wed tomorrow morning.”

“You don’t want to marry me.” Her eyes danced across his face.

He might not want to marry her exactly, but he did want her. And it was unavoidable. He’d damaged her reputation, though he hadn’t meant to. And now he must act. “How do you know what I want?”

She snorted. “When you tilt your head at me like that, you remind me of a hound we once had,” she said.

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Does it make you want to scratch me behind the ears?”

She shivered lightly, just inches away from him. “That is the last thing on my mind,” she said and she spun away from him.

It was then that Gray noticed the fastenings on the back of her gown were mismatched. “We’ll have to replace your maid once we’re married,” he said as he reached for her shoulders. “She is woefully inadequate.”

Livi glanced over her shoulder, a scowl upon her face. “Marie didn’t dress me. I was in a hurry to get below stairs before you could do too much damage. These blasted English dresses are difficult to don by one’s self.” She reached one arm behind her back and then the other, wincing as she did so. “Not to mention all the underthings. Blast and damn,” she muttered. Then she started for the stairs.

“Where are you going?” he called to her.

She stopped and looked over her shoulder at the sad state of her gown once more. “To dress. If I can find Marie this time.”

Gray reached up to grab her waist and lowered her from the third stair where she was standing. She squealed lightly when he lifted her, and she clutched his shoulders until her feet hit the floor. Amid her protests, he dragged her by her fingertips down the corridor and into a small sitting room. Then he closed the door behind him. “I happen to make a fine lady’s maid,” he said, trying to keep from grinning.

“I’m certain you’ve undressed more than your share,” she began. “But have you dressed them?”

He shushed her with a quick noise. He approached her and took her shoulders in his hands again, steadying her in front of him with her back facing him. He’d never wanted anything as much as he wanted to reveal Livi’s naked back to his eyes. “You’re not wearing a chemise?” he asked as he began to adjust her gown.

“I didn’t have time. I was afraid of what you would say to Grandfather.”

Gray inhaled deeply. The summery scent of her filled his nose again, and her heartbeat filled his ears. It beat nearly as loudly as his own. He reached out one tentative hand and slowly let the buttons slide free of their moorings until her back was completely exposed. Truth be told, he could have stopped at the third fastening, but he didn’t want to. She kept trying to spin away from him, but he
had
undressed a lot of women, and he was fairly good at it. “Would you be still?” he groused.