Wolfishly Yours (6 page)

As soon as Liviana Mayeux was gone, Lady Sophia glared at him. “Don’t even think about it, Grayson,” she said.

Not think about it? That was like not being able to breathe when one’s lungs were empty. Not think about it? He’d endeavor to do that. And to stop breathing too.

“I’m serious,” she warned.

“You’re always serious, my lady. You might be happier if you were less so.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I do believe you are the last person I would take such advice from. Am I to assume that your degenerate brother has finally returned as well?”

Gray scoffed. “If you’re looking for Archer, I wouldn’t expect to see him step over this threshold until the very last second before he has to get ready for the musicale.”

“Typical,” she complained. “Stealing someone else’s fortune, is he?”

“Can it be stolen if it is lost fairly over a gaming table?” As soon as the words left Gray’s mouth, he wished he could call them back. A wounded look flashed in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

“Do find your bed, Mr. Hadley. And unless you’d like me to send an unfavorable report to Lord Eynsford, you’ll keep your distance from Miss Mayeux. Do you understand?”

Gray gaped at her. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m going to have a hard enough time helping the poor girl fit in with the
ton
as it is. Any time spent around you or Lord Radbourne will be a disservice to her. Keep that in mind.”

“Can’t have her associating with impoverished fellows, is that it?”

“Your wealth, or lack of, has nothing to do with the situation. I’m much more concerned about your blackened reputation. Hers is spotless. At least for now, and I plan to keep it that way.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Besides, rumor has it that Lord Radbourne has come into a sudden windfall, which would take you out of the impoverished class, Mr. Hadley,” she added coldly.

He gazed absently at his fingernails. It was much easier than looking into her face. “Archer’s windfall doesn’t line
my
pockets,” he said. Then he chanced a glance at her, watching her face closely as he said the next. “I bet he would give it back to you if you asked nicely.”

Her gaze jerked toward his. “My father’s money?” She snorted, a very unladylike sound that Gray hadn’t realized she was even capable of making. “I highly doubt it.”

He stepped closer to her so that he could murmur the words: “The cottage, Lady Sophia. I bet he would give you Bindweed Cottage if you but asked nicely.”

A flash of pain crossed her face. “How do you know about that?”

Because his new sister-in-law had confided as much to him, in hopes Gray could convince Archer to return the lady’s property. But Archer never welcomed conversation about his newly won fortune, and Gray hadn’t wanted to broach the subject. “I just do.” He shrugged.

“Madeline should mind her own affairs.”

Perfect. Now he’d gotten Wes’ bride into trouble, and he hadn’t even divulged her name. Perhaps he could smooth over his lapse. “Poor girl
is
married to my brother. Worrying about others keeps her mind off her own troubles. You can’t blame her for that, can you?”

So much for smoothing over his lapse. Her anguished expression almost made Gray feel guilty for bringing up the subject in the first place. But then he remembered that he was in Bath at her command. Well, hers and his mother’s. He should be at home, taking care of business dealings with Wes.

Gray watched her face as her mouth opened and closed. She obviously wanted to say something. But her lips clamped shut and she regally lifted her nose in the air.

“It must be hard keeping all that righteous indignation in check, my lady,” he said. “Do you ever just want to explode with it? To scream to the heavens?”

“I’ve never wanted to do any such thing,” she huffed, looking affronted at the very thought of behaving in such an outrageous fashion.

“Why did you come in here tonight, Lady Sophia?” he asked softly. He wanted to like the lady. He really did. Madeline thought highly of her. And he thought highly of Madeline.

“I heard Miss Mayeux leave her room, and I wanted to make certain she was safe.”

“She was.” He heard the bark in his own voice and tried to soften his tone. “She was safe,” he confirmed.

“But how much of that is because of your honor and how much of it is because I walked into the kitchen?” She shook her head as though disgusted with the sight of him. “The girl was in her nightrail, for heaven’s sake.”

“Good God, you say that like she was naked,” Gray grumbled.

“She may as well have been for all the scandal it would cause for her,” she said sharply. “Had someone else discovered the two of you…” She let her voice trail off. “You’d be married to the girl before you knew what hit you.” She laid a hand on Gray’s arm and looked up at him with enough seriousness in her eyes that he was slightly taken aback.

“Neither of you wants that. Don’t ruin the girl’s prospects, Grayson,” she whispered. “You wouldn’t want her to end up in a predicament like mine. Forced into a life she never would have picked for herself in order to survive.”

Then before he could reply, she quit the room, her dressing gown billowing around her legs in her haste to escape.

He almost followed her, but his feet were still slightly unwieldy, and he wasn’t sure what he’d say if he caught her. Gray swiped a hand down his face. He’d had way too much to drink. It would be the last time he ever let Archer bully him into drinking gin, god-awful stuff that it was.

***

Livi listened intently outside the door until it was suddenly flung open and Lady Sophia cannoned down the corridor. Livi backed into shadows and waited until her tutor had passed. She tried to digest what she’d heard. Of course, Lady Sophia had warned Mr. Hadley away from her. That much she’d expected. But she hadn’t expected to hear so much about Lady Sophia’s circumstances. Circumstances beyond her control.

It obviously had something to do with money. Lady Sophia’s father’s money, if she’d heard correctly. Why did Radbourne have her father’s money? And a cottage?

Livi tapped her chin as she stood there in the shadows. She’d have to give this a lot of thought so she could find a…

A cough broke her from her musings.

“It’s quite impolite to listen to people’s private conversations.”

“It’s equally impolite to stalk people in the corridors.” She tried to make herself sound as haughty as Lady Sophia did. However, she merely sounded distraught, at least to her own ears. “And I wasn’t listening.”

He snorted. “Yes, you were. You’re already plotting to use Lady Sophia’s circumstances to your advantage somehow. Did you think you could coerce her into helping you escape to a port and then onto an American-bound ship?”

She hadn’t even considered such a thing. If he wasn’t standing so close to her, she’d have stomped her foot. But he might consider that to be childish. Did she care about his opinion? She sighed heavily as the truth hit her. Yes, she did care about his opinion, which was both mildly disconcerting and inconvenient. “I merely wanted to understand how the lady thinks,” she murmured. “I can’t figure her out.”

“And you must ‘figure her out’ before you can befriend her?” he asked.

“It helps,” she mumbled.

He chuckled lightly.

“I’m happy you find it amusing.” She itched to hit him. Much as she did with her brothers, but in a completely different way.

“Lady Sophia could use a friend,” he said softly. “Though I think that’s the last thing you’d ever consider.”

Livi’s face warmed, all the way to her ears. “No, it’s not,” she said quietly. Then she sniffed.

“But her circumstances are almost as dire as yours. Even more so.”

“Truly?” she couldn’t help but ask. The lady was a conundrum.

He nodded once. “You might find an ally in her if you gave her half a chance.”

“Have
you
found an ally in her?”

“Good God, no.”

His response made Livi want to laugh. It was so genuine. Or at least she thought it was. How much of him was real? And how much was him playing the part of the gentleman everyone expected him to be? Was he feral at heart? She’d love to find out.

He jerked a thumb toward the stairs. “To bed, Miss Mayeux?” he asked.

Her heart skipped a beat. “I should think not,” she blurted out, without even thinking.

He laughed again. “I was referring to you going to your bed. And me going to mine.”

Livi stepped toward him and slowly stroked her hand down the front of his jacket. She let her voice drop down to a sultry purr. “Somehow, that doesn’t sound nearly as entertaining,” she said.

He stiffened beneath her hand.

She turned to go upstairs, but quick as lightning, his hand shot out and wrapped around her waist, drawing her flush against him. “Don’t play with me, Miss Mayeux,” he growled. His warm breath blew across the shell of her ear. His head bent, and his whiskers rubbed her temple as he spoke, he was that close. His voice rumbled across her skin like warm water, every bit as fluid, but not nearly as soothing. The hairs on her arms stood up. She stiffened her spine and pushed back from his embrace. It was like trying to press against stone. So she decided to try a different tack.

Livi stepped up onto her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. “What makes you think I’m playing, Mr. Hadley?” Then she gave him a little shove, which must have startled him, because he released her and reached for the wall to steady himself. She couldn’t keep from giggling as she ran toward the stairs. He didn’t follow. And she wasn’t certain whether she was happy about that or really, really sad.

With both of his elbows resting on the breakfast table, Gray held his head in his hands. If only he could get the throbbing in his brain and the ringing in his ears to stop. No more gin. Ever. What the devil had he been thinking? Perhaps he hadn’t been thinking at all. That was a definite possibility in hindsight.

“Good morning,” came Miss Mayeux’s overly cheerful voice.

For lack of anything intelligent to say, Gray grunted in way of greeting.

“Ah, head aching from a wild night of debauchery and imbibing, is it?”

Gray opened his fingers wide enough to see her. “Shh.”

An impish grin lit her face. “You need to eat sausage and drink a raw egg yolk.”

The very idea turned his stomach. “Stop talking. You’re making my head hurt worse.”

She plopped down in a seat across from him. “I would have thought a man of your… heritage could hold his liquor better, Mr. Hadley. You English boys are a rather tame lot, aren’t you?”

Gray lifted his head and glared at her. “No one has ever called me tame.”

Her brow rose in disbelief. “Indeed? That is surprising.”

“Elbows off the table, Mr. Hadley.” Lady Sophia strode into the breakfast room and smiled at Miss Mayeux. “I thought we might head into town this morning. It is quite fashionable to be seen in the Pump Room during the morning hours.”

“Take her, please. Then perhaps I’ll be allowed some quiet,” Gray complained.

Miss Mayeux shrugged. “I told him to eat sausage and drink a raw egg yolk, but he’d rather suffer in pain.”

Lady Sophia’s nose scrunched up. “Why would you tell him such a thing?”

“The poor man is suffering the aftereffects of too much imbibing.”

Lady Sophia scoffed. “Well, that is exactly what he deserves then.”

“You are too kind, my lady,” Gray grumbled.

Lady Sophia smiled at him. “
I
did not pour drink down your throat, Mr. Hadley. Pray do not blame me if you do not enjoy the aftereffects.” Then she turned her attention to Miss Mayeux. “There may be some fashionable gentlemen in the Pump Room this morning. If anyone catches your eye, point him out to me and I’ll tell you what I know about the fellow.”

“Marrying her off before she’s even had a season?” Gray asked.

Lady Sophia shook her head. “We are here to practice for the season, Mr. Hadley.” Then her face lit up. “Actually, if you are suffering so badly, the healing waters might do you some good.”

The healing water was vile stuff, and given the choice, Gray would rather suffer all this day and the next than be forced to partake of “the cure.” “I’d rather drink the raw egg yolk.”

“Don’t forget the sausage. The greasier the food, the better, Mr. Hadley.”

Gray turned his attention back to the exotic American beauty. “Just how do you know so much about this, Miss Mayeux?”

“Well, I’ve known more than a few pirates and sailors and trappers in my day, Mr. Hadley. And one hears all sorts of interesting things.”

Lady Sophia gasped and covered her heart with one hand. “Liviana, you shouldn’t say such a thing.”

“But it’s true.” She blinked innocently.

“Be that as it may, I’d rather not have anyone else learn the particulars. Pirates, for heaven’s sake!”

“If I called them privateers, would that be better?”

Lady Sophia shook her head vehemently. “Absolutely not! On second thought I don’t know that an excursion into town is wise. Perhaps we should spend the afternoon determining the best topics of conversation for the musicale this evening.”

Gray groaned, his head pounding even harder. “Can’t you determine that
in
the Pump Room?” With his ears, he’d hear them no matter where they were in the house.

“Ready to be rid of us, Mr. Hadley?” Miss Mayeux smirked.

“I would dearly love a little peace and quiet.”

“Whether you’re deserving of it is another matter.” Lady Sophia sighed as she turned her attention to Miss Mayeux. “I suppose we can go into town, but only if you promise to stay at my side.”

“I would like to see a different set of walls. I haven’t left my grandfather’s house since we arrived in Bath.”

***

The half columns and honey-colored stone of the Pump Room gave the exterior a very grandiose feel. It did seem exactly the sort of architecture Livi would expect to see if she found herself in Rome. “It’s very pretty,” she muttered under her breath.

“Remember what we talked about yesterday, Miss Mayeux,” Lady Sophia directed. “Don’t mumble. Speak clearly enough for others to hear you, unless, of course, you shouldn’t be saying something. In that case, close your mouth completely.”

Livi shook her head. “I’m sorry. It took me by surprise.”

“Much as you’ll take Bath by surprise, if I have anything to say about it.” The lady smiled kindly.

No matter what Livi had to say about it, she was sure. Lady Sophia obviously had plans for her. As soon as they entered the Pump Room, Livi wished she had remained back at her grandfather’s house. Indeed, the morning hours did seem as though they were the fashionable times to see and be seen.

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, every eye in the room turned in her direction. Livi had never considered herself particularly shy, but she’d never been faced by a room full of people who didn’t know her at all and who already looked at her with harsh judgment in their eyes. With the exception of Father Antonio, of course, judgmental man that he was.

“Breathe,” Lady Sophia whispered.

Livi did take a deep breath and then wished she hadn’t. There was a slight odor of eggs that had gone bad in the air. She coughed into her fist.

“You’ll get used to it,” Lady Sophia said quietly, which almost made Livi laugh. What happened to speak clearly or don’t speak at all? Perhaps the same rules didn’t apply to tutors. Lady Sophia linked her arm with Livi’s. “We’ll stroll about the room, shall we?”

There didn’t seem to be a place to sit in the overcrowded room, so Livi nodded. What was wrong with the English? Could none of them smell the air? Or was her nose overly sensitive since her father’s Lycan blood flowed through her veins.

“Many members of the
ton
holiday in Bath. They partake of the healing waters. Attend balls at the Assembly Room.” Lady Sophia slowly led Livi toward a grand clock on one side of the room.

“Dancing?” Livi squeaked. And despite the warmth of the air in the Pump Room, she felt a chill wash over her.

“You do dance, don’t you?” her tutor asked.

Livi shook her head. “Papa never saw the point.”

Lady Sophia huffed indignantly as though such an idea was an affront to her personally. “Employing an instructor will be difficult here this time of year.” She frowned. “I suppose I shall have to recruit Lord Radbourne and Mr. Hadley to help us in that regard.”

Livi glanced up at the lady and frowned herself. “Do you not like the Hadley brothers?”

Lady Sophia laughed. “That obvious, is it?”

“Well, you did berate Mr. Hadley last evening for coming upon me in the kitchen, did you not?”

Lady Sophia stopped walking and turned her stare on Livi. “I thought you’d gone to bed.”

Perfect. She clearly shouldn’t have given herself away. But what’s done was done. “At home, sometimes the only way to know what is truly going on is to eavesdrop. I suppose you’ll tell me that isn’t ladylike.”

A smiled tugged at her companion’s lips. “On the contrary, Miss Mayeux, many a lady has need to resort to that very thing. I’ve done so myself more times than I can count. I just don’t enjoy being the one spied upon.”

Nearby, a fellow cleared his throat and Livi looked up to find a tall man with blondish hair. His gaze raked from Lady Sophia’s head all the way down to her toes, stopping at certain parts in between. It made Livi think of the way an alligator appraised its prey.

“My dear.” The man smiled, and if it wasn’t for the predatory gleam in his eye, Livi might have thought him handsome. “I never dreamed I would see you in Bath, of all places.”

Lady Sophia must have seen the lascivious sparkle in the man’s gaze because the muscles in her jaw tightened and she clipped out a greeting: “Lord Robert, always a pleasure.”

It could hardly be a pleasure, however; the lady looked as tense as the bow of a fiddle. Apparently, prevarication was all right under certain circumstances, Livi noted.

“Indeed,” Lord Robert replied smoothly. “Have you come to town with Lady Radbourne?”

“I
am
her companion.”

The man heaved a sigh. “Taking such a position is beneath you, Sophie.”

“On the contrary, it was by far the most complimentary offer I received, my lord. Do send my well wishes to your grandmother.” Then she started to tow Livi around the man, but he stopped them when he placed his hand on Lady Sophia’s arm.

“I had hoped you’d change your mind about that.”

“Alas, I never shall, my lord. Please do let us pass. You are making a scene.”

He released his hold on her arm and finally turned his attention to Livi, as though he had just realized she was there. It must have been the “us” that had clued him in. “We have not had the pleasure.” He tipped his head in greeting.

“If you would like the pleasure,” Lady Sophia began, “then I suggest you present yourself to the Earl of Holmesfield. If he deems you worthy, I’m certain he’ll make a proper introduction between you and his granddaughter.” Then she lowered her voice to a hiss, “Let us pass, Robert.”

He did step aside, though a wounded look flashed across his face. “Always so wonderful to see you, my lady.”

“Who was that?” Livi asked as soon as they were far enough away that she didn’t think the gentleman could hear them.

“Lord Robert Hayburn.”

That was all she intended to say? “He called you Sophie.”

Lady Sophia closed her eyes for a moment as though to compose herself. “He’s known me a very long time. His sister is one of my dearest friends.” Then she looked over at Livi. “Lady Madeline is now married to one of the Hadley brothers.”

Ah, the brother her grandfather had sneered about and referred to as a kidnapper. “Oh.”

“Whatever you’ve heard, Madeline is very happy and very much in love.”

“How lucky she is then.” Livi smiled at the thought. “Any hope I had for happiness or for finding love ended the day Papa put me on one of his frigates and shipped me away from my home.” And if there had been any doubt about her future, her grandfather had made it perfectly clear that he would secure her an advantageous match. Happiness and love be damned.

“Mine ended the day my father died,” Lady Sophia said quietly. Then she seemed to shake the unpleasant thought from her mind. “But, please don’t think that your future is so bleak. You may be on a different continent than you’d like, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find love here.”

“But my grandfather—”

“Is not in complete control,” Lady Sophia interrupted. “We are just starting the process. You don’t know who you’ll happen to meet. Just keep an open mind, Miss Mayeux. That’s all I ask.”

For the first time since she stepped off that frigate in Bristol, Livi felt a ray of hope. Perhaps Mr. Hadley was correct. Perhaps Lady Sophia could use a friend, and honestly so could Livi. “Please,” she looked at her companion and smiled, “call me Livi and I’d like to call you Sophie if that is what your friends do.”

Lady Sophia smiled in return and squeezed Livi’s arm. “I think I would like that, Livi.”

“Lord Robert would be handsome if he didn’t have a predatory look about him.”

Sophie scoffed. “Lord Robert is not the sort I have in mind for you.”

“What sort do you have in mind?”

“The sort who can make you happy.”

“Lady Sophia!” barked an old woman a few feet away, seated at a table.

Sophie groaned. “I didn’t realize
all
the Hayburns were on holiday here. Robert should have given me fair warning.” She cast a sidelong glance at Livi and whispered, “The Duchess of Hythe is a bit of a dragon. Take my word for it, don’t open your mouth unless absolutely necessary and unless you’d like her to jump down your throat.” Then she turned a dazzling smile on the old woman. “Your Grace!” she gushed. “I had no idea you were here in Bath.”

The old woman, who looked kindly despite Sophie’s warning, gestured them forward. “Come and sit with me.”

Sophie groaned again but made no attempt to take as much as a step toward the duchess.

“And be sprightly about it, Sophia Cole! I’m not as young as I used to be.”

Finally Sophie crossed the floor toward the old woman, with Livi in tow. “I didn’t want to intrude, Your Grace.”

“Bah! You haven’t changed a bit.” The duchess snorted, and then she turned her gaze to a nearby table. “Herondale!” she barked. “Be a gentleman. Give your chair to Lady Sophia and find one for her friend.”

A middle-aged fellow bolted from his seat in his apparent haste to do the woman’s bidding. Livi might normally have found the situation amusing if it wasn’t for the pained expression on Sophie’s face. The tutor had warned Livi the duchess was a dragon.

In no time, Herondale, whoever he was, had swiftly brought two chairs to the duchess’ table and then made a hasty retreat as though afraid the old woman would ask him to do something else.

“Thank you, sir,” Sophie called out to his retreating back.

“Pay the man no mind,” the duchess directed. “Now sit, Sophia. I want to hear how you’re getting along in your new position.”

With no possible escape in sight, Sophie and Livi both sat. Sophie gestured to Livi as she feigned a smile. “Your Grace, I’d like you to meet Miss Mayeux. She’s—”

The duchess waved a breezy and dismissive hand in the air. “Yes, yes, I know who she is. Holmesfield’s recalcitrant granddaughter. When did you arrive, gel?” She turned her icy eyes on Livi.

But before Livi could answer, the duchess motioned, well… barked was more like it… for a footman to bring her another biscuit. While she did so, Sophia leaned close to Livi’s ear and murmured, “The Duchess of Hythe gets away with more than most. Don’t let her scare you. And don’t let her outspoken nature worry you.”

On the contrary, Livi found the duchess to be a refreshing change.