A Certain Wolfish Charm(101)

Ill tempered. "That depends. Are you not allowed to discuss Lycans with me today?"



A ghost of a smile lit Alice's lips. "Sweet Lily. I told you, only Simon is able to reveal such secrets."



She wasn't denying it though, was she? "I see." Lily drummed her fingers on the breakfast table. "But is that just in regards to Simon? Can you tell me about Will? Or your husband? Oliver perhaps? Is my nephew a… a Lycan?"



Alice took a deep breath. "Dear, after Simon reveals everything to you, we can have as many conversations as you'd like on the subject. For the time being, you are on the correct path. I can't say more than that."



Lily leapt to her feet. This was among the most bizarre conversations she'd ever had. "Why not? Are there werewolf spies that would know if you told me? Will they suddenly appear in the middle of the room in a poof of smoke and drag you off to some wolfy prison for revealing their secrets?"



"I know it's difficult, Lily," Alice began softly.



Lily punched her hands to her hips. "Difficult, Alice, is reading fantastical books about werewolves and starting to believe that the man I married and the boy I raised are such creatures. I should be locked away in Bedlam for even entertaining the idea. Then I woke up to find the two of them gone. And the only person who can give me answers refuses to do so."#p#分页标题#e#



"I would if I was able."



Lily started from the room, but Alice's words halted her. "Do you remember when I asked you if there was anything Oliver could do to make you stop loving him?"



"Yes," she answered, looking back over her shoulder.



Alice nodded. "What if he is a Lycan, Lily? What if everything you're entertaining is true? Simon, Will, Oliver… Would you love them less? Or stop loving them all together?"



What if it was all true? What if Simon transformed under the light of a full moon and became a wolf? A memory flashed in her mind of the wolf on the hill she saw the night she spent at Langley Downs. It had seemed as if the creature had called out to her.



Was it Simon?



***

The sun was barely in the sky when Simon spotted Reston House from atop a hill outside of Guilford. The Elizabethan home was of modest size and settled nicely in the woods, just as Lieutenant Schofield had described. Oliver would be safe here, which was a relief.



He urged Abbadon forward and galloped down the hill. They rode around the back of the house toward the stables, where they dismounted. Almost at once they were surrounded by a pack of russet-haired, freckle-faced children.



"Are you the duke?" asked one bold little girl, about six years old.



Before Simon could answer, a hulking man with auburn hair stepped from the home's back door. "Blackmoor?" the man called.



"Lieutenant Schofield?" Simon asked.



"Who else?" the officer asked, stepping forward and clapping Simon's back as though they were old friends. "We weren't expecting you 'til this afternoon." Then he looked at the swarm of children, who all looked just like him. "Mary, take your brothers and sisters, and run along to your mother."



The oldest girl herded her brothers and sisters and directed them back toward the house.



"Sorry," the lieutenant began. "It's not all that often we have such important guests." Then he looked over Simon's shoulder. "And you must be the Earl of Maberley."



"Oliver," he replied, nodding.



"Well, Oliver," the lieutenant said, "Leo is up in his room making space for you. Come along, and we'll introduce you."



In no time, Oliver and Leo Schofield seemed to be the best of friends and had gone to explore the woods behind Reston House together. Lily would be relieved the two boys had connected so quickly.



Lily.



Simon's thoughts returned to her, and his heart ached, but he could see her again in a few days when the worst of his affliction had passed. When he was certain she'd be safe from him. He accepted a cup of tea from the army officer after sinking into an overstuffed chair, which was heaven after the long ride.



"Would you like to rest, Your Grace?" the lieutenant asked him. "You look exhausted, if you don't mind my saying so."



Simon only hoped he looked better than he felt. "That is very kind, but I should be getting back to Westfield Hall."



The lieutenant winked at him. "Ah, your wife is wanting you home safe for moonful?"



He tried to keep the scowl from his face. "My wife is unaware that I am Lycan."



The officer nodded in understanding as he dropped into a seat across from Simon. "Ah, my first wife was the same way. She was a sweet thing but didn't have the fortitude for a claiming."#p#分页标题#e#