A Certain Wolfish Charm(88)

"More than anything," Simon confessed. "But her sister couldn't handle the claiming. I can't risk losing Lily. Or having her look at me the way Emma did Daniel." He couldn't imagine a worse fate.





Thirty-Nine





Excitement rushed though Lily when Westfield Hall finally came into view from the coach window. She didn't care if she ever returned to London. The city's allure no longer existed for her. But here, in their quiet corner of Hampshire, she could remain forever with Simon.



However, she wasn't certain he could. Simon was just as at home in London as he was at Westfield Hall. What if she lost him to the excitement of Town, to his lifestyle?#p#分页标题#e#



She glanced up at his ruggedly handsome face. He seemed deep in thought, as he had most of the trip. Troubled. Quiet. Though whenever she asked what had his mind, he forced a smile to his lips and told her it was nothing.



But it was obviously something.



She just couldn't figure out what.



Lily knew he was lying, though she couldn't understand why. Had she done something to make him distrustful of her? If so, she wasn't sure what it was.



The full moon.



Oliver had mentioned it, as had Charles Alstott. The full moon? What did that have to do with anything? Thoroughly confused, she heaved a sigh.



Simon gently touched her cheek. "We're almost home, love."



Did he love her, or was their relationship merely physical to him? If he loved her, wouldn't he trust her? Lily smiled in return, though she didn't feel it.



"Will said he'd help me with my Latin," her nephew said.



Ever since his excursion to Harrow, Oliver seemed excited about the prospect of going away to school, which was a welcome about-face. Thank heavens! At least something good had come of their trip.



"You'll have to settle for me, Maberley," Simon informed him. "Unless Will sprouted wings and flew to Scotland, it'll be weeks before he and Ben return."



Oliver nodded. "Do you think Lord Benjamin is in some sort of trouble?"



Simon chuckled, shaking his head. "I believe he's into something, but I wouldn't necessarily call it trouble. My guess is Ben won't appreciate it when Will shows up unannounced, though it will all be his own fault. I cannot fathom him writing Mother several times a week."



"Simon!" Lily chastised, then looked across the coach at her nephew. "Oliver York, I'll expect a letter from you at least once a week after you start school."



"Of course!" Simon's voice dripped with mirth. "Once a week, Maberley, or I'll be forced to send Will across the countryside looking for you."



Then the two of them howled with peals of laughter, causing the coach to rock on its springs. Lily didn't find them remotely humorous, and she folded her arms across her chest, glaring at her husband.



Simon brought his levity under control and squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sorry, love. I couldn't resist."



She supposed she should be happy that he didn't seem to be the brooding man he'd been since they'd left London. But as she was the brunt of his joke, Lily had a difficult time feeling charitable.



Simon sighed. "Oliver, promise your aunt you'll write her at least once a week when you attend Harrow."



"I promise," he quickly replied as the coach rambled to a stop.



"Thank God," Simon remarked. "Good to be home."



He opened the door, hopped from the carriage, and extended his hand to her.



Lily accepted his help, stepping into the lateafternoon light. Simon was right. It did feel good to be home. His hand snaked around her waist, and he led her up the steps of the manor house.



The door opened wide, and Billings beamed at them. "Welcome home, Your Graces."



The butler took Simon's beaver hat and informed them that the dowager duchess was enjoying tea and entertaining Miss Hawthorne in the blue parlor.#p#分页标题#e#



A rumbled growl escaped Simon at Prisca's name, which Lily didn't understand at all. Why did it seem that none of the Westfield men could be civil to her friend? "If you're incapable of behaving yourself, Simon, you and Oliver can entertain yourselves elsewhere."



"I believe that is best," he clipped out and then directed Oliver toward his study.



Lily shook her head, worried she'd never understand certain aspects of him. She handed her Spencer jacket to Billings and proceeded down the corridor to the blue parlor. Even before she entered the room, she could hear her mother-in-law's laugh mixed with Prisca's giggle.



She stepped over the threshold to find the two women sitting side by side on the settee. "Good afternoon."