A Certain Wolfish Charm(94)

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Simon watched the sunlight reflect off Lily's pretty locks as she intently studied the pile of letters before her. He was supposed to be looking at his ledger and tending to his Blackmoor holdings, but none of the entries were nearly as engaging as his wife. As if she felt his stare, she looked up and he averted his eyes to the open pages before him.

"Simon," she said quietly.



"Hmm?" He raised his head, as if he had not been gazing at her for the last ten minutes.



"I don't know some of these names. Do you want me to call them out to you?"



He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. If she wanted to read Cook's grocery bill, he'd readily listen. "Go ahead."



"Phineas Appleton."



"Toss it."



"What if it's important? Shouldn't I look?"



Simon laughed. "I went to school with Appleton. He was a degenerate then, and he still is. He writes once a month wanting me to join some club of his. I'd rather not."



"Have you told him so?"



"One would think my unresponsiveness would be enough of a hint, Lily."



"Apparently not." She waved the letter in the air. "A simple note stating that you are uninterested might stop Mr. Appleton's interest."



No one who wanted Blackmoor money or name would stop hounding him because of a simple note. But it was endearing that his sweet, naïve wife thought it would. "You may pen one, if you'd like. I'm not going to waste my time on Appleton."



She put the letter aside and lifted the next one to her nose. "This one doesn't have a name, but it's drenched in some perfume."



Damn! He hadn't thought about Lily coming across those sorts of letters. Perhaps he should rethink her helping him. Who knew what she might come across? "As I said before, no one who knows me well would send me a letter. Toss it."



"It's from a female admirer."



This was a bit awkward. "Lily, please toss it."



She smiled at him and put it on top of Appleton's letter. "I could write all of your admirers, too, and inform them that you are married now and that your wife goes through your post."#p#分页标题#e#



Simon scowled at Lily until her smile vanished.



She cleared her throat. "This is from Lieutenant Schofield. Isn't that the—"



"Let me have it." Simon sat forward with a start. Who knew what Schofield wrote in his letter? He'd really rather Lily not read whatever it was. He'd give her the edited version later.



Lily looked at the letter and then passed it across the desk to him.





Dear Duke of Blackmoor,





I understand from Major Forster that your ward, the Earl of Maberley, will be in attendance at Harrow for the Michaelmas term along with my son, Leo. Forster suggested we bring the lads together before the start of term, so that Maberley will have someone to guide him. I was in Spain with my regiment when Leo began his first term at school. I wish that I had been here for him to help make his transition into the human world easier. We would be honored to assist Maberley with his adjustment.

Perhaps the earl could pay us a visit during the September moonful and give the lads the opportunity to sniff each other. I will await your reply.





Your humble servant,

Lt. Harold Schofield

Reston House,

Guilford, Surrey





Transition into the human world? How did the Schofields normally go about their lives? It was a stroke of luck that he'd been able to snatch the letter from Lily's fingers.



The September moonful. That was the perfect excuse. He could take Oliver to Surrey to experience the change with Schofield, while he returned to the woods of Westfield Hall without Lily knowing. He could tell her he was going to London after dropping Oliver off along the way.



He frowned, realizing he would have to come up with a different excuse once a month for the rest of his life. He was going to have to become much more creative, or he'd run out of ideas before their first anniversary.



"What did he say, Simon?" Lily's voice interrupted his thoughts.



Simon looked up from the letter to find Lily's eyes focused on him. "He'd like for Oliver to come visit them next week. Let the boys get acquainted before the start of term."



"Oh. Well, perhaps the Schofield boy could come here instead."



And have three wolves in close proximity to Lily? Not a chance. "I think it would be rude to turn down Schofield's offer, love. Perhaps we can invite the boy some other time." Like when the moon was in its crescent state.



"But Oliver will be leaving us so soon anyway," she said sadly.