A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare Read Free Book Online Page B

Blackmoor. Though Lily wasn't certain that was good at all.
       Just then, the door quietly opened and William Westfield poked his head inside. "May I come in, Lily?"
       She wished he wouldn't. She wished she never had to lay eyes on him again after what he'd witnessed earlier between herself and the duke, not that she could voice that opinion. Lily nodded. "Of course, Will."
       He stepped inside, looking much more serious than he had the entire day. "So, Doc, what's the verdict? Will my sister live?"
       Dr. Albright nodded and then rose from his seat. "Yes, she'll be just fine. But I am going to give her a sleeping draught to get her through the night."
       "Splendid," Will said. "I'm sure my brother will be relieved. See me before you leave, Doctor, for your payment." Then he looked at Lily, a frown marring his handsome face. "Sleep well, all right, dear?"
    ***

    Will wasn't at all surprised to find Simon sitting alone at a far table in the taproom. That was understandable. That was Simon.
       Finding him earlier, stretched out across Lily Rutledge, looking like he was going to take her… Well, that had been a surprise. Not that Simon was a saint. He was far from it, as were he and Benjamin; but as a rule, none of them dallied with innocent misses. The strictest rulefollower of the pack was Simon.
       For a moment, Will felt a twinge of guilt for so mercilessly hounding his brother all day. But only for a moment. He'd enjoyed himself immensely and, had the tables been turned, he was certain Simon would have done the same. Benjamin would have been even worse. He shrugged off the feeling.
       However, watching his brother nurse a glass of whisky, looking more miserable than he had in the past six years, Will felt his enjoyment of the situation fade.
       He crossed the room in just a few strides and fell into the seat across from Simon. "Bit early to be so deep in your cups, don't you think?"
       "Bugger off," his brother snarled.
       Will smiled. He deserved that after all he'd put Simon through today. "Brilliant suggestion. Though I think I'll wait for Molly."
       Simon glanced up from his glass, frowning. "Who?"
       Will gestured at the buxom barmaid across the room. "Molly. Pretty little thing, isn't she?" He winked at her, and she waved back.
       "For God's sake, Will, it's too close—"
       "—to the full moon," Will finished. "Yes, I know. That didn't seem to stop you earlier with Lily Rutledge."
       Simon groaned and took another sip of his drink. "I don't know what's come over me."
       It had looked, to Will, as though Simon had come over Lily Rutledge, but he chose to keep that thought to himself. He didn't particularly care to have a whisky bottle smashed over his head. "Well, it's obvious you have some feelings for the girl."
       "I'm a goddamn fool." Simon downed what was left of his glass.
       "So Ben's been telling me for years." Will grinned. "But, honestly, Simon, do you think getting properly foxed is going to change all that…" He pointed to the staircase that led to the sleeping rooms.
       "I'm hoping it will help me forget."
       "That is a good plan." Will nodded understandingly. "And in your position, I'd probably do the same thing."
       Simon grunted in agreement.
       "The only problem with it," Will continued, "is I don't think Miss Rutledge is likely to forget."
       A truly tortured look marred Simon's brow. "Oh, God, Lily. I'll have to talk to her."
       He started to rise, but Will grabbed his arm, pushing him back in his seat. "Yes, but not tonight." He'd never seen Simon so troubled. It was probably best for his brother to get a good night's sleep. "The doctor gave her a sleeping draught. She won't wake 'til morning."
       Will waited until Simon seemed more in control before adding, "She's not some tavern wench or merry widow, Simon."
       "Don't you think I know that?" his brother grumbled.
       Will sighed. "I