The Wolf's Pursuit by Rachel van Dyken Read Free Book Online

that I am
stronger than even I give myself credit for. I very much wish to be
married. At least by debuting, we will put a stop to all the
propositions for being someone's mistress."
    "Doubt that." Stefan snorted, clenching his
fist. "But if you wish it, I will allow it."
    Gwen had expected her heart to stop beating
in that moment. The last thing she wanted was to debut and go to a
ball where everyone would stare at her and wonder if she still held
her virginity. The women would gossip, the men would openly stare,
and she would count herself lucky if she could escape the evening
without at least three attempts from young gentlemen to kiss her or
pull her into a corner.
    Add that to the already nervous sensation of
seeing Hunter Wolfsbane, Lord Haverstone, and she was ready to
scream. But if this was the only way to be sure her family and her
country were safe, she would do it. One last mission, one last time
to prove to herself and Hunter that she was above the gossip, above
the stares. She was her own woman, a modern woman. And if she
wanted to debut after such a scandalous winter, then that was what
she was going to do.
    A plan began forming in her head.
    "I see this makes you happy, Gwen, and for
that I am happy." Rosalind rose and kissed her on the cheek.
    "Oh yes," Gwen answered, twirling a piece of
hair between her fingers. "This makes me very happy." She smiled
warmly and rose from her seat. "If you'll excuse me then, I just
have some preparations to make before this evening's ball."
    "If you need help…" Rosalind touched her arm.
"Allow me?"
    "Of course." Gwen left the salon, her
slippers sliding quickly across the floor as she made her way up to
her rooms.
     
    ****
     
    Hunter gazed up at the mansion in front of
him and sighed. Clearly things were bad when he was going to the
Beast for some cheering up. Dominique had been the most depressing
fellow to be around before his marriage, and now it seemed that he
needed to cheer up Hunter. There was something so tragically wrong
with the thought.
    He needed to get ahold of himself.
    With another soothing breath, he ran up the
stairs and knocked on the front door.
    The butler answered and lifted an
eyebrow.
    And because Hunter needed a bit of cheering
up…
    And because he was feeling slightly
inebriated since he had taken a few strengthening drinks of brandy
before making his way over to the Hariss residence…
    He sneezed in the butler's face.
    "Apologies!"
    The butler cursed, which everyone knew could
get the man sacked; must have been a good sneeze. Hunter grasped
the lapel of the butler's stiff jacket and wiped his face.
    "State your business and be gone…, sir." The
butler stepped away.
    "My business is not your business,
George."
    "It's Samuel."
    "Nathanial, listen here." Hunter leaned in.
"I'm having my trunks sent over, and I'll also need a room."
    "The hotel is down the street."
    "Daniel! Where is your sense of humor?"
    Samuel's shoulders puffed up, and his cheeks
soon followed. Interesting fellow, but Dominique was never one to
hire conventional butlers. Weren't they supposed to be seen and not
heard?
    "Sir, I must ask that you—"
    "Hunter!" Isabelle ran down the stairs. Silly
girl, clearly she hadn't learned the ways a lady should behave. Not
that he would want her any other way. Blast, she absolutely
glowed.
    "My lady, it seems your current state agrees
with you." He leaned down to kiss her cheek but was interrupted by
Samuel clearing his throat.
    "Don't you have somewhere to be?" Hunter
asked.
    Samuel turned red.
    Isabelle swatted Hunter. "I am so sorry,
Samuel. The Duke of Haverstone is an old friend, and will be
staying with us for the Season."
    Was it Hunter's imagination or did the butler
just curse under his breath as he walked away?
    "Cheeky fellow."
    "He's Russian." Isabelle shrugged. "Now, come
have tea with me and tell me all about your reason for spending a
Season in London. We both know you'd rather get trampled by a horse
than marry."
    Hunter