Page 64 of Truly, Madly, Daring

“The black wolf?” Wrexham translated, still looking perplexed. “Oh, wait. I have heard talk of… Oh. That’s you?”

“For my sins,” Wolf said with a wicked glint in his eyes. He leaned towards Wrexham. “There’s a lot of those.”

Wrexham gave a delighted bark of laughter. “Well, now things really are getting interesting.”

The rest of the morning passed pleasantly, as far as Emmeline was concerned. Her parents were here, and her father seemed to warm to Wrexham as the day wore on. At first glance, the family connection between Wolf and Wrexham seemed unlikely, with Wrexham’s golden beauty and Wolf’s far harsher, darker looks in fierce contrast. But now and then there was something, a tilt of the head, a gesture or expression, and it made Emmeline smile.

“Wolf is so happy to have family to call his own,” Cara said quietly. “It means a lot to him. He never said much about it, but he feared Wrexham would not recognise the connection.”

“He’s not like that,” Emmeline said at once. “Wrexham is generous and kind and honourable, which is why it’s so infuriating his father is such an obnoxious brute.”

Cara nodded. “Indeed, though he seems to be bearing up,” she added with a knowing smile. “He’s besotted with you.”

Emmeline perked up at this information. “What makes you say so?”

Cara laughed, shaking her head. “You goose! Don’t tell me you doubted it? He lights up the moment he hears your voice.”

“You really think so?” Emmeline asked, grinning like a lunatic and aware she was fishing.

“The poor man is head over ears for you, Emmeline, you daft creature.”

The look on Emmeline’s face must have been a picture, for Cara snorted with amusement, but their laughter faded as they realised the surrounding conversation had taken a sombre turn.

“So, we’ll bait a trap, apparently leaving Wrexham alone and giving Cecil and the duke the perfect opportunity to grab him,” her father said.

Emmeline’s stomach lurched in horror.

“No!” she exclaimed. “No. We cannot risk the duke coming anywhere near him.”

“It’s all right, pet,” Wrexham said, his voice soothing, but Emmeline was not soothed.

She got up and went to him, kneeling before him and taking his hand.

“It is certainly not all right. Not the least bit. I won’t risk you. If they took you away, I….” She trailed off, aware she had an audience, and she was getting emotional.

“Emmeline, we won’t put him in any danger. We said apparently leaving him alone. In reality, we won’t do anything of the sort,” her father said gently.

“I’ll be with him, my lady,” Wolf said, his expression grave. “I give you my word of honour, no one will harm him.”

Emmeline frowned, hating the idea, but knowing she could not dismiss it without knowing more. So, she nodded and glanced back at her husband to see his expression was one that boded ill and immediately understood his pride was taking a blow.

“Rex,” she whispered. “I know how this must gall you, but we all need the help of friends and family at difficult times. This is a difficult time, and I love you too dearly to take the slightest risk with your safety. Please, let Lord Latimer help you, for my sake.”

He stilled at her words, the sensation that he was concentrating hard upon her difficult to ignore, but he nodded his agreement.

Emmeline let out a breath of relief. It was still a horrible idea, but at least he would not face it alone.

Chapter 18

My lord,

I hope you are well and have now settled comfortably in your accommodation in France. Are you staying with friends, or have you rented the property for your stay? Not that I expect you to answer, but it seems dull to carry on an entirely one-sided conversation so I shall pretend there is a chance you may answer me one day and carry on in the usual manner.

Did you receive my last two letters? I wish you would at least let me know if you read them or throw them in the fire as you promised. You do not know how much comfort it would give me to know that you read my words and perhaps think of me now and then. Even if it is only to mutter crossly about the annoying brat you married.

I promised myself I would not write again until the end of the week, but I find I am so excited I cannot help myself. Today I visited Connaught Place for the first time, and I have fallen in love! Of course, it is terribly gloomy and far too dark, and needs a good deal of refurbishing. Not that I mean to take issue with your taste, my lord. Everything is of the finest quality and most comfortable, only, well, to be frank, it looks like a pleasure house. Not that I’ve ever seen one, naturally, but if I should ever conjure the image, this is it. I don’t have the slightest doubt you did it on purpose to vex everyone, for you have only ever displayed excellent taste in your wardrobe and it confounds me to discover the same man decorated this horror. I realise now I have taken issue with your taste, but only because I do not believe this is it. Anyway, I intend to save this beautiful house from your desire to offend everyone and make it everything that is elegant. You did say I could. You must inform me at once if you do not wish me to make changes and I shall, of course, desist. Only do hurry for I intend to begin at once.

If it eases your mind, I promise not to touch your study. I would not do so, as it is the only room in the house that does not seem to have been decorated with vengeance in mind. I feel this was your sanctuary, the place where you allowed yourself to be yourself. It still carries your scent.