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She found Master Bow in the doorway of the dressing room. “Miss Willoughby, you look like you’ve seen a ghost! Pray tell what has happened.”
“It’s very possible I have,” she said as she entered the room, taking solace in the beautiful fabrics that surrounded her. He motioned for her to sit on the chaise lounge and poured her a glass of wine. She took a sip, letting the elixir flow through her veins, but it didn’t erase the memory of her encounter. “I’ve indeed found the wolven that I spoke about the last time I was here.”
“Wesley.” Master Bow clasped his hands together.
Her lips parted, and she almost spilled the wine down the front of her dress. “That’s what he told you his name was?”
“Yes, and when he came here, he had only one concern. Seeing you.” Master Bow nodded at her shock. “I must admit, I was skeptical that the beast was ready to win any human woman’s heart. He was so…feral. But he’s spent some time here at the Hall, and I would be very pleased if the Queen could announce the two of you as one of this event’s matches.”
Just because the wolven had told the story to Master Bow did not make it true, she reminded herself. But Bow’s excitement about the news was nothing but genuine.
“I can hardly believe it. It feels like a dream. No, a nightmare.”
“My lady.”
“Do you know why I failed my Season?” she asked.
“No, I never ask what brings a lady to the Monsters Ball, because I do not think of your presence here as a failure. Only the bravest, most adventurous ladies in the country would be invited to a party like this. You were hand-picked by the Queen herself! How many society ladies can say that? And the monsters are all vetted by Countess Stalbridge and myself. We’re not concerned with your past, but we do everything we can to create the best possible future for you, whether you choose a mate or not.”
“Wesley was my husband.” She took another sip of the wine. “He was human when he courted me and married me. He was a duke, and I’d prided myself in marrying well. My older sister married a marquis, and my younger sister is promised to a count. Wesley was a glorious, generous man, who’d served in the Queen’s army. He was kind and gentle and I loved him very, very much.”
Master Bow’s pink lips parted. He appeared to be wearing a bit of makeup, which enhanced his features. “You speak of him as if he is with us no longer.”
“He disappeared on our wedding night. At first, I was told he was called away on military business. But he didn’t return. And his family would neither confirm nor deny that he was alive. Only that they were awaiting word. And now, this beast, who has been causing chaos in the woodlands near my home, claims to be my husband. I fear that I’ve gone mad.”
“My lady, you are not mad.” Master Bow put his hand over hers. “I believe the wolven might be telling the truth. In the time I spent with him, he seemed to be very genuine, much as you described your Wesley, if not a bit more feral. He is very focused on reuniting with you.”
She drew in a shaky breath. “But he’s been nothing but awful to my fae friends! If he is who he claims to be, how can I ever forgive him?”
“Gentlemen and beasts will do strange things for love. It doesn’t seem like an explanation, my lady, but it istheexplanation. Sometimes the heart answers your prayers in the most unexpected manner.”
Phillipa thought of Ainslee’s spell to bring Wesley back to her. “So you think I should entertain this wild claim that the Wolven King is my husband?”
“I do,” Master Bow cooed. “But please, don’t measure him against the man you once knew. Let him earn his merit on his actions at the Ball. Once the wolven is accepted for the beast he is, I do believe he can make you a very happy woman.”
The High Tea
Dearest Readers,
This isn’t my first letter to you regarding Miss Phillipa Willoughby and Lord Andrew Wesley, sometimes known as the Duke of Chelmsford, and other times referred to as the self-appointed Wolven King.
They have finally come face to face, and reader, it was just as explosive as an event as we predicted.
Lord Wesley surprised Lady Phillipa in the library, where she indeed made a threat on his life, complete with a silver weapon! The wolven was able to stave off the attack, but not without injury.
I’m not sure if our embattled couple has reached a total impasse, but it is rumored that the lady has promised her first dance to the wolven.
Night two of the Ball promises to be most exciting, and it has barely begun.
Sip slowly, my friends. I’m sure this is not the last we’ve heard from this couple.
Lady Grey
ChapterTwelve
Wesley
One dance.
