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“You are breathtaking,” he said. Tonight, she wore a white dress, cut low on her bosom, that cascaded down her body. He could very well imagine what she looked like without it, but tonight, she looked like an angel with flowers and little pearls pinned into her hair.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Wesley.” She put her hand in his. “I have cleared my dance card tonight for you and only you.”
“Everyone will have something to say about that,” he said as he led her down the stairs.
“It will be a miracle if the most scandalous thing we do tonight is dance, wolven, but I should quite like to keep it that way.”
“Does that mean you did not like what we did in the garden?” His voice was low and rumbly. He was feeling much better than he had been this morning, the effects of the magic had totally worn off.
“You are so wicked. Of course I liked what we did, but I would much rather stay out of the gossip columns tonight. It’s our last night in the countess’s gorgeous home, and we shall enjoy it. For we have no idea what the future holds.”
“We’ll go to Stonehenge, stay there until the ceremony, and then we will head to Bournehurst, husband and wife.”
Phillipa nodded. She scanned the room, taking in the revelers, but Wesley knew she was looking for signs of trouble.
“Do you not like that idea, my love?”
She turned to him. “I should very much like to go to Stonehenge, but I want you to have realistic expectations. We don’t know the source of that book. And moments before Ainslee proposed the idea, you were convinced that she cursed you. Is that how you feel as a wolven, cursed?”
“Perhaps.”
“You are still the Duke of Chelmsford. The Wolven King. And I do believe that you owe me a dance.”
The waltz began. They started near Phillipa’s friend Antonia and her partner, Baron Lockhart, and came together in the marche. Anticipation was high, and the waltz heightened it with every twist and turn.
From another cluster, the minotaur winked at him, dancing with his chosen lady of the night, and Simon was with them as well.
Wesley would be sad to leave this all behind. A place where he’d felt normal. Accepted. And had fallen in love with his wife all over again.
“If we started the night with the waltz, scandal is sure to follow.” Phillipa took a frozen drink off the tray, and angled the spoon to Wesley’s mouth. He appreciated the cool treat, as his paws would never allow him to hold the glass and maneuver the spoon.
Countess Stalbridge entered the room and Phillipa grasped his arm. Her body stiffened, eyes widened in fear. The countess’s gaze landed on the couple, and she nodded before she approached.
“Your Excellency, you are quite the vision tonight,” Phillipa said as she curtsied.
“Thank you, but there is no need for empty platitudes.”
Phillipa’s mouth dropped. “Countess, I can surely explain—”
“No explanations are necessary. I came to tell you I have received word from the Queen, regarding your mother’s claim.”
Wesley and Phillipa eyed each other, and he found it difficult to breathe.
“The Queen was unaware of any claim that Mrs. Willoughby made, as I suspected. Her Majesty is meticulous with her selection process for the guests of each Monsters Ball. She was aware that the wolven that considered himself the king of the woodlands had been known as the Duke of Chelmsford, and she is pleased to learn that he was reunited with the duchess at the Ball.”
Wesley swept his wife into his arms and spun her around, but he refrained from kissing her, for he could not guarantee he would be able to stop.
“So we are free to be beast and wife?” Phillipa asked.
“You are. But.” The countess gave them a stern look. “I understand what untamed passion can feel like. But I do not want to wake tomorrow to more news inThe High Teaabout how you choose to celebrate.”
“Yes, of course, Your Excellency. We shall cause you no more alarm.” Wesley bowed to the countess.
“Very well. Enjoy your evening, and congratulations.” The countess nodded.
“Countess, may I ask what will happen to my mother for making such a claim?” Phillipa’s voice was small. She had been close with her mother before their marriage, and her change of attitude had distressed her.
“I do not meddle in such affairs. But the Queen does not take such claims lightly.”
