Tall, Dark and Wolfish (42 page)

When he slid into her in one hard stroke, she cried out. The pleasure of it was nearly overwhelming. He commanded her body as his hips thrust into her,

forward and back. She moved to meet his thrusts and he went harder.

Then he bent over her back to talk low in her ear. "I love being inside you. I love to feel you squeeze me, so wet and warm." He had never before talked

to her about what they were doing. But it excited her even more. He continued to mumble in her ear as he took her to new heights. Then when she was

ready, they came together, just as he pierced the skin of her shoulder with the most gentle of bites.

He sank to the ground atop her, and rol ed to the side, taking her with him to cuddle against his chest. "That's al ye have for me, wolf? A teeny, tiny bite?"

"Yes, I found that I could control the beast more than I thought." He absently brought his hand to his own shoulder. "I think you bit me harder than I bit you."

He chuckled and slapped her bottom so hard it stung.

"I wasna worried, even if I'd broken the skin. Because I ken I can heal ye."

"Heart and soul, witch."

Epilogue

"Good morning, Wil iam," Elspeth said brightly as she held open the door for her brother-in-law to enter the cottage.

His eyes swept across her, landing on the exposed skin of her neck and shoulders. His light blue eyes twinkled. "Found Ben last night, I see."

She couldn't hide the blush that warmed her cheeks. "I doona think he'd appreciate that."

Wil laughed. "My dear sister, Ben rarely appreciates me. It's one of his flaws."

Elspeth shook her head and started back toward her smal kitchen. "Would ye care for some tea?"

"No. I've just come to say good-bye."

"Ye're leavin'?" She stopped in her tracks to turn back and look at him. Wil hadn't been in town al that long, and the journey was tiresome, as she wel

knew.

He shrugged. "I only came along because I didn't trust Benjamin to return my coach in one piece. I'd prefer it not be set aflame by your wel -meaning

friends in a fit of pique."

She couldn't help but laugh. "They'd never do such a thing. Ye've charmed them al ."

"Ah," he agreed with a roguish grin. "It's a curse I have."

Elspeth gestured to the old threadbare settee. "Ben's asleep, let me wake him for ye."

"In a minute, lass," he replied with a smile. "Sit down."

Curious, she took the spot beside him. "Ye want ta talk ta me?"

Wil nodded. "You're good for him, you know. I'm glad he has you."

"He's good for me, too."

"I'd tel you that if he starts behaving foolishly to let me know. Knocking sense into him has become a bit of a habit of mine, but somehow I don't think

you'l need my help."

Neither did Elspeth. She and Ben were more connected than ever, and she knew in her heart that they'd turned a corner the night before. Nothing to

come between them again.

"My wife is capable of bringing me to heel on her own, Wil iam," Ben said from the bedroom doorway.

Wil winked at Elspeth. "Take care of yourself, lass." He rose from his seat, striding toward his brother. "And you, little brother, I'l miss you. Wil I see

either of you in England anytime soon?"

Ben ambled into the great room and shrugged. "I suppose I'l bring El ie to Westfield Hal for the holidays. Mother wil be dying to meet her, as wil Simon,

I'm sure."

"The holidays it is, then." Wil embraced Ben, then stepped away from him. "Take care of her, Benjamin. You don't know how lucky you are."

"I know exactly how fortunate I am." Ben crossed the room and slid his arm around Elspeth's waist. "Besides, she's stuck with me now."

She laughed. "Travel safe, Wil ."

Her brother-in-law saluted her. "I always do."

"Ye could always stay a couple more days."

Wil shook his head. "Alas, I have my debauched lifestyle to return to." And with that he winked at her and then left them alone.

Elspeth turned in Ben's arms. "How are ye, my handsome wolf?"

His hazel eyes darkened seductively. "Missing my witch."

"Are ye?" she giggled.

"Hmm," he growled. "I don't think the beast is completely sated, El ie. You better climb back into bed."

His suggestion sent a jolt of anticipation straight to her core. "But breakfast."

"I think I'l just have you instead."

Ben glowed with pride as he led Elspeth into Alec MacQuarrie's drawing room and a footman announced their entrance. "Lord Benjamin Westfield and

Lady Elspeth Westfield."

The finest families in Edinburgh were present, and the people who'd once looked down on his wife now smiled at her with acceptance. When Elspeth

spotted Caitrin on the other side of the room, she squeezed Ben's hand. "I'l be back soon."

"Take your time, lass," he replied. Months ago he had hated Cait's interference, but she'd come to grow on him. And Elspeth did love the chit like a

sister.

He watched his wife walk across the room with a regal confidence she'd lacked when he first met her before the Fergusons' bal those many months

before. She had blossomed since finding the major. He never would have guessed that meeting her sire would have helped her come to terms with her

past.

A hand clapped him on the back, and he turned to find Alec regarding him curiously. "If you can drag your eyes off your wife for a minute, I'd like to have

your ear."

Ben smiled. "Of course."

He had been so caught up with Elspeth, he hadn't noticed until now that Alec seemed different somehow. Solemn. Distressed.

Ben fol owed his friend to a far corner of the room. Whatever this was must be serious. "What is it, Alec?"

"I'm afraid you'l think I've lost my mind." He began, as his eyes flashed toward Elspeth and Caitrin. Then he rubbed his brow. "There's an old Scottish

lore about a group of fabled witches—"

Ben swal owed uncomfortably. "Witches?"

"Aye," Alec breathed out slowly. "I always thought it was nonsense, but…"

"Wel , of course it is. A group of
fabled
witches?" Ben chuckled. "You're right, MacQuarrie. I do think you've lost your mind."

Alec met his eyes. "The thing is, Westfield, Miss Macleod… wel , I think she might be a witch."

Ben laughed even louder. "Alec, that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. The woman is at my house every day. She's haughty and ful of

herself, but a witch?"

Alec shook his head. "I'm sure you're right." He sighed. "I suppose I should return to London, where my mind doesna play tricks on me and women

actual y want my attention."

"You're leaving Edinburgh?"

Alec shrugged. "I've been chasing the lass so hard, and she hasn't budged a bit. I suppose I was hoping maybe she was a witch, because that would

explain things. I think I need a change of scenery. I'l be off in a few days."

That was probably for the best, at least for the time being. If Alec discovered the truth about Cait, it would only be a matter of time before Elspeth would

be figured out as wel . Ben tried not to feel guilty about misleading his best friend, but he'd never risk his wife's secret. "We won't be too far behind you. I

promised we'd go to Hampshire for the holidays. You're more than welcome to visit us there."

Across the room, Elspeth found his eyes and she touched her bel y. She wasn't showing yet. Very few people knew she was expecting. His family, the

major, and her coven. But her glow was hard for him not to bask in. "Excuse me, Alec."

His friend laughed. "Wel , I had your attention for a few minutes. Go on."

Ben wasted no time doing so and crossed the floor, sliding his arm around Elspeth's waist. "How are you feeling, love?"

Caitrin rol ed her eyes. "Ye're as bad as a mother hen, Westfield."

He winked at her. "You should be thanking me. MacQuarrie was just tel ing me he thought you were a fabled witch."

Her mouth fel open. "He was?"

"I talked him out of it."

She bit her bottom lip and furrowed her brow. "I, um, should talk ta him."

"I don't know, Cait. He's headed for London. You may want to leave him be."

But she paid him no attention and started off toward their host. Ben looked down at his wife. "What was that about?"

She shrugged.

"Jonathan," Ben suggested, his mind now back to his wife as he moved his hand to her bel y. "My father's name."

"It's a fine name," she said, grinning up at him. "Though we have months ta find just the right one."

"Or Desmond," he offered, with less enthusiasm.

Elspeth laughed at him, her emerald eyes dancing with mirth. "I doona think my father would appreciate the way ye said that, Benjamin."

True, the major would surely blast him if he thought Ben were serious, which he wasn't. Any name would be fine, as long as the child was healthy. His lips

twisted to a grin. "Your grandfather was Liam. Liam Westfield has a nice ring to it."

"Ye ken," she began, smoothing her palm across his chest, "it might be a
girl
."

He rol ed his eyes playful y. "Heaven help me from living in a house with more than one witch."

Elspeth giggled. "With the size of that monstrosity

ye're buildin', I could have my entire coven move in with us and ye'd never notice."

"Ha!" he snorted. "Don't even think about it. I'd sooner send myself off to Bedlam." But there was something glinting in her eyes, something that made

him wonder. "Caitrin told you!
Is
it a girl?"

Elspeth's smile brightened the room. "Ye'l just have ta wait and see."

About the Author

Lydia Dare
is an active member of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and sits on the board of directors. She lives in a house fil ed with boys and an

animal or two (or ten) near Raleigh, North Carolina.