Never Been Bit Read Free Page B

her head to one side as if she was contemplating something.
    “He doesn’t sound Scottish.”
    Sorcha shrugged. “Doona let him hear ye say that.” At Maddie’s confused expression, Sorcha took pity on her.
    “Alec is English educated,” she explained. “He left Edinburgh at twelve, but he returned home often enough.”
    “Oh.” Maddie nodded. “I suppose that explains it.” Then she pointed at a large tree off in the distance. “Race you to that oak over there.”
    Sorcha agreed with a nod, but her mind was still on their conversation and her heart simply wasn’t in the race. She followed in her friend’s wake, reaching the specified tree well after Maddie had already arrived. Why had Alec been invited to Castle Hythe? The mystery would remain, as she couldn’t very well ask the duchess, but she’d keep her eyes open and see if she couldn’t learn the truth for herself.
    ~*~
    “She’s a delightful chit, isn’t she?” Nathaniel Hayburn, the Earl of Bexley, broke into Alec’s thoughts as he watched from the library window while Sorcha and her friend rode across the meadow.
    “Aye,” Alec replied, though he wasn’t certain which she they were discussing. He stepped away from his position near the window and sauntered toward the middle of the room where the Englishman had dropped into an overstuffed leather chair.
    Bexley grinned roguishly. “But Grandmother has threatened to sever both my hands if I even consider touching her.”
    So the earl wasn’t discussing his sister then. Alec managed not to frown at the dissolute nobleman. He knew Bexley more by reputation than from sight, but what he did know was more than enough to make Alec certain the earl was not the man for innocent, enchanting Sorcha. Damn if she didn’t need a keeper. If it wasn’t because of her inane fascination with Lycans, then it was due to debauched Englishmen’s fascination with her, not that he could blame the man. She was delightful.
    “Your grandmother is a formidable woman. I certainly wouldn’t want to cross her.” Thank God the old woman had taken Sorcha under her wing, if for no other reason than to keep Bexley at bay.
    The earl laughed. “You have the right of it, MacQuarrie. And she does hold the purse strings. Even Father is terrified of angering her.” Bexley rested his head against the back of the chair. “So I shall endeavor to find other pursuits to occupy my time in godforsaken Kent.”
    “You could always return to Town,” Alec suggested. The miles between London and Castle Hythe would keep Sorcha safe from at least one depraved Englishman, just in case the fear of his grandmother wore off or the lure of the little witch proved too tempting.
    Bexley shook his head. “I’ve been ordered here for the duration of this party. To make certain no one makes improper advances toward Madeline.”
    At least the man cared about his sister’s virtue. That was something, Alec supposed. He dropped into a seat across from the earl. “So what pursuits do you have in mind, Bexley?”
    “Well,” the man sighed, “tomorrow evening there’s a ball. But tonight I shall have to make my own fun. I plan to head into the village with Radbourne. He always manages to find the most willing chits. Care to join us?”
    Bexley and Radbourne? The combination was nauseating. Still, Alec did need to feed and barmaids were generally easy marks. After a little enchantment, the women wouldn’t even remember their encounter. Then the rest of Bexley’s words hit him. “Did you say ‘ball’?”
    The earl grimaced. “Unfortunately. All the guests and local gentry. Did Grandmother not tell you?”
    No, Her Grace had failed to mention the event. All the guests and local gentry . Alec’s stomach twisted. The odds that Cait, Eynsford, and his blasted pack would be present were not in Alec’s favor. “Radbourne is attending, I assume?”
    “Everyone at The Park.”
    Bloody perfect. Alec groaned. He’d have to see Cait.
    Well, he