Tall, Dark and Wolfish Read Free Page B

of booted feet as someone moved at a hurried pace down
    the corridor. At least Ben hadn't lost his keen sense of hearing when he'd lost his beastliness.
    Ben was surprised to see that Alec was dressed in his best evening clothes. In fact, his friend wore a devil-may-care grin that made him look like quite a
    rake. It was a reputation wel earned, much of which they'd cultivated together.
    "Benjamin Westfield, is that you?" Alec said as he turned the corner. "I thought your letter said you'd be a few more days, my friend." He held out a hand
    to Ben.
    "So you did receive my note?" Ben asked, extending his hand to shake. "I'm quite glad. I was afraid it wouldn't reach you and I would arrive without
    warning."
    "I believe I did that to you last time I visited London, so that would have been just fine as wel . Come, come," he said, motioning toward his study. "I have
    a bottle of whisky you can help me sample."
    "You know, you didn't have to get quite so dressed up for my arrival," Ben joked as he accepted a glass of amber liquid and settled into a comfortable
    chair.
    "I wish I could say this was for you." Alec smiled. "Alas, this is for a lady."
    "Just as I thought. You've planned a night of debauchery and drinking, I assume." He crossed one foot over his knee.
    Alec colored slightly. "Actual y, no. I have planned a night of dancing, and if I'm lucky, I'l get a walk in the garden while I hold the girl's hand."
    " That kind of a girl, is she?" Ben was shocked. His friend had never looked quite so discomfited to discuss a member of the opposite sex.
    "That kind, aye," Alec admitted. "The kind I'm not quite sure what to do with."
    "I feel sure that you'l come up with something. Where are you going?"
    "The Fergusons are hosting a bal ." He pul ed his pocket watch from his breast pocket by the chain and flipped it open. "I have an hour yet before I'm to
    arrive at Miss Macleod's."
    Ben grimaced. "Please tel me you're not a man besotted. I don't know what I would do with myself if my best friend shackled himself with a wife." He
    shivered dramatical y.
    "Not besotted. Just a bit intrigued. She wants nothing to do with me." Alec frowned into his whisky glass.
    "Oh," Ben laughed loudly. So loudly and so long that he clutched his stomach. "A woman who won't give you the time of day. What a novelty!"
    "It has never happened to me before, I must admit. But I do so love a chal enge. Speaking of which, you should come along. The Fergusons won't mind if
    I bring one more, especial y the brother of a duke. In fact, I am to escort a friend of Miss Macleod's as wel . You can ride along and accompany her."
    "When did two women become too much for you, Alec?"
    The man looked shocked. "Never. I just didn't want you to feel al alone." Alec frowned. "There's a bit of scandal attached to Miss Macleod's friend,
    however. I hope that's not a problem for you."
    "What kind of scandal?" Ben was suddenly intrigued.
    "A circumstance of her birth, unfortunately," Alec sighed. "She is a bit il egitimate."
    "One can't be a bit il egitimate, my friend. She either is or she isn't."
    "Wel , then she is. But she's a splendid woman. Fiery red hair. Beautiful eyes."
    "Al the women in these parts have red hair, don't they?" Ben threw back the last of his whisky.
    "It's not quite fair to lump al Scottish women into one basket, Westfield. Miss Campbel is a very nice woman," Alec admitted.
    "Campbel , did you say?" Ben instantly sat forward.
    "Aye. Miss Elspeth Campbel ."
    How many people in Edinburgh wore the surname of Campbel ? Probably hundreds. Surely this one couldn't be related to the old witch he sought. That
    would seem much too easy. And nothing had ever been easy for Ben Westfield before. Why should it start now?
    "I'm wearing a fortnight's worth of trail dust, but if you can lead me to a bath, I assume I could make myself presentable."
    "I'm afraid I've nothing to offer you to wear, so I hope you have appropriate clothing. You're much too big to wear anything