Wolfishly Yours Read Free

you’re concerned.”
    The air in Livi’s lungs rushed out all at once. “She knew Maman ?” Her question came out as little more than a whisper.
    But her words were loud enough that her grandfather heard her and he scowled. “How many times have I asked you to speak English?”
    She ignored his censure, choosing to focus on the information he’d given her instead. Lady Radbourne had been a friend of her mother’s? Livi barely remembered Maman . She’d been such a small child when consumption had taken her mother from her, from all of them. What Livi did remember was a delicate woman who was beautiful, kind, and generous. She remembered the fairy tales Maman would tell her at night, the kisses she’d dropped on Livi’s brow, the way she smelled of magnolia flowers and summer rolled into one.
    “I’ll never forgive Radbourne for introducing Grace to Philippe Mayeux, but if Violet can be persuaded into helping you, it would be a start to paying off that debt.”
    Radbourne. Livi did know that name. Papa had mentioned it once or twice. Why hadn’t she recognized it when Marie muttered the name in her bedchamber? Probably because Livi wasn’t thinking about her mother at that time; escape had been the only thought on her mind. But now…
    From the doorway, Holmesfield’s stoic butler cleared his throat. “Lady Radbourne and Mr. Hadley, my lord.”
    The earl’s frown deepened. “I didn’t invite any of her disreputable sons,” he grumbled. Then he heaved a sigh and sent Livi a look that made her feel like the worst sort of burden. “Do show them in, Browne.”

Two
    Gray winced. Why had he agreed to accompany his mother on this little excursion? Oh, yes, to avoid Lady Sophia and Archer back at the Hall. Still, how was he supposed to smile and make polite conversation with Lord Holmesfield after the man had just called him disreputable? With his Lycan ears, he had most definitely heard the insult. His human ears twitched and the hair on the back of his neck stood up, just like the dog that he was. He forced himself to lower his upper lip, releasing the snarl that twisted it.
    A moment later, Browne, Holmesfield’s butler, appeared in the threshold of the small salon where Gray and his mother had been led upon their arrival at Holmesfield Court. “His lordship will see you now.” Then the old man guided them to a good-sized parlor swathed in shades of blue.
    Gray’s eyes swept across the room until they landed on a stunning girl sitting on one of the parlor’s settees. She was like no one he’d ever seen before, almost exotic with her dark hair and skin that looked as though it was often kissed by the sun. He might have gaped at her forever, but his mother elbowed him in the back.
    “Grayson,” she whispered, bringing him back to the present. If he stared at the girl much longer, he’d have to wipe the drool from his chin.
    Gray cleared his throat. “Apologies,” he muttered softly. Then he inclined his head to the Earl of Holmesfield. “I am glad to find you looking well, my lord.”
    “I’m not glad you found me at all,” Holmesfield muttered. But then he turned to Gray’s mother, inhaled deeply, and said, “I don’t know what to do with her.” His eyes slowly crossed the room until they landed on the very lady Gray had just been staring at.
    The lady in question jumped to her feet with a startling show of dexterity. “My grandfather isn’t certain if he’s more mortified by my looks, my breeding, or my country of origin,” she said. Then she cocked her head to the side and continued. “Perhaps you can help him decide which part of me he should hold in the highest contempt.”
    “Liviana,” the earl scolded.
    Gray’s mother covered her lips with the tips of her fingers, just as a muffled sob erupted from her throat. “Are you all right, Mother?” he asked as he laid a hand on her shoulder.
    “She looks just like her,” his mother whispered beneath her fingertips, the words muffled