Page 44 of The Wolf and the Wildflower
“James?”
“Not now,” he said gruffly. “Maybe one day…but not now, Felicity.”
James saw that she wanted to question why but held her tongue, and a soft admiration rose in his chest. She had grown into a beautiful young lady, and he had missed it. She had suffered not being connected with him and had done so with remarkable grace. James canted his head and studied her, realizing she was one of the only people in his family who did not speak about him in veiled whispers or watch him with dubious frowns.
“I like to watch the stars,” James said.
There was a pulse of silence in which he felt the lingering surprise and curiosity. Finally, she asked, “Are you inviting me to watch the stars with you, Your Grace?”
James met her stare. “Instead of a hug.”
A smile bloomed on her mouth, and her eyes sparkled with a delight he’d not anticipated. “Thank you, brother, I would very much like to watch the night sky with you.”
He walked over to the large bay windows and pushed the heavy drape aside, revealing the rolling lawns and the beauty of the dark sky speckled with stars. His sister came up beside him, standing as close as she could without touching him. He did not crave her to be any closer, nor long to hug her, but her presence was…tolerable. More than tolerable, pleasant even.
“Is there anyone you’ve allowed to touch you?” she whispered, her face lifted to the view. “I’ve noticed even that you keep Mama at a distance.”
“Jules Southby.”
His sister jolted slightly. “Mr. Southby?”
“Hmm.”
“Should I ask how that happened?”
“No.”
Her soft laughter curled around him, and James found himself smiling. “So, you think a God is up there?”
She shifted, and he felt her stare upon his profile. “Yes.”
“Whimsical.”
“Perhaps,” she said softly, “but you are home, aren’t you? If not God, then how?Chance? That notion that our lives are directed by chance is what is fanciful. Mama hopes society will welcome you with open arms when you return to London in a few weeks.”
“Jules Southby will help me accomplish that.”
He felt his sister’s curiosity but did not elaborate.
“A gentleman is thought to be of top quality and very marriable because of his lofty education,verypolished manners, considerable charm, and the productive management of his inheritance. A duke is that and evenmore,” Felicity said. “Will Mr. Southby prepare you enough for thehaut ton?”
“I was already assured I have a bit of devilish charm,” James said, trying not to think of the wildflower at this moment. She was too distracting and thought consuming. He had yet to decide if that was indeed a good thing. “At the very least, I will ensure society does not get a snarling wolf.”
Her eyes widened and then she giggled. James liked hearing it.
“I…I hope your acceptance goes smoothly.” Felicity sighed, a sound which echoed with pained hope.
“Why does it matter?”
“You are my brother, of course it matters.”
“There is more.”Your heart is beating impossibly fast. Yet he did not say that, for James did not wish to speak about his sharpened senses. “If you have no wish to speak about it, do not.”
Her fingers tightened once again over the glass, and he felt the tension rise in her.
“I had a season last year and I met someone…”
She cast him a quick sideway glance, but he kept his regard directed at the distant woodlands.
