Home > How To Marry A Werewolf (Claw & Courtship #1)(10)

How To Marry A Werewolf (Claw & Courtship #1)(10)
Author: Gail Carriger

Biffy laughed. “They will not. The ton may be willfully ignorant, but its rumor mill is neither stupid nor ill informed. I do not pretend to an interest in women and never have. Romantically, of course.”

“So, why single her out?”

Biffy shrugged. “I like her. Such charming forthright ways. She knows her own mind, I think. Rare in one so young.”

“She collects rocks.”

“Hence the name Lazuli.” Biffy’s tone implied he already knew of this quirk in Miss Wigglesworth’s character.

Biffy said nothing for a long moment, only shuffled some paperwork on the desk he’d set up to one side of the dungeon. The rest of the cavernous space was fitted with massive, heavy cages, for full moon security and safety. London’s safety, mind you, not the pack’s.

A small, smug smile was on the Alpha’s handsome face when he next looked up.

Channing swallowed nervously and tensed.

“You call her Lazuli as if it means something to you. That alone would be enough to warrant my interest and favor. But there is something in her, something strong and resilient, like those rocks of hers, I suppose. I should like to see you break yourself against it.”

Channing snorted.

“You are ice, Channing. You only think you are strong.”

Foolish Alpha, I know I am not. I am weak and afraid. But I also cannot bear the idea of her dancing with all those other men without me there to keep her safe. She might be strong, but I think, perhaps, she has already burdened herself with too much, to be so tough so young.

An official invitation to Lady Papworth-Walmsley’s ball was waiting for the Iftercasts at breakfast. Mrs Iftercast was in ecstasies to be so singled out. She totally disturbed Mr Iftercast’s newspaper perusal with her enthusiastic squawking.

“Oh, my dears, this is such an honor! I cannot believe it of you, Faith, to have attracted Lord Falmouth’s notice. I mean, I can believe it, because you are such a lovely girl, but still. Of all the werewolves in London. He was not even on my list of possibilities. I thought he was firmly off the market.”

Faith tried to rein in this supposition. “I don’t really think that’s his reason for orchestrating our invitation.”

“Mums, we believe he is using our Faith here for a social coup.” Teddy spoke around a mouthful of eggs.

Mrs Iftercast glared at her daughter. “Swallow, then speak, Theodora! I declare, sometimes I wonder what we paid that school for.”

“Sorry, Mums.” Teddy looked unrepentant.

Faith was amazed. Mrs Iftercast was so wonderfully even-tempered. Had Faith done such a thing at dinner, Mrs Wigglesworth would have yelled and then slapped her, hard.

Mrs Iftercast only rolled her eyes at her daughter. “You’re hopeless.”

Faith automatically tried to smooth things over, just in case there was a temper hiding in there somewhere. “Lord Falmouth wishes to see me do well in society. I believe he wishes to set me up as an original.”

“And what is that, if not his singling you out?” Mrs Iftercast looked satisfied and mercenary.

Teddy came to Faith’s defence. “It is not courting behavior, Mums. Especially not for a werewolf. He is making her attractive to others – that’s not the normal way of things. He has given her no gifts, nor does he seem particularly protective towards her.”

“And how would you know the details of homo lupine courtship behaviors, Theodora?”

Teddy grinned. “That, Mums darling, is exactly what you paid that school for.”

Mr Iftercast snapped his paper. “Good. Got my money’s worth.”

Mrs Iftercast considered. “You may be right, dears. Still, even the friendship of Lord Falmouth is no small thing, cousin. I believe the hats may be a bit too much, but if he recommends them, you cannot but wear them. And if invitations such as these are the result… Well, you will be set. You both will be set. Not only will you have first dibs on the London Pack, Faith dear – the Alpha’s approval bears great weight with his pack, you know? – but you will have entree into the highest echelons of progressive society.”

Mr Iftercast looked up from his paper at that.

Mrs Iftercast gave him a telling arch look. “Yes, dear, this could have a positive impact on your political career. Of course, I have already sent our acceptance of this invitation. But now we have much to do and little time to do it in. There are gowns to consider. Theodora, your Worth will have to do.”

Teddy said by way of explanation to Faith, “I have this one Worth gown in cream silk with roses strewn about and such intricate lace you wouldn’t believe. It’s divine. I want to live in it.”

“Worth?”

Teddy’s eyes went very wide. “Oh, darling cousin, you have a great deal to learn. And I have much to teach you. Worth is—”

“Not now, Theodora.” Mrs Iftercast interrupted what looked to be a long ode to some designer or another. She turned her attention back to her guest. “Faith, darling, Theodora tells me you have nothing that will do. We must find you a dressmaker immediately.”

“More shopping?” said Faith, worried. The hats had been delivered, but she’d yet to devise any form of remuneration. Biffy had asked for nothing when he took her order. She understood London shops to run on account, but she dearly hoped her hosts were not paying for her purchases themselves. The Iftercasts were already being far too generous.

Unfortunately, more shopping was indeed called for.

Ball gowns, it turned out, were rather anticlimactic after hats. The Iftercasts had a modiste they used regularly, but when Faith relayed Biffy’s strict instructions as to her style of dress, her cousins agreed their seamstress would not do.

“We must find you someone willing to take risks. A newer shop with a younger proprietress. A woman with a reputation to build rather than to maintain.” Mrs Iftercast looked worried.

Fortunately, they found success at the third shop they tried. The modiste, a Miss Cordelia Honeybun, was quietly intrigued when told the parameters of Faith’s new wardrobe, where previous seamstresses had been shocked or disgusted.

Because Miss Honeybun had no established name, her costs were also reasonable (to Faith’s profound relief). She was even more interested in the challenge, once she learned that Faith’s style had been recommended by Lord Falmouth.

“They say he has his jaws around the pulse of fashion. The first werewolf ever to take an interest.” Miss Honeybun’s voice was as sweet as her name. “He is very forward-thinking, I believe. The ton has been abuzz since he took power.”

Miss Honeybun clearly knew that her role as modiste carried with it a requirement for not inconsiderable gossip.

Faith nodded, while the woman pinned swathes of fabric about her. “I like him a lot.”

“And have you met the rest of the London Pack?”

“Only Major Channing.”

“His Gamma,” explained Teddy, who was sitting nearby and watching the fitting with interest. “You’re so lucky to be tall, Faith. I could never carry off such a severe style.”

The ball gown Miss Honeybun was draping was based only loosely on a Parisian fashion plate Faith picked out. Faith had pointed and explained, “Like this, only without all the frills. Very simple, Grecian almost, shows the fabric to advantage.” She’d fallen in love with a bolt of sea-green velvet, a mermaid color. Biffy had instructed her to stick with spring shades only. No pastels and nothing too dark. “Spring will do you proud, especially as it is spring.”

Faith thought the color looked well with her fair skin and hair. Her eyes were always a little difficult, slightly too dark a blue for the rest of her – better suited to a brunette, her mother was prone to lamenting.

If Miss Honeybun had time, she would appliqué silver and white flowers about the neck and the hem of Faith’s gown. But the ball was only a few days away, and she would be rushed to even finish the basic dress in time.

“I could loan you Minnie,” suggested Faith, hoping she did not offend either woman with the offer. Minnie had a keen eye for fashion, and Faith thought she might enjoy spending time in a seamstress’s shop, as opposed to enduring her normal maid duties.

   
Most Popular
» Nothing But Trouble (Malibu University #1)
» Kill Switch (Devil's Night #3)
» Hold Me Today (Put A Ring On It #1)
» Spinning Silver
» Birthday Girl
» A Nordic King (Royal Romance #3)
» The Wild Heir (Royal Romance #2)
» The Swedish Prince (Royal Romance #1)
» Nothing Personal (Karina Halle)
» My Life in Shambles
» The Warrior Queen (The Hundredth Queen #4)
» The Rogue Queen (The Hundredth Queen #3)
werewolves.readsbookonline.com Copyright 2016 - 2024