Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The growl startled her, making the small hair on the back of her neck stand up and sending shivers down her spine. It sounded like an animal, wild and untamed, a deep rumble meant to warn her away.

Lady Tabitha Hynds had no problem with staying away from the animal, turning with a swish of her skirts to head back to the huge manor house of her father's. She would tell the gardener about the animal and perhaps they could remove it from the gardens before someone was injured.

She'd only moved a few steps when the growl came again, followed by a whimper. It was the whimper that stayed her feet, causing her to turn once more to follow the sound. It sounded as if the animal, whatever it was, might possibly be hurt.

Reaching out with just the tips of her fingers, she gently pushed the verdant green foliage to the side. The whimper came again, a little louder and she bent closer to the greenery, squinting her eyes to see in the shadows.

"What are you doing, Tabby?"

Tabitha shrieked, backing away from the bushes and spinning quickly. She put her hand to her heart, pressing against the rapid beating in her chest as she stared at the man who'd frightened her.

He was tall, with wide shoulders and narrow hips, his dark brown hair just starting to turn gray above his ears, leaving him looking distinguished. Looking into his eyes was like staring into a mirror for she had the same golden amber eyes surrounded by long, thick lashes. He was trying not to laugh at her, his lips twisting as he sought to keep his expression neutral.

"Father, you did that on purpose," she scolded. "Were you trying to scare years off my life?"

"Of course not, Tabby. I'd called your name but you must not have heard me. What on Earth are you doing batting around the bushes for?" He reached out, taking her hand and pulling it through his to rest it on his forearm.

"I heard a growl. I thought there might have been an injured animal but I didn't see anything when I looked." She turned her head, looking towards that area of the garden as if she would have any more luck now.

"I'll tell the gardener and make sure he finds the animal and puts it out of its misery. Meanwhile, you have a visitor." Lord Edward Hynds, fourth Earl of Pentington, smiled as if he held the most wonderful of secrets from his daughter, urging her along the groomed pathway to the house. "Come along, we don't want to keep him waiting."

"Him who, father?" Tabitha asked suspiciously, slowing her step deliberately to impede her father's progress. "Not another suitor whom you feel will make me the most perfect of husbands?" she grouched. "Please, I thought we'd decided that you would give up on match making and leave me to find my own husband."

"You decided," Lord Edward muttered. "I did nothing of the kind. Besides, daughter, he's titled and handsome. What more could you want?"

"Perhaps a man who wants me for me and not for the dowry and your estates that will fall to me since you've made me your heir." She pulled her hand from his arm, throwing both of hers up in the air in a fit of pique before kicking at a loose stone in the path. "You've put me in a quandary once more, you know," she said, her eyes narrowing as she glared at her beloved father.

"No quandary, my dear, you have only to meet Lord Jared. There is no pressure being put upon you to make this match." He reached out and grabbed her hand once more, pulling her along again, all the while stroking her ruffled feathers with apologies.

Tabitha went along with her father, mostly because she knew he was doing this out of love for her. At times, she even found his match making humorous, some of the lords and gentlemen he'd lined up for her to meet had been so far off the mark of what she'd be willing to consider as to be laughable. He was an old dear, though, and he tried so hard to be caring, she couldn't stay angry with him for long.

They walked together along the path and up the wide marble steps that led to the balcony that looked out over the garden, a most wonderful view and one she was very fond of. The wide double doors leading to his study were open, white sheer draperies blowing in the slight wind.

Lord Edward tugged her along, going into the study and holding out his hand to the man who rose from one of the burgundy colored satin covered chairs. Tabitha's eyed the man warily even as her father greeted him warmly.

"Lord Jared, it's such a pleasure to see you."

"It was wonderful of you to invite me, sir. There is something about the country air in the spring that's hard to resist." Jared turned, his deep blue eyes landing upon Tabitha's slender form. "This must be your lovely daughter. I've been eager to make your acquaintance." He reached out even as Jared made the introductions, taking her hand warmly in both of his.

"Lord Jared, my father just informed me of your visit. I must seem like the most terrible hostess." Tabitha flushed at the look in the man's eyes as he didn't disguise his admiration of what he was seeing.

"Nothing of the kind, my dear." He bent over her hand, his lips touching her knuckles with an eagerness that seemed inappropriate. It was all Tabitha could do not to pull her hand from his.

When he lifted his head, his eyes seemed to focus upon her breasts and she felt the urge to pull on her gown, to try to cover more than the low cut décolleté was able. She resisted, taking a step closer to her father.

"Your father was modest on his assessment of your beauty, Lady Tabitha."

"Thank you," she replied, bowing her head.

Jared's smile grew wider. "You don't believe you're beautiful?" he asked at the tone of her voice.

"My father and I believe that the worth of a woman doesn't really have anything to do with her looks, sir."

"My daughter is more proud of her mental acuity, Lord Jared, than her looks." Edward smiled down at his daughter, taking her hand and holding it in his.

"A blue stocking?"

Tabitha's smile disappeared at the question. "That's not a term I would use."

"I didn't mean to offend you, Lady Tabitha. It was just curiosity." He reached for her hand again, flinching when she pulled away. "I truly am sorry."

"No, Lord Jared. There is nothing to be sorry about. My daughter understands, don't you, Tabitha?"

"Yes, Father. I understand. Lord Jared, might I offer you tea?"

"Or something stronger?" Edward added.

"Tea would be wonderful."

Tabitha went to the corner where a satin pull hung. She tugged on it, hearing a bell ring deeper in the mansion. It wasn't long before the door opened and an older woman in a black gown walked in.

"Mrs. Somner, we'd like tea prepared if you would?"

"Certainly, Lady. I believe cook has been busy baking this morning. I'm sure she has some fresh scones ready."

"That sounds wonderful. Thank you."

Mrs. Somner bobbed a quick curtsey and left the room. Tabitha wished she could follow her out but knew her father expected her to help him with his guest. So, being the dutiful daughter, she smoothed the front of her gown and turned to the twin sofas that sat across from her father's desk. Sitting down, she looked up expectantly at the two men. "Gentlemen? Shouldn't we be a bit more comfortable?"

Tabitha had to force herself to repress a shiver of distaste as Lord Jared sank down next to her. Her father smiled at the couple, sinking down on the other sofa. "Do you hunt, Lord Jared?"

"Yes. I find the exercise quite stimulating."

"Then you'll enjoy the hunt Father has planned for the weekend, sir."

"Jared, please."

"J-Jared," she stuttered. With a sigh of relief, she watched as Mrs. Somner brought in a tray with the tea. A maid followed her, holding a silver tray filled with luscious looking small cakes and tarts.

"Tea?" she asked, holding the small pot over the fragile china cups.

"Please."

She poured the tea, offering cream and sugar as well as lemon. Handing him his cup, she fixed her father's tea the way he liked it. Then she offered the cakes.

A sudden thump startled her and she jumped, some of the cakes falling to the floor. "What..."

"Well, there's your beast, Tabitha."

She stared at the glass doors they'd closed after them, seeing the dog like animal staring back at her. "It's a wolf."

She rose to go to the door, only stopping at her father's command. "It's a wild animal, Tabitha. You can't let it in here."

He's injured, Father. We can't just leave him out there like that."

"No, I'll call the games keeper. He can put the animal down humanely."

"No!" she cried, stopping her father's retreat from the room.

"We can't just leave him like this, Tabby. I know you want to help him, but he's a wild animal."

Tabitha stared into the silvery color of the beast's eyes. They were pleading as if begging her to open the door for him, to let him into the room, to take care of his injuries. "He won't hurt me." Her words were calmly stated, her tone determined.

"Tabby," Edward began, only to stop as she reached the door into the garden. "Stop! Tabby you can't..."

Her hand landed upon the door and she heard the quiet whine of the huge beast. For a wolf, he was one of the largest she'd ever laid eyes upon. His coat was a mixture of gray and black, standing stiffly along his spine. He panted in pain, blood dripping down his front paw to puddle at his feet.

Tabitha slowly opened the door, dropping to her knees. The wolf was a head taller than her in that position and she prayed he wouldn't find her threatening. He took two steps into the room, dropping to his haunches at her side, his huge head turning to sniff quietly at her.

"Tabitha!" Her father reached for her, stopping only when the wolf growled, snarling at him with huge white teeth.

"No, Papa. Don't come any closer." Tabitha reached out, touching the wolf's lower jaw and gently turning his head so that he faced her. "It's okay," she crooned softly, stroking the mighty beast's chest. "He won't hurt you."

"I won't hurt him," Edward said, astonished. Tabby gave him a small smile, still holding the wolf's attention.

"Father, he's hurt. I need bandages and water."

"You cannot be serious, Lady Tabitha," Jared exclaimed. "It's a wild animal."

Tabitha glanced his way, seeing the man cowering back. She gave him a silencing glare, still stroking the animal. "He's injured, he needs help and I'm going to help him.

Jared turned to Edward. "Don't you have any control over your daughter? You can't seriously allow her to take care of that beast. He'll kill her."

The wolf turned as if knowing what Jared was saying. His huge tongue lolled out of his mouth and he swiped it across Tabitha's cheek.

"Yes, he looks like he's going to hurt her, doesn't he?"

"Maybe not now, but you cannot mean to trust her with him."

"My father doesn't dictate to me, Lord Jared." She rose slowly, reaching down and tangling her hands against the wolf's fur. "He trusts me. If he'll come, I'll take him to the kitchen."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

Tabby smiled at her father. "Yes. I can feed him there too."

"You be careful." She nodded. Her father was a man unlike any of this age. He treated her as an equal and listened to what she said. It was one reason she was so resistant to his trying to marry her off. None of them came close to his ideals. They treated her like Jared was, as if she had no intelligence and had to ask a man for permission. Tugging gently on the wolf's fur, she guided him to the door of the study, enjoying the look on the servant's faces as she passed them.

"Lady Tabitha..."

She shook her head, hearing the wolf's growl and his whimper as his wound pained him. "Shhh. It's fine."

Cook's eyes were wide as she stared at the massive animal that trotted obediently next to her mistress. "Miss..." she began.

"I need some hot water and rags, Cook. Then we'll need some scraps for him. He's going to need to replenish the blood he's lost." Tabitha smiled reassuringly at the startled woman. She sank down to the hearth next to the roaring kitchen fire, gently parting the thick fur. The wound was long and angry looking, blood caking his fur and making it more difficult to see. "Shh," she said softly to the beast as he whimpered, flinching back from her fingers. "I know it hurts but you've got to be still." She stroked his wide face, calming him.

"Here, Miss."

Tabitha took the bowl and the rags, settling them at her side. Dousing one of the rags, she pressed it gently against the tangled fur, wiping away the blood and gore before rinsing it out.

The wolf flinched back, whining at the pain. Tabitha crooned to the beast, slowly continuing to clean the animal's wound. Even though what she was doing was obviously hurting him, the wolf didn't snap or snarl at her, trembling with reaction. It took a while to clean, but she finally finished, using some of the rags to bandage the wound tightly enough to keep it clean.

"Good boy," she crooned. "Cook, do you have those scraps?"

Cook slowly brought over a wooden bowl full of meat scraps, setting it down next to the wolf and hurrying back. The wolf sank down to his stomach carefully, his nose going to the bowl. He gulped the food down, meat juice coloring the fur at his mouth.

While he ate, Tabitha picked up the bloodied rags and the bowl of water. Handing it to the cook, she went back to the wolf and sat down again.

"Miss ... what are you going to do with him?"

Tabitha shrugged. "I'm going to make sure he's all right." She waited until he was finished eating, his huge tongue cleaning out the bowl before he let her take it. She handed it to the cook, smiling when the wolf rose, limping to her side. "I guess he's coming with me."

She went out of the kitchen, slowing her step for the huge animal as he limped gamely next to her. She bypassed her father's study, heading for the stairs and her chamber. Night had fallen while she cared for the wolf and she picked up a candle from a small table next to the stairs.

Chapter 2

Getting the wolf to follow her up the stairs and into her room was fairly easy though Tabitha cringed at each whimper he made. She reached into the closet where Mrs. Somner kept the extra linen and grabbed an old quilt. Then she spread it on the floor next to her bed and patted the material.

The wolf gave her one look and then glanced at the small ball of quilt. Then he turned his back, easily climbing onto her bed and curling into a ball at the foot, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth as he glanced back at Tabitha.

Tabitha let a little giggle of amusement loose. "Ah, you'd better hope Mrs. Somner doesn't find you on the bed," she warned, but her voice was caring and soft. She rose, setting down at the foot of the bed and stroking his soft hair. Then she pulled the bell, calling for her maid.

Myrtle knocked quietly on the door of the room than popped her head inside. She smiled at her mistress and began to walk in. The sound of a deep growl scared Myrtle and she froze, staring at the bed. "My lady, there's a beast upon your bed."

Tabitha reached out, carefully scratching the wolf's chest while watching for his wound. "He won't hurt you, Myrtle. Just walk slowly over here and I'll introduce you."

Myrtle's eyes grew wide. "You'll introduce me?"

"Yes, he needs to know you are a friend." Tabitha reached out, taking her maid's hand and pulling her closer. She let the wolf sniff at Myrtle's hand then she told Myrtle to pet him. "But watch for his wound."

Myrtle's eyes just grew wider, carefully stroking the wolf's back. The wolf just seemed to preen under the attention and then finally, turned away from Myrtle, dropping his head in Tabitha's lap.

"My lady, where did he come from?"

"He was in the garden, Myrtle. He'd been hurt somehow and he could barely walk. He came right up to me." She stroked the animal's face, smiling as he snuggled against her.

"Should I call for the gardener, Miss?"

Tabitha looked over at Myrtle and shook her head, smiling gently. "No, he seems most happy to be here with me. I'm willing to keep him here. Help me get ready for bed." She rose from the side of the bed, her fingers twining in the thickness of his ruff. She seemed to have as hard a time leaving the wolf as he had leaving her.

Myrtle reached for the buttons on the back of her gown, quickly unbuttoning them and helping her step out of the gown. She took it to the wardrobe, hanging it carefully inside and then went to a drawer in a large dresser and pulled out a thin silk shift that Tabitha favored wearing to bed.

She took it to her mistress and then unlaced her corset taking it and the petticoats and setting them to the side. Finally, she lifted the chemise that Tabitha had worn that day, leaving her mistress nude as she put away the garments.

Tabitha heard the wolf whine and she reached over, scratching the poor animal's ears. "It's all right," she cooed. "You'll be fine."

She jerked back when she felt the cold nose of the wolf nuzzling against her side. She scratched the wolf's nose, laughing at him when he whined and moved closer to her. But Tabitha stood up, holding her arms over her head so that Myrtle could lift her gown over her head and help her pull it down.