Wolfishly Yours by Lydia Dare

Sophia’s head popped around the corner. She took in the scene before her with a critical and appraising eye. “Miss Mayeux,” she said with a nod. Then she speared Gray with a glance that would have dropped a lesser man to his knees. “Am I interrupting something?”
    “Warm milk,” Miss Mayeux said, retrieving a cup from beside the cookstove. She didn’t even attempt to explain.
    Lady Sophia kept her gaze leveled on Gray. “Long night, Mr. Hadley?” she asked.
    “Quite.” He refused to go into any detail. Who knew what lessons she’d dream up for him and Archer after this little conversation.
    “Mr. Hadley might need someone to help him upstairs,” Miss Mayeux said softly.
    “Volunteering for the job?” he asked. If he wasn’t quite so foxed, he would never have let that slip in front of Lady Sophia. Damn it to hell.
    “Mr. Hadley,” his tutor scolded.
    But Miss Mayeux cut her off. “Not with the way you smell,” she said as she turned on her heel and started for the door. She may as well have skewered him with a blade as with her sudden lack of interest.
    If Lady Sophia wasn’t there, Gray never would have let the chit walk away. He would have chased after her and ensured that her interest was piqued. But he didn’t have that luxury tonight, so he just let her leave.
    As soon as Liviana Mayeux was gone, Lady Sophia glared at him. “Don’t even think about it, Grayson,” she said.
    Not think about it? That was like not being able to breathe when one’s lungs were empty. Not think about it? He’d endeavor to do that. And to stop breathing too.
    “I’m serious,” she warned.
    “You’re always serious, my lady. You might be happier if you were less so.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “I do believe you are the last person I would take such advice from. Am I to assume that your degenerate brother has finally returned as well?”
    Gray scoffed. “If you’re looking for Archer, I wouldn’t expect to see him step over this threshold until the very last second before he has to get ready for the musicale.”
    “Typical,” she complained. “Stealing someone else’s fortune, is he?”
    “Can it be stolen if it is lost fairly over a gaming table?” As soon as the words left Gray’s mouth, he wished he could call them back. A wounded look flashed in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
    “Do find your bed, Mr. Hadley. And unless you’d like me to send an unfavorable report to Lord Eynsford, you’ll keep your distance from Miss Mayeux. Do you understand?”
    Gray gaped at her. “I beg your pardon?”
    “I’m going to have a hard enough time helping the poor girl fit in with the ton as it is. Any time spent around you or Lord Radbourne will be a disservice to her. Keep that in mind.”
    “Can’t have her associating with impoverished fellows, is that it?”
    “Your wealth, or lack of, has nothing to do with the situation. I’m much more concerned about your blackened reputation. Hers is spotless. At least for now, and I plan to keep it that way.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Besides, rumor has it that Lord Radbourne has come into a sudden windfall, which would take you out of the impoverished class, Mr. Hadley,” she added coldly.
    He gazed absently at his fingernails. It was much easier than looking into her face. “Archer’s windfall doesn’t line my pockets,” he said. Then he chanced a glance at her, watching her face closely as he said the next. “I bet he would give it back to you if you asked nicely.”
    Her gaze jerked toward his. “My father’s money?” She snorted, a very unladylike sound that Gray hadn’t realized she was even capable of making. “I highly doubt it.”
    He stepped closer to her so that he could murmur the words: “The cottage, Lady Sophia. I bet he would give you Bindweed Cottage if you but asked nicely.”
    A flash of pain crossed her face. “How do you know about that?”
    Because his new sister-in-law had