Lady of the Night

Chapter 2

London, Blackwood Manor

In the early hours of the night…

For the first time in a year, a ball was held at the Blackwood Manor. To the London society, it was an event that could never be missed. In fact, it was already written in the Times that it is indeed going to be the event of the year. Unmarried ladies were immensely eager to attend to see the manor, catch a gentleman, and if they are lucky, the future Duke of Blackwood himself—in that order. Every unmarried gentleman, whether they intend to find a wife or not, were excited to meet debutants and/or ladies who were unmarried, or married who seek fun.

Precisely everyone, even the Duke himself, was excited. Tyler, on the other hand, was not. And as he stood next to his father beside the grand staircase, it was clear that despite the gaiety and loudness of the people gathered around them, he wanted nothing but to leave and be left alone.

"Look alive, son," Andrei said, breaking Tyler's train of thoughts. "Look at the flock of ladies in front of you. They're yours for the taking, all of them if you want," the duke finished with a smirk.

"You always find it amusing to torment me, father," Tyler replied sarcastically.

Andrei barked out a laugh. "This is a good opportunity to test you, surely you know that."

He turned to his father pointedly. "And if I can't?"

"Well then," the duke shrugged, "We can all conclude that you're not ready to lead the pack yet."

Tyler's jaw tightened as he turned away from his father's amused look and watched the sea of people whom he doesn't know or does he care to know. All he wanted to do was leave and find a place where he could be alone; a place where he can harm no one.

It was the first full moon of the month, and Tyler had planned this night to stay locked inside his room where he can turn without inhibitions. Maybe jump outside of his window and walk into the night and hunt rabbits after. But no, his father decided to celebrate it instead with throwing a ball, knowing full well that if he can't control himself—because it happens sometimes— he can very well murder anyone on sight. And their house was filled with people; people he doesn't know but would most likely be murdered tonight without their knowledge.

Tyler protested to his father days before he sent the invitations out and posted about the event on the Times. But the duke only said, "This is for your own good. Who knows? Maybe you can find your mate this time?"

He couldn't believe his own ears when he heard that. It wasn't possible that his father was serious. But then again, the duke always had a sick sense of humour. He was challenging him, as a father and as an alpha werewolf, to prove himself, and Tyler can't do anything but to abide.

"Just remember that if I disappoint you and end up leaving a trail of dead bodies tonight for you to clean up, I would most likely say, I told you so," Tyler said.

His father, damn him, just laughed and patted him on the back. He might have said a more insulting come back had he not spotted Scott at their entryway. Scott immediately scanned the crowed and when he spotted them, he smiled and nodded at him.

Tyler acknowledged his presence with a grin. "Scott is back?" he asked his father.

"Yes," Andrei said. "A week ago, if I am correct. His trip to America took longer than expected."

"Perhaps Allison's parents were not pleased to learn that their daughter wedded without their attention." The duke let out a low chuckle, which meant that he agreed.

Scott Brunswick was newly married to his American wife Allison Caito just a month ago. The wedding was simple, not all that lavish, but it was the best wedding he had attended in all his life, mostly because it was obviously a love match. Just watching his friend look at his wife as they try to wiggle their way towards the grand staircase, it was clear in his eyes that he would shove anyone out of their way, even if it was a young and pretty debutant, and especially any gentleman who would so much as look at Allison.

In fact, Scott just glared at Lord Trevelstam as they passed him by. Tyler let out a smirk.

Just then, both Allie and Scott turned to someone behind them. The lady was clearly saying something funny because Allie and Scott were trying hard to mask their laugh. Tyler craned his neck slightly to see who it was but she was hidden behind Scott. But he could see clearly her gentleman escort though, walking behind Allie, and he wasn't familiar.

When they all reached him and his father's side, it was only then did she come to view. Her mouth was already quirked up at the corner, as if she was amused about something that none of them know. He also noticed that her lips were painted with red. Tyler was suddenly intrigued.

"Scott," the duke greeted affectionately. He had always liked Brunswick.

"Your grace," Scott greeted. "Great party," he said, cutting a teasing glance over to Tyler.

Tyler fought the urge to roll his eyes. If there was one person who knew what the party was all about, it was Scott; at least the bride hunting part. The other one, he doesn't need to know.

"That's what I've been telling my son this whole evening," the duke teased and then he turned to Allie. "Has Scott scared you yet, my dear?"

Allison smiled. "I am starting to regret everything, your grace."

Tyler let out a low chuckle which was directed at Scott and said, "I told you. She made a wrong choice to marry you."

"Oh shut up, Tyler," Scott said. If it was some other gentleman, both the duke and Tyler might have taken offense. But Scott was as close as a best friend to Tyler, so he gets away with it. "But before I forget, may I introduce to you Miss Rae Caito, my sister-in-law and younger sister of Allison, and Lord Dylan, future duke O'Brien."

"Your graces," Rae curtsied. Lord Dylan simply bowed his head a little. Tyler was starting not to like the gentleman, even if he was as high ranking as him.

"Betrothed?" the duke curiously inquired.

"Oh no, your grace," Rae answered rather hastily. "Dylan is my friend."

"These two grew up together back in Boston, and Dylan is currently staying with us," Allison explained.

"Indefinitely, if I might add," Dylan added with a smirk at Rae, who—Tyler noticed—was trying not to glare at her friend.

Tyler looked at his father to see if he was offended with how this Lord Dylan didn't even address him, but all he could see in the old man's eyes were pure amusement. Perhaps, he liked the bravado of this kid.

"Indefinitely, you say?" Andrei asked but his question was directed to Scott.

Scott opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Rae. "Your grace," she said, "What Lord Dylan meant to say was besides from accompanying me here, he was also taking this opportunity to look for a possible future Lady O'Brien. And since he does not know where she is, he will stay until he finds her."

"Which is what Miss Rae is here for, too," Dylan said.

"Ah, but I'm not looking for a future Lady O'Brien" Rae retorted. "I'm here merely to watch you try desperately so."

Allie and Scott were trying hard—so hard, Tyler noticed— not to laugh, whereas Dylan glowered at Rae, but she just gave him a sweet, mocking smile.

Tyler can't help but feel amused about Rae.

Scott cleared his throat. "We apologize for these two, your grace, if they have offended you in some way." Rae snapped her head to his direction but Scott ignored her. "They are still adjusting to the English ways."

Allie was hiding her smile behind her fan.

"It is fine. It is fine," Andrei said, letting out a low chuckle. "I take no offense. None, whatsoever. In my current old age, I have learned to take life less serious."

"Thank you, your grace," Rae said. "I wish everyone thinks like how you do. The world would be so much more peaceful then and we women would be more free to do or say whatever it is that pleases us."

"Then am I right to assume that you are feminist?"

Rae shook her head. "Not really. I just admire people, men in general, who do not think so highly of themselves."

The duke barked out a genuine laugh that caught the attention of those who were standing nearby. "Indeed, Miss Caito. Indeed. Allison my dear, you didn't tell me that you have such a delightful sister."

"If I announced to the world of her existence in an earlier time, I'm afraid there would be no men in the world that wouldn't grovel at her feet, your grace," Allison answered. Although it was clear in her eyes that she meant to be sarcastic.

Dylan wasn't able to help rolling his eyes at Allie's answer. But Rae merely smiled and said, "You flatter me, sister," her tone as equally sarcastic as Allie.

To anyone, Rae would sound like a terrible flirt. It would be more likely that she was trying to flirt with the old duke if she doesn't have the reason of being an American. English people tend to frown upon their manners most of the time, since they are far more open and frank with their words, and Rae wasn't an exception. She was simply telling what's on her mind in a straightforward manner, at the same time having a perfect amount of modesty.

How she does that, Tyler doesn't know. He never met an American before besides Allie, and Allie was more reserved. Maybe it's just an American thing.

"Oh, but where are my manners?" Andrei spoke. "Miss Caito and Lord O'Brien, this is my only son Tyler, the future Duke of Blackwood. He's also very much looking for a wife."

"Good evening," Tyler simply said, completely ignoring his father's last sentence. Lord Dylan, however, did not.

"Forgive my being forward but allow me to ask," he said, "Are there any ladies you can recommend? Except the ones you have selected for yourself, of course."

"Dylan," Rae hissed.

Tyler looked at her and then looked at Dylan. Dylan's cool brown eyes on the other hand suddenly narrowed as he flicked a subtle glanced between him and Rae.

Oh, Tyler thought with an inward grin. He's jealous. He can already smell it. Dylan must seem all casual and cool, but it was clear that he did not come to London to get a wife for he had already found one. Unfortunately for him, the certain lady remains oblivious.

Suddenly, for the first time in a long time, Tyler felt his werewolf nature rise inside him while he was still remained as a human. "I regret to say that I don't know many young ladies and the ladies I've had the pleasure of knowing are all happily married, except for one. And I have just recently met her," he said and deliberately shifted his eyes from Dylan to Rae. He noticed his father's startled look at his words but his eyes remained on Rae's. At the far end of the room, he heard their footman announce the next dance.

Perhaps it was the way her mouth quirked up amusingly, or the small dimple that suddenly appeared just below her mouth, or the way her shoulder-length hair wasn't tied up like how the other ladies usually style theirs, or the gleam behind her brown eyes that seemed to be daring him to make another move, that captured Tyler and compelled him to do something he had never done before without the command of his father.

"Miss Caito," he said, his voice sounding foreign to his own ears. "May I have this dance?"

Tyler didn't know he had been holding his breath until she disengaged her arm from Dylan's and said, "You may." Two words, and already it held a promise.

And as Tyler took Miss Caito's hand and put it at the crook of his arm, he felt a sense of satisfaction as he said to Scott, Allison, and his father who looked thoroughly amused, "Please excuse us." But before they left, he nodded to Dylan and said, "There are many lovely ladies here, Lord O'Brien. Ask my father and he could introduce you to them."

"Have fun, my dear," Rae said. Tyler looked at her and let out a surprised laugh in which, as they walked towards the ballroom, gave such great delight to the duke.

"Do excuse me. I'll just go get myself a drink," Dylan said and then left.

"Poor boy," Andrei said, looking after him. "He should have made his claim sooner." And pretending that he didn't mean to say what he just said, he turned to Scott and Allison with an apologetic look. "I should really apologize for Tyler's behaviour. Maybe he was doing Dylan a favour. A competition, perhaps?"

Scott didn't answer immediately, his face was grim. He turned to his wife though, and asked, "Does Rae and Dylan have an understanding?"

Allison shook her head. "No, or she would have told me." She looked at the duke. "My sister's sole purpose in coming with us here is to find a husband and I'm sorry if it looks like she had set her eyes on your son."

"It's alright," Andrei said, smiling. "It is I who should apologize for my son's rudeness. He didn't even ask for your permission."

"Exactly," Scott said, turning his eyes to the duke, as they shared a knowing look. Scott wasn't saying anything and he looked like he disapproved of Tyler's actions, but Andrei would have none of it. He wouldn't let Scott's small opinion ruin his good mood.

Andrei looked over to where Tyler and Rae were and he kept a small smile to himself. They were dancing so closely, their eyes locked on each other. He knew it was still too early to say but maybe, just maybe, his son had finally found his lady.