Her widowed Lycan

Visiting him

*Leah*

After leaving Kai’s apartment and finding myself in the hallway, I glance over at the glass double doors with ‘Tempest’ etched in them. I can see Mr. Willoughby, Kai’s secretary, already at his desk. I wander over, push open one of the doors, and step in. He immediately jumps to his feet.

“Miss Tempest. What a delightful surprise.” He says with a warm smile.

He is one of the most positive people I have ever met. Having been born a bastard and raised in the rookeries, he has every right to be bitter, but instead always reflects an optimism that makes him a pleasure to be around.

“I was just visiting with my brother. Based on the whispering I heard as I was leaving, I think he might be a while before coming in.” I tell him.

Mr. Willoughby blushes profusely, so much so his freckles are fairly obliterated. “He has nothing pressing on the schedule this morning.”

I suspect it wouldn’t matter what he had on his schedule. Pleasing his wife would always come first. I can only hope my own husband will be as attentive.

“I have had no luck finding someone to help you with the lessons on the nights I can’t be there.” Mr. Willoughby and I volunteer our time two nights a week in order to offer free reading classes to adults who’d had no or very little schooling.

I feel guilty that he will have to carry the brunt of the workload once my mating Season is fully underway. I have approached some people about filling in for me, but few have the time to spare when it doesn’t put coins in their pockets.

I couldn’t ask my married siblings as they will be at the balls. My brother Beast has been making himself scarce of late.

“Do not worry yourself too much. I shall have no trouble at all seeing to matters by myself Although your presence will be sorely missed.” He says softly.

“I fear, Mr. Willoughby, I’m going to wish I was helping with lessons rather than being the center of attention at a ball filled with snobs.” I sigh.

He sends me another smile. “You shall easily win them over, Miss Tempest. I have no doubt on that score.”

“You say the kindest things.” I return his smile.

“I would not say them if I did not believe them to be true.” He mumbles.

One of the reasons he is such an effective teacher is because he is so very skilled at offering heartfelt encouragement. “I won’t keep you but will continue to give thought as to whom I might entice into helping you when I’m unavailable. It’s just a bit of a challenge when most people in the area lead such busy lives, working long hours with little time for leisure.”

My thoughts leap to last evening’s dinner companion. Could I entice him into helping? Things between us had been awkward at the end, but I can set that aside for a greater good. The question is: Would he?

“Are you all right, miss?” Willoughby asks.

I give my head a little shake. “Yes. I just had a thought. A possible solution to our dilemma. I will have to ponder it a bit more. Have a good day, Mr. Willoughby.”

“You as well, Miss Tempest.” He says with a small nod.

Before leaving the hotel, I stop in the kitchen where one of the staff members gives me a small pitcher of cream. When I return to my shop, I go upstairs and pour it into a saucer. Dickens immediately arrives to begin lapping it up. He seems to care little about anything but does love his cream. After putting away my hat and gloves, I return downstairs.

As always, I simply stand there for a moment, taking in what I have built with help from my family. Every member of my family and Mr. Willoughby has been kind enough to help me place the books on the shelves. Everywhere I look are memories of them assisting me in one way or another, never complaining, doing it all out of the goodness of their hearts.

I hadn’t expected to find incredible satisfaction in working here. Originally, I had simply seen it as a way to surround myself with books while filling my days waiting for my first mating Season. Now it all means so very much that it will be difficult to walk away from it.

At nine, I unlock the front door, ready for business. I halfway hope Mr. Solman will have finished his book by now and might drop by to purchase another. I wonder how long he might have stood at that window, how long before he turned away to retire or become lost in the adventures of d**k Turpin.

Strange how they have made a heroic character out of a criminal, but for some reason people express a fondness for scoundrels. When it comes to the she-wolves, my brothers have certainly benefited from that attitude.

Michael Solman seems more gentleman than rogue. As such, perhaps he will be willing to assist with the classes. If I could reestablish the rapport we had shared before the clipping had escaped my pocket and caught his attention.

To that end, once Marianne arrives in the late morning to assist me in the shop, I decide to pay the man around the corner a visit.

The streets and pavements are bustling with activity as people go about their daily chores and business. I greet by name those I know, give a smile and nod to those I don’t.

As I make my way past the mews, glancing up at the window in which he had been standing the night before, I can’t help but wonder how often he stands there, gazing out.

Turning onto Mae’s Lane, my heart picks up its tempo while my feet slow theirs. The residence is neither large nor intimidating, so the apprehension taking hold surprises me.

I am intimately familiar with the layout of these terrace houses for they are all the same and Kai had shared the design with me, had even asked for my opinion on the matter. And then I had watched them being built. It had been exciting to see my brother create so much from nothing.

So it isn’t the building causing my heart to thump wildly, my palms to grow damp within my gloves, but the gentleman who makes his lair within those walls. To approach him for a favor when I barely know him seems the height of foolishness, but surely he couldn’t object to my request when it would serve such a useful purpose.

Gathering my resolve around me like a finely sewn velvet pelisse, I march up the steps, bang the knocker, and wait impatiently, practically bouncing on the balls of my feet, hoping whatever fault he had found with me last night has melted away and he’ll deliver a warm welcome.

When the door finally opens, I am surprised to find myself staring at a dark-haired woman whose spectacles make her blue eyes seem far too large for her face. “Mrs. Bennett.”

“Miss Tempest, is something amiss?” She asks.

“No, I’m simply surprised to see you here.” Knowing the man who runs Kai’s construction crew, Mr Bennett, and his mate live on this street, I glance around. Have I gotten the wrong house? “I was looking for Mr. Solman.”

She nods. “Ah. He had gone out. Said he would be awhile, that I wasn’t to bother with preparing a midday meal for him.”

I bring my attention back to Mrs. Bennett. “You cook for him?”

The dear woman bobs her head. “Aye. He has me come in each morning to tidy up, not that there is ever much to tidy. He has very little furniture, our Mr. Solman. Nothing personal like. Mr. Bennett says I’m not to worry myself over it as long as he pays me every day which he does. But still, there’s a loneliness to the place, you know?”

I had deduced he was a bachelor. Still, it saddens me to think he might be all alone in the world. “He has not been here that long. Perhaps he has just not settled in fully yet.”

“Mayhaps. He has never had a visitor as far as I can tell. Always just the one glass that needs washing. Still, I polish everything up, scrub his floors. Won’t find a speck of dust when I’m done.” She confides.

“That is very commendable on your part. Will you let him know I came by and wanted to have a word?” I ask.

She nods, giving me a warm smile. “Of course, Miss Tempest. Don’t know when he will be returning, though.”

“It’s not urgent. Just at his convenience, I would like to speak with him.” I say, returning the smile.

“I will pass it on.” She says with a nod.

I take a step back. “Thank you. And give my best to Mr. Bennett.”

“I will, miss.” She says before she starts closing the door.

Darting down the steps, I hear the door close. When I reach the pavement, I glance back, noting now the absence of draperies at the windows, something I had overlooked watching him the night before.

Although perhaps even now he is out seeing about having some sewn. He has Mrs. Bennett to worry over him. I don’t need to do it. Still, I am more convinced than ever that he would welcome the opportunity to assist others in learning to read. What better way to become part and parcel of the whole of the community and to ease one’s loneliness?