How To Marry A Werewolf (Claw & Courtship, #1)(33)

She was not enjoying Channing’s reactions, because she was determined not to let anything that impossible man did affect her anymore. But the gentle banter between the Alpha and his pack was adorable. Very family-like and comforting.

She tried for pert and innocent. “And what about Mr Hemming? What flaws could he possibly have?”

Hemming blushed, which Faith didn’t think werewolves could do. It was boyish and amiable.

Biffy chuckled. “Oh, you like Hemming, do you?”

Channing growled, actually growled, at the dinner table.

Now it was Faith’s turn to blush.

“No concerns there, my dear, everyone likes Hemming. He’s easy to like, aren’t you, Ian?”

Hemming grinned, pleased by the praise and the affection in his Alpha’s voice. “So, Alpha, what’s wrong with me, then? Won’t I make a good husband for this charming young lady?”

“Of course you will, dear, you’re quite lovely.”

Faith glanced down at the Beta at the other end of the table, only to find Professor Lyall eating quietly with a small, indulgent smile on his face. Clearly, he was entirely unthreatened by his Alpha’s obvious affection for the rest of their pack.

Is that what it’s like to be loved by a werewolf? So confident in his adoration and fidelity that you can watch him tease others without rancor? Or is that a Beta trait? Not for the first time, Faith wished she knew more about werewolf pack dynamics and courting rituals.

“But Hemming is very occupied with the children at present.” Biffy formulated a well-crafted excuse. “He has no time for romance.”

Mrs Iftercast jumped desperately on that opening. “Oh, yes, you have two infants in residence, I’ve been given to understand. Do please tell us about the dear little things?”

Biffy was willing to temporarily give over his game of Torment Channing in the interest of common courtesy. “My pleasure. Gracie came along with the nanny we hired for Robbie, our foundling. So, we find ourselves looking after two of the darlings. Or Mrs Whybrew does. Powerful presence, Mrs Whybrew, but a very good nanny. Robbie’s recently started talking. And Gracie crawls everywhere and gets into everything.”

“Are you fond of children, my lord?”

“Fond enough, fond enough. It helps when they are not one’s own, I feel. Not that Robin isn’t considered part of this pack, but it’s mostly Quinn and Hemming who take an active interest in his upbringing.”

Mrs Iftercast took that as an opportunity to probe. “Not Major Channing?” She turned to glance pointedly at Channing, who was obviously in a fine temper and as a result ought to be ignored. She quickly returned her attention to Biffy.

“Channing’s relationship with children is… complex.”

Mr Bluebutton, looking crafty, undid all of Mrs Iftercast’s good work. “So, what about Channing then, Alpha, for our Miss Wigglesworth here? Would he not do in a pinch?”

Biffy gave him a gleaming look of approval. “Oh, I don’t know, what do you think?”

Comments instantly erupted from all of the werewolves now that permission had been given.

“He’s near as bad a flirt as I am, although his preferences are more confined.” Mr Bluebutton was clearly referring to having been accused of philandering.

Channing said, “You forget yourself, Adelphus, that was decades ago.”

“Oh, of course, you’ve been a positive monk since when? Eighteen-seventy or so, when Lady Maccon came to the pack and you insulted her to her face.” Adelphus sneered at him. “Self-flagellation, perhaps?”

“And don’t even get him started on vampires. He’s much worse than I am,” added Quinn.

“To be fair, he has a greater right to be,” said one of the other werewolves, Faith thought his name was Zev or Zeb or something odd like that, coming to his Gamma’s defence.

“Good point,” conceded Quinn.

Faith was wildly curious. What exactly had the vampires done to Channing that justified such ire?

Canning stopped eating, crossed his arms, and glared about the table. “Would anyone else like to assassinate my character at dinner?”

“Ooo, me!” said Hemming.

“Yes, Hemming, why am I unsuitable?”

“Well, you don’t like children at all, simply because, you know, that happened.”

One of the others said, “Which is why he doesn’t want to marry, either. You know, because of her.”

Murmurs of agreement.

Her, thought Faith, her who? She glared at Biffy, suddenly annoyed by the whole thing. What on earth is going on here? What are you trying to tell me?

Biffy was looking pleased with this outcome.

Faith began to get a little angry about the whole thing. It seemed almost cruel to expose Channing thus, even as he had been unkind to her and neglectful. His private feelings and reasons, his past hurts, should stay that way, private and in the past.

She said, staunchly, “Well, thanks, for my part, gentlemen. Your Alpha continually effacing you all as not good enough flatters me greatly. Although it obviously doesn’t flatter any of you.” The table chuckled.

Faith gave a thought to throwing Teddy to the wolves, diverting attention that way. Encouraging them to offer themselves to her friend in a similarly ridiculous manner. But Teddy’s engagement to Mr Rafterwit (and his stables) was now widely known (it had appeared in the papers yesterday); no doubt the werewolves were honoring that commitment by not flirting with her.