Page 18 of Drowned in the Pleasure of a Devilish Baron
“What’s this now?” John looked between the two of them, his brows drawing together.
Sarah’s face suffused with color, and she looked down at her feet. “Mother, that was a misunderstanding. I was hurt, and Sir Felix took me to a room to be looked after.”
“And then?” Lady Marlow said coolly.
Felix stepped in. “My sincerest apologies for what happened, Lady Marlow. I had no intention of dishonoring your daughter. We were caught up. I was worried she was hurt.”
“Dis-dishonoring?” John spluttered. “What the devil did you do to her?”
“A kiss, from what I was told,” Lady Marlow said. “An unchaperoned kiss in a bedroom.”
John’s face turned so red Felix feared he might pass out. “That’s it! This conversation is ended. Get out of my house!”
“John, please!” Sarah began, putting a hand out to her brother, who shrugged it off with a glare.
“And as foryou!”he said. “How dare you act so poorly, after everything you have been given? I suppose I should not be shocked, it is just another regular Sarah move, to do what you want and worry about real life later. You are a fool. This could have ruined you and dashed any plans we had for you. I can’t stand to look at you. Get out of my sight.”
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears.
Felix moved toward her, longing to comfort her.
“Get OUT!” John roared at Sarah, pointing to the door.
And with a faint mew of heartbreak, she left, her rapid steps disappearing up the stairs. Neither John nor his mother watched her go.
Felix walked to the door, stopping at the edge of the room to turn back. “I will go, but this is not over. I will not use my brother-in-law’s position to gain your respect or your approval, but I will find another way. I will find a way, and I will come back and make Miss Marlow my bride.”
Lady Marlow yawned. “Very unlikely, my dear.”
With those words ringing in his ears, Felix left the Marlow home. In the yard, he looked up at the window and saw Sarah there once more, her face tear-stained and red. Around her shoulders, her dark brown curls fell loose and wild. He wanted nothing more than to run up the stairs, throw open her door, pull her into his arms and wipe away her tears.
But the front door opened and John’s burly manservant stood in front of it, arms crossed in a clear signal.
Rejected but not defeated, Felix mounted Acorn and rode for home.
* * *
Sarah watched Felix ride away, his shoulders lower than they had been when he had first entered her home. It was a feeling she could empathize with, as she often felt a conversation with her mother and brother left her feeling a few inches smaller.
The urge to sink onto her bed, pull up the covers, and cry away the day was strong. But the urge to do something, to fight back, was stronger.
She pulled herself up straight, dashed away her tears, and moved quickly to her desk. Taking out a piece of paper and her ink, she jotted out a quick note to Juliet. Juliet, who just might have an idea of how to help her.
Dear Jules,
I need your help. Felix came today to speak with my family about courting me and they turned him down. They wouldn’t even hear him out. I’m sure that they will not let me write to him, but I’m desperate to speak with him once more. What can we do? Can you help me think of something?
Love to you and Baby George.
Your Doomed Spinster Friend,
Sarah
It wasn’t a letter that you could send to anyone but your closest friend, a bare minimum of politeness wrapped in a package of desperation and heartbreak. She knew Juliet would pick up on the depth of that message, even in its five lines.
“Miss, your mother would like you to join her for tea in the drawing room.” Rebecca was at her door.
“Tell her I’m not feeling well,” Sarah said, standing. “I’ll spend the rest of the day here. Please help me undress.”
