Page 10 of His Forbidden Duchess
“I will do no such thing!” he cried. “And you, Eloise Manning, will tell me what happened this instant. I demand it of you.”
To his surprise, Lady Eloise still didn’t look back. She was always so composed, so poised, and seeing her like this—shaken, vulnerable—only made Felix’s protective instincts flare more intensely. He gently took her hand, turning her and examining the cut on her cheek more closely.
“Eloise,” he said, his tone softening. “If something happened, you must tell me.”
She bit her lip, her hesitation clear, but after a long moment, she sighed, closing her eyes briefly as if gathering her thoughts. When she looked at Felix again, her expression remained resolute, but something in her gaze wavered—whether it was trust or resignation, he could not quite tell.
Her shoulders drooped as she finally admitted, “I stumbled on purpose.”
Felix blinked then burst out laughing, the sound deep and incredulous. “You didwhat?”
Lady Eloise flushed, glaring at him. “You heard me,” she snapped, folding her arms. “I erroneously thought Mortcombe would catch me.”
Felix could hardly contain himself, his laughter shaking his entire frame. “Mortcombe? Catch you? Of all the men in this room, that spineless fool?” Do not tell me you areinterestedin that nitwit.”
Lady Eloise rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically. “Of course not. I am, however, interested in his wealth,” she clarified as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “He would be a good match.”
Felix’s laughter faltered for a moment, replaced with genuine confusion. “Of all the wealthy lords, you wish to choosehim? My Lady, there are available men with fortunes in the Ton that would actually be capable of holding a conversation without dashing away at the first sight of blood.”
Lady Eloise shrugged, the cool night air catching the loose strands of her hair. “He is the easiest to…persuade,” she explained carefully. “If I am going to secure my family’s future, I do not have time for someone more… difficult.”
Felix chuckled again, shaking his head in disbelief. “So your grand strategy to seduce Mortcombe was by tripping over your gown?”
He had seen some ineptitude in ladies before but never anything quite like that.
Lady Eloise nodded, her cheeks flushed. “I thought he would come to my rescue,” she mumbled, clearly embarrassed.
Felix’s smirk widened. “Seduction by clumsiness,” he mused, folding his arms across his chest. “That is a new one. Did you honestly think that would work?”
Eloise shot him a defensive look. “It could have! He looked concerned enough—until the blood showed up.”
Felix leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. “You, My Lady, seducing a man?” His tone dripped with mockery, his grin widening. “Impossible. You are far too prim and proper for that.”
Lady Eloise’s eyes flashed with daring as she straightened her posture. “Icouldseduce a man if I so desired,” she said, her voice fierce.
Felix arched a brow, highly amused. “Oh, really? And how exactly would you go about it, then?”
“I have my ways,” she shot back, flustered but defiant.
Felix leaned against the railing, utterly enjoying himself now. He had forgotten how much fun it could be to actually converse with a woman from time to time.
“Go on, then. Tell me your grand plan. How will you seduce Lord Mortcombe—or anyone for that matter? Enlighten me.”
Lady Eloise bristled, clearly annoyed at his teasing. “It is not something I need to explain,Your Grace. I know how to charm someone.”
Felix gave a low chuckle, leaning closer as if they were conspiring over some great secret. “Prove it, then,” he whispered. “Prove you can seduce someone.”
Her cheeks reddened at the challenge but her response shocked him even more. “I do not need to prove anything. Tell you what. If you think you know everything, thenyoushowme.”
Felix blinked, his amusement gone. “What?”
“How to seduce a man,” she said firmly though her voice wavered just slightly at the obvious absurdity of her own request.
Felix barked out a laugh, shaking his head. “Well, women are generally my area of interest.”
“Oh, youdoknow what I mean! Since you are so… experienced in that area, you would know best. Teach me.”
He gulped, considering it for a moment but then shook his head, “Absolutely not. You have lost your mind, My Lady. What would your brother say?”
