Page 14 of His Forbidden Duchess
Eloise hesitated, feeling utterly absurd, but finally gave it a half-hearted attempt. She blinked rapidly, awkwardly fluttering her lashes and trying to maintain eye contact.
Felix burst out laughing. “Good Lord! That was terrible. You looked like you had something in your eye! More a tic than a seduction.”
Eloise flushed with embarrassment, scowling at him. “Well, it is not exactly something I have practiced!”
“I can tell,” Felix teased, shaking his head. “Here, let me show you. It is all in the timing. Slow down, do not blink like you are sending a distress signal.”
He stepped closer, his eyes on hers. “Look at me, but this time, take your time. Gaze up, just slightly, as if you are thinking of something intriguing. Flutter your lashes but only once. Make it subtle.”
Eloise inhaled deeply, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising again, but she nodded. She looked up at him, slower this time, and allowed herself to hold his gaze for a few seconds longer than usual. Then, with a deliberate flutter of her lashes, she blinked once before glancing down shyly.
Felix let out an audible breath, and neither said anything for a long moment.
Then he cleared his throat and looked away. “Not bad. Ahem. Yes, er… not bad at all. See? You are getting the hang of it.”
Eloise felt a small sense of triumph though she tried to hide it. “It still feels ridiculous,” she said though it had felt anything but ridiculous. It had been intense. It felt less like a game and more like she was really and truly drawn to Felix.
That in itself is ridiculous! It is just Felix, for goodness’ sake!
“Maybe so,” Felix said, still smiling, “but it will work. Mortcombe will not stand a chance.”
Eloise rolled her eyes though a small part of her was starting to enjoy the challenge. “I suppose I should practice more, then.”
“Oh, you will. We have plenty of time for lessons, my dear.” Felix chuckled, his voice low and teasing although he wouldn’t quite meet her gaze.
Did he fall for my attempt at seduction?
It was Mortcombe she needed to focus on, not her brother’s friend.
“Fine. What is next?”
Felix began to walk at a slow and measured pace. “Posture. The way you carry yourself. Grace is essential, but more than that, you need to command attention without demanding it. When you enter a room, every head should turn your way and not because you are loud or making a scene. It is about presence.”
Eloise sighed though she knew he had a point. “And how, exactly, do I do that?”
Felix stopped again, stepping in front of her. “Walk with your chin up, shoulders back, but not stiff. Look around like you own the room or in this case, the garden. Take your time, and when you speak to someone, do not rush. Men like Mortcombe notice poise.”
Eloise mimicked his instructions, feeling utterly foolish. “Like this?”
“Almost,” he whispered, and suddenly he was beside her, his hot breath on her ear as he spoke. “You just need a little… adjustment.”
He put his hand on the small of her back, and she instantly straightened.
“Yes,” he rasped into her ear, “just like that.”
He had not removed his hand, and the pair remained perfectly still for a long moment. Eventually, Eloise’s cheeks grew hot, and she stepped away.
“Yes, well, I think I have that now.” She tried again though without the invading—and confusing—presence of his hand.
“Better,” Felix said with a forced brightness. “Much better.”
As they continued walking, Eloise could not help but steal a glance at him, wondering just how serious he was about all of this. She knew he was playing a game, but there was a perceptible sincerity behind his teasing. He seemed to genuinely care.
“Do you really think this will work?”
Felix turned to her with that familiar smirk. “I never lose, remember? We shall have you married before the year is out, mark my words.”
Something in the way he had spoken and was now looking at her made her heart flutter. Eloise knew that she was playing a dangerous game and had chosen a formidable ally, if that was what he was. But the competition had now begun, and she could not afford to lose. Everything rested on her shoulders. More disconcertingly, she found that she could not tear her gaze away from Felix’s.
