Page 20 of His Forbidden Duchess
Eloise instantly straightened, her face schooled into a polite smile. “Of course, I am all right,” she lied easily though the tension in her body betrayed her. She didn’t want to ruin the easy, pleasurable moments of simply spending time with her best friend.
“There is just a great deal on my mind. You know how these things go. The season, the pressures of…” she waved a hand vaguely, “everything.”
Hannah didn’t look convinced. “You have been tense since the musicale, and you hardly laughed when I told you about Lord Cranston’s ridiculous wig earlier. That is unlike you.”
Eloise forced a laugh, a weak imitation of her usual liveliness. “It is nothing. Truly, Hannah, you need not worry. Perhaps I just need to sleep a little more.”
She kept her tone light, hoping to steer the conversation away from herself. The last thing she needed was for her friend topry deeper. The truth would eventually be revealed for all the world to see, but Eloise hoped she still had some time to at least prepare for that shock.
But Hannah was not one to be dismissed so easily. She stopped walking and turned to face Eloise, her eyes searching Eloise’s face. “I know you, Eloise. Something is bothering you. You can tell me, you know. Whatever it is. I know there have been whispers of some debt. Is that what it is?”
For a moment, Eloise felt the urge to spill everything—to tell Hannah about the mounting debt, Mr. Carlisle’s threats, and the pressure she was under to save her family. But then, just as quickly, she pushed the thought away. She could not. The situation was too precarious, too humiliating. She had to keep up the pretense of control.
With another forced smile, Eloise gently touched Hannah’s arm. “I appreciate your concern, truly, but it is nothing I cannot handle. It is simply that Jeremy is not here, and we still have the issue of… Father’ssmalldebt that needs to be taken care of. Thewhispersyou speak of are wildly inflated, and I do hope such whispers do not turn into rumors.”
Hannah hesitated, her eyes soft with sympathy. “All right,” she finally said though her voice still held a hint of doubt. “But if you ever wish to talk, I am here.”
Eloise nodded, grateful for her friend’s support but keenly aware of her own isolation as she grappled with her problems.
I cannot let anyone know. I must fix this on my own.
Eloise walked beside Hannah, her thoughts clouded with worry. As they turned the corner of the bustling market, her heart lurched as she spotted Felix in the company of Lady Brimsleigh. The tension between Eloise and Felix was palpable, a current that even Hannah seemed to notice as her gaze flickered between them. Eloise kept her expression neutral, determined not to let her feelings show.
“Lady Eloise,” Felix greeted with that familiar smirk she found both infuriating and charming.
After exchanging pleasantries, Felix made a surprising suggestion. “It would appear that we are all heading in the same direction. May we accompany you?”
“I… suppose,” Eloise nodded, taken aback by his unexpected request.
“Lady Hannah, if you would not mind,” Lady Brimsleigh called from ahead. “I have something I wish to discuss with you regarding your father.”
Hannah glanced at Eloise, who nodded, and she hurried forward to fall into step with Lady Brimsleigh. Eloise took a deep breath. This meant a moment alone with Felix out of everyone’s earshot, and she was afraid to admit that the prospect excited her in more ways than one. She glanced back then squared her shoulders. She would not allow his handsomeness to distract her from the task at hand.
I have my family to save.
“You should not have intervened the other night,” Eloise said, her voice sharper than she had intended. “I had it under control.”
Felix raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Control? Is that what you call nearly biting your tongue off to keep from correcting Mortcombe about Mozart and his fifth symphony?”
Heat flared in Eloise’s cheeks. “It was part of the plan. You need not involve yourself.”
Felix chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving her. “Ah, yes. The seduction plan. I forgot you are a master at it now. If you did not want my involvement, you should not have asked for my help.”
“I did not say that.” she replied furiously, feeling herself get more agitated than was necessary. “I am merely saying that I am following your advice. You do not need to concern yourself.”
Felix leaned in slightly, his voice lowering to a near whisper. “Oh yes, Eloise the seductress. I am surprised all the gentlemen in the room were not falling at your feet. I know I nearly was.”
Eloise flushed, the thought of seducing Felix somehow more powerful than the thought of seducing Mortcombe. But why?
Perhaps it is because Felix is so much more of a challenge than that dunce Mortcombe.
“Oh, poor Eloise,” he teased. “Your cheeks have turned so red that someone might think they were apples! Why, I am tempted to bite into one myself.”
“There is no need to mock me so mercilessly, Felix,” she replied, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
If she looked at him, she was certain the bush on her cheeks would spread to her chest.
Felix straightened, his expression more serious. “Yes, you are quite right. I shall stop—not that I am sorry I started, mind you. I am certain that the memory of your expression will amuse me for hours, but it is not you I am worried about. It is he.”
