Page 28 of His Forbidden Duchess
“The music is quite something as well, do you agree?” she asked. “And have you seen Lady Alyssa? Such a bright red gown! It is a boldness none of us expected!”
As Lady Danridge continued to speak, Felix’s eyes locked with Eloise’s once more. Her uncertain gaze met his, but the deal had been made.
Tomorrow night, the game would begin anew.
Chapter Twelve
“Are you quite sure about this, My Lady?” her lady’s maid asked as they climbed into the carriage the following night.
“Quite,” Eloise replied as they began their drive to Felix’s townhouse.
The truth was she was not at all sure. In fact, she had changed her mind approximately one thousand times that afternoon alone. A private dance lesson with Felix? It excited her in ways she had never known, her body responding as if he were calling to her. It also terrified her because she knew, deep down, what she truly wished would happen.
I hope he will kiss me. Caress me. Take me, and ruin me.
Despite her lustful desires, Eloise knew that she could not allow that to happen. If she brought shame upon her family and her reputation, it would not help her resolve her family’s debtproblems. And how would Jeremy react once he found out about her indiscretion? Eloise shuddered to think of the consequences.
It is all conjecture at this point. The Duke has little interest in a woman like me.
“And you will be quite safe?” Margaret questioned. “I could never live with myself if something happened to you while I was supposed to be chaperoning, My Lady.”
Eloise tutted. “It is only Felix, for goodness’ sake. He has been a friend of the family since before I was born.”
“A known rake for just as long, I would venture,” Margaret added.
“Yes, well.” Eloise straightened up and stared out of the window. “The less said about that, the better. I am doing this for my family’s sake, Margaret. Do not ever forget that.”
In the darkness of night, Felix’s Mayfair townhouse took on a shadowy intimidating air.
Eloise slowly climbed out of the carriage, her nerves quite on edge.
“This way, My Lady,” the coachman said, clearly having been personally instructed beforehand by Felix.
He led them down a tight alleyway beside the house, past the majestic black front door, and over to a small side entrance that was obviously used by the servants.
Eloise felt a flash of shame. If sneaking around in the dead of night was not bad enough, she had now been lowered to entering through the servants’ doorway as though she was some harlot he had hired for a night of pleasure.
She let the thought linger as she stepped over the threshold. The humiliation of being brought down a level or two was oddly titillating. She was shocked when she realized that she had begun fantasizing about serving Felix as a maid would.
“This way,” the coachman said, continuing through the house. “You may wait here, Miss Margaret.”
The lady’s maid curtsied and remained in the kitchen. Eloise glanced back at her, fear and excitement blending together.
The further they walked into the bowels of the house, the more excited Eloise became.
No one but Felix knows I am here. I can be anyone I want and do anything I desire.
Felix was waiting for her in a parlor that had been cleared of its furniture. He languished on the one remaining armchair in the corner, swirling a glass of brandy in his hand. His jacket was off,his cravat discarded, and his shirt had been opened to reveal a patch of his muscled chest.
Eloise licked her lips, unable to pull her eyes away.
Felix noticed her gaze and chuckled. “Good evening, Eloise. I see you approve of my attire this evening.”
Her eyes jerked up to meet his, and her cheeks flushed as they always infuriatingly seemed to do in his presence.
“Actually,” she snapped back, “I was merely surprised to see you in such a state of undress, given that you had expected to receive guests.”
He snorted, took a swill of his brandy, then looked at her again. “We are dancing, Eloise, not dining. Besides, I rather like seeing that flash of something in your eyes… is it shock, Eloise? Or desire?”
