Page 59 of His Forbidden Duchess
“I would rather be a drunk than a nag,” he said with that old, familiar smirk, and Eloise felt that spark between them. She giggled.
“Be careful what you say, Felix. I am a duchess, now, in case you did not know.”
Reminding him of what had occurred between them brought their conversation to an end as Felix visibly shut down.
“Yes, indeed,” he said quietly. “And it is best that I never forget that.”
With that, Felix left, and Eloise knew she was unlikely to see him again that day.
She sighed in resignation then decided a little fresh air would go her some good. During the previous weeks, Eloise had become well acquainted with the gardens. She had even impressed the gardeners with a knowledge of botany that even she had not realized she possessed.
She stepped around the house and raised her face to the crisp air. Spring was just around the corner, and the flowers were beginning to raise their soft, green arms and their delicate faces to the warming sky. There was a lot to be thankful for, even if Felix had grown cold and unfriendly.
“Afternoon, Your Grace,” a footman said, passing her with a bucket of coal.
He nodded respectfully, and Eloise allowed herself a small smile.
Felix might not want her there, but at least she was beginning to settle into her new life.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Drinking so soon?” Felix asked as he arrived at the club.
He handed his cloak to the attendant then fell into the bench seat opposite Percy.
The club was dimly lit with the warm, orange glow of lamp light on the walls. A quiet murmur of conversation was soothing to the ear.
“As if you were not on your way to fetch a brandy yourself,” Percy retorted. “I did not think we would see much of you once you were married, but it seems you are always eager to escape that house of yours. How fares your new wife?”
Felix groaned. He had no desire to talk about or even think about Eloise.
That morning, he had been so tempted to drop the mail and take her there and then in the hallway. He had wanted to rip her gown off and consume her in the way that she had consumed his thoughts.
But he had to remain impervious against her overpowering allure. They were now married. The games they had previously played had to stop. Everyone knew marriage spelled disaster for a relationship.
There was also the unresolved issue of Jeremy. Felix’s concern about Jeremy’s potential reaction to their union had increased since his marriage to Eloise.
“More to the point,” he replied, “how is the brandy?”
“Oh dear.” Percy motioned for the footman who scuttled over and pulled the stopper out of the decanter before pouring the brandy. “That bad at home, is it?”
“Let us not speak of it. How are you?”
Percy nodded his head uncertainly. “Actually, I have some news. Drink your brandy. You are going to need it.”
Felix frowned. “What has happened?”
Percy drank back his own brandy in single gulp, motioned for Felix to do the same, then sat back as the footman refilled their glasses.
“You might as well stay put,” he said to the footman.
“That bad, is it?” Felix asked, eyebrows raised.
“It is Radcliffe. He is dead.”
Felix let out a sigh of relief. He had, for some reason, been expecting something much worse. “Oh, well, that is sad news, but we were hardly friends. We played a few games of cards together in the past.” Felix allowed himself a snort at the memory. “The man never was any good at it. Always gave his hand away.”
“That is just it,” Percy said. He leaned in as if telling a secret. “He… took his life. Debt. Mountains of it, apparently. That last game with you, it is said, was his last chance.”
