Page 62 of His Forbidden Duchess
Mrs. Thorpe knocked on Eloise’s study door a few days later wearing a barely concealed smile.
Eloise furrowed her brow as she looked up. Though the pair had grown somewhat fond of one another, it was rare that the housekeeper would disturb her.
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Thorpe said with a small curtsy, “His Grace has requested that you attend his chambers directly.”
Eloise’s brows lifted. “He wants me to go to his chambers?”
Has he finally come to his senses?
The housekeeper’s small smile glimmered again, and Eloise narrowed her eyes. She had noticed as of late that the staff were constantly finding creative ways of drawing her and Felix together. Part of her thought she was imagining it, but it was happening with increasing regularity as time passed.
“Yes, Your Grace. He asked you go immediately.”
“And did he say why, by chance?”
Mrs. Thorpe opened her mouth to speak, but she clearly had not thought she would be questioned. “I… well, I believe it has something to do with the estate’s accounts. He is aware that you have been examining them.”
“With his permission,” Eloise mumbled.
She had only wanted to make herself useful.
“Indeed.” Mrs. Thorpe gave her another encouraging nod. “Excuse me for saying, Your Grace, but I really do think you ought to goimmediately, as he requested, otherwise you might miss… er…” Mrs. Thorpe cleared her throat. “I mean to say, otherwise you might anger His Grace.”
What are you up to?
Eloise watched the housekeeper’s agitated movements for a moment longer, then gave a quick nod, curiosity bubbling as she rose from her desk.
“Well very then.”
She smoothed her gown, ignoring the tiny flutter that flew in her chest at the thought of seeing him alone in his private chambers.
He had avoided her since she had approached him in the hallway, and she had been so embarrassed at her failure to lure him that she had not sought him out again.
Eloise approached his rooms with excitement and trepidation. There was certainly something the housekeeper had been hiding. Eloise only hoped she wasn’t about to make a fool of herself again.
The door stood ajar. She took a breath, gathering her composure as she gently rapped on the open door.
“Felix?” she called softly, as if scared she was going to disturb him. “Mrs. Thorpe said you requested my presence?”
There was no answer, but she could hear the subtle sounds of movement inside.
Assuming he hadn’t heard her, Eloise took another deep breath then pushed the door fully open and stepped inside.
She gasped at the astonishing sight before her, one startled hand flying to her mouth.
Oh… what has that brazen Mrs. Thorpe done this time?
Felix stood with his bare back to her, his shirt tossed onto a nearby chair. His skin glowed in the fading afternoon light. His shoulders were broad and toned, his back a landscape of muscles, each one shifting subtly as he ran a towel through his hair, droplets of water catching in the soft light.
She caught her breath, frozen in place, quite unable to look away.
Sensing a presence, Felix spun around, his towel paused on his head. He locked eyes with her, his mouth dropping open with surprise.
“Eloise,” he breathed.
For a moment, neither said a word nor made any attempt to move.
He looked her up and down with the same intensity he had shown before they had married. She allowed him to run his eyes across her body, enjoying his prying, proprietorial gaze.
