Page 70 of His Forbidden Duchess
Eloise had just returned from a walk in the garden, her heart light and her cheeks flushed from the fresh air. She had returned to her chambers to rest up for the evening ahead when she discovered something unexpected waiting for her.
Spread across the coverlet was a new gown: a beautiful creation in deep emerald satin, its color so rich that it seemed to shimmer with its own light. Eloise’s heart stilled, and she hesitated by the door, her hand hovering by her neck.
“You mean to say…?” she muttered and paused.
She bit her lip and walked slowly to the bed. Her fingers tingled as she reached out to touch it, tracing the intricate embroideryalong the bodice and feeling the delicate beadwork that captured the light. It was the most beautiful gown she had ever seen.
She looked at her lady’s maid with hope and warmth, incredulous that her cold and distant husband had done something so kind and generous.
“Yes, Madam.” Margaret cupped one hand around her mouth and whispered, “A gift. From His Grace.”
“Felix…” Eloise whispered his name, more to herself, her mind racing.
The fabric was exquisite, the kind of gown she had imagined for herself in idle daydreams but never thought she’d truly own.
How did he know?
She stared down at it again, her hand again at her throat. She had already been confused by his intentions and now he had done this.
“There is a note as well, Madam.” Margaret held out a small ivory envelope, her eyes gleaming with an eagerness to see what it contained.
Eloise looked at her, then at the note. She accepted it with tentative fingers, her heart beating quickly. She nervously opened the envelope, pulled out the card, and read the neat,confident script, her eyes lingering over each word as if she was memorizing them. Even his handwriting was attractive.
For tonight. I would rather the others see how radiant you are than keep that beauty all to myself. Felix.
She could practically hear the low timbre of his voice as she read it. Eloise’s cheeks flushed as she felt the warmth of his words settle in her heart and an unfamiliar thrill ran through her.
Felix, who had remained so distant and reserved, had given her a gift meant not only to flatter her but to allow her to be admired by others. As if he wanted to put her on display. As if he understood her desire tobeon display.
“Oh, but it is beautiful, My Lady,” Margaret chimed with a hand on her heart. “He must be very fond of you to go to such trouble.”
Eloise managed a small smile, her thoughts churning. “Yes, it seems so, does it not?”
Margaret picked the gown up and held it against Eloise. The elegant lines and delicate fabric draped in just the right way. Margaret threw her a knowing look.
“Not the actions of a man married in name alone, I would wager.”
Felix paced the entrance hall, his boots clicking loudly on the marble floor. He pulled his watch out of his waistcoat pocket, clicked it open, and checked the hour for the fourth time in ten minutes.
His mind churned with thoughts of her in that gown. He had been unsure whether to order it at all, wondering whether it would send the wrong message. He knew he’d been cold and that she deserved better, and he wanted to see her smile again.
He turned on his heels and paced back to the door when he suddenly heard her delicate footsteps descending the grand staircase that swept down into the hall. He hesitated, his mouth suddenly becoming dry, and his heart kicking up a notch.
As he turned to greet her, he sucked in his breath, entirely unprepared for the vision before him. He had expected her to look beautiful, of course. She always looked beautiful. Eloise had an innate elegance that even the most lavish gown couldn’t hope to enhance. But this was different.
This is so much more.
“It fits perfectly. Thank you.”
“I…”
Felix’s jaw worked up and down. He was so utterly astonished by his wife that words failed him
Eloise.
The rich green of the gown he had chosen framed her face, contrasting with the warm glow of her skin. Her lustrous brown hair fell in waves that turned auburn as it caught the light. She stopped halfway and gave him a soft smile as his eyes traced over her.
Felix cleared his throat and returned to his usual level of composure.
