Page 72 of His Forbidden Duchess
She sauntered away to greet more of her guests as Percy led Felix to the place he liked best: the drinks table.
“Brandy?”
“Stupid question,” Felix said, leaning against the table while the footman poured them a drink.
“All right, how is this for a better question. Any word from Jeremy? He has been away far too long, has he not?”
Felix stiffened, the mention of Jeremy stirring an old discomfort within him. The reminder of his friendship with his wife’s brother mixed uncomfortably with the desires he was trying hard to keep at bay.
“Not as of yet,” he said, his eyes scanning the room to catch sight of Eloise. Percy handed him a glass, and he swirled the amber liquid around to bring out its aroma. “Eloise is certain that he will write soon, but I am not as convinced. You know the man detests formalities.”
“You know what he also detests?” Percy said, his tone teasing yet serious. “Letches who desire his sister. Do you dabble inlechery,Felix, or is it gentler than that? I do find myself wondering how he is going to react when he finally does return, you know.”
Felix huffed loudly. “All right. Point taken, but let us not forget the reason I married Eloise in the first place. Surely he cannot be angry at me for saving his family from ruin.”
Percy narrowed his eyes. “YouhavemetJeremy, have you not?”
Felix snorted and turned to look at him, resting his elbow on the high table. “Can we please talk about anything but this?”
“Such as?” Percy asked, feigning innocence.
“Which woman did you bed last night? Tell me something debauched and remind me of who I really am.”
“Eloise!” Hannah gasped as she approached. “You look beautiful. I cannot believe that you have been hiding that gown from me! Is it new?”
Eloise smiled, her heart fluttering at the compliment, and she turned in a slow circle, proudly showing it off.
“It was a gift from the Duke, actually.”
“A gift?” Hannah asked with raised eyebrows. “Your husband has excellent taste.”
Eloise couldn’t help her smile from turning smug. “He does, rather, does he not?”
“Mind you,” Hannah said, slipping her arm into Eloise’s as the pair began to take a turn around the ballroom, “that is no great surprise. He chose you, after all.”
Hannah giggled, and Eloise winced. She knew she should tell Hannah the real reason why they had married and the fact that the entire thing was a sham. But for one night, she wanted to bask in the simple glory of being his wife.
She glanced across the room to where Felix stood talking to Percy. The sight of him—tall, dark, with that refined yet dangerous edge—sent a thrill through her that she tried hard to ignore.
Hannah followed her gaze then laughed again. “Look at you two! You cannot keep your eyes off one another. Honestly, it is such a romance story, and I somehow missed the entire thing.”
Eloise smiled and looked down at the floor. “It was rather sudden,” she said softly. “Unexpected to both of us, one might say.”
“Do you know that he keeps looking over here? His eyes are glued to you.”
Eloise’s heart skipped a beat though she managed a casual shrug. “We are married. I suppose it is only natural.”
Hannah threw her head back and laughed. “Listen to you! My best friend in all the world, talking like an old married woman!”
As they chatted, Eloise’s gaze drifted back to Felix. She caught him looking at her, his gaze dark and intense even across the crowded room. The unspoken electricity between them held her in place, sending a shiver down her spine.
Eloise’s lips curved into a soft smile before she forced herself to look away, her thoughts racing as the music resumed and guests began to drift onto the dance floor.
Despite being in separate corners of the room, she felt undeniably close to him.
The thought filled her with an excitement she was powerless to ignore.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
