Page 81 of His Forbidden Duchess
Felix grinned, shaking his head, and nodded toward the fireplace where a chessboard awaited, pieces meticulously arranged. “No. The rain has trapped us indoors, and I thought perhaps you would indulge me in a game of chess. Unless you would prefer to lose at cards.”
She laughed, stepping past him and settling herself by the fire, casting a playful look over her shoulder. “Confident as always. I will have you know I have never lost a game of chess.”
“Is that because you have never played?” he teased, one eyebrow raised in mock challenge.
Eloise scoffed. “No. It is because I am intelligent and strategic.”
“In that case,” he replied, taking his place across the board from Eloise, “prepare yourself to lose for the first time. I shall be kind and let you play white to give you a chance of winning.”
Eloise giggled and picked up her first piece, knowing her moves immediately. She had played many times with her father before he had died.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
“A good start,” Felix said, feigning concentration on the board. “But not quite good enough.”
As they continued to play, they traded moves with quips and glances, the atmosphere comfortably electric.
After a while, Felix leaned back in his chair with a small grin on his lips as he watched her place her bishop on the board with precision.
“Ah, I see the Duchess believes that she has mastered the game.”
Eloise arched an eyebrow, tapping her fingers thoughtfully on the edge of the board.
“Perhaps it is the Duke who underestimates his opponent,” she muttered. “After all, victory favors the bold.”
She moved her knight swiftly into position.
Felix glanced at the board before meeting her gaze.
“Or the reckless,” he murmured, capturing her bishop with a swift flick of his rook. “You are leaving your defenses wide open, darling.”
“Am I?” She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling as she positioned her queen in response. “Or am I simply luring you into a trap?”
He chuckled. “So, aschemer. I should have known that from the outset when you cooked up our little bet. I see now that I will have to tread carefully.” He placed his own knight down with a flourish. “You know, most opponents would not dare to challenge me so boldly.”
She gave a theatrical sigh, casting a glance at the dwindling number of his pieces on the board. “Most opponents are probably not as intent on winning,” she replied.
She took his knight as amusement danced in her eyes.
“I never would have thought you would be so ruthless, Eloise. Such cruelty hidden beneath that lovely exterior. You ought to be careful—you know by now what the consequences are.”
“Oh, no!” she said in mock horror, cupping her hands around her cheeks. “And I would so hate to experience those consequences again. Last night… it was truly terrifying.”
“If you liked it so much,” he said, his eyes steady on hers, “then perhaps you ought to provoke me again.”
Eloise grinned and returned her attention to the game, even more determined to win. She was acutely aware when Felix’s gaze fixed on her and the playful glint in his eyes began to turn into something warmer.
She made her next move with a small smile of triumph, already anticipating his response.
“Well?” she prompted, raising her eyebrows in mock impatience. “Am I still an unworthy opponent?”
Felix chuckled softly, his fingers brushing hers as he moved a piece on the board, his voice laced with amusement. “Unworthy? No, Eloise. Quite the opposite.”
Just then, a loud knock shattered the quiet intimacy of the moment. Felix looked up in irritation as his butler entered the room.
“Pardon the intrusion, Your Graces. Viscount Stentford has arrived,” Beaumont said after a bow.
“Thank you, Beaumont. Show him in,” Felix said and the butler, after another bow, walked out of the room.
