Page 82 of His Forbidden Duchess
A moment later, Percy strode in, his usual grin lighting up his features.
“Ah! So this is where you have hidden yourselves,” Percy said, clearly amused by the scene. “The butler told me you wereplaying chess, but I did not believe you had gone that soft, Kingswell. Did I even hear some laughter as I approached?”
“I have not turned soft,” he replied, narrowing his eyes at Percy. “What are you doing here anyhow, ruining our perfectly pleasant afternoon?”
Percy sighed and let himself fall onto the sofa beyond them. “I am bored. I was quite alone at the club, wondering what had happened, and I came to check if you were all right. I can see now that you are.”
Felix glanced at Eloise and smiled. “Quite all right.”
Percy feigned a groan. “I am glad to see you two have finally decided to become friends. When is Jeremy due back by the way?” His tone softened slightly though his grin remained in place.
Eloise’s heart leaped at the sound of her brother’s name. She loved Jeremy and desperately wanted him to return, but… his reaction to her present circumstances… God knew what it would be.
“He will return when he is ready,” Felix said curtly.
Percy nodded, accepting the unspoken boundary. “Of course. Well, I feel terribly awkward having intruded upon you, and now that I know you are quite safe, I shall leave you both to… whatever you are calling this.”
He winked, backing out of the room with a knowing smile, his gaze lingering on Eloise with a nod of approval before he disappeared.
Once the door clicked shut, a comfortable blanket of silence once again settled upon Eloise and Felix.
She smiled at him affectionately. “It seems we are not quite as inconspicuous as we had thought.”
Felix chuckled, his fingers brushing along her hand as he reached across the chessboard. “There is nothing untoward about a husband and wife enjoying a game of chess.”
Eloise also leaned in, “Incidentally, we never discussed what the prize would be.”
Felix arched an eyebrow, “Oh? Must there be a prize?”
“Don’t you always seek one, Your Grace?”
He smirked, “Go ahead, then. Make our game a little more interesting.”
Eloise bit her lip, excitement buzzing all over her skin, “How about we make a little bet?”
Felix’s smile grew wider. “I am all ears.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Felix glanced around the dining room as the servants set the last dishes on the table. Candles flickered, casting a warm glow over the close-knit gathering.
It had been, to Eloise’s surprise, his idea to throw an informal dinner party for their close friends and family.
Although he wanted nothing more than to keep her all to himself, especially after he lost their little wager at that chess match, he thought it would be nice for her to enjoy some company other than him.
Lady Brimsleigh and Percy were already in good spirits, swapping stories over glasses of wine, while Lady Danridge and Hannah engaged in light conversation, carefully examining the room around them and discussing Felix’s choice of décor.
Eloise sat beside him, her laughter joining the others’, her eyes bright with warmth. Felix found himself watching her, savoringthe sound of her laugh and the instinctive way she leaned toward him, seeking his closeness without even realizing it.
Since the night of Lady Brimsleigh’s ball, everything seemed to have changed for the better. Everything they shared now; the closeness, the intimacy, the bedroom adventures, had always been there, waiting for them to tap into it. But now the sluice had been opened, and it flowed rapidly and energetically to its willing recipients.
As they began their meal, Lady Brimsleigh’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Tell me, Eloise, did Felix tell you about his ill-fated attempt to join a foxhunt when he was fifteen?”
“Oh, he has not yet mentioned that particular escapade,” Eloise replied with a grin, glancing at Felix with mock suspicion. “Do tell.”
Felix rolled his eyes good-naturedly. This was a story his aunt loved to tell, and he always pretended to hate it. “A gentleman’s secrets are supposed to be sacred, Lady Brimsleigh.”
Lady Brimsleigh raised an eyebrow. “You call yourself a gentleman now, but back then, you were a disaster. Oh, Eloise, he spent half the day trying to impress everyone by staying at the front of the hunt.”
