Page 94 of His Forbidden Duchess
“Found something on my doorstep this morning,” Percy announced, giving Jeremy a nudge. “Apparently, he is here to apologize.”
Felix straightened, surprised, as Jeremy looked at him with a mixture of defiance and discomfort.
He shifted uncomfortably, his skin sallow and his eyes tired. He looked as if he’d drowned himself in as much brandy as Felix had in the past days.
“Go ahead, speak,” Percy encouraged, but when Jeremy still hesitated, Percy gave him a light smack on the head, “For God’s sake, Danridge, clean up this mess!”
“All right, all right!” Jeremy flinched as Percy raised his hand again, and the Marquess turned towards Felix, “I received a letter from Lady Hannah,” he said, his voice low, each word weighted with difficulty. Felix noted that he didn’t meet his eyes. “She is staying with Eloise at Kingswell, and, well, she said Eloise is unwell. She… she misses you.”
Jeremy hesitated, casting a nervous glance at Percy, who rolled his eyes and promptly smacked him across the back of his head again. “Out with it, man. For goodness’ sake. The pair of you are like children!”
“Here, here,” Lady Brimsleigh said, seemingly not taken aback at all by the proceedings.
Rubbing his head, Jeremy gave Felix a resigned look. “I wanted to apologize for what I said and… for doubting you, for speaking so harshly. I was ashamed that I could not help our family when they needed me, so I took it out on you.”
Felix felt a pang of sympathy at Jeremy’s admission, recognizing the same guilt he’d carried himself.
“Apology accepted, my friend,” he said quietly, offering him a nod. “We both acted out of pride. And for what it is worth, Eloise would never hold it against you.”
Jeremy looked relieved, a tentative smile breaking across his face. “Thank you. I must admit I was surprised to hear how much Eloise cares for you.”
Felix snorted. “I suppose it is surprising that any woman could care for me.”
Percy clapped them both on the back, looking between them with satisfaction. “Ah, look at that. Two grown men talking things out like proper gentlemen.” He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. “But there is another matter to discuss and one I doubt that you are going to like, Felix.”
Jeremy nodded, his expression darkening once. “In her letter, Lady Hannah mentioned another visitor to Kingswell… one Stephen Birks. Viscount Kaylocke. Does the name ring a bell?”
Felix’s stomach tightened at the name. “Kaylocke? He has been visiting Eloise?”
Percy tapped his lips, frowning as he remembered. “Kaylocke… I knew I recognized him from somewhere, and now, it has cometo me. He was often seen at the gaming hells some time ago, but I could not place him until just now.”
“Oh yes, Viscount Kaylocke has frequented such establishments for many years. Along with his close friend, Lord Radcliffe, if I recall correctly,” Lady Brimsleigh said cautiously. “They have been seen together in the more unsavory corners of London. No doubt you threegentlemanhave too.”
Felix’s eyes widened as he exchanged a look with Percy.
Radcliffe.
The man who had lost his wealth to Felix in a card game. The man who had taken his own life thanks to his debt.
“That cannot be good,” Percy murmured, his tone dark.
Felix knew what he had to do. His every thought was now focused on getting back to Kingswell.
“I need to be with Eloise.Now.”
Without waiting for a response, Felix grabbed his cloak and hat, his heart pounding with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose.
Whatever doubts had held him back before were now gone.
He had to protect her, no matter what the cost.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Eloise sat rigidly on the edge of the settee, clutching her teacup with a polite but distant smile.
Stephen lounged comfortably in the armchair across from her, utterly at ease, as though he belonged at Kingswell.
It was the third time he had called on her that week which she found quite odd.
