Page 98 of His Forbidden Duchess
Felix nodded. “Yes, I will tell you everything in time. But when Jeremy told me Kaylocke had been visiting you, Percy knew immediately who he was. He was trying to punish me for something that was not my fault by taking away the most precious thing in my life.”
Eloise shook her head, closing her eyes. “I… I do not understand,” she said, but his words swam around her head.
The most precious thing in my life.
Felix knelt beside her, his hand reaching for hers. His touch was warm, grounding her amidst the chaos.
“I will explain everything in time, but for now, Eloise, know that I am deeply sorry.” He spoke in a soft whisper, his voice filled with remorse. “I should have been here sooner. I should never have left.”
Eloise looked at him, her shock slowly giving way to relief. “I am so glad you are here now.”
She took his hand, her fingers lacing with his as her fear melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of safety; Felix would always look after her.
“Let me help you,” he said, pulling her up gently. She was unsteady on her feet, but she allowed him to guide her. “Let us get you to bed. I shall call for the physician immediately.”
“I am fine,” she said.
“You are not,” he retorted. “And even if you are, I would prefer to have you examined, just to be certain.”
Felix didn’t leave her side once as the physician checked her over. His gaze was steady and protective, his presence a quiet reassurance.
The physician’s examination confirmed that both she and Hannah would recover. Neither of them had consumed enoughpoison to cause lasting damage although they might continue to be uncomfortable for a few days.
After the physician left, Felix turned to her, his eyes full of remorse. He took a steady breath before he spoke, his voice heavy with emotion.
“I was a fool,” he began, kneeling next to her bed, his hands wrapped around both of hers. “Eloise, I have been running from everything good in my life. From you.” His gaze dropped, his words laced with regret. “When we were children, I never even imagined we would be in this situation. But then you approached me with your bet and… I fell so deeply in love with you, Eloise. I have not been able to stop thinking about you since that moment. I was selfish and scared, and I did not see what I had—or what I could have—until it was nearly too late.”
Eloise listened, her heart catching at his words and the vulnerability in his tone. She hadn’t imagined it either, but the closer they became, the more she wanted him until, suddenly, her whole heart and body had become his for the taking.
“It is not too late, Felix. It is never too late.”
“You are the most vibrant, formidable woman I have ever met, Eloise. I do not deserve you, and I know that. But I cannot help myself. I am in love with you. I want to be the man you need. I want to be a good husband to you. I swear, I will do everything I can to be worthy of you.”
Eloise’s breath caught, her heart pounding as his words sank in.
For so long, she had wondered and doubted, but now, seeing him kneeling before her and witnessing the sincerity in his eyes, she felt a deep warmth she could barely describe.
“Felix,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Is this real? Do you truly mean it?”
He leaned forward, taking her hands and lifting them to his lips, pressing gentle kisses to her knuckles.
“I have never meant anything more in my life.”
A smile crept onto her face as his words filled her with hope, and a playful twinkle lit her eyes.
“Would you like to bet on that?” she teased, her heart swelling with joy.
He laughed, the sound rich and joyful, and in one swift motion, he pulled her into his arms, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was filled with everything they had both held back for so long.
She melted against him, her hands tangling in his hair as she surrendered to the moment, all of her doubts and fears vanishing into thin air.
When they finally parted, he frowned at her. “There is just one thing left to do.”
Eloise tilted her head curiously. “What?”
“Can you sit up?”
She nodded, swinging her legs around to sit on the edge of the bed. Felix moved a chair out of his way and, to Eloise’s surprise, got down onto one knee.
