Page 17 of A Duke Under Her Spell
Chapter 6
Felix descended the stairs steeling himself for another encounter with his future bride. In an effort to please his mother, he had had tea nearly every day with the Weathertons. Today was no different, and yet somehow, it was. He found himself wishing that he were back upstairs with Marybeth instead of moving further and further away from her.
Honor and family above all else, he reminded himself as if he were going into battle, instead of his own drawing room.
“Your Grace,” Lady Cordelia arose and curtsied.
“My Lady,” Felix bowed in greeting. “I see you have come without the Earl?” Felix was surprised, as such a phenomenon had never occurred before.
“Yes, my dear brother is needed elsewhere today, but I have come to offer my services to your dear mother.”
“Oh?” he asked arching his brows in surprise.
“Yes, I thought perhaps I might read to her or some such thing. It can get so very dull lying abed all by one’s lonesome day in and day out.”
“That is most kind of you, My Lady.”
“Not at all. I simply wish to perform my Christian duty.” The look in Lady Cordelia’s eyes did not quite match the willingness of her words.
“I am sure that my mother will be thrilled to hear of your interest in her wellbeing. She is sleeping now, but perhaps after tea you might go up and pay her a visit.”
“Yes, of course,” Lady Cordelia nodded demurely. “I would be happy to do so.” Felix guided her over to the table and chairs by the window. The maid entered, bringing their teatime repast. “Has your healer settled in properly?” she asked, waving the maid away so that she might pour the tea herself. The act spoke of her expectations to one day be lady of the house.
“Yes, she is settling in quite nicely. She and Mother get along splendidly, and her herbal remedies are making a difference already.”
“That sounds encouraging,” Lady Cordelia noted, and yet she did not look encouraged. She looked the exact opposite in point of fact, but Felix had come to expect such things as a part of her reserved nature. It was not uncommon for ladies of the ton to hide their true feelings behind a mask of indifference. Felix silently hoped that beneath her icy shell lay a woman of deep feeling and intellect. His mother had always been an excellent judge of character, and he trusted her to be right in this case as well.
“I cannot begin to tell you how encouraging I truly find it. Just today Mother had come down with a terrible fever, but Miss Wright’s teas set her to rights again in very little time. She is a marvel to be sure.” Lady Cordelia’s mouth twitched in what appeared to be a spasm of pain. “Are you quite well, My Lady?” Felix asked in concern.
“Yes, quite. Thank you. I bit my lip, so clumsy of me. Sweet biscuits are my downfall. Please do go on,” she reassured him, taking another bite of her biscuit for emphasis.
Felix eyed her carefully, wishing for once that she would be open with him. She averted her eyes and looked out the window. “’Tis a beautiful day is it not?”
“Yes, it is,” he turned to look out of the window as well. “The sun on the water is superlative today, as a thousand tiny diamonds twinkling in the light.”
“Yes, a garden is simply not complete without a water feature. Have you been to see the gardens at Versailles or the fountains in Rome? Beauty beyond compare. We are attempting a much smaller version at Bredon. You must be sure to come and see it sometime. Won’t you?”
“I would be delighted. I thank you for the invitation. I am sure my mother would be glad to come as well when she is able.”
“Wonderful! It is settled then. As soon as your mother is feeling better you may both come to our estate for tea and a tour of the gardens.” Her demeanor seemed to cheer somewhat, and Felix took hope from that.
The moment was interrupted by Mr. Wheatly informing him that his mother had awakened and was asking for him. Felix arose. “Shall we?” he asked his guest. “Now would be as good a time as any for you to present your offer to Mother would it not?”
“Yes, of course,” Lady Cordelia agreed and accepted his proffered hand. “If it is not an imposition.”
“My mother is quite fond of you, Lady Cordelia. It was she who suggested that I seek out your company. I doubt that you could ever be an imposition to her.”
“You seek my hand for the sake of your mother’s wishes?” she asked in surprise.
Felix hesitated. He had not planned on revealing such a thing to her. He had simply meant to put her mind at ease concerning his mother. Deciding that the truth was always the best choice, he took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Yes, that is precisely the reason.”
Instead of getting angry as he had suspected, she smiled. It was the first genuine smile he had ever seen from her. “I am here because my brother desires it.”
“So, you are not angry then?”
“No, not at all.”
Felix laughed. The moment allowed an ease of relief to fall between them that had not existed before, and they continue walking together toward the Dowager Duchess’s bedchamber. “Perhaps they are right.”
