Page 45 of A Duke Under Her Spell
“I cannot accept such a gift,” Marybeth breathed, shaking her head in refusal.
Alexander stepped forward taking her hand in his. Felix growled a warning deep in his throat much like that of a dog. It would have been comical had it not been so threatening. Alexander placed the tiny jewel in Marybeth’s hand and then stepped back once more. “Nevertheless, it is yours. Thank you for saving our brother’s life,” he stated simply, bowed, then left the manor house and rode away before Marybeth had time to launch any further protest.
“Well that was certainly interesting,” Felix mused peering over her shoulder at the ring in her hand. “How do you feel?” coming around to stand in front of her.
“I am not certain. Confused, surprised, curious, angry… A mixture of emotions really.”
“That is quite understandable, considering the circumstances. It seems as if we have been in a constant state of emotional turmoil of late.”
“I must admit that it is quite wearying. I feel as if I could sleep for days and yet there is no safe place to lay one’s head with the intruder still not having been apprehended.”
“I could send you and Mother away,” Felix offered.
“No, she is not well enough for travel yet and Oliver needs me here as well. I cannot run and hide while people I care about are suffering so.”
Felix stepped forward and took Marybeth into his arms. “I fear you are taking too much responsibility for the people of my household upon your shoulders.”
“I could no sooner walk away than you could,” she replied, laying her head upon his chest. She willed his warmth and strength into her own body, taking comfort in the feel of it.
“Why not sleep here in the library? I shall stand guard over you myself. I need to go over the estate records and this will afford me that opportunity.” Felix led her over to the chaise lounge where she laid down and he covered her with a light throw that usually rested upon the back of it for the Dowager Duchess’s use.
In very little time at all Marybeth found herself drifting off to sleep. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was that she was still clutching the ring that Alexander had given her.
* * *
Felix sat at his desk and watched over Marybeth as she slept. She was beautiful lying there at peace. In slumber the worry lines had faded, the tension lax. She had been through so much. He wished he could take all of her cares away but knew he could not. He was not sure she would have let him even if he could have accomplished such a feat. She was very much an independent spirit.
He thought back to the incident in the croft and found his body turning warm from the memory. He had greatly enjoyed kissing her, holding her, protecting her.
I would gladly do so for the remainder of my days were I able. To spend my life with her would be a pleasure to surpass all others.
Sighing, Felix returned to the work at hand going over the estate accounts. He had not been as attentive to the estate as he should have been over the last week. He had allowed too many other things to distract him from his general duties, but it had been necessary. He prayed that the intruder was finished with his intrusive behaviors, but he would much rather have caught the culprit and put an end to it once and for all. The man’s motive for such behavior completely escaped Felix.
Felix surveyed the library thinking about the first day that the intruder had appeared to Lady Cordelia.How did he do it?He arose from his desk and began feeling along the walls and bookshelves. The entire household had searched the manor house including the library, but no one had found anything. Even so, Felix could not resist the urge to look again.
Removing entire stacks of books from the shelves, Felix took his letter opener from the desk and ran the pointed end along the shelf seams. The door to the hidden room Oliver had found was triggered by a shelf. Felix thought perhaps the same could be true if there were a room secreted away in the library. Once he had thoroughly examined a shelf, he replaced the books and moved on to the next one. He searched the entirety of the library with all possible diligence but found nothing.
I am not certain whether I am disappointed or relieved.
Felix walked over and sat back down at his desk. He rubbed his face with his hands in frustration. Sighing, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes in thought.If he did not come and go through the door we have found every time, then where did he enter and exit by? I am past ready for this entire business to be over with. There are much more important matters to be getting on with than chasing a ghost.Opening his eyes, Felix was startled to find the subject of his thoughts standing in the doorway staring at him.
“You!” Felix called out and launched himself from his chair toward the door. The man had taken off running the moment that Felix had opened his eyes. Felix ran out into the hallway after him but found no one there. He raced down the hall checking every room and connecting hallway but found nothing. When he returned to the library, he rang the bell for Mr. Wheatly.
Marybeth was awake and sat looking at him with curious concern. “What happened?”
“The man was here in the library. I gave chase and he just vanished. I intend to have every available man of small stature in these walls immediately. I will not be thwarted.” Felix was angry. He had had enough.
“Yes, Your Grace?” Mr. Wheatly asked entering the room.
“I want every available man of smaller stature than I to meet me in the hallway at the entrance to the secret room immediately. With the exception of the wounded Oliver, of course.”
“It will be done, Your Grace.” Mr. Wheatly bowed and exited the room.
Marybeth arose and came over to stand next to him, taking his hand in hers. She placed her other hand on his cheek as if to check for fever. “You are flushed,” she noted. “Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I ran after him and then searched every place I could find, even crawling around on my hands and knees searching for how he had managed to escape again. I am in a foul temper over this entire ordeal, nothing more.” He saw the worried look in her eyes and felt a pang of guilt for making her fret. “I am sorry to have caused you concern. I am well, I promise.” Taking the hand on his cheek he kissed the palm and then let it go. “I must go and address the men.”
Felix was loath to leave the warmth of her touch, but he knew that he must.I am not free to follow my heart and it is not fair of me to seek the comfort of her caress when I cannot offer her anything resembling an honorable state in return.Turning, Felix left the library with Marybeth at his side.
