Page 56 of A Duke Under Her Spell
Felix waited downstairs in the main hall for his companions to join him below stairs. They had made arrangements to ride to the ball together and he had the carriage awaiting them outside. He had felt a bit out of sorts since his dancing lesson with Marybeth. Holding her so near had broken down the carefully erected wall he had been trying to build around his heart. She had molded against his body perfectly as he had swept her about the room. He had been unable to think clearly since she had left him standing in the library alone.
Damn the waltz for its enchanting power over a man.
Lady Cordelia and the Earl joined him in the hall murmuring quietly to one another as they descended the stairs. Lady Cordelia wore a gown of pale pink in the latest fashion. She looked pretty and he made sure to tell her so, his mother’s words of encouragement to propose marriage ringing though his mind. “Shall we be going then?” the Earl inquired raising his brow in question at Felix.
“We have one more joining us this evening.”
“Whom would that be?” Lady Cordelia asked turning to look at Felix. A motion behind his shoulder caught her attention and she gasped in surprise, her hand flying to her chest.
Felix turned to see what had upset her so and found himself frozen in place, unable to move or speak. There at the top of the stairs stood the most beautiful vision he had ever seen. “Marybeth,” he gasped out not intending to do so aloud.
She was stunning in a silk gown the color of purple lilacs. Her grey eyes shone like stars in the predawn sky. Her chestnut hair was piled about her in a glorious cascade of curls that tumbled around her face and neck. A silver and amethyst jeweled sash rested just below her breasts as the neckline came down, exposing the warmth of her creamy skin. Felix knew that no matter how long he lived he would never again see anything so exquisite as the sight before him.
Marybeth descended the stairs and Felix moved forward to aid her in navigating the bottom step. She accepted his proffered hand with a glance of gratitude as she came to stand in the hall. “Shall we?” he asked offering her his arm. She nodded her consent and they walked together to the waiting carriage.
“Well!” Felix heard Lady Cordelia huff and turned to offer her his hand in assistance once he had secured Marybeth into the carriage. “I am not at all certain that it is appropriate for her to attend,” she informed him as she stepped up into the conveyance.
“She attends at the Dowager Duchess’s command,” Felix informed her firmly.
“I see,” she replied, eyeing Marybeth across the carriage. Resigning herself to the situation, she moved to sit in the seat across from Marybeth. The Earl entered the carriage and did the same.
Felix fought the urge to roll his eyes and climbed aboard, taking his seat next to Marybeth. He was more than happy to do so. In the close confines of the carriage he could smell the scent of the soap she had used to bathe, and it enlivened his senses. She smelled of flowers and the forest. It was intoxicating. The driver called out for the horses to move forward and the carriage began bumping along, jostling its occupants closer together as it moved.
Felix reveled in the warmth of her body so close to his own. He longed to take her into his arms once more. Feeling her elbow jab him in the ribs he looked over to find her nervously twisting her gloves in her hands. She stared out of the carriage window, preoccupied with her own thoughts. He reached over on the darkness of the carriage and squeezed her hand reassuringly. He noted that she had opted to wear the ring her brother Alexander had given her, and he wondered why she did so now.
“You will do well,” he murmured in reassurance.
“I am not at all certain,” she admitted quietly.
“Shall we turn the carriage around and take you back?” Lady Cordelia enquired, unable to hide the hopeful tone in her voice.
Marybeth opened her mouth to reply, but Felix beat her to it. “Nay, she shall do superlatively.” He was not about to let Marybeth return to the townhouse after she had gone to so much effort to attend upon his mother’s wishes.
Lady Cordelia’s brows arched, but she refrained from saying anything more on the subject. “Do not forget, Your Grace, that my sister has saved the first dance for you,” the Earl reminded, a hint of warning in his tone.
“I am honored, Lady Cordelia,” Felix replied bowing his head slightly in her direction. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to dance the entire night through with Marybeth, but he knew his duty and he would do it to his fullest ability. He squared his shoulders as his mother’s words came to the forefront of his mind once more.
“Propose to Lady Cordelia, Felix. It is my greatest and last wish to see you married before I pass from this earth.”
Clearing his throat, he adjusted his cravat. “Are you well?” Marybeth asked softly.
“Yes, quite,” he lied, not wishing to burden her with his thoughts. She, however, did not look at all convinced.
When they arrived at the Upper Rooms, they descended the carriage and entered the newer assembly room. The sheer number of attendees were astounding even to him. There had to be nearly a thousand people in attendance. “Oh, my,” Marybeth whispered from beside him.
“Indeed,” he agreed nodding and offered her his arm. Lady Cordelia and the Earl of Bredon followed behind. Felix could practically feel their matching glares of disapproval.
If I am to pledge the remainder of my days to a noble lady that I do not love, then I will at least have this one night with the woman that I do love.
Felix moved to be announced and all eyes turned to gaze upon the newcomers. The announcer stood straight and tall as he boomed out, “His Grace, the Duke of Arkley.” Before he could stop her, Marybeth let go of his arm and faded into the background. He turned to request her return and found that she had disappeared from sight in the crowd. “His Lordship the Earl of Bredon and Lady Cordelia Weatherton,” the announcer’s voice boomed again.
“Remember, Your Grace, you promised me the first dance,” Lady Cordelia reminded him taking his arm and dragging him into the ballroom.
Felix swiveled his head all around, but Marybeth was nowhere to be seen. As he surveyed the crowd, he found himself being forced into a dance and was required to return his attention to the noble lady in front of him. The dance opened with a promenade with all of the ball’s participants; however, the crowd was so large that he was unable to distinguish Marybeth from the crowd of heads around him. He worried for her wellbeing but knew that he was being foolish.
It is quite unlikely that anything would befall her here,he attempted to temper his concern, but no sooner had he thought the words thenhis mind instantly recalled his mother’s promise that no man would be able to resist her. Felix began to look for Marybeth with renewed fervor.I will not leave her to fall prey to any unscrupulous character who might make advances upon her person.
He could not bear the idea of another man holding her in his arms. He knew she was not a wanton woman to fall into the embrace of the first man to pay her note, but he could not erase the intimacy of their shared waltz from his mind.No man should ever hold her thus but I.Even as he thought the words, he realized the unfair nature of their meaning.I am to be betrothed to another. I would never wish her to a life lived in the forest alone. She is meant for far better and greater things than that.
