Page 15 of Her Duke to Seduce
Felicity did not know what she planned on doing. She should go back to Winston Manor. It was the prudent thing to do. But she couldn’t… It went against everything she wanted for herself. If she gave in and allowed Aiden to escort her back to her aunt then she would lose. She would find herself married to some gentleman of her aunt’s choosing. It irked her that anyone thought they could control her in any way, and a husband would be even worse than an aunt. She stared at him and considered her options.
“I do not wish to return,” she said quietly. Felicity prayed he kept his word and would not force her to go with him.
“Very well,” he said. “But please keep in mind I cannot allow you to board a ship. That would not be a wise decision for you to make.”
As if he could tell her what to do… She sighed. He was certainly trying to. Somehow, some way, she would have to give him the slip and do as she pleased. Felicity just was not certain how she would accomplish that goal. “How about we make a compromise.”
He quirked a brow. “I am listening.”
That was more than she had expected from him. Now how to approach him with her idea… “I assume you will not leave me alone.”
“Not a chance, darling,” he said. His lips quirked upward. “If that is your suggestion I will have to decline.”
She smiled then. “I had to try…” Felicity met his gaze. “How about we travel together then. I will agree to stay off a ship, but I do not want to return to Winston Manor. At least not yet…” She had another plan or rather her original plan in mind. She would have to seduce him and lose her innocence. If she were to return to her aunt she had to be unmarriageable.
“And where will we be traveling?”
Felicity shrugged. “Wales? Scotland? I do not care. You can choose.”
That was the truth any way. As she did not need a specific location for what she wanted from him. She would attempt to seduce him in this seaside town, but she had to prepare herself for that. She wasn’t ready to fall into his arms and allow him such liberties. She needed a little more time.
Aiden studied her, his dark gaze assessing, as if he were attempting to discern her true purpose. Felicity kept her expression carefully neutral, though her pulse fluttered beneath his scrutiny. She had given him what he wished—her agreement to stay off a ship. In return, he would have to give her something. That was how a bargain worked, after all.
“Wales,” he murmured, considering. “I could be amenable to that.” His lips twitched. “I hear it is quite beautiful this time of year.”
“Wales?” She had not expected him to agree so easily. Felicity allowed a small smile. “Then we are in agreement?” She did not even know in what direction they had to go to reach Wales, but surely Scotland was closer. Did he hope to spend more time with her and that was why he had chosen Wales over Scotland.
He tilted his head slightly. “For now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That does not sound particularly reassuring.”
“It is the best you shall get from me,” he said with a smirk. “Shall we?”
Felicity hesitated for the briefest of moments. There was something in his tone, something in the way he was looking at her—as if he knew she was planning something and was merely waiting for her to make her move. Drat the man. He was too clever by half. But she could not discern his true intentions any more than he could hers. There would have to be a level of trust between them.
She nodded. “Yes, let us depart before my aunt has half the country searching for me.”
Aiden chuckled. “Oh, I imagine she already does.”
She swallowed. That was a very real possibility. Aunt Enid was not the type to simply give up. He offered his arm, and after a brief hesitation, she took it. A gentleman should not be so warm. She had not expected that. She had also not expected to feel so…safe. Which was absurd, given that she intended to seduce him and then part ways as if nothing had happened. Felicity lifted her chin, determined to see her plan through.
“We shall need provisions,” Aiden said as they began walking. “And a carriage. I had thought to rent rooms for the night, but if we mean to leave immediately, we shall need to make haste.”
She glanced up at him. “Would it not be more… prudent to stay the night?” She offered a coy smile. “Surely even you cannot wish to travel without rest.” She might even be able to get that pesky seduction completed sooner if they remained at the inn. Though was she really in a hurry to give herself to him?
He arched a brow. “Ah, so now you are concerned with prudence?” He let out a low chuckle. “What game are you playing darling?”
She feigned innocence. “Game? Why, I am merely suggesting the practical course of action.”
His gaze flicked over her face. “I somehow doubt that.”
She sighed and glared at him. If only he wasn’t so handsome... Her heart skipped a beat as she stared at him. She shook her head and said, “You are insufferable.”
“So I have been told.” His grin widened as he met her gaze.
Something told her that this plan of hers would not be as simple as she believed. Aiden was playing his own game, and she might not end up the victor. Felicity rolled her eyes, but did not argue further. If he wished to play at being difficult, then so be it. The night was young, and she had time to wear down his resolve.
After all, the first rule of seduction was patience.
