Page 4 of Her Duke to Seduce
She frowned. “I suppose I should make haste then.” She handed him the book she had been about to read. She never had determined what it was about. “Can you put this away for me?”
“Of course, my lady,” he said. Bivens took the book and bowed. “It will be my pleasure.”
Felicity strolled out of the library and headed toward her father’s study. Her heart beat rapidly inside of her chest. What reason could her father have had for summoning her to his study? She had a feeling it would not be for something pleasant. The last time they had a meeting like this one… She stopped short. Good heavens surely it could not be for the same reason? Aunt Enid had always wanted her to learn how to be a lady. She had been sent to Winston Manor for instruction. Surely, Aunt Enid would not want to do anything like that again?
There was only one way to find out. She marched forward and stopped outside of her father’s study. Felicity lifted her hand and rapped against the wood frame. “Father,” she called out. “You wished to see me?”
“Yes, dear,” he said. “Come in.”
She went inside and stopped in front of her father’s large mahogany desk. His hair had gone all gray in the past few years. Strain filled his eyes as he met her gaze. His eyes were so like hers. It was one of the few traits she had inherited from him. She had overheard them as described as a stormy gray. Like dark clouds hovering on the horizon.
“Please have a seat, dear,” he said.
She had not realized that she had stood there like a ninny, staring at him for several moments. Felicity had been so lost in her own thoughts she had not spoken or done anything. “What is it?” she asked. She was uncertain about sitting until she knewwhy he had called for her. Felicity had an uneasy feeling she could not shake.
“Sit, Felicity,” he demanded.
“I do not wish to,” she told him.
He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “This is not the time to be difficult.”
“Is it ever a good time to be difficult?” she retorted.
“There is always a time and place for everything,” he replied sagely. “We have much to discuss and you will find it more comfortable if you are seated while we do so.”
That feeling of dread returned. Felicity sat. Not because he asked her to, but because her legs suddenly seemed weak. She would not like any of this. She knew it without him uttering a word. “Now will you tell me what you summoned me for?”
“I am sending you to Winston Manor,” he said.
“No,” she said vehemently. “I do not want to go there.”
“Be that as it may,” her father said. “You are going. Your aunt has arranged for a house party. You are going to have a debut ball at the end of it and then you both will go to London for the season. It is time that you entered society properly.”
It was the last thing she wanted. “You promised me that I would not have to do that.”
He sighed. “I know what I promised.” He leaned back into his chair. “But I was being selfish. I did not want you to leave me, but you deserve more than to be at my side. You should find a husband and have a family of your own.” He smiled softly. “I would not mind having a grandchild or two either.”
Felicity wanted to scream and rail against it all. She did not want a husband, and she doubted she wanted any children either. What would she do with a child? She knew nothing about children and raising them. She certainly did not wish to tie herself to a man. In all her years that had not changed. “Does it not matter at all what my wishes are?”
“Of course it does,” her father said. “I do want you to be happy.”
“Then do not make me go to Winston Manor.” This had to be Aunt Enid’s doing. She had always believed she knew what was best for Felicity. Thank heavens she had only been subjected to one summer in her aunt’s care. Unfortunately, it looked as if she would have another time where she had to endure her aunt’s ideals.
“One season,” he said. “I want you to experience society and see what else there is in life.”
She jutted her chin out. “I do not need to do any of that.”
“Well,” he said. “You are going. My word is final.” He shook his head and drew in a deep breath.
She wanted to scream and throw a tantrum like a child. Why did life have to be so difficult. Her aunt would not allow her to roam the library and take comfort in books. She would want her to do all those lady-like activities she had insisted she learn all those years ago. “What if I do not find a husband.”
“That is a topic we will discuss later.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I fully expect you to take part in everything that your aunt has planned. You will do your best to become acquainted with all the gentlemen she presents to you. If I find that you are not behaving as a lady should, I will be forced to take drastic actions.”
Her adoring father had never spoken to her in such a manner. What did he mean about drastic actions? She nearly snorted. As if her father would ever hurt her. “I do not wish to marry.”
“You may change your mind.”
That was unlikely. She would have to do something to convince the ton she was unmarriageable. Perhaps she would find a way to ruin herself. What would a lady have to do to accomplish such a feat? Would she be willing to take thingsdown a path she might not be able to undo? Would she allow herself to be seduced just to court ruination? Felicity might do just about anything to avoid marriage. But she would not go so far as to trap a gentleman. If she wanted to be seduced it would have to be with a man that would never ask for her hand. It had to be a rake who did not believe in marriage any more than she did.
