Page 15 of Enemies with an Earl
“Felix,”Felicitymurmuredlowas they made their way down the last flight of stairs in the castle’s entry. “Don’t look, but just there in the shadows of the hall that leads to the library, someone is watching you.”
Felix stiffened but waited until they reached the bottom of the stairs, then stole a glance at the hall. His eyes locked with a footman, probably a few years younger than Felicity. The man’s eyes widened, but he didn’t look away. And what Felix saw flitting over the man’s face gave him a very good idea what the man was after. Hesitance. Hope. The man gave a nervous tug on his ear. Felix casually lifted his hand and touched his ear in return, and the man’s entire frame sagged in relief.
A signal forThe Harborage. A signal for help.
The question was, would the man approach Felix later? Sometimes a signal came, only for the person to change their mind or lose their nerve. Felix understood—he and Kozington, one of his partners inThe Harborage,could be intimidating given their noble status, especially since it was typically those well below their station seeking help.
“An admirer, you think?” Felicity murmured quietly as they strode through the front doors.
The side of Felix’s mouth kicked up, and he cast a sidelong glance at his sister. She was so fanciful. As though it was that simple for two male lovers to find each other.
“No, I don’t believe so.”
She gnawed on her lip thoughtfully. “It must be hard.” She turned to him, and their gazes clashed for a step before they both looked back at the stables. “Having to be so discreet and secretive. How ever do you find a…a lover?”
Felix grimaced. “We are most definitely not discussing this.”
“Come now, Felix. Don’t be a prude. It is not as though I am asking you for specifics. I just… I want you to be happy.” Her voice grew soft. “It’s hard enough as it is finding someone you have a connection with, finding something like what Mother and Father shared.”
He reached for her hand and gave it a quick squeeze, ignoring the pang in his heart at the falsehood of Mother and Father’s relationship. “Don’t fret, sister. We have our ways.” He waggled his brows at her. “Plus, when you look as pretty as I do? There are certain areas of London where all I need to do is step foot, and men flock to me.”
Her lips pressed tight, twitching as she tried her best to hold back her—
She snorted softly. There it was. His chest warmed.
“I’d say you think quite highly of yourself, but considering we are essentially the female and male versions of each other, I suppose you just complimented me as well.”
“I had no idea how vain you were becoming, Flick.”
They shared a grin.
And then her gaze dropped to his neck, and her slim brows pinched. “Fifi…” She leaned forward, peering at his neck and nearly tripping over her feet. Then broke out in mirth. “Did you attempt to shave yourself? And I say attempt because”—she sniggered—“bloody hell, it looks like you came out on the wrong side of a fencing match. Lord, I hope that wasn’t the work of the Duke’s valet.”
“Stuff it. Yes, I shaved myself. And may have nicked myself once or twice in the process. I’d like to see you trust a stranger with a knife at your neck.”
She rolled her eyes. “He’s a valet. It is hisjob. Were you also afraid he’d strangle you with your cravat?” Her smile turned mischievous. “That would explain the tragic state of your knot.” She squinted. “It’s all lumpy and deformed.”
Yes, well, it was either that or so tight he risked strangling himself. So loose and lumpy it was. Felix quickened his stride, eager to get to the stables and away from the line of questioning. Unfortunately, Flick wasn’t deterred and matched his pace.
“Can a brother not want to spend time with his lovely sister?” He batted his lashes at her, and she grinned, knocking him with her hip.
“I’ll get it out of you, you know.”
But she wouldn’t right now. They reached the barn where a young groom waited with two horses already saddled, a large gleaming bay and a smaller rich chestnut. The groom glanced between Felix and Felicity, his eyes widening. “F-forgive me, my lord, my lady,” he stammered. “I was only instructed to saddle two horses with regular saddles. No one mentioned a side-saddle would be required. I will have it rectified immediately.”
He moved to lead the horses away, but Felix rested his hand on the lad’s shoulder, halting him. He gave the boy’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze and took the bay’s reins in his other hand. “It’s quite all right. No side-saddle needed.”
The boy’s brows scrunched, and his gaze darted from Felicity to Felix in rapid succession.
Felicity smiled cheekily at the boy and took the chestnut’s lead from him. “Thank you. We’ll take them from here.” She led her horse to the mounting block, stepped up, and swung up onto the horse, skirts bunching up to reveal the breeches she wore underneath. She winked at the lad, whose cheeks reddened as he smiled shyly back at her. He tipped his cap and disappeared into the stables.
Felix turned to his sister and caught her eye. “Ready? Quick ride and we’re back before any of the house party guests arrive. No one the wiser.”
She dipped her chin and shot him a sly look from beneath her lashes. “TheLady Felicity riding astride? Never say it.” She stroked the chestnut’s neck softly with her glove, the horse dancing with restless energy.
Felix grinned. The poor beast could no doubt sense the whirlwind of mischief his sister embodied. He hopped up on the mounting block and into the saddle in a quick fluid movement.
But Felicity was already kicking her horse, and the pair launched forward. “Race you to the small copse of trees at the end of the field!” she called back to him.
