Page 133 of Enemies with an Earl
“All you need is the next big scandal, and this will all blow over,” Lord Kozington said. “Society is like a school of piranhas, feeding on gossip, but as soon as the next juicy tidbit shows itself, they speed off to devour that one. Doesn’t anyone remember the scandal surrounding Rutledge and his wife? Does anyone give a bloody damn about that any longer? Their dinner parties are the most sought-after events.”
“Exclusivity does tend to have that effect,” Rutledge murmured.
Ironcrest grunted in agreement. “And society nearly lost their heads when I married my—”
“I’m sorry I’m late!” Felicity came barreling into the study out of breath. She glanced around the room, smiling at the gentlemen who all bowed deferentially to the Duchess. Her gaze locked on Sam’s, and Felix frowned. She nodded, her smile widening. And now Felix was even more confused.
A patter of footsteps sounded, and then a petite woman with ice-blue eyes and wheat-blonde hair appeared. A nervous rosy smile split her softly rounded face.
Lady Rosalind Yardley.
Sam instantly stepped away from Felix and up to the Countess. He bowed over her hand. “Thank you so much for coming, Lady Yardley.” He straightened. “I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your agreement to assist us.”
And once again, Felix found himself parroting, “What is going on here?”
Lady Yardley eyed the room nervously. Felicity stepped up to the woman, linking their arms together, and Sam stepped up to her other side. The woman relaxed slightly.
“I put a request to Lady Yardley,” Sam said to the room. “Her previous marriage was one of convenience. She was granted protection,” he murmured cryptically. “And in exchange, the Earl of Yardley was able to live safely with his partner without scrutiny.”
“His male partner,” the young woman said quietly.
Yes, Felix knew it had been because she’d been with child, from what his mother had told him. At the mere age of sixteen. The Earl had saved her from a terrible fate, and in return was able to secure his line without the physical need to produce an heir. Felix had mentioned his concerns to Sam, that his mother wanted him to consider marrying Lady Yardley… But he still couldn’t determine what the aim was here for the life of him.
“As I had mentioned earlier,” Sam said. “Things may getunpleasant. We don’t know what is going to surface, we don’t know how long it will take for Society to find some other poor soul to feast upon. Bentley’s good name is not to be touched.” He looked at Lady Yardley.
She turned to Felix. “I would like to propose a courtship between us, Lord Bentley. One of an indeterminate length, but one that will end on agreeable terms at some point in the future.”
Felix blinked stupidly. She’d act as his cover. His stomach swooped. The perfect cover. But why would she agree to this?
The young woman—hell, younger even than Felix’s own sister—fidgeted with her skirts but held Felix’s gaze. “I had come to London in search of a husband. But it has become apparent”—her gaze skittered uneasily over the men in the room, and she swallowed—“I am not ready for that yet. I should be very glad for the deterrent a courtship would afford me against unwanted suitors.”
“Little love…” Ryker started softly, eyes sharp and assessing as they ran over Lady Yardley.
Apprehension gripped Felix at what was going to come out of the man’s mouth. The poor woman was nervous enough. But Ryker’s next words were the last thing Felix would have ever expected.
“If any unwanted suitors give you trouble, you just let us know. We do not take what you are offering lightly. You have our protection. They won’t ever bother you again. Understood?”
The woman’s blue eyes welled slightly, and she nodded. “Thank you…?”
“Mr. Ryker Drake.”
“Thank you, Mr. Drake.”
“Protection for you both,” Sam confirmed.
It was brilliant. Everything that had been discussed in this room had sounded promising. But so much relied on defending themselves when things came to light. This—this was the offense Felix had spoken to Sam about.
Felix stepped up to the young, petite countess. He gently took her hand and bowed over it. “I would consider it the greatest privilege to be granted the opportunity to court you.”
He caught Sam’s gaze, Sam’s lips tugging up in a hopeful half-smile.
Felix felt it, too, that hopefulness.
Christ, they were really going to make this happen.
67
Felix
