Page 46 of Enemies with an Earl
Felix
Felixfollowedtheboundingyoung woman into the cavernous Devonford great hall. The slap of her slippers and the clop of his house shoes echoed through the two-story room. The soft light of sunset spilled through the massive arched windows. The large coffee-colored beams overhead and flickering candelabras dotting the walls lent the room a cozy, warm glow. One Felix was grateful for. The thought of being in a brightly lit room, in the spotlight, while Thorne watched on, wasn’t exactly high on Felix’s list ofways to spend a pleasant evening.
Not after last night’s display, where Thorne had quite effectively put Felix in his place.
Pandora halted in the middle of the gleaming wood floor and spun to face him, ivory skirts swirling. “So, the suits of armor were put back.”
Oh? Felix tilted his head curiously, walking slowly up to the girl. “I feel like there is more to that statement than you’re letting on.”
Pandora ducked her chin in, a few blonde curls falling over to shadow her blushing cheeks. “I may have possibly accidentally waltzed my dance master right into one.” Her blue eyes peeked up at Felix, nose wrinkling sheepishly. “And it fell on him and broke his foot.”
Felix’s mind flew back to the library, where just a moment ago, Pandora had almost taken his head off with a broomstick. Well, then. He could see the danger Pandora was referring to. His gaze slid over to Thorne, who was settling on the bench at the pianoforte. But what was life without a little danger? Felix almost laughed. He was thelastperson to think such a thought. Careful. Controlled. Never toeing the line.
Safe.
He shoved away those thoughts and bowed. “I think I’ll take the risk if it means I get to dance with you, Lady Pandora.” He winked at her.
“It’sPandora, Felix. Goodness. We are friends, after all.” She threw him a saucy smile while she bobbed a curtsy.
A laugh rumbled from his chest, his lips spreading into a grin. What a spirited little sprite she was. He extended a hand. “So, what is it you need help with when it comes to the waltz?”
Pandora placed her hand in his, and they assumed the position of the waltz. “I get nervous,” she said quietly. She glanced up at him hesitantly. “And then I get clumsy. And skittish. And lose all sense of space. And break feet.”
“Ah, but we’re friends, as you just said.” Felix arched a brow. “There is no reason to be nervous with friends, because friends don’t care if you’re an accomplished dancer or not. They like you for you, clumsy feet and all.”
The girl’s face brightened, and the beginning notes of the waltz drifted their way.
“Ready?”
Pandora nodded sharply, blonde brows furrowed in determination. “Ready.”
Felix started them off in the waltz just as the music picked up. And promptly stumbled. He recovered quickly, gaze shooting over to Thorne. Thorne, whose sole focus was on the ivory keys his fingers currently flew over. As he drew forth a sound so heartbreakingly beautiful, a sharp ache formed deep in Felix’s chest.
“I had no idea a lord as distinguished as yourself tripped, too!”
His attention snapped back to Pandora, his equilibrium still off balance from this revelation.
“Oh, it makes me feelsomuch better.” She smiled up at him like he’d just given her the most delightful news.
He opened his mouth to protest. That might have been the first time he’d ever stumbled while dancing. But, staring down at the hopeful, happy, andrelaxedgirl before him, he paused. That wasn’t what she needed to hear.
“No one is infallible, Pandora. We all trip from time to time. True strength comes from getting back up after you fall. If you continue to brush yourself off and try again, nothing can defeat you.”
They spun around the corner, Pandora following his lead beautifully. Whether that was because she was now comfortable dancing with Felix, or because his words were distracting her, he wasn’t sure.
Her blue eyes sparkled back at him curiously. “That makes a lot of sense. I suppose I will be falling and getting back up more often than most.”
“Failure, making mistakes, is not something to be afraid of. It is merely learning a way that doesn’t work. So, we get back up and try something different.”
She chewed her lip. “I’m not sure how to not be nervous. It doesn’t feel very good when I botch something.” She looked up beseechingly at him. “You aren’t afraid to fail?”
They spun again, and Felix’s attention landed on Thorne. Yes, Felix lived a life fearing failure. Failing his family. Failing his father. One wrong move, putting his trust in the wrong person—could be catastrophic.
Maybe he had picked himself back up—with his family’s help—all those years ago, but wasn’t he doing exactly the opposite of what he was telling the young woman in his arms? If he were leading by example, he’d tell her to never waltz again. Something deep inside his gut clenched.
He met Pandora’s innocent, open gaze. “I think it’s in our nature to fear failure,” he finally said. “It is a survival instinct, so that we think through what we do and don’t blindly attempt things. It is important to do things with intention, with thoughtfulness. But no one traverses life without failing. So, yes, I fear failure. But I shouldn’t let that stop me.”
Pandora narrowed her stare. “But you do let it stop you.”
