Page 57 of Enemies with an Earl
Ash let out a sharp laugh. “If he’s as good as her raspberry tarts, we’re all in trouble. Those things are sinfully delicious.”
A self-deprecating laugh tumbled out of Sam. That was exactly what Bentley was. Sinfully delicious. And Sam had no idea what to do with that.
The majestic willows of Willow Groove loomed in the near-distance—Sam squinted—and two mounts grazing. His pulse picked up in his throat. Which meant…
“Looks like my future duchess had the same idea as us,” Ash said, his tone lifting to an eager pitch.
Sam snorted, and Ash scowled at him. Sam winged a brow. “Future duchess? Can’t help yourself from saying it every chance you get, can you? Besotted much?”
His friend grinned. “I have to keep saying it aloud, or I won’t believe my good fortune.” And then, proving how besotted he truly was, Ash encouraged his horse into a canter and hurried over to hisfuture duchess.
Ash was already dismounting by the time Sam caught up with him. Ash pulled back the cascading branches and disappeared inside the shroud.
“Don’t wait for me or anything,” Sam grumbled.
He hopped off his mount, ensured the horses were grazing happily—perhaps taking his leisurely time in doing so, andnotbecause he was avoiding anyone—and finally approached the willow. He rolled his neck. He wasn’t avoiding Bentley. It was just…Sam didn’t know what to do now. There was no animosity to cling to any longer to distract him. Sam had never faced a paramour the day after, unless it was slipping out of bed in the early morning hours, which Sam preferred to do before the other person was awake.
He never wanted to do anything that would lead tofeelings. On either end. Sam knew well what a shattered heart felt like. He didn’t wish that on anyone else, either.
He supposed he’d do what he always did.
Hide behind a facade of flippancy.
29
Felix
AshandFelicity’sretreatingforms disappeared behind the curtain of willow branches. The two had made very quick excuses, and not good ones, for needing to leave. Immediately. Without Thorne or Felix.
Felix reached up and squeezed his neck, digging his fingers into the uncomfortable knot that seemed to be growing larger by the minute. “Well, that wasn’t glaringly obvious.”
“They’re not winning a knighthood in subtlety, that’s for certain.” Thorne’s amused, deep tone filled the willow’s haven.
“So…” Was Felix’s great contribution to the discussion, and he winced.
Thorne chuckled. “So…”
Felix’s mind was completely blank. He literally could not think of a single word to say. Except forso. And he wasnotsaying that again. “This is awkward.” He nearly groaned. That probably wasn’t any better.
The blasted man standing before him grinned. “Perhaps for you. Awkward isn’t a word in my vocabulary. Relax, Bentley. I’m not going to bite. At least not right now.” He winked, and Felix’s shoulder muscles loosened a little.
There was that cavalier persona again, the one Felix feared he was becoming particularly fond of. The one he found…comforting.
“What do you suppose their aim is with this?”
“Considering I meddled with Ash and your sister…and”—he glanced around, his grey eyes lighting up with realization—“it involved this exact spot. Oh, I am going to murder Ash.”
Felix reached up and kneaded the muscle where his neck met his shoulder again. “So, it’s well and good if you murder him, but I’m not allowed to.”
“Obviously. Every best friend is granted the privilege of murdering his mate if he becomes too insufferable. It’s like…written law or something. I’m certain.”
Felix laughed and then grimaced as his finger hit with a tender spot behind his neck.
Thorne’s gaze sharpened. “What do you have going on there?”
“My neck and shoulders are giving me no end of misery. It’s been a bloody sennight…to say the least. Usually when I’m anxious or stressed, I swim. But I haven’t been able to do that with a lost sister and all. And then being here…”
In the next breath, Thorne was inches from him. Felix blinked at the abrupt change and before he knew it, he was being tugged out of his riding coat.
