Page 34 of Matters of a Duke's Heart
“Felicity.” He spoke her name as she had spoken his. Except where hers had come out, sharp as a whip, his sounded soft, experimental. His face crumpled for a moment, expression caught between confusion and something softer than she hadseen before, as if he quite did not know what way to go. “Felicity…”
“I am sorry,” she said again. “I should not have taken such liberties.”
“I do not mind,” he told her, holding her gaze. Suddenly, she could not remember why she was cross, or why she had wanted to argue in the first place.
Not when he looked at her across the terrace, the light of the house behind him forming a halo of sorts. Her mouth went dry, and all words flew from her mind.
“I—” She struggled to find more words. Heavens, he intimidated her. With that all-seeing gaze, the composure he often maintained except for the smallest, briefest moments of vulnerability. He gazed at her openly now, all traces of his former sharpness gone. She wondered if it had from her own face as well. “It is just that when we are alone in the manor, I never see you, and that…” That upsets me. Instead, she opted for a much more neutral, “it confuses me. When we are out at these events, you cannot seem to part me with me. I… I feel like I do not know where I stand with you.”
“I do not part with you for the sake of public appearances,” Spencer said, but the words came too quickly for her to fully believe them. She eyed him suspiciously. “Nothing more. At home, I can simply honor our agreement and give you peace.”
What if I do not want peace?
The question rose in her mind, but she didn’t give voice to it. It would be a dangerous line to tread.
What if I wish for you to begin bothering me more?
“Duchess?” her husband prompted.
“Please just call me Felicity,” she was quick to answer without realizing. He blinked at her, but all she could see was his features, all of them made sharper by the lights beyond, as if this very moment had been orchestrated for him to look this handsome.
Felicity brought herself up short. Handsome?
She shoved the descriptive aside. She did not need such foolish thoughts in her head. But it was another few seconds until she felt able to think of a coherent thought.
“That is very well,” she said slowly, “but you could try to make me feel less of an ornament in your life.”
With that, she turned her back on her husband, finished with their conversation. She was tired of his behavior, and hisrandom bouts of coldness versus the occasional vulnerability and warmth he extended.
He called after her, but Felicity deigned to ignore him, returning to the dinner party.
It had been more than a week since she had seen her sister, no time at all, really, in the grand scheme of things, but it had felt like eternity when paired with what Felicity had felt throughout her time at the manor.
On top of that, the sisters had, of course, lived together, used to the easy, default presence of one another.
Now, as soon as she spotted her sister at the table—a late arrival alongside one of her suitors that Felicity immediately recognized as Lord Graham—Felicity saw how pinched Daphne’s expression was. As soon as she drew near, Felicity approached her.
Daphne’s face lit up, instantly looking beyond Felicity’s shoulder. She frowned but said nothing of the absent duke. Instead, Felicity spoke quickly over any question her sister might ask.
“Daphne!” she greeted. Daphne stood up to fling her arms around Felicity’s neck.
It may have not been the most composed of reunions, right in the middle of the dinner party, but Felicity found herself not caring. Eyes were on them, but Daphne already had her fingers around Felicity’s wrists, tugging her aside, away from the table.
Felicity frowned at her until they were finally out of earshot. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the duke returning, but Daphne commanded her attention with just one declaration.
“Lord Radcliffe seems to have turned his attention to me.”
Felicity froze. “What?”
Daphne’s expression shuttered. “It seems… it seems he grew tired of waiting for you. He is a viscount, well-established but still lower ranked. Connecting himself to our name through you would have risen him quite highly. Word has it that he is furious about your marriage to the duke.”
Felicity frowned, trying to work through the concern. “I… I do not understand. It was not as though I was ever promised to him.”
“That is what Papa has been trying to say. He is attempting to dissuade Lord Radcliffe and hopefully being turned away from us all will help.”
“And your own prospects?” Felicity felt her hope rise for her sister. “How are they?”
Daphne’s blush was pretty as she looked away as if shy. “They are perfectly wonderful. Lord Graham and I seem to be doing very well. I am to attend a play with him later this week. Mama also introduced me to a duke’s son, Lord Dominic, who is ever so charming. I fear I cannot choose whom I like more.” Her girlish giggle both excited Felicity and sent bolts of jealousy through her.
