Page 51 of Matters of a Duke's Heart
It was nice, he realized.
It was also downright terrifying.
Chapter 17
“What was that report you had when Alexander and I pulled you out for the picnic?” Felicity asked over dinner that same evening.
“Hmm?” Spencer asked, startling at her question. It seemed they had both been getting lost in their own thoughts ever since they had kissed. Felicity still couldn’t stop seeing it in her head, her lips recalling the feeling of his, the way his hand had cupped her cheek firmly.
It had grounded her in a way nothing else ever had.
It had been reminiscent of every romance book she had ever read—every book she had thought she would never find herself in.
Yet… the way Spencer had been with her ever since their make-up on the terrace, he had changed. It was as if that cold silence between them had only brought her closer to him.
“The work you said you were doing,” Felicity said. “Alexander spilled ink on one letter—”
“Heavens, I forgot about that.”
“I asked Mr. Haversham to have a maid clean it up. I hope that is all right. I should have asked who you allow in there.”
“Not many people.” She could hear how begrudging it was, but in the end he said, “Thank you.”
Pleased with herself, she continued her dinner. “So… the report.”
“It was nothing,” he told her, but the answer was too quick, his gaze not meeting hers. “Nothing important for you to worry about. Just… business.”
“I am good with business, and you looked troubled by it. Perhaps I can—”
“I would rather you did not,” he said firmly, but not unkindly. Her husband winced, as if he was aware he sounded short with her, but Felicity was learning to read his tones and not to take offense.
He was not angry, and definitely not with her, but perhaps she had pushed a little too hard when he had refused. So she nodded, conceding.
“I am going into London tomorrow to visit Daphne,” Felicity said after a few beats of silence. “I wanted to invite her here, but it does not seem right to do so without consulting you sooner.”
“It is your home, too.”
The sentiment surprised her, spoken low and simply. His eyes bore into hers, and she found herself lost in them for a brief moment. Blushing, she looked away.
“Once, you may not have been quite so forthcoming.”
“Once,” he agreed with a wry smile. “But since then I have found myself quite enjoying the life that has graced my home. I have been enjoying you, and your sister is part of that for you. I do not want to keep you from seeing her, if you want to show her the manor. Nevertheless, if you are traveling into London I will accompany you, and we can be back by dinnertime. I—I promised Alexander we would all finally dine together. I will sort my business while I am out, so my evening is freed up for our plans.”
Felicity tried not to nod too eagerly, but in truth, she was enjoying this family life they were unexpectedly building. There was a small whisper of hope in her heart that dared to think this was more than just a convenient marriage. This could be more… overall. That perhaps her dream of romance was not entirely over.
Meeting Spencer’s gaze, she found none of their earlier stiffness, though she hadn’t quite realized when he’d begun to soften toward her. When he had started looking at her so intensely rather than treating her as if she was simply decoration in his manor… and in his son’s life.
Now she felt truly part of his world.
And that bloomed far more than just warmth in her chest. It bloomed a word she did not think she could yet say, but it was one she had read in enough books to know how it began.
Love.
***
After the short travel back to London, Felicity and Spencer parted ways when he directed their carriage to pull up outside her former home. When he had helped Felicity out, they had lingered before one another for a moment, wondering how to bid farewell even for a few, short hours.
In the end, Felicity had ducked her head in goodbye, giggling. After a moment, Spencer had brushed his hand over the small of her back, leaning in to kiss her temple. Even as she was let into the Merriweather townhouse, she still felt his lips on her skin.
