Felicia nodded. “He has already suggested that, but somehow, it seems unfair to alter an atmosphere he is quite content with. No. I am sure I shall become used to it.” She turned away, wondering if she dare ask after Lord Umber. She coughed lightly. “And…and, Lord Umber. How is he?”
Lady Louisa sank onto a bench and patted the space beside her. “Come, sit down.”
Felicia obeyed, nervously twisting a leaf in her fingers, aware that Lady Louisa was studying her face.
“I don’t know, Felicia,” she answered finally. “I really don’t know what has gotten into him. He appears well enough, but he has changed.”
“Changed, ma’am? In what way?”
“His temper for one thing. It always is at the boil. And…and he has started to drink so heavily. I hate to say this about my son, but it’s as though he has stopped caring.”
Saddened by this information, Felicia made a consoling sound before saying timidly, “Perhaps he has been gambling too heavily…losing too much money. I…I know that papa would become morose and difficult when that happened.”
“I don’t think so, at least no more than usual, otherwise word would have reached me. I must confess I am at a loss to know what to think.”
“It…it is presumptuous of me to suggest it, but mayhap Lady Barbara turned him down.” Even as she spoke, it seemed as though someone were twisting a knife in her heart, the pain her words caused was so intense.
“No. Not Lady Barbara, but it is a possibility that he is suffering because he has hurt someone he really cares for.”
“Oh!” Felicia said faintly. “I am sorry. Maybe his condition will improve when he gets over his embarrassment. Mama always said that men recover from affairs of the heart far more quickly than we women.” She looked away so that Lady Louisa would not see the anguished look she knew was in her eyes.
Lady Louisa looked grave. “I think this is more serious than that, for you see he lost his temper quite unnecessarily with this particular lady and now seems incapable of knowing how to apologize. It’s all so silly, isn’t it?”
Felicia felt herself blushing and nodded mutely in answer to the question.
“He also confessed to me, Felicia, that he treated you abominably. Would you agree to see him now, so that he can make amends?” She saw Felicia’s look of hesitation and quickly pressed on. “He is waiting inside for my signal. If I do not give it, then he will leave…but….”
Any doubts Lady Louisa had about Felicia’s feelings toward her son were quickly swept away by the rapturous look that spread across Felicia’s face at her words. She rose hastily and waving her handkerchief to Lord Umber, hurried past him into the house, well satisfied with the part she had played that morning.
Felicia kept her gaze down to the grass, too nervous to look up. She reached out wildly to hold Rufus, who had started to growl again and murmured something to him. It was enough to reassure him that a friend approached, for he sank back on his haunches and started to wag his tail. Felicia felt someone sit down beside her and her heart started to thump wildly.
“I am sorry for my untimely show of temper, Felicia,” the contrite voice said. “And I thank you for being so gracious as to receive me this morning.” His hand closed over her fingers as he lifted them to his lips. He kissed each one gently, sending thrill after thrill coursing through her. “Am I forgiven?” he asked huskily.
“Forgiven, my lord?” she whispered. “Why there is nothing to forgive.” She made a feeble effort to disengage her hand from his clasp, but his grip tightened and, instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer to him.
His mouth found her ear and he nibbled at the lobe. “Then you think you can ignore such outbursts in the future?” His voice was soft and, as she could barely hear him she leaned closer, unabashedly enjoying his nearness. He put a hand under her chin and turned her face to his.
For an endless moment they gazed deep into each other’s eyes before Lord Umber brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her passionately.
“My darling Felicia,” he murmured. “When will you marry me?”
Felicia felt so exquisite a joy envelop her that she was unable to do anything more than clasp her hands around his neck and bring his lips to hers again. A long time passed before she finally broke from her lover’s embrace.
“Maybe I would prefer a house in Richmond,” she said mischievously. “With servants…and pin money…and…”
“Nay, my brazen hussy,” Lord Umber broke in. “’Tis marriage or nothing I propose this time.”
“Then you force me to accept.”
Felicia Page 18