He might even fall in love with her one day. If she could keep him from scowling.
All of a sudden this felt like another of her harebrained adventures. Only this one did not involve a well-sprung carriage racing for the Scottish border.
Perhaps that was the problem. He could not see her as anything but Flighty Felicia, and her attempts to convince him otherwise merely reinforced his belief.
"Julian, I am ready to depart."
She stood up, adjusting the ribbons of her bonnet, wishing she was already home.
"No, please," Hugh said, rushing to her side. His thigh hit the corner of a table, and he winced. Felicia glared, silently informing him he had deserved the punishment for his cavalier treatment of her proposal.
Julian had stood when Felicia did, but now it was obvious he did not know what to do. She had assured him that Hugh would see the benefits of her proposition and would readily agree to it. He had not prepared himself for this eventuality.
"I would like a moment alone with Hugh," Felicia said, "if you will permit it."
Julian nodded. "I shall see to the carriage and then I will return for you in perhaps a quarter hour?"
"Thank you."
Julian gave Hugh a measured look. "Weyson." The word was said pleasantly, but apparently it also served as a warning, one that Hugh recognized, judging by the way his back stiffened. He gave a quick nod in return.
Once the door was closed, they both began speaking at once.
"You first," Hugh finally said, his hand outstretched.
"Why will you not marry me?"
"Felicia, it is a preposterous notion!"
"But why?"
He halted, his hands on his hips, and stared at her. "I do not think we are well suited."
"But when we kissed—" Her breath hitched at the memory. "I would say we were quite well suited then."
"Yes, well, that should not have happened." His gaze was hungry, though, raising her hopes, even as his next words dashed them completely. "I shall merely wait a short interval and then return to the marriage mart—"
"You know you must wait until next Season, in order for the ton to forget this current scandal of yours." At his slight groan, she pressed on. "I did not think you had considered that. And why are you so set against marrying me? Am I truly that horrid to you?"
Hugh drew back at her words. "Horrid? You are anything but. I can scarcely keep my thoughts away—" He spun on his heel and returned to the fireplace across the room, standing stiffly. "I am quite fond of you, and I fear that if we were to wed, it would destroy these warm feelings we have for each other."
Felicia could not contain her laughter. "How many times have you delivered that speech? It is atrocious."
"It is?"
"If you have any hope of it succeeding, you have to inject at least a small measure of sincerity. Like this." She straightened her shoulders, letting the corners of her mouth drop as if she had been stricken with unbearable sadness. "I am very, very fond of you. But I fear that if we were to wed—" She sniffed, dabbing at her eyes delicately. "If we were to wed, it would utterly, positively destroy these warm feelings we have shared."
Hugh's jaw dropped. "You have missed your calling, Felicia. I have never seen such stunning theatrics in my life."
She bobbed a curtsey. "Thank you. Now you can see why I could not believe your words for a moment." She moved towards him, suppressing a smile when he stepped away. Was he afraid of her? She had not pinched him that hard.
She stepped even closer, and this time she saw his lower lip tremble, though he seemed unaware of it. His eyes were focused on her mouth. His tongue darted out to moisten his lips, and his eyes shuttered.
Felicia realized all at once he was not afraid of her. He was afraid of his unruly response to her.
She nearly crowed her triumph. He was trying to deny his feelings for her. She could understand him doing so when he was betrothed, but what could compel him to do so now?
She took another step forward, and then one more. He could not move to either side.
"It appears you are trapped," she said.
"More than you know," he muttered.
She moistened her lips and this time he did groan. She felt her cheeks pinken, with her rising excitement, as well as her feelings of power. She wanted him. She was determined to make him surrender.
She leaned forward, closing her eyes just as her lips touched—
His palm?
Her eyes flew open. She leaned back, staring at his upraised hand.
He was not cooperating with her seduction!
What was she to do now? She was not used to being a schemer. Granted, she got herself embroiled in a mountain of schemes, but generally she had merely to suggest something to a fellow conspirator and they were off and running.
Should she resort to tears? No, she was not a watering pot sort of female. She could stomp her foot and have a tantrum, but that would merely put him back to his starchy demeanor, treating her like the child she had been years ago.
There was only one thing she could do.
"I apologize, Hugh." She stepped back, keeping her eyes downcast. "I was overcome with emotion. And I did not consider how these unwanted attentions would affect you."
She spun on her heel.
His hand clasped her arm before she could take a step forward. She turned her head, gratified to see the longing still in his eyes.
"You are mistaken, Felicia, if you believe your attentions are unwanted."
"But—"
She could see how he struggled with himself. He wanted her, but he did not want to acknowledge it. For some reason he wanted the feelings to go away, and since ignoring them had not made that happen, he was unsure what to do.
He pulled her into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he tilted his head, covering her mouth with his. He was possessive, his mouth hungry for her, yet he stopped for a moment, holding her face in his hands. He shook his head, as if dazed, and then lowered his forehead against hers.
"What am I to do about you?" he whispered, anguished.
Love me, she wanted to say. The same way I love you. Instinct told her it would be best if she did not answer him. He was not asking her anyway. He was pleading with reason, while she was begging for the opposite to prevail.
He kissed her again, and held her, tight against his body. Hers responded with the same measure of heat, setting off an inferno inside her. She reached for his cravat, and then his waistcoat, wishing she knew what to do after that. Hopefully instinct could guide her, and if not, then Hugh surely could.
A loud ahem startled her. Hugh's mouth was devouring hers, and he was so close, while the noise, a distinct throat clearing, was coming from the doorway—
Felicia and Hugh separated so quickly, she nearly lost her balance. Hugh reached his hand out and kept her from falling. Julian stood at the doorway, his face impassive, pretending he had not seen their display of passion.
Felicia's cheeks flamed. Such actions might be overlooked when a couple was betrothed, but she had not yet persuaded Hugh to agree to her proposal.
"Felicia, the carriage is ready."
She bobbed a curtsey in Hugh's direction, keeping her eyes averted. Not that anyone in the room would believe she was demure, not after the riotous behavior she had just exhibited. Still, it kept her from having to meet either one of their gazes.
"Good day, Hugh. Thank you for your—hospitality."
He made a noise that sounded like he was being strangled. She could only hope he was not, but she did not look because she was scurrying towards her brother, and the relative safety of the carriage outside.
She could hardly wait to be in the coach, so that she could contemplate what to do next, while pondering Hugh's strong resistance to her and how to overcome it.
Surely there was something that would persuade him. She had plenty of evidence of his feelings for her. She was not about to be thwarted by this last obstacle on her path to tru
e love.
"Felicia, wait. Perhaps we could discuss your proposition further."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
No one was more surprised than Hugh when the words left his mouth. Julian hid a smile behind his hand, shaking his head slightly. Felicia spun around, her eyes wide, and lit with unspeakable joy.
He had lost his wits. There was no other possible answer. Yet he could not continue to deny his attraction to Felicia. Did he truly believe he could find another bride while experiencing these growing feelings for her?
That had not proved so successful the first time around.
"You were quite right," he said. "I do not wish to audition potential brides."
She frowned, and her fists clenched at her side. "Are you suggesting I assist you with this?"
For an instant he was tempted to say yes, with a teasing offer to aid in finding her next elopement candidate. It would be the easiest method to retreat from his rash words, even if it meant causing her confusion and potential heartache, and him another unpleasant experience with that right hook of hers.
He reminded himself the wiser course of action would be to reject this utterly mad notion of wedding Felicia and return to his original plans for Lucinda's future. The prudent response was to admit, to himself, and then aloud, that he was jesting about making Felicia his bride.
But it had been a lie when he'd told her earlier they were not well suited. The truth was they got on well, very well, and he had grown weary of pretending he wanted anything other than having Felicia for his very own.
"I am amenable to discussing your offer," he finally said. "That we be wed."
"Yes! I will marry you." Felicia raced to stand in front of him, her eyes shining, as if he had answered every single one of her prayers. "I will do all in my power to make you happy."
Hugh's heart beat rapidly at how quickly he had brought her joy. He also tamped down the surge of passion that she had elicited all too easily. He managed a stiff nod. "And I shall do the same for you."
She pinched his arm. "There is no need for your stuffiness, Hugh. This is a joyous occasion, though I cannot believe I must remind you of that."
He glared at her, rubbing the sore spot she had just inflicted. "While you have just reminded me I have lost the last hold on my sanity, agreeing to marry a hellion such as you. I cannot imagine why—"
The parlor door slammed open, followed by squeals and the delighted sounds of "Papa! Papa!"
~ * ~
Felicia gasped. She could scarce believe her eyes, or her ears, for the adorable little girl had clearly called Hugh "Papa".
Since Hugh had never been wed, the child had obviously been born without benefit of clergy.
Felicia's heart pounded a little bit harder. She was nearly as dizzy as when she had first come to Hugh's house, even more lightheaded than when she'd been in his embrace.
How had she not known about his child?
"Lucinda," Hugh said in a stern parental voice. "While it may be a vain hope, I believe one day you will heed my words about leaving the nursery. . . Never mind." An expression of pure indulgence transformed his face. "We shall deal with that later."
"Yes, Papa."
Felicia hid her amazement at seeing Hugh in the unexpected role of doting father. She also covered up a smile. She had the feeling his admonition would be repeated many times in the future, without success.
"Since you are here," he continued, "I would like you to meet my—very good friend, Lady Felicia." Hugh inhaled and then said, "Felicia, this is my daughter, Lucinda."
He stared at Felicia, his chin raised defiantly, as if expecting her to condemn him, or his daughter. Felicia already loved him madly, but now she was even more in love because of his fierce protectiveness of his child.
"Hello, Lucinda," she said, her voice softening as soon as she saw Hugh's features in the little girl's face.
Lucinda giggled, twisting her hands together while standing next to her father. "You're pwetty."
"Thank you." Felicia knelt, to keep from towering over the girl. Lucinda scurried over, gazing fearlessly into Felicia's face.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course," Felicia answered, her gaze pinned on Hugh. "I adore secrets."
Hugh made a choking noise as he tugged at his cravat.
Lucinda tossed a glance at her father before cupping her hands around Felicia's ear, tickling her with the whispered words.
Felicia couldn't hold back her grin. "Miss Lansdale is actually a very nice person. But," she added in a lowered voice, "I can see why she might frighten you."
Hugh ahemed. The girl scampered over to him, and he bent down and picked her up without hesitation. Felicia's heart melted anew. They were such an adorable pair.
"Papa, can I have her—" Lucinda jabbed a pudgy finger in Felicia's direction. "—as my new mama? Instead of that other one?"
Felicia chuckled while Hugh clearly did his best not to groan.
"We were just discussing something in that vein, poppet. Why don't you return to the nursery so we can finish our conversation."
Lucinda frowned as she looked at Hugh, clearly ready to argue. He merely raised one eyebrow, but it was enough for her to give up her rebellious stance. She gave his cheek a wet kiss and then scrambled out of his arms.
"Bye, Papa. Bye, Lady Fleesha." In the next instant she was out the door.
"What a surprise-filled day this has turned out to be," Felicia said.
"Indeed," Julian said, startling both of them. He had been standing in the corner, watching the proceedings without comment. "It seems there is a great deal more we need to know."
"I disagree," Felicia replied, happier than she had ever believed possible. "I have all the information I require."
~ * ~
Hugh watched as Felicia barreled past Julian, grabbing her brother's arm and dragging him through the doorway. He could hear her joyous laughter and excited chatter as she and Julian entered the carriage. Hugh strolled to the bay window, just to see one last glimpse of her, drawn to her despite his internal warnings to stay away.
She must have sensed him watching, because in the next instant she tilted her head through the open window of the carriage and bestowed the most glorious smile on him.
It was like a kick in the gut, similar to one she'd landed as a child when he had teased her unmercifully.
He was unable to resist her, or her charms, no matter what counsel he gave himself.
And after her easy acceptance of Lucinda. . .
That had been his undoing. Felicia had welcomed his daughter without a hint of reservation. She was the one woman he had considered completely inappropriate to be his child's mother, yet Lucinda had taken to her instantly.
He finally lifted his hand in a half-hearted wave, like a lovesick schoolboy pining after the object of his affection.
Felicia blew a kiss and mouthed the words "I love you" before ducking back inside the carriage. The driver slapped the reins against the horses and the carriage raced down the pea-gravel driveway.
Hugh rested his hand on the edge of a nearby wing chair. How quickly passion had trumped his judgment. He tried to tell himself he had made this choice for Lucinda's benefit, but that was not at all true. He had already agreed to the wedding before Lucinda had charged into the room.
Perhaps he was more like his parents than he wanted to admit.
That made him grip the chair a little harder, his fingers digging into the brocade fabric. He would have to disprove that unsettling notion by fighting off his impossible attraction for this woman.
Yet if he could not keep his wits about him during the brief moments when Felicia was near, what would he do once she was his wife?
CHAPTER TWELVE
"You are certain you are not disappointed?" Felicia asked her aunt once more. "I know you have always anticipated my wedding would be a big society event at St. George's, not this small affair at home."
"Of course I am not disappointed." Great-Aunt Aur
ore stopped her fussing with the sleeve of Felicia's wedding gown. "I am overjoyed to finally attend your nuptials, which I can do now that a fast carriage is not involved."
Felicia chuckled. "Cousin Tony is still taking wagers that one will be."
"Well, if there is, let me know so I can place a bet too." Great-Aunt Aurore laughed. "Just to supplement my pin money."
Felicia gave her aunt's hand an affectionate squeeze. "I can hardly convince everyone that Flighty Felicia is no more when my own family is betting the opposite."
"Pay no mind to that. You know how happy we all are. I have waited a long time for this day." Great-Aunt turned her attention to Felicia's hair. "Not quite as long as for my own wedding day, of course."
"I do not have the patience you possess, Great-Aunt. I do not know how you can bear it."
"It has gotten much easier over time," her aunt admitted cheerfully.
Felicia nearly choked. "I also cannot wait several decades for my one true love to discover he cares for me. I am happy Hugh agreed to be wed. But I cannot help but wonder why he did not fall in love with me already, as Frederick did with you."
Great-Aunt began to fuss with a stray curl of Felicia's hair, although Felicia pretended she did not recognize it as a stalling technique. "Curses are rather unpredictable. As we both know."
"Indeed. I could not have guessed I would commence this marriage with a ready-made family." She glanced across the room at Lucinda, standing next to Hugh and visibly excited at being included in the day's event. "I fell instantly in love with Lucinda too, but it's daunting to realize I know nothing about being a parent."
"Oh, nobody does, dear. That is why everyone hires nurses and tutors and others who know more about this than we ever will." Great-Aunt Aurore stepped back a pace to give one last admiring look at Felicia's ensemble. "Lucinda does remind me of you at that age. Although you were twice the minx she is, and I managed your upbringing just fine."
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