Almost.
“Pistols!” Pandora shouted. “Target practice.”
He nodded his assent. He started to turn away toward the stable master and caught Felicity’s gaze for a breath. God, having eyes that blue should be outlawed.
She let her shawl drop off her shoulders.
He tripped.
She smiled.
“I think I need to visit the kitchens after that,” Felicity said, pressing a hand to her still-racing heart as she watched the Duke walk away, a smile curving her lips.
She hoped with her little shawl drop he would be thinking of her as he washed. Caught up in the excitement of the horse incident, Felicity had almost missed all chance at progressing with her seduction. It wasn’t much, but his little trip was a step in the right direction.
Lady Pandora turned to her, her large blue eyes blinking curiously. “We just broke our fast not that long ago. You are hungry already?”
Felicity’s smile widened. “While I’m never opposed to a nibble, I was actually hoping I could assist Cook with some baking. I find it soothing, and I’m still feeling a touch anxious myself after that ordeal.”
She linked arms with Pandora, and they started the journey back to the castle.
“That’s not very normal for a lady, is it? Baking with the servants, I mean.”
Felicity contemplated her answer, studying the towering stone castle and the bands of red and yellow tulips gracing the gardens surrounding the perimeter.
“It is a rather odd thing for a lady to partake in. And something many would frown upon. It is not something I would ever announce in public circles.” She turned a smile on Pandora. “But I feel as though I can be myself here.”
Pandora smiled back. “That’s good, Lady Felicity. You can be whoever you want to be here. I’m quite odd, so it is nice to learn you are odd, too. It is comforting to hear someone as graceful and well-regarded as you has peculiar habits.”
Felicity’s smile almost faltered as anger prickled her skin on the young woman’s behalf. Pandora was notodd. She was different from what society demanded a lady must be, yes, but she was not odd. She was lovely and unique and genuine.
What was horribly sad was all that uniqueness, what made Pandora special, was what society would hold against her when the girl finally had her come out in a few years. Felicity’s nose stung, and she cursed herself for the tears that were building. But God bloody damn it, the injustice of it all. She had never been allowed to be who she truly was. Because it was well-known that gentlemen who could appreciate such uniqueness? They didn’t exist.
Stark blue eyes flashed in her mind. The Duke allowed Pandora to be exactly her quirky self. Perhaps there was one such man.
Felicity squeezed Pandora’s arm and shook off her cynical, depressing musings. She had known this girl for four years, but this was the first time she’d had a chance to interact one-on-one with her. With Pandora being so much younger, she hadn’t been able to join in most of the activities of the adults.
“Call me, Felicity, dear. I think we are long past formalities. We are friends.”
That elicited a wide grin from the girl, and they chattered the rest of the way to the kitchens.
When they arrived in the kitchens it was to find Cook, a short, stout woman with dark brown hair streaked liberally with grey and tucked up beneath a white cap, mixing something in a large porcelain bowl with a massive wooden spoon.
“Cook!” Pandora exclaimed. “We are here to help you with baking. Lady Felicity likes to bake. Can you believe that? Aladywho bakes!”
Cook smiled at Pandora, her rosy cheeks bunching. She wiped the back of her hand over her brow. “That works out quite well, my ladies. I am preparing dough for pastries right now. It needs some cutting in and then some kneading. Then we’ll be needing to decide what we’re making with it.”
“We would love to help, Cook,” Felicity said.
“Since we’re helping,” Pandora said, bounding around the worktable to stand next to Cook. “Does that mean we get to choose the dessert?”
Cook’s warm brown eyes sparkled. “I think that is a fair exchange. As long as we have the ingredients, though.”
“Little minnie pies!” Pandora shouted. She let out a groan. “I justloooovethose little pies.”
Felicity grinned and leaned toward Pandora. “I do, too.” She waggled her eyebrows. “When they’re smaller, I feel like I can indulge in so many more without the guilt.”
“Yes!” Pandora’s big blue eyes stretched wide. “That’s exactly it. It’s like my mind is tricked into thinking I’m getting a feast. And more pies, means more joy!”
