Inconvenience. Ash thought that was putting being set upon by armed brigands lightly. “Of course, I will inform him straight away.”
Ash stood and made his way to the bell pull. First, get Lord Bentley settled and Sam sent to assist him and then…then seek out Felicity.
35
Felicity
AknocksoundedonFelicity’s bedchamber door. She blew out a breath. That was most likely Felix, probably on a mission to berate her for her rude—and deuced odd—behavior in the Duke’s study.
“Come in, Felix,” she called as she placed another pin in her coiffure staring at her reflection in the looking glass on her dressing table.
Footsteps thudded on the rug and then paused. A throat cleared, and she wasn’t sure how she knew from that small noise, but she did—it wasn’t Felix. It was Ash.
Her eyes slid shut briefly, and she pushed down the hurt running rampant in her chest. Shoved back the frustration clawing its way up her throat. Donned an armor of indifference.
She plastered a deliberately bored expression on her face and turned to face him. “Your Grace,” she drawled, arching a brow. “I do not recall granting you entry.”
Ash faltered in his steps toward her and stopped two strides away, blue gaze trapping hers to the point she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to. “Felicity… There are things I think we should discuss.”
She blinked rapidly. “Oh, do you now? That’s odd, because if I’m not mistaken, you just made all my decisions for me a few moments ago. What could there possibly be to discuss?”
Well, her indifference hadn’t lasted very long, had it? Eh, sarcasm was more diverting anyhow.
“Oh! I know—” She smacked her palm to her forehead. “Let me guess. You have made some more decisions on my behalf, perhaps even selected some suitors for me that fit the criteria you believe is fitting for me. Yes, that must be it.”
He grimaced. “I owe you an apology.” He inhaled a deep breath. “I made quite a few assumptions back there. And not only that, I made a decision regarding your future that I had no right to make. I…I was trying to do the right thing; what’s best for you.”
She ground her teeth, a feral noise coming from deep in her throat. She was probably, maybe, most definitely going. To. Kill. Him.
“Let me just make sure I understand this all clearly…” She paused and let him twitch under her gaze for a moment.
“Now, correct me if I have anything wrong here…” She held up a finger. “I am currently free to marry whomever I wish.” She ticked off her fingers as she went. “No one will ever compare to dancing with me. You have never desired anything more in life than me.” She looked pointedly at him after that one. “We shared anincendiarynight together, to which we not only clearly have incredible physical compatibility, but you spouted some blasted poetry of how we went from two separate beings to one, tous.”She paused and tilted her head. “Following so far? Do I have all of that correct?”
He opened his mouth, but promptly shut it and nodded.
“Perfect. That’s very bloody excellent. So, I think we can agree you have some strong feelings for me. Now let us move on tomoi. I’m sure I have said quite a few things that have expressed how I feel about you, but for the sake of clarity…” She spread her arms wide. “I am in love you.”
His eyes sank shut, and his features tightened.
God damn it. This was not supposed to be distressing news. It was a declaration of bloody love. She loved him. He loved her. At least she was almost completely certain he did. They were both free to marry who they wished. The answer was quite simple. Even a numpty could figure it out.
“Felicity… I won’t deny anything you said. And hearing those words from your lips… They’re the most painfully beautiful words I have ever heard—”
“I have a question for you then,” Felicity interrupted. “If you put all your insecurities, all your reservations aside, what would you want?”
“I…” He opened and closed his mouth, struggling and saying absolutely nothing.
“Damn it, Ash. Stop thinking. Ignore that convoluted mind of yours. Just answer the blasted question. When it comes to us, what would you want?”
“I want you,” he said hoarsely.
He said it like a man giving a confession, admitting to a crime. Why was it a crime to love her? She wanted to throw her pile of hairpins at him. She was always fighting. For herself. For her and Ash. Would anyone ever fight for her? Was that so much to ask?
He stood there, his hands fisted at his sides. Unmoving. As though he was holding on to invisible chains rooting him to the spot, not allowing himself closer. “For the rest of my days, I want you, Felicity. But even with the betrothal no longer an issue, there are still so many things that stand between us.”
Clearly, it was too much to ask. Fine. She’d won enough spats with her brothers growing up… What was one more? She stood and leaned back against her dressing table, crossing her arms over her chest.
“All right, let’s tackle them one by one then.”
