“Come in,” she called.
Pray, look at that; they waited for confirmation.That was how it was done. One didn’t just barge in like her brother had. She winced. Granted, she had done the same to him and look how that had ended up. Apparently, everyone was getting on their knees tonight.
A maid stepped in and curtsied. “My lady, His Lordship, Lord Bentley has requested your presence in his chambers for dinner. Two trays have been set up.”
“Thank you,” Felicity said and pushed her lips into what she hoped was a smile.
She blew out a breath as the maid left the room. Time to face her brother in truth this time. No heated embraces with valets getting in the way and acting as an excuse to delay.
She made her way to her brother’s chambers. Dear bloody heaven, this day… It had to be the longest day there ever was. She swore the fates were playing games at Devonford Castle and extended time to fit in as much madness as possible. She paused before his door and knocked—like one was supposed to do—and enteredafterFelix’s confirmation.
“Brother,” she said stiffly.
“Flick.” He eyed her from where he sat at the table the servants had set up in his chambers. “I had trays sent up. We have much to discuss, and it appears you are avoiding me.”
Felicity snorted. “I’m not avoiding you, Fifi. I came to your room to speak with you, only to stumble across you with a certain valet on his knees.”
Felix’s eyebrows shot up, his cheeks growing scarlet. “P-Pardon?”
Ha! That blush might just best Fitzy’s. She settled in her seat across from Felix. She smiled wanly. “Yes, dear brother. Hypocrisy looks lovely on you. You throw a fit and go on a rampage for finding me sucking the Duke’s—”
Felix cut her off with a strangled, gurgling sound, his eyes white with alarm. She sighed, annoyance as heavy as a sack full of flour expelling from her. She speared a potato and pointed it at him.
“I am just highlighting that you cannot go all marauding Viking when you’re coming back here”—Now that’s a pun—“and shoving your cock down Thorne’s throat.”
Felix choked in earnest that time. He pounded his chest and chugged the rest of his wine. “Lord, bloody save me,” he said under his breath.
She chewed her potato, holding back a grin at her brother’s discomfort. Served him right.
He glared at her. “You are enjoying this altogether too much.”
She shrugged. “I have noidea what is going on between you and Thorne. Whatever hate-sex-affair”—she wiggled her fingers at Felix—“but there are genuine feelings between me and Ash.” She paused and took a sip of her wine. “I’m in love with him, Fifi.”
Felix’s jaw went slack. He took a steadying breath and set down his fork and knife. “You’re in what now?”
“Love,” she said simply. “And I plan on marrying him. With or without your blessing. I am of an age where I do not need your approval.” She added quietly, “Though I would very much like it.”
“Of course you have my approval,” Felix rushed out. “If he is not taking advantage of you, and what I stumbled upon”—he shuddered—“was fully consensual and wanted by both parties, then I suppose I don’t have any qualms with the Duke. It is just…” Felix’s mouth flattened, and his nostrils flared. “He is much older than you, Felicity. And with him breaking off the betrothal… You can see why this does not look well upon him. It looks like he saw a beautiful young woman and wanted her for himself. It looks like he is preying on you.”
She reached out and squeezed Felix’s hand. “Fifi, I promise you that is not the case. I have been the one preying on the Duke. I came here with the sole purpose of seducing him—”
“I beg your fucking pardon!”
She growled, pressing her finger into her ear. Blast it. Her brother was going to cause her to go deaf. “Hush, Fifi. Let me finish.” She shot her brother a look only a sister could, and his mouth snapped shut. “Ash has fought me at every turn and somehow, we fell in love along the way. He is still fighting it.”
Felix snorted. “Yes, he appeared to be fighting it quite hard,” he muttered. “And Ash?” He raised a brow.
She rolled her eyes. “First, yesAsh. Fairly certain we’re past formalities. And second, you heard him in his study. He was trying to do everything in his power to set me up for another successful match—with someoneother than him. He thinks that is best for me. He doesn’t think he is best for me.” A sigh wracked her frame. “But he is Felix. I thought I was close to convincing him—”
Felix scoffed, and she shot him a glare.
“You barging in probably ruined all the progress I made.”
Felix ran a hand down his face as he shook it, clearly exasperated and amused with her. “I swear this day feels like it must be a dream or nightmare or just anything but real.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” she murmured and cut into her pheasant.
Even though she studied her plate, Felix’s gaze practically burned a hole in her head. She ignored it for three bites before it became too much. She met his gaze and arched a brow.
