“Hate is often lust disappointed,” Ash sang. “He who lusts passionately also hates passionately.”
“You are getting yourself confused. Those are aboutloveand hate.”
Ash shrugged, still grinning foolishly at his friend. “You totally shagged him, didn’t you? I hadn’t realized Lord Bentley preferred men—though I did have my suspicions.” He bounced his eyebrows suggestively. “He is awfully beautiful. That family is blessed with good looks.”
Sam’s eyes slid shut, and he muttered something about insufferable dukes.
“I’ll say it once more. Valet Privilege.” Sam stepped back, assessing Ash’s attire. “Do you need anything else, Your Grace?”
Ash rolled his eyes heavenward but let the subject rest. He was definitely going to continue pestering his friend about this later, though. Especially after Sam’s meddling with him and Felicity. It was the least his friend deserved.
Ash strode over to the small writing desk in his chamber and grabbed a sheet of parchment. “I’ll be gone the majority of the day,” he said, walking back over to Sam and handing him the paper. “I want everything on this list completed, followed exactly as I’ve instructed. Understood?”
Sam’s eyes flew back and forth as he absorbed Ash’s list. He looked up, a small smile curving his lips. His eyes glinted with approval. “It will be done.”
“Thanks, Sam,” Ash said, heading toward the door.
“Good luck, Ash.”
Sam’s words drifted to him just as his door clicked shut.
40
Felicity
Felicitywatchedwithahalf-smile tugging at her lips as Felix and Pandora battled in a faux fencing match in the middle of the enormous library after dinner. They each held a broom by the handle, Felix shouting instructions as the two scuttled back and forth. Pandora gave an exaggerated sweep with her arms and sent a pile of books on an end table scattering across the floor. A giggle fled Felicity’s lips.
It hadn’t taken very long for her well-behaved and proper brother to drop the act—the one he wore when out and with company—and let his true self come out. The Jennings were quite adept at pretending, it seemed. It made Felicity exceedingly happy to see him so at ease here. That he could be as free as he was at home. Perhaps because her heart longed for this to be her home. A place her family would visit. A place she might have her own raucous family of her own.
With a Duke who was notably absent. She’d been informed he’d left the estate and wasn’t expected to be back until late. She wasn’t sure what his leaving signified. Her fingers fidgeted in the fabric of her skirts.
She had mentioned her troubles to Felix, and he’d informed her the Duke had met with him early that morning. That they hadcome to termswith the events that had happened. Whatever that meant… Felix had been frustratingly tight-lipped about the whole thing. But he assured her there would be no duel. Her brother was no longer murderous, which seemed to bode well. Ash had disappeared, which seemed to… not bode well.
For now, all she could do was wait. Wait to have the conversation where they finally determined whether Ash would marry her. No pistols at dawn to force his hand. Just each of them making the choice. To choose each other.
Grunts and thuds brought Felicity back to Felix and Pandora’s next round of fencing. Their battle turned vigorous, both panting and jousting sharply with their broomsticks. Pandora landed a forceful jab in Felix’s chest, and he fell in exaggerated fashion to the ground, clutching his chest.
“You’ve killed me!” he cried and extended his arm, reaching out for Pandora, before letting it drop to the floor and slumping in a boneless heap.
Pandora toed him with her slipper. He remained lifeless, and Pandora broke out in a fit of giggles. Felicity snorted, her lips twitching with mirth. Fifi never did anything in half-measures.
A muffled cough drew her attention to the door of the library. Mr. Thorne leaned against the frame, a smile fighting valiantly to break free on his grim face. His gaze was locked on Felix, his eyes glimmering with something Felicity couldn’t quite put her finger on. Her brother’s towering form rose in her periphery, and Thorne’s gaze never once deviated from him.Interesting.
Felicity broke out in applause, gaze still fixed on Mr. Thorne. “Exceptional acting, dear brother. Worthy of the stage at Drury Lane.”
Mr. Thorne’s eyes darted her way and widened when they clashed with hers. Her smile grew as his faded, a light blush blooming on the man’s cheeks.Wow. The dark, rough behemoth that was Mr. Thorne—blushing. Granted, she didn’t know the man all that well. But the blush was definitely a surprise.
He cleared his throat and stepped into the room. He made his way to Felicity, and Felix froze. Felicity’s gaze bounced between the two men. Felix’s gaze locked on Mr. Thorne, and Mr. Thorne doing everything in his power to pretend Felix didn’t exist. But if the man’s clenched jaw and stiff movements were any indication, he knew Felix’s eyes were boring into him. And he wasn’t in the least unaffected. Now, whether that was because he wanted to kill her brother or kiss him, she wasn’t sure. She almost started clapping again. This was enthralling, better than the juiciest gossip. And a welcome distraction from her own love troubles.
Mr. Thorne stopped before. “His Grace requests your presence at the observation floor of the Corner Tower.”
Felicity blinked. So, the absent Duke had finally returned. “When did the Duke return? He was absent for dinner.”
“He returned some thirty minutes ago.”
Jitters streamed through her and settled in her stomach.
Mr. Thorne glanced down at her wringing hands. “Just enough time to wash and then he requested your presence.”
