Drake swallowed hard, the lie about his title coming to mind. “I would never intentionally hurt your sister, Your Grace.”
“Intentionally or unintentionally, I will not have my sister hurt.” The duke straightened and folded his arms across his chest. “Tread carefully, Wakefield, for I will be watching. Whether or not you court my sister is up to Felicity—unless I am forced to get involved.” He resettled his stance. “I do not advise that you get me involved.”
No coward, but determined to remain in the duke’s good graces, Drake gave a single curt nod. “You have made your position quite clear, Your Grace, and I expected nothing less.” If Drake had been blessed with a sister, he would have been just as protective.
“Very well, then.” Broadmere motioned toward the door. “Let us see what Felicity says.”
*
“Can you hearanything?” Felicity whispered to Merry. They both had their ears pressed to the library door.
“They are coming!” Merry sprang back, dragging Felicity with her.
Heart pounding, Felicity patted her hair and straightened the foldsof her skirt, attempting to look as nonchalant as possible.
The library door opened, and Drake entered the hallway first, his somber expression making Felicity catch her bottom lip between her teeth. What in heaven’s name had Chance said to him? But more importantly, what in heaven’s name would she say to him if Chance had agreed? Could she be certain he was telling the truth about thatsomethingthat had sparked between them in Lady Atterley’s kitchen? Asomethingthat might grow into so much more? Or was he simply telling her what he knew she wished to hear? She had felt an unmistakablelikingfor him, but had he really felt the same for her?
She held her breath as he approached, the look in his eyes unreadable.
“Lady Felicity?”
“Yes?” Good heavens, could she possibly sound any more like a cornered mouse? She cleared her throat. “Yes, Lord Wakefield?”
“Would you grant me the honor of courting you?”
So many things tumbled through her mind as she sank into the mossy-green depths of his hazel-eyed gaze. Had Chance agreed? Was the decision truly hers? Was she brave enough to risk courting this man who admitted he needed her dowry but also swore he felt something for her? She had always been the mouse. Always the wallflower who hid from every possible interaction with a gentleman. Was this providence’s way of nudging her to step away from the wall, to come out of hiding, and risk grabbing hold of the same joy her older sisters had found?
“Lady Felicity?” Drake said, his deep voice as soft and soothing as a tender touch. “I implore you to give us a chance. To givemea chance.”
And then she saw it—the sincerity in his eyes. She supposed it had always been there, but now it was stronger, the sincerity and caring. “Yes, Lord Wakefield,” she whispered back. “I shall grant you permission to court me.”
He smiled like a man granted freedom from the gallows. “Your answer pleases me greatly, my lady. I swear I shall not disappoint you.”
Without a word, Chance turned around, stepped back inside the library, and closed the door.
“Congratulations, Felli. You actually rendered our brother speechless,” Merry said.
“I am quite speechless myself.” Unable to resist, Felicity boldly reached out and touched Drake’s arm. “But do not underestimate me, my lord,” she warned him. “Remember my bitter biscuits.”
His smile dimmed the slightest bit, and he tipped a serious nod. “So noted, my lady. So noted.”
Chapter Seven
Felicity tried notto fumble and accidentally stab Drake in the eye with her parasol as she moved it to her other shoulder. She found breathing at a normal pace extremely difficult as they ambled along the village green’s path as an officially courting couple enjoying a summer promenade. The situation was both exciting and frightening. When he placed his hand atop hers where it rested in the crook of his muscular arm, her heart pounded. Merry followed along behind them at a discreet distance. Close enough for proper chaperoning, but far enough back so they could share a private conversation. A private conversation?Good heavens.
Felicity swallowed hard, then cleared her throat. “It is a lovely day for a promenade. Is it not?”
He smiled down at her. “I had not noticed. Your loveliness dims all else for me.”
She almost laughed but caught it just in time. “Do not try so hard, my lord. We are courting now. It is a time where we may get to know one another better.”
“Then tell me why you doubt your beauty.”
A bit surprised by the boldness of his question, she wished she could sink deeper into her lace-trimmed bonnet and hide from it.
“Felicity?” He gently patted her hand. “Come now. Tell me why you doubt your beauty.”
She twitched a shrug and almost lost her parasol when it tried toslip off her shoulder.
