“Jules?” Bethany stepped into his study with Felicity behind her.
He’d not wanted to give Felicity the wrong impression, nor compromise her in any way by asking her to meet with him alone.
“Thank you for coming.” What with his personal guests’ insistence that they finish off his grandfather’s bottles of scotch yesterday, Jules had failed to meet privately with either Felicity or her father yet. He was determined, however, to do so today, before the excursion to the abbey. He rose and congratulated himself on his decision to have Bethany sit in on this conversation.
If Felicity needed consoling, Bethany could provide that. And with Bethany present, it was less likely that Felicity would feel comfortable throwing any handy projectiles his way.
Not that that was something Felicity would ever do. She was quite English and quite proper. And, as she watched him warily from with rather soulful brown eyes, not a single blond hair out of place, he couldn’t deny that she was very, very pretty.
But the affection he felt for her didn’t extend beyond the same way he cared about his sisters.
“Please, sit down, both of you.” This situation required finesse on his part—something he normally didn’t concern himself with.
He schooled his features, providing an indication that he’d discuss unpleasant news. Bethany, of course, already knew his intentions and was staring at her hands in her lap, counting fretfully if he was to take a guess.
Felicity glanced between the two of them, confusion clouding her gaze.
The room fell silent until Bethany purposefully cleared her throat.
Jules lifted his gaze and met Felicity’s. “Our parents, I realize, have had longstanding expectations that the two of us should marry.”
He gave her a moment to say something. Did he hope she’d laugh it off and contradict him? Still, she nodded in a wary manner.
“But they never came to an official agreement.” At these words, she tilted her head and three tiny lines appeared between her brows.
“I had thought—”
“Not even a verbal one,” he continued, “and I’ve hesitated to act on their expectations for quite some time because I have not sensed romantic inclinations on your part, nor have I experienced them on my own.” Good God. What if he had been wrong? “Unless I am mistaken?”
And what if he was? Would that change anything? He met Bethany’s eyes and hell if her scowl didn’t give credence to his misgivings.
He ought to have discussed matters with Felicitybeforehe began courting Charley. He should not have accepted the bet to begin with.
But would he have taken the time to discover that Charley Jackson was more than an American with startling red hair and eyes the color of an enchanted forest?
Damned straight he would have. Even before he’d met her, she’d more than pricked his awareness.
He would have been free to pursue her of his own inclination, without the guise of duty… without other complications that could possibly rise up to bite him in the arse.
“You are not mistaken, Jules.” But Felicity’s smile was brittle, and her eyes shinier than they’d been a moment before. “You are in love with Miss Jackson.” Her words had him bolting upright in his seat.
He was not in love with anyone. He liked Charley—very much. But it was impossible to love someone after such short acquaintance. “I am courting her,” he clarified without having to disclose any feelings he may or may not have. “I intend to marry her.”
“I had thought so.” Felicity turned to Bethany, who smiled sympathetically.
“My brother is a cad of the worst kind and if you feel the need to throw something at him, I will do nothing to prevent you from doing so.” Without even hesitating, his dearest sister lifted a paperweight off the desk and extended it to her.
Felicity did not take it but turned to him with a sigh. “Have you mentioned any of this to my father yet?”
“I wished to speak with you first.”
Another sigh. “Yes. Well.” And then she dropped her gaze to the floor. “I had hoped…” She sighed heavily.
Julian’s fists clenched at his side. This was the right thing. This discussion was long overdue. He had brotherly feelings for Felicity. If they’d married, both of them would have ended up unhappy.
If Charley hadn’t come along, he might have fallen in line with their families’ expectations because… it had been expected of him. He’d have done it out of loyalty and duty and a disastrous marriage would have been the result.
“My father is not likely to take this very well.” Felicity’s voice broke, and Bethany reached across the space between their two chairs and handed her a scrap of linen.
