“It came as quite a surprise.”
“I can only imagine.” Bethany smothered a giggled. “I’ll have to revisit the meaning of the word comforting.” But then she reached out and squeezed Felicity’s hand. “So long as you are happy. That’s all that matters,” she repeated.
“I am.” How could Felicity not be happy to marry Axel? How could she not be thrilled at the prospect of having such an honorable man for a husband—one who she respected, one who could make her laugh, and who also possessed extraordinary lovemaking skills?
Which reminded her of what they had done earlier that night.
Which, in turn, reminded her that he’d nearly been killed.
“Who would want to kill him?”
“Chase insists Mantis is more than capable of defending himself. Apparently, he and Blackheart have learned to fight from an eastern teacher.”
Felicity nodded. “But that is no help against a gun, or…” Another horrifying realization. “Someone poisoned him.” She told Bethany about his recent sudden illness, and the gunshot.
“But Mantis knows to be careful now.” Bethany seemed quite sure. “And now that Chase and Westerley are back—and Mr. Spencer. Between all of them, I have no doubt that whoever is behind this will find himself on a ship for the America’s before the week's end.”
“I hope so.” Felicity wished she had half the confidence her friend had.
But then Bethany’s eyes widened. “I forgot to tell you the most spectacular news! I’ve been sworn to secrecy until after they’ve made an official announcement, but you don’t count. Tabetha is getting married as well. The two of you ought to have a double wedding…”
“So she landed her duke then?” Knowing Tabetha, Felicity doubted very seriously that Bethany’s sister would be willing to share her wedding day with another bride.
“Not a duke…” Bethany smirked. “It really is a most amusing story…”
The bathwater was almost tepid by the time Bethany fell silent, and when her maid returned, she reprimanded both of them for not sending for her sooner.
“You’ll catch your death, my lady.” She wrapped the warm towel around Felicity. “But at least you’re no longer shivering.”
“Do you have need of anything else? More tea?” Bethany asked as she moved toward the door.
“No. Just sleep.” She did, in fact, feel somewhat better for having spent time in the company of a friend.
“Felicity?” Bethany turned back, her fingers tapping away at her thumb. “I was terrified I was going to lose you after Westerley. Anyway, I’m so happy that I didn’t. And I am so happy for—everything. You mustn’t worry about Mantis. He’s more than capable of protecting himself. He did tonight, didn’t he?”
He had, but would he be so lucky next time? “Yes,” Felicity answered. “And… thank you, for everything.”
Bethany blushed and then slipped quietly into the hall, closing the door behind her.
Feeling almost lost in the giant bed provided for her, Felicity burrowed deeper, hugging one of the pillows.
What was Axel doing now? Was he drinking scotch with Greystone and Blackheart? Or was he in bed, where he ought to be, resting so that he could recover completely?
She grimaced to herself. Her plans for a quiet, early night were a distant memory.
Not quiet at all.
And if the things he’d done when he’d had her pressed against that tree were any indication of what they would share in their marriage… Oh. My.
She wiggled, and the tenderness between her thighs assured her she had not imagined any of it.
The Thorns
Functioning on less than four hours of sleep, Mantis lifted the knocker and shuffled his feet while he waited for Mr. Michaels to open the door. After a very, very late night spent in Greystone’s billiard room with Westerley, Chaswick, Spencer, and of course Greys and Blackheart, although they had a few theories, the six of them weren’t any closer to determining the identity of who might be behind the recent attacks.
Felicity's mother was hosting an “at home” to which he’d been invited and that allowed Mantis the perfect opportunity to spend time with his fiancé.
He knew from Chaswick, who’d surprisingly joined them for a few hours, that Felicity had spent the night safely tucked away in the guest chambers at Byrd House.
