The very day she determined to track him down herself, Susan peeked inside her chamber with excited eyes.
“Another flower?” Felicity asked.
“No. The viscount himself is here—in the front drawing room.”
Felicity’s mother had gone shopping, and her father was at his clubs. She ought to send him away until her mother returned, or at least make him cool his heels while she decided whether or not she would entertain his visit.
Such thoughts lasted less than ten seconds. Dabbing at the hair around her face, she turned to her maid. “Do I look presentable?”
“Always.” Susan held the door. “But try not to look quite so eager.”
Felicity schooled her features. Susan was right.
But she had missed him.
“Would you like me to act as chaperone?” Susan’s voice stopped her.
“No. No. I doubt the visit will last very long, and… I’ll leave the door cracked.”
Susan of course, wouldn’t insist, but she looked torn.
Felicity didn’t take the time to reassure her but once she was in the corridor, forced herself to walk at a sedate pace on her way to the drawing room.
She was as angry with him as she was excited to see his dear face. Apparently, the saying that absence made the heart grow fonder had some truth to it.
Even if it also made one’s heart grow annoyed.
He was on his feet the instant she appeared and rushed across the room to take her hands in his.
“Felicity.” A lock of his chestnut hair curved along his jaw as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. “How are you?”
For once, seeing that he hadn’t been ill, injured, or maimed in any way, Felicity didn’t answer the question immediately. She couldn’t allow herself to be softened so easily, but…
She tamped down the rush of affection from a single glance at his broad shoulders and tapered waist and his capable hands. Not to mention what she was coming to believe must surely be the most handsome face in all of England.
“I am fine.” She forced displeasure into her voice. Six days had passed since he’d made any effort to see her. The flowers had been lovely, but…
“I wanted to come to you.” He closed the door behind her and with one hand on the small of her back, led her to the settee in the middle of the room. “But I need to be careful. Twice now, I’ve put you in danger.”
He lowered her onto the cushions to sit beside him.
“So…you haven’t stayed away because of our argument?” Oh, but she sounded petty and clingy. “Did you catch the villain yet?”
Rather than answering either of her questions, he swept her into his arms and quite effectively erased all the supposed slights she had imagined. His mouth on hers, she smoothed her hands up his torso so her hands could play with the hairs at the back of his neck.
“Does it feel like I wanted to stay away from you?” He growled into her neck several minutes later.
“No.” She wanted… Oh, she wanted more than just a kiss.
In just as swift of a move, he drew back. “Fetch a cloak or one of those floppy bonnets or whatever it is you ladies wear these days. A large one that might hide your identity. I have something to show you.”
“Because of the danger?” But Felicity was already pushing herself to her feet. If she wished to go out alone with him, they’d best leave before either of her parents returned. “What is it? Tell me.”
“A townhouse, for after the wedding. For us.” His eyes danced in excitement. “But I want for you to see it before I sign the lease.”
So… they wouldn’t have to live with his father and stepmother for even a single day. More than pleased, she nodded and moved toward the door. They were going to look at a home that would belong to just the two of them!
Not five minutes later, she sat beneath the hood of a covered gig, not at all on display as they had been in his curricle.
