“Aye, my lord.”
The groom leapt down and went to the horses’ heads and a couple of ostlers came forward to assist in removing the animals from the traces.
Felicity forebore to argue further. She was too elated to be considering the proprieties. But as Raoul handed her down, she belatedly recalled his promise to return her to Angelica’s care. It seemed so long ago now, though in reality it was a mere couple of days. Less? Probably. Her life had changed so radically with the revelations of the journey, it felt as if an eon had passed.
“I feel quite disoriented,” she said as she accompanied Raoul through a bustling hallway.
“Hardly surprising. Let me procure a private parlour and you will have an opportunity to settle your mind again.”
Felicity doubted the buzzing in her head would soon dissipate. Her mind was darting this way and that, seemingly out of her control. She abandoned all efforts at logic and let the wandering thoughts free as she was conducted into an upstairs room with a window overlooking the street. She watched the comings and goings below without taking them in, her imagination painting images of long walks in Savernake Forest with her sketching pad to hand, interspersed with memories of riding on Papa’s shoulders or scrambling over rocks and climbing into a low-branched tree. Raoul’s voice recalled her.
“I have ordered a light repast, since I have no doubt Mrs Dadford is preparing another gargantuan feast.”
She turned from the window to find him setting a chair for her at the cloth-covered table. Failing the window seat, there was no other place to sit. Raoul smiled at her and an odd flip in her bosom took her by surprise. She eyed him as she came to take the chair, feeling baffled.
He lifted an eyebrow. “What is that look for?”
“Nothing.” Her cheeks warmed a little and she hastily sat down.
He did not persist, merely taking the chair opposite, setting it at a casual angle and leaning back at his ease.
Felicity began to feel fidgety, unaccountably flustered as she had never been in his presence. Was it because they were alone? In just the situation Angelica had warned against? “I suppose we are safe from interruption in here from anyone who knows you?”
His brows flew up. “Are you at that again? You may cease to nag at it. Within a short time it will be of no consequence.”
Blank incomprehension stilled her mind. “Of no consequence? How?”
“That you shall see.” His enigmatic face was in place. “They are bringing coffee at once. I thought you might be in need of a restorative.”
She felt in need of a new brain altogether. What had got into her to be abruptly conscious of Raoul and the fact of their isolation? He was oddly different. His gaze seemed to appraise her, dropping to the neckline of her gown. His expression altered and Felicity read disapproval in his eyes.
“The first thing is to be rid of that abominable garment. Surely you could wear one of the gowns Angelica sorted out for you?”
Startled, and considerably ruffled, Felicity pulled at her gown, straightening it. “Neither is suitable for travelling, especially in a curricle.”
He grunted. “Well, we can remedy that. Not that there is likely to be a suitable modiste in this town.”
“It is scarcely a matter of urgency —”
“It will be.”
“— and I have no intention of wasting my funds on fripperies.” Belatedly taking in his interruption, Felicity blinked at him. “What do you mean, it will be? Until I decide just what to do —”
Raoul put up a finger. “If you are thinking of that ridiculous scheme of yours to return to a life of drudgery, forget it. I won’t permit you to do any such thing.”
“You won’t permit me?” A blaze swept through her. “If you think, merely because you helped me to come here, you can dictate what I do with the rest of my life, my lord, let me tell you —”
To her utter astonishment, he burst out laughing. Felicity eyed him, bewilderment chasing away the spurting fury as she waited for his mirth to abate. He held up a hand in a placatory gesture.
“I haven’t run mad, I promise you. Forget I said it.”
How could she possibly forget? He was behaving in a most peculiar fashion and Felicity had no idea how to deal with it. Fortunately, a waiter entered the room at this moment and she was able to recover herself as he set down a silver coffee pot and its accompaniment of cream and sugar.
“The rest will be here directly, sir.”
Raoul nodded, already upending a cup. Felicity watched him pour and set the filled vessel down before her. He put the cream jug and sugar bowl within her reach.
“Thank you.” Aware her voice was frigid, she became incensed again at his amused look. “I hope you know you are ruining my enjoyment of the day.”
