“Then I’ll ride with you so my craving for roast boar will not be challenged.”
His chuckles echoed through me. I stepped away when the door opened.
Watson had returned. His face looked cross. “Sir, they only have one room.”
Felton’s bemused smile struck at my chest. “One bed?” I said. “My lord, truly? This is our pattern. You feed me, talk nice, and we just pick back up. I was hooked this time. I trusted you.”
Felton picked up his coat and moved to the door. “Where is this room?”
“The last one, top of the stairs.”
“Good. Have them ready a hot bath. Nothing communal for me. I don’t share well.”
“Yes, sir.”
The door closed.
Arms crossing, he turned to me. “If I intended to do a trick, I’d own up to it, like making the coach as crowded as possible. I own my mistakes. Goodnight, Cecilia, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Felton, where are you going?”
“To bed.”
“But there’s only one bed.”
“Yes, my lady, one bed. Mine. You’re resourceful. You’ll figure something out since it is impossible for a man and woman to be in the same place and it be platonic, even fatherly.”
“Felton . . .” The accusation was still there, just softer than last December. That moment I could honestly say I adored my father-in-law and that nothing untoward had occurred.
That moment.
Couldn’t quite say that now. The look in Felton’s eyes said he knew it too, even whispered he understood why.
He grabbed the doorknob. “Goodnight, Cilia. You know where to find me. I’ll never run out on you.”
“No, you’ll announce you’re leaving because of Liverpool or some reason that’s important to you. And you’ll never once acknowledge that I might have needed you to stay. I wanted your encouragement for more than a month.”
His gaze flickered. “It seems that we should’ve talked more. Good night.” He dipped his head and left.
More tired than ever, I put my face on the table. I was weighed down by the stones in my chest. I was guilty of thinking of Tramel too much and that for a long time he was the measure of a hero.
I couldn’t explain that, even though I was tempted. I hadn’t broken any vow. But why say all this only for Felton to think that meant I was still his?
My stubborn heart was mine and mine alone.
Nonetheless, it took everything in me to leave Felton before. I didn’t think I’d have that kind of strength again.
CHAPTER50
FELTON—COZYROOM FORONE
The room seemed small to Felton, but elegant with a hammered copper tub laid in front of the hearth. Steam rose from the water. Everything would feel better after a hot bath. Everything would be better if Cecilia had come.
He paced back and forth, telling his gut that Watson would be able to get her another room and that maybe she’d cede to the small bit of wisdom that being under his protection was best.
Stubborn woman.
The knock at the door ramped up his pulse. He smoothed his grin. It took a lot for Cecilia to admit she was wrong, and he could do that too. Felton stalked to the door and flung it open.
