Page 11 of Stay Here Forever

“Again, my propriety is not of your concern. I need you to explain yourself.”

Felix swallowed forcefully, knowing the time for avoiding hard truths was over, but he was saved by a sharp knock on the door as Hopkins entered with a full tea tray. Ever well trained, he quickly deposited the items, made a quick bow, and exited. Audrey shot her brother another glare before walking to pour out desperately needed hot beverages for her and Luke after their time in the elements.

Remembering his preferences, she doctored the drink exactly as he liked it. What a treasure she was, and yet no one seemed to appreciate her. It utterly confounded Luke.

Their fingers brushed as he took the saucer from her. It was the first time they had touched without the barrier of gloves between them, and he felt the shock of it all the way up his arm. She blushed and looked down, focused on pouring her own cup of tea. Sitting down next to Luke, she took a deep draught and closed her eyes in pleasure, letting out a deep sigh.

“What about me?” Felix pouted. But Audrey, god bless her, refused to answer and simply shot him a look. Grumbling, Felix finally rose and prepared his own cup.

Audrey took another sip of the almost medicinal tea before deliberately placing it on the table and folding her hands in her lap. The look on her face was lethal as she turned toward her brother. “How long have you known that Rufus returned to England?”

“Audrey, you have to understand,” Felix began sheepishly.

“No. No excuses. How. Long. Have. You. Known.”

Felix looked down, refusing to meet his sister’s eyes. “A few months,” he finally answered with a long sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sank down in his chair as if he were the one suffering in this exchange.

Audrey nodded and bit her bottom lip, which trembled slightly. Luke could see the sheen of unshed tears in her eyes.

“And how long has he been married?”

“About a year.”

“And you’ve known this entire time.” It was painful to watch the utter treachery wash over Audrey. She kept her posture rigid and held on to her composure, but the crack in her voice betrayed her.

“Yes.” Felix was now hunched over, head bowed and hands hanging between his knees.

They all sat in silence for an interminable minute before Audrey croaked out, “Why?”

“Because he needed to marry for money, and I didn’t want to break your heart!” Felix shouted in frustration as he erupted from the chair and began pacing before the fire. “The Archer baronetcy needed funds, and he had to look elsewhere for a wife. There was simply no way around it, so I gave him my blessing and released him from the betrothal.”

Something else was going on. Luke could feel an underlying desperation in Felix, and while his explanation was certainly hurtful, the predicament wasn’t uncommon and didn’t necessitate the degree of anguish he was currently showing.

“And why was my dowry not enough?” Audrey asked. “He knew the amount when entering into the engagement, did he not?” She was still maintaining a level of calm that was now beginning to concern Luke. Yes, something else was definitely going on.

“Yes. He knew,” Felix answered, still pacing frantically. “But circumstances changed.”

“And were those circumstances the needs of the baronetcy or the amount of my dowry which was still available?” Audrey tilted her head, hands still clasped in her lap as she asked the question, her steady posture suffusing the inquiry with an eeriness.

And there it was. Felix had always been irresponsible with money. Could he not admit that he’d lost his sister’s security for her future? Felix’s expression made Luke question if he was about to be sick, and he feared this went deeper than Audrey might realize.

“How long?” he asked. All eyes swung to him as he spoke up for the first time.

“I really don’t think this concerns you, old friend. Perhaps it’s time you left Audrey and I to hash this out.”

“I don’t think so. I have a vested interest in making sure that someone is taking care of your sister.” Now Felix looked angry. He’d just opened his mouth to issue a retort when Audrey preempted him.

“What do you mean?” she asked, looking at Luke.

“I was asking him how long ago he gambled away your dowry. And I’m also wondering what Rufus agreed to give him in return for dissolving the betrothal.” Audrey’s eyes were wide pools as she swung her head to look at her brother.

“Felix?”

“How long?” Luke repeated.

Felix ceased pacing and turned away from them, leaning his arms on the mantel and staring into the fire. Finally, so softly Luke almost couldn’t hear him, he said, “Eight years.”

Audrey let out a choked sob before repeating his words back at him. “Eight years. Eight years?”