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With determined strides, he started in her direction. It would be easy enough to formulate a worthy apology, just as he had the night before. As Felix approached, he caught a few words from Mr. Woodward.

“If you are not otherwise engaged tomorrow morning—” his words stopped short as he noticed Felix standing beside him. He turned with a smile. “Ah, Mr. Hawthorne. We were just speaking of you not a few minutes past.”

Felix could have guessed the very moment. “In reference to the events of this morning?” he guessed.

Mr. Woodward gave a pained smile. “Yes, precisely that. Very unfortunate, indeed. Grace is expected to recover within a fortnight, which is better news than I expected.”

Felix swallowed past his dry throat. “That is good news, indeed.” He could feel Miss Sterling’s gaze on the side of his face. He turned to face her, not at all surprised by the venom in her eyes.

Mr. Woodward seemed to sense the awkwardness between them. He lingered for a brief moment before taking a large step backward, then sideways. He gave a quick bow before his lanky frame carried him out of earshot. Felix hadn’t meant to be left alone with Miss Sterling, but it was likely for the best. He had no idea how she would react to his apology.

The fewer witnesses to the conversation, the better.

He breathed deeply before opening his mouth. “I expect you have heard about the—er—proceedings to your maid’s injury?”

Miss Sterling’s skeptical eyelids blinked once.

Was that a yes?

Felix cleared his throat. “I must apologize for being so careless,” he began. “My intention was only to help the injured horse and those within the carriage.”

Miss Sterling studied his face with those heavy eyes. “Are you certain you didn’t wish to leave me without a maid for the entire house party?”

“Why on earth would I do that?” Felix scoffed. He had hoped to keep his tone cordial, but he didn’t do well with false accusations.

She remained silent.

“Are you accusing me of intentionally harming your maid?” He leaned close, keeping his voice low. The very idea that he had done such a thing was an insult he wouldn’t tolerate. Anger thrummed beneath his skin.

“If you did wish to hinder me, it would be an efficient method,” she said in a harsh whisper.

Felix struggled to hide his disbelief. “Hinder you from what, exactly?”

“From looking my best. From making a match. That does seem to be your favorite Yuletide activity.” She tugged on the top of one of her gloves, avoiding his gaze.

He laughed under his breath. Her hair was perfect, not a curl out of place. Her red gown was striking. Her face was enchanting, even with the dark glare she wore. “You need not have any concern about how you look,” he muttered, though he hoped she wouldn’t take the compliment to heart. He had been avoiding making such a thorough study of her beauty since the day before, though it was difficult to miss. “It’s your behavior you should be worried about.”

Her gaze snapped up to his, hotter than the flame on the nearby wall. “What about my behavior offends you so greatly?”

“I saw your obvious flirting with Mr. Woodward just now. Men recognize false smiles from a hundred yards. Most men, anyway. Not Mr. Davies.”

Perhaps mentioning Mr. Davies wasn’t the wisest decision. Miss Sterling’s eyes flashed with anger. “Is that why you intervened just now?” Her voice lowered. “Mr. Woodward was about to invite me to join him for…well, for something, tomorrow morning. I didn’t have the chance to hear what he had planned because you distracted him.” Her cheeks had taken on a pinker hue, but her posture was still rigid and proper.

Felix gave a quiet laugh. “Do you truly think it is worth my time to rescue Mr. Woodward from your false smiles? That is not why I came to Bellthorne Hall.”

“Why did you come then? May I suggest that you go home this evening and never return?” She blinked innocently.

Felix shook his head slowly, an unexpected smile tugging on his mouth. For a strange reason, he enjoyed vexing her. “I am not going anywhere. I’ll be here for every single activity. I’ll be present to observe each and every false smile you cast at the other men.”

Her nostrils flared. “I find it amusing that you consider yourself such a fine judge of false smiles when you were just happily conversing with Miss Bowles.”

Felix had already noted the insincerity in Miss Bowles’s disposition, but he couldn’t have Miss Sterling knowing that. “I don’t understand. Miss Bowles’s smile was much more genuine than yours.”

Miss Sterling gave a quiet gasp. “And yours was least of all! Even I could see your disinterest from this side of the room.”

“You’re wrong.” He leaned slightly closer. “I am interested in Miss Bowles. Very interested.”

Miss Sterling’s eyes turned heavenward. “You cannot convince me that a man like you is seeking a wife.”